Just a brief post today...
First up, some movies -
Friday, July 6th (yes, that's tomorrow!) - 'War Made Easy - How Presidents & Pundits Keep Spinning Us To Death.' 6:00 p.m. in the air-conditioned comfort of the Escalante Center, 2150 E. Orange in Tempe. Admission is free.
Friday, July 20th - 'Small Town Gay Bar.' Also 6:00 p.m. in the Escalante Center.
Friday, July 27th - TBD (possibly Crossing Arizona), presented by the LD8 Democrats. Location and time to be announced.
Other stuff....
Saturday, July 14 - A Town Hall meeting with LD17 State Representatives Ed Ableser and David Schapira. 11:00 a.m. - noon, Pyle Center in Tempe. Talk to them about the just-finished session of the lege, or about ideas for the next session.
Note: The Pyle Center has AC, too. :))
July 18 - 21 - The Young Democrats of America are holding their convention in Dallas, Texas. Not normally an event that I'd post here (I'd NEVER encourage someone to go to Texas, not even for a short visit :)) ), but the Young Democrats of Arizona need help sending people to the convention. They are asking for contributions, and time is running short. Details can be found here.
Tuesday, July 24 - The next meeting of the Arizona Chapter of the National Jewish Democratic Council. Time 7:00 p.m., Temple Chai, 4645 Marilyn, Phoenix, AZ (between Greenway and Thunderbird off of Tatum). State Rep. David Schapira (D-LD17) will be the featured speaker. For more information, email to njdcphx[at]cox.net.
Later!
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Registering Voters At The Tempe Fireworks Show
It was a long and tiring day (and freakin' HOT - 117!!), so I'm not going to do a full write-up of the event, but here are a few impressions -
...The Obama campaign had the only candidate booth at the event; none of the others, from either party, put in even a token appearance. I know it's early, and Arizona isn't considered a 'significant' state in terms of getting the nominations, but there were still more than 50,000 people there.
That's a lot of missed contact, and that kind of attention to detail and "grunt-work" campaigning is a major reason why Barack Obama is getting so much grass roots love and money.
...Harry Mitchell stopped by to say hi to everyone and to meet and greet people. Even though he was at three events today (a parade in Ahwatukee, a picnic in Scottsdale, and the fireworks in Tempe), he looked fresh for the low-key appearance. He's been busy this week, but apparently a few days at home is a great tonic.
...Even though the Republicans didn't have a booth in Tempe, there were still idiots on site. For example, while we were giving out 'We love our Gov' stickers, one loudmouth grabbed a sheet, exclaimed "this is horseshit!" and tore it up.
We didn't sweat it - we had 400 more just like that one.
BTW - the vast majority of attendees had a *far* different opinion of Governor Napolitano. We gave out most of the stickers. :))
...In an amazing development, Arizonans were doing their best imitation of LA baseball fans - they started leaving halfway through the fireworks show.
What's up with that? They paid to get in, probably paid to park, and leaving early only meant they were going to get stuck in the traffic snarl earlier.
Their loss. They missed a great show.
...All in all, it was a great day. The only thing I would change would be MORE ICE! LOL
Hope you all had a fun and safe 4th!
Later!
...The Obama campaign had the only candidate booth at the event; none of the others, from either party, put in even a token appearance. I know it's early, and Arizona isn't considered a 'significant' state in terms of getting the nominations, but there were still more than 50,000 people there.
That's a lot of missed contact, and that kind of attention to detail and "grunt-work" campaigning is a major reason why Barack Obama is getting so much grass roots love and money.
...Harry Mitchell stopped by to say hi to everyone and to meet and greet people. Even though he was at three events today (a parade in Ahwatukee, a picnic in Scottsdale, and the fireworks in Tempe), he looked fresh for the low-key appearance. He's been busy this week, but apparently a few days at home is a great tonic.
...Even though the Republicans didn't have a booth in Tempe, there were still idiots on site. For example, while we were giving out 'We love our Gov' stickers, one loudmouth grabbed a sheet, exclaimed "this is horseshit!" and tore it up.
We didn't sweat it - we had 400 more just like that one.
BTW - the vast majority of attendees had a *far* different opinion of Governor Napolitano. We gave out most of the stickers. :))
...In an amazing development, Arizonans were doing their best imitation of LA baseball fans - they started leaving halfway through the fireworks show.
What's up with that? They paid to get in, probably paid to park, and leaving early only meant they were going to get stuck in the traffic snarl earlier.
Their loss. They missed a great show.
...All in all, it was a great day. The only thing I would change would be MORE ICE! LOL
Hope you all had a fun and safe 4th!
Later!
Monday, July 02, 2007
The double standard continues...
...one set of laws for normal folks, and one set of laws (OK - *no* laws) for the Bushies.
I called it less than a month ago when I wrote that Scooter Libby would spend less time in jail than Paris Hilton.
And, at the time I wrote that, Hilton was using her medical 'get out of jail free' card and was at home after just a few days in the LA County Jail. At the time, it looked like she would only spend a couple of days total
Today, that prediction came to fruition when George Bush commuted Libby's sentence, ensuring that Libby will never spend a day in jail for his crimes. Earlier in the day, an appeals court refused to stay his sentence pending appeal, so the pressure was on Bush to do something to keep VP Cheney's former chief of staff out of prison.
And probably to keep other, higher ranking, denizens of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. out of prison, too.
[Yeah, so predicting that Bush would intercede was like predicting a sunny day in Arizona. It was still a prediction. :)) ]
Apparently Bush thought that 30 months was too severe a sentence for obstructing justice in an investigation into leaks of classified information.
From the International Herald Tribune -
Boo hoo. They should have thought of that before they started betraying covert CIA agents as partisan political retribution.
Bush's statement on the commutation is here.
Other reactions to the move, from AP via Guardian Unlimited (UK), here.
Many will say that the commutation was deserved and in no way is special treatment for a favored aide, but know this: in all of Bush's previous commutations, the defendant actually served some time first.
I called it less than a month ago when I wrote that Scooter Libby would spend less time in jail than Paris Hilton.
And, at the time I wrote that, Hilton was using her medical 'get out of jail free' card and was at home after just a few days in the LA County Jail. At the time, it looked like she would only spend a couple of days total
Today, that prediction came to fruition when George Bush commuted Libby's sentence, ensuring that Libby will never spend a day in jail for his crimes. Earlier in the day, an appeals court refused to stay his sentence pending appeal, so the pressure was on Bush to do something to keep VP Cheney's former chief of staff out of prison.
And probably to keep other, higher ranking, denizens of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. out of prison, too.
[Yeah, so predicting that Bush would intercede was like predicting a sunny day in Arizona. It was still a prediction. :)) ]
Apparently Bush thought that 30 months was too severe a sentence for obstructing justice in an investigation into leaks of classified information.
From the International Herald Tribune -
President George W. Bush spared former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby from a 2 1/2-year prison term in the CIA leak investigation, delivering a political thunderbolt in the highly charged criminal case. Bush said the sentence was too harsh.
Boo hoo. They should have thought of that before they started betraying covert CIA agents as partisan political retribution.
Bush's statement on the commutation is here.
Other reactions to the move, from AP via Guardian Unlimited (UK), here.
Many will say that the commutation was deserved and in no way is special treatment for a favored aide, but know this: in all of Bush's previous commutations, the defendant actually served some time first.
David Ritcheson, RIP
...Umbrella poles and bleach may be slow, but apparently as weapons, they are just as effective as a bullet or knife...
It took a little over 14 months for the victim to succumb to his injuries, but the victim of a vicious and horrific beating by some white supremacists died this weekend after more than a year of pain and torment.
Oh, the official cause of death will be listed as suicide or something similar (whatever the official euphemism is in Texas), because he was physically healthy when he jumped off a cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico.
David Ritcheson endured the attack, months of hospitalization, and dozens of operations to recover enough to testify before a Congressional committee this year about a hate crimes bill.
While he obviously was made of strong stuff, both to recover from his physical injuries and to be able to talk about it, just as obviously, it wasn't enough.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack more than a year ago, I wrote "[m]y condolences go out to the family of the victim and hope that the family is able to find justice, if not solace, in the days and months ahead. "
That statement holds as true today as it did then, though justice may be tough to come by - the murderers (and yes, they are just that), David Henry Tuck and Keith Robert Turner, are serving prison sentences for their parts in the attack.
Even if the cause of death is found to be related to the attack, they won't be charged with it.
Too bad.
It took a little over 14 months for the victim to succumb to his injuries, but the victim of a vicious and horrific beating by some white supremacists died this weekend after more than a year of pain and torment.
Oh, the official cause of death will be listed as suicide or something similar (whatever the official euphemism is in Texas), because he was physically healthy when he jumped off a cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico.
David Ritcheson endured the attack, months of hospitalization, and dozens of operations to recover enough to testify before a Congressional committee this year about a hate crimes bill.
While he obviously was made of strong stuff, both to recover from his physical injuries and to be able to talk about it, just as obviously, it wasn't enough.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack more than a year ago, I wrote "[m]y condolences go out to the family of the victim and hope that the family is able to find justice, if not solace, in the days and months ahead. "
That statement holds as true today as it did then, though justice may be tough to come by - the murderers (and yes, they are just that), David Henry Tuck and Keith Robert Turner, are serving prison sentences for their parts in the attack.
Even if the cause of death is found to be related to the attack, they won't be charged with it.
Too bad.
Harry Mitchell's "Congress On Your Corner" and other appearances
...Tomorrow, Congressman Harry Mitchell will hold another session of "Congress On Your Corner," the seventh such session in his regular series of community meetings.
Place: Dobson Ranch Branch of the Mesa Public Library, 2425 South Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona.
Date: Tuesday, July 3rd.
Time: 10:30 a.m. - noon
His staff will be present to help resolve issues with the federal government and its agencies. If you can't make it, contact them at the district office at (480) 946-2411.
...On July 4th, Harry Mitchell will be at a children's Independence Day parade in Ahwatukee.
From the AZ Rep -
Later!
Place: Dobson Ranch Branch of the Mesa Public Library, 2425 South Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona.
Date: Tuesday, July 3rd.
Time: 10:30 a.m. - noon
His staff will be present to help resolve issues with the federal government and its agencies. If you can't make it, contact them at the district office at (480) 946-2411.
...On July 4th, Harry Mitchell will be at a children's Independence Day parade in Ahwatukee.
From the AZ Rep -
A children's Independence Day parade, sponsored by Mountain Park Ranch in the Ahwatukee Foothills, will feature Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Congressman Harry Mitchell and Phoenix Fire Department engines.
The parade begins at 8 a.m. at Foothills Baptist Church, 15450 S 21st St., and will end at Thunderhill Park , at Thunderhill Drive and Ray Road.
Later!
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Either the Republic's editors are idiots, or they think that we are...
...if this goes over well, perhaps I'll start a regular 'picking nits' series of posts...ok, probably not. :)
As part of its 'Viewpoints' section in the Sunday edition, the Republic ran a piece with twenty questions to determine how much American know about their "country, its laws, government structure and history."
Like most such quizzes, it's mostly intended for entertainment, not educational value, so my criticism isn't reserved for the "no-brainerness" of most of the questions.
One of the answers, however, cause me to raise my eyebrows - it either illustrates the Rep's editors' math illiteracy, or their expectation that their readers are math illiterate.
To wit (my commentary separated by [brackets]) -
Or perhaps *they* can't multiply 50 by 4.]
Of course, they could just think that 'dumbing down' the paper is a legitimate response to the Rep's plummeting circulation numbers.
...By the way, when I took the test -
20 out of 20 correct, and I only had to guess on the 'Flag Day' question (#7). Knew the rest cold. :)
Later!
As part of its 'Viewpoints' section in the Sunday edition, the Republic ran a piece with twenty questions to determine how much American know about their "country, its laws, government structure and history."
Like most such quizzes, it's mostly intended for entertainment, not educational value, so my criticism isn't reserved for the "no-brainerness" of most of the questions.
One of the answers, however, cause me to raise my eyebrows - it either illustrates the Rep's editors' math illiteracy, or their expectation that their readers are math illiterate.
To wit (my commentary separated by [brackets]) -
4. How many U.S. senators are there? [That's a pretty straightforward question; no problem there.]
A: 50 (one from each state). [In a multiple choice format, this answer is a seemingly valid possiblity; it's wrong, but it makes a kind of sense to people who don't know the answer and will try to guess at it.]
B: 100 (two from each state). [In a m/c-format quiz, the correct answer should be included; no problem here.]
C: 300 (four from each state). [OK, now this is a problem. The fact that it's wrong is OK, but "four from each state"? Are the editors saying that there are 75 states? That would be fine, but it's kind of inconsistent with the first two answers, which have 50 states. Or perhaps they think we can't multiply 50 by 4?
Or perhaps *they* can't multiply 50 by 4.]
Of course, they could just think that 'dumbing down' the paper is a legitimate response to the Rep's plummeting circulation numbers.
...By the way, when I took the test -
20 out of 20 correct, and I only had to guess on the 'Flag Day' question (#7). Knew the rest cold. :)
Later!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Damn! I missed it!
Now I *really* regret not making it to MCDP's Thursday evening screening of "Sicko."
Turns out that not only did I miss a chance to benefit a good cause (MCDP), I missed a movie that already has the corporate healthcare industry running scared.
At a meeting on Thursday at the company my sister works for (on the margins of the healthcare industry), the attendees were told in no uncertain terms that when they attended holiday events next week and the conversation turned to the movie, they were to give the opinion that the movie, while entertaining, had information that was "not valid".
BTW - telling my sister what to say and think usually has an effect that is opposite of what was intended. Trust me on this one - I'm speaking from experience... :)
Because I missed the pre-screening, I was going to wait for it to be released on DVD, but now, I plan to see it next week if I have the time, and recommend everyone else consider doing the same.
If only to annoy Big Pharma and Big Insurance. :)
Note: It's playing all over the valley; consult your local listings for theaters and times near you.
Have a great weekend!
Turns out that not only did I miss a chance to benefit a good cause (MCDP), I missed a movie that already has the corporate healthcare industry running scared.
At a meeting on Thursday at the company my sister works for (on the margins of the healthcare industry), the attendees were told in no uncertain terms that when they attended holiday events next week and the conversation turned to the movie, they were to give the opinion that the movie, while entertaining, had information that was "not valid".
BTW - telling my sister what to say and think usually has an effect that is opposite of what was intended. Trust me on this one - I'm speaking from experience... :)
Because I missed the pre-screening, I was going to wait for it to be released on DVD, but now, I plan to see it next week if I have the time, and recommend everyone else consider doing the same.
If only to annoy Big Pharma and Big Insurance. :)
Note: It's playing all over the valley; consult your local listings for theaters and times near you.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Much ado about BS in the Senate this week...
By a vote of 46 - 53, the U.S. Senate today effectively killed the latest immigration reform bill (S1639) by refusing to invoke cloture and limit debate on it.
While I agree that a reform of the U.S.'s immigration policy is needed, don't mourn this bill.
It was garbage anyway.
In a shocking move, both AZ Senators Kyl and McCain voted in favor of cloture.
The 'shock' is that McCain showed up for work...guess there's no rubber chicken on the menu in Iowa or New Hampshire tonight... LOL
It's less of a shock that Kyl was in favor of the bill; while his campaign last year had strong anti-immigrant planks, the engine driving his campaign was fueled by money from the biggest beneficiaries of the bill - Corporate America.
Anyway, even if the bill had passed the Senate (obviously unlikely) and the House (like the nativists in the House would ever allow that to happen!) and was signed into law, well...
It wouldn't have worked.
In fact, no proposal to 'reform' U.S. immigration policy that can pass Congress will ever do anything to 'improve' it (whatever 'improve' may mean), particularly in regard to immigration from Mexico.
That's because the simple truth is that all of the proposals and ideas have the same flaw -
They ignore the root cause of the immigration wave – the abject poverty that defines existence in most of Mexico.
Another factor to consider is that there are three basic groups involved in the immigration debate - the 'open borders/human rights' crowd; the 'deport them all' crowd; and the Chambers of Commerce/'we want cheap labor' crowd.
[I know those labels are a little over-generalized, but they'll do for this post.]
Let's face facts here and admit that no proposal will ever make all three of those groups happy. Most proposals, in fact, focus on appeasing one group.
For instance, this most recent plan was designed to appease the business lobby; hence, the other two groups hated, and killed, it.
So now the question becomes "How do you get a workable plan passed?"
Short answer: Pi$$ 'em all off.
[OK, so a more appropriate phrase is 'construct a compromise'. Don't quibble - I'm on a roll here. :) ]
Any passable proposal has to include features that will annoy each group. Something that will enable them to go back to their bases and say "Hey, we didn't get everything that we wanted, but they didn't either."
For instance:
An aid program that helps Mexico combat its raging poverty will please the 'deport 'em' crowd as well as the 'human rights' crowd because improving the quality of life in Mexico will reduce the number of people risking their lives to cross the border. It would annoy the Chamber of Commerce types because it would decrease the number of people available for their easily-controlled, easily-discarded, and above all, *cheap* labor force.
Note: I'm thinking that a version of the CCC would be perfect for this. The only issue would be making sure that the aid (material as well as financial) isn't siphoned off by corrupt government officials. (The US government telling another that it has to be less corrupt? There's a 'pot meet kettle' moment for the ages. :)) )
Other features that would annoy some while pleasing others, yet still be successfully combined in one program could include:
...increased border security with a provision that anyone trying to cross anywhere but a regular border checkpoint would be detained and deported, even if they had previously attained legal status...
...wage and civil rights guarantees for immigrants. In fact, requiring that all temporary workers brought in under this program get paid at least, say, 125% (or pick a number) of the highest state minimum wage, plus benefits, would go a long way toward encouraging Big Business to reconsider their habit of 'downsizing' American workers in favor of cheaper imported ones.
...and so on.
We'll know that a proposal is a serious one when it tries to address the root cause of immigration while acknowledging the concerns of all of the interested parties; as long as we keep seeing bills like S1639, we'll know that the sponsors of it don't actually want to reform anything.
Later...
p.s. - I know Harry Mitchell supported the Senate bill, but on this one, we're just going to have to disagree. I respect his reasons for supporting the bill, and I respect him, but this was a bad bill.
While I agree that a reform of the U.S.'s immigration policy is needed, don't mourn this bill.
It was garbage anyway.
In a shocking move, both AZ Senators Kyl and McCain voted in favor of cloture.
The 'shock' is that McCain showed up for work...guess there's no rubber chicken on the menu in Iowa or New Hampshire tonight... LOL
It's less of a shock that Kyl was in favor of the bill; while his campaign last year had strong anti-immigrant planks, the engine driving his campaign was fueled by money from the biggest beneficiaries of the bill - Corporate America.
Anyway, even if the bill had passed the Senate (obviously unlikely) and the House (like the nativists in the House would ever allow that to happen!) and was signed into law, well...
It wouldn't have worked.
In fact, no proposal to 'reform' U.S. immigration policy that can pass Congress will ever do anything to 'improve' it (whatever 'improve' may mean), particularly in regard to immigration from Mexico.
That's because the simple truth is that all of the proposals and ideas have the same flaw -
They ignore the root cause of the immigration wave – the abject poverty that defines existence in most of Mexico.
Another factor to consider is that there are three basic groups involved in the immigration debate - the 'open borders/human rights' crowd; the 'deport them all' crowd; and the Chambers of Commerce/'we want cheap labor' crowd.
[I know those labels are a little over-generalized, but they'll do for this post.]
Let's face facts here and admit that no proposal will ever make all three of those groups happy. Most proposals, in fact, focus on appeasing one group.
For instance, this most recent plan was designed to appease the business lobby; hence, the other two groups hated, and killed, it.
So now the question becomes "How do you get a workable plan passed?"
Short answer: Pi$$ 'em all off.
[OK, so a more appropriate phrase is 'construct a compromise'. Don't quibble - I'm on a roll here. :) ]
Any passable proposal has to include features that will annoy each group. Something that will enable them to go back to their bases and say "Hey, we didn't get everything that we wanted, but they didn't either."
For instance:
An aid program that helps Mexico combat its raging poverty will please the 'deport 'em' crowd as well as the 'human rights' crowd because improving the quality of life in Mexico will reduce the number of people risking their lives to cross the border. It would annoy the Chamber of Commerce types because it would decrease the number of people available for their easily-controlled, easily-discarded, and above all, *cheap* labor force.
Note: I'm thinking that a version of the CCC would be perfect for this. The only issue would be making sure that the aid (material as well as financial) isn't siphoned off by corrupt government officials. (The US government telling another that it has to be less corrupt? There's a 'pot meet kettle' moment for the ages. :)) )
Other features that would annoy some while pleasing others, yet still be successfully combined in one program could include:
...increased border security with a provision that anyone trying to cross anywhere but a regular border checkpoint would be detained and deported, even if they had previously attained legal status...
...wage and civil rights guarantees for immigrants. In fact, requiring that all temporary workers brought in under this program get paid at least, say, 125% (or pick a number) of the highest state minimum wage, plus benefits, would go a long way toward encouraging Big Business to reconsider their habit of 'downsizing' American workers in favor of cheaper imported ones.
...and so on.
We'll know that a proposal is a serious one when it tries to address the root cause of immigration while acknowledging the concerns of all of the interested parties; as long as we keep seeing bills like S1639, we'll know that the sponsors of it don't actually want to reform anything.
Later...
p.s. - I know Harry Mitchell supported the Senate bill, but on this one, we're just going to have to disagree. I respect his reasons for supporting the bill, and I respect him, but this was a bad bill.
Deploy the National Guard! Call the police! Tell the Minutemen! We need help! Somebody!!
[cue Sweet Polly Purebred singing "Oh where, oh where, has my Underdog gone?" :)) ]
On a regular basis (sometimes it seems to be on a daily basis) the news contains reports of various criminals making the trek to Arizona and seeking a temporary haven here.
The crimes committed by these thoroughly dangerous perpetrators include (but certainly aren't limited to):
Assault
Drug possession
Drunk driving
Rx drug fraud
Gun charges
Sexual harassment
Leaving the scene of an accident
Child molesting
And the latest? Drug trafficking.
I know that as soon as they realize what is going on, the 'law-and-order' wing of the Republican Party will put their collective foot down and demand that the Governor deploy more National Guard troops to the border with Mexico to stem the tide of criminals crossing into our state.
...Except they realize that the criminals in question don't walk across the desert to get here.
Nope, these criminals fly in on private jets or hire chauffeured limos to reach their destination.
...Except they realize that the criminals in question don't have names like Rios, Rodriguez, and Gonzalez.
Nope, instead, these criminals have names like Campbell, Houston, Delaney, Limbaugh, Lawrence, Swayze, and Foley.
And the latest crook, the drug trafficker? He has a name like Ravenel.
Well, surely even though the criminals in question are American, those self-appointed defenders of Arizona's moral fiber like the Minutemen, the Republicans, and others, must be clamoring for the removal or even destruction of the haven that is attracting such a motley crew to our fair state, right?
Except that they realize that these criminals are wealthy, famous, and well-connected; not poor Mexicans looking for work.
The name of this haven for criminals and miscreants of all stripes?
Sierra Tucson, detox center for the famous, famously addicted, and for those who are looking to buy time in their fights against criminal charges (see: Foley, Mark, disgraced former Congressman) and can afford their $30K+ rates for 30 days.
The latest crook to seek a respite from his legal troubles (coke distribution indictment) in the bucolic foothills north of Tucson is Thomas Ravenel, former Treasurer of South Carolina and head of Rudy Giuliani's SC campaign.
...Actually, I don't have a problem when those with addiction or related problems seek treatment, but is a little consistency from the Republicans too much to ask for? I mean, one of the reasons that they give when they advocate kicking out illegal immigrants that are here looking for work is that they're 'criminals' (because they're here illegally).
Wouldn't it be reasonable and fair to call for deporting celebrities, many of whom have done something illegal, who are here looking to dry out? If only to avoid the 'hypocrite' label?
Later....
On a regular basis (sometimes it seems to be on a daily basis) the news contains reports of various criminals making the trek to Arizona and seeking a temporary haven here.
The crimes committed by these thoroughly dangerous perpetrators include (but certainly aren't limited to):
Assault
Drug possession
Drunk driving
Rx drug fraud
Gun charges
Sexual harassment
Leaving the scene of an accident
Child molesting
And the latest? Drug trafficking.
I know that as soon as they realize what is going on, the 'law-and-order' wing of the Republican Party will put their collective foot down and demand that the Governor deploy more National Guard troops to the border with Mexico to stem the tide of criminals crossing into our state.
...Except they realize that the criminals in question don't walk across the desert to get here.
Nope, these criminals fly in on private jets or hire chauffeured limos to reach their destination.
...Except they realize that the criminals in question don't have names like Rios, Rodriguez, and Gonzalez.
Nope, instead, these criminals have names like Campbell, Houston, Delaney, Limbaugh, Lawrence, Swayze, and Foley.
And the latest crook, the drug trafficker? He has a name like Ravenel.
Well, surely even though the criminals in question are American, those self-appointed defenders of Arizona's moral fiber like the Minutemen, the Republicans, and others, must be clamoring for the removal or even destruction of the haven that is attracting such a motley crew to our fair state, right?
Except that they realize that these criminals are wealthy, famous, and well-connected; not poor Mexicans looking for work.
The name of this haven for criminals and miscreants of all stripes?
Sierra Tucson, detox center for the famous, famously addicted, and for those who are looking to buy time in their fights against criminal charges (see: Foley, Mark, disgraced former Congressman) and can afford their $30K+ rates for 30 days.
The latest crook to seek a respite from his legal troubles (coke distribution indictment) in the bucolic foothills north of Tucson is Thomas Ravenel, former Treasurer of South Carolina and head of Rudy Giuliani's SC campaign.
...Actually, I don't have a problem when those with addiction or related problems seek treatment, but is a little consistency from the Republicans too much to ask for? I mean, one of the reasons that they give when they advocate kicking out illegal immigrants that are here looking for work is that they're 'criminals' (because they're here illegally).
Wouldn't it be reasonable and fair to call for deporting celebrities, many of whom have done something illegal, who are here looking to dry out? If only to avoid the 'hypocrite' label?
Later....
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
State Rep. Steve Farley going national
Update: Well, it didn't happen at 10:30 a.m. AZ time. I'm not sure if the time in the email was incorrect, or if it just didn't go off.
Looking in to it.
End update.
Update2: Rep. Farley replied to an email asking about this. Apparently, the segment aired at approximately 10:45 (after pieces about a dead wrestler and strippers on a golf course.) I was in the middle of some maintenance at home and missed it. :((
He may be posting the clip on YouTube. I'll link to it if he does.
End update2.
Steve Farley will be on national TV tomorrow...
From an email from Friends 0' Farley (aka - a 'Farley-gram') -
Later!
Looking in to it.
End update.
Update2: Rep. Farley replied to an email asking about this. Apparently, the segment aired at approximately 10:45 (after pieces about a dead wrestler and strippers on a golf course.) I was in the middle of some maintenance at home and missed it. :((
He may be posting the clip on YouTube. I'll link to it if he does.
End update2.
Steve Farley will be on national TV tomorrow...
From an email from Friends 0' Farley (aka - a 'Farley-gram') -
Howdy, Friends o'Farley...
I know I said I would give you a month off from Farley Reports now that session is over, but I just had to share some breaking news.
I will be live on MSNBC tomorrow morning at 10:30am Arizona time to debate Pat Buchanan about Russell Pearce's latest immigration bill.
I plan to talk about real immigration solutions, not the harmful posturing that Rep. Pearce bandies about recklessly.
I have been assured by the producers that Mr. Buchanan will be the most gracious of hosts.
Tune in if you can--it should be an interesting show.
Thanks again for your support!
Steve
Later!
Short attention span musing - legal edition
The legacy of the Bush administration will live on for a decade or more after he's gone. Just check out the latest decisions from his pro-business (and pro-corruption!), anti-freedom (and anti-integrity!) Supreme Court -
(All from the Washington Post)
First, the Court protected free speech for wealthy corporate bribers...
Second up on the hit parade: The court undermed free speech for (relatively) poor students...
Rounding things out with a decision upholding government sponsorship of religious activity by limiting the right of the citizenry to petition (aka - 'sue') to stop said sponsorship...
Hmmm...let's sum up now - in one day, the Supreme Court brazenly protected wealthy loudmouthed corporate bribers, blithely told opinionated students to go self-copulate (my rhetoric aside, these two decisions do seem somewhat contradictory), and joyfully whittled away at the separation of church and state while widening the gap between citizenry and state.
All in all, a very busy day for the justices.
But they weren't done by a long shot.
They even found time to say that right of homebuilders to make a profit supercedes the Endangered Species Act. (courtesy ScotusBlog)
However, there was one bastion of judicial sanity and common sense on Monday, and the court was even in the District of Columbia.
It just wasn't the United States Supreme Court.
From The Globe and Mail -
*$54 million* for a lost pair of pants isn't 'reasonable?' Gee, ya think??
How is it that the lowly (by comparative prestige level, anyway) District of Columbia Superior Court has a judge that could get it right, but the United States Supreme Court, supposedly made up of the best judicial talent out there, went 0 for 4 when it counted?
Of course, the import of yesterday's decisions will probably be lost in the tumult of the more significant legal news...
From the New York Daily News -
...In related news, witnesses reported that the ghost of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was last seen roaming the halls of the Daily News, muttering "I HAVE A DREAM! A dream of catching certain writers and giving them the buttkicking that they deserve..."
:)))
(All from the Washington Post)
First, the Court protected free speech for wealthy corporate bribers...
5-4 Supreme Court Weakens Curbs on Pre-Election TV Ads
Ruling on McCain-Feingold Law Opens Door for Interest Groups in '08
The Supreme Court yesterday substantially weakened restrictions on the kinds of television ads that corporations and unions can finance in the days before an election, providing special interest groups with the opportunity for a far more expansive role in the 2008 elections.
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote the 5 to 4 decision, saying the McCain-Feingold campaign finance act's prohibition against the use of a candidate's name in such ads in the days before an election was an unconstitutional infringement on the groups' rights to advocate on issues.
{snip}
"This is a big win for big money," League of Women Voters President Mary G. Wilson said in a statement. "Chief Justice Roberts has reopened the door to corruption."
Second up on the hit parade: The court undermed free speech for (relatively) poor students...
Court Backs School On Speech Curbs
A 5-4 Majority Cites Perils of Illegal Drugs In Case of the 'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' Banner
The Supreme Court yesterday gave public schools new authority to regulate what students say, allowing principals to punish speech or demonstrations that may "reasonably be viewed" as promoting illegal drug use.
{snip}
"[T]he court's ham-handed, categorical approach is deaf to the constitutional imperative to permit unfettered debate, even among high-school students, about the wisdom of the war on drugs or of legalizing marijuana for medicinal use," [Justice] Stevens wrote.
Rounding things out with a decision upholding government sponsorship of religious activity by limiting the right of the citizenry to petition (aka - 'sue') to stop said sponsorship...
Justices Quash Suit Over Funds For Faith Groups
The Supreme Court ruled yesterday that federal taxpayers cannot challenge the constitutionality of White House efforts to help religious groups obtain government funding for their social programs, handing a victory to President Bush's faith-based initiatives program.
{snip}
Justice David H. Souter wrote a dissenting opinion joined by Justices John Paul Stevens, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen G. Breyer. Yesterday's decision "closes the door on these taxpayers because the Executive Branch, and not the Legislative Branch, caused their injury," he wrote. "I see no basis for this distinction in either logic or precedent."
Hmmm...let's sum up now - in one day, the Supreme Court brazenly protected wealthy loudmouthed corporate bribers, blithely told opinionated students to go self-copulate (my rhetoric aside, these two decisions do seem somewhat contradictory), and joyfully whittled away at the separation of church and state while widening the gap between citizenry and state.
All in all, a very busy day for the justices.
But they weren't done by a long shot.
They even found time to say that right of homebuilders to make a profit supercedes the Endangered Species Act. (courtesy ScotusBlog)
However, there was one bastion of judicial sanity and common sense on Monday, and the court was even in the District of Columbia.
It just wasn't the United States Supreme Court.
From The Globe and Mail -
Judge loses suit over pants
$54-million claim for misplaced trousers dismissed
WASHINGTON -- A judge in the U.S. capital lost his $54-million (U.S.) lawsuit yesterday against a dry cleaner over a pair of misplaced pants and will have to pay the defendants' trial fees.
Roy L. Pearson, an administrative-law judge in the District of Columbia, claimed a "Satisfaction guaranteed" sign in Custom Cleaners misled consumers who, like him, were dissatisfied with their experience.
The judge hearing the case ruled that Mr. Pearson did not interpret that sign in a reasonable fashion.
*$54 million* for a lost pair of pants isn't 'reasonable?' Gee, ya think??
How is it that the lowly (by comparative prestige level, anyway) District of Columbia Superior Court has a judge that could get it right, but the United States Supreme Court, supposedly made up of the best judicial talent out there, went 0 for 4 when it counted?
Of course, the import of yesterday's decisions will probably be lost in the tumult of the more significant legal news...
From the New York Daily News -
Paris freed!
LOS ANGELES - Free at last! Paris Hilton is out of jail.
...In related news, witnesses reported that the ghost of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was last seen roaming the halls of the Daily News, muttering "I HAVE A DREAM! A dream of catching certain writers and giving them the buttkicking that they deserve..."
:)))
Monday, June 25, 2007
This week's cliche: What's good for the good is good for the gander
You know, I may be a partisan hack, but at least I'm up front about it...the MSM should be required to be just as honest.
Background:
On a regular basis, Greg over at Espresso Pundit likes to point out apparent MSM bias in the way they write or present a story.
Naturally, being a conservative Republican, he usually (OK, 'always' :) ) sees that bias as a 'liberal' one.
I usually disagree with his accusations of "Liberal bias!"; more often, I see those articles as having a 'lazy' or worse, 'corporate', bias. However, to be fair, the pieces he criticizes are usually sloppily written, regardless of why they are that way (disagreement is what makes for an interesting discussion :) ).
Now it's my turn. :))
With that as background, on to the main part of the post...
One of the tools that can be used in a slanted article written by a author who wants to appear objective is 'smear by juxtaposition'; in short, describe something bad, and write about the target of the smear in close proximity to that 'bad' thing.
For example - "The challenges facing the Republican Party in the next election cycle, at both the national and the state levels, increase every time one of their members is indicted or imprisoned. State Sen. Jack Harper, speaking at a forum..."
Now, in less than two sentences, I've associated Jack Harper with corruption, without ever actually saying that he's corrupt or presenting evidence to support such an assertion.
[BTW - In spite of my problems with the Senator (which are legion!), to the best of my knowledge he is not corrupt, and I would never say or imply otherwise without evidence to support that position.]
[BTW2 - 'Obnoxious', 'arrogant', 'openly contemptuous of those who disagree with him'...and more, all have evidence to support their use as descriptors of Sen. Harper. Those I'll write. :))) ]
Now the Phoenix Business Journal is using that tactic in an article published last week regarding Congress' poor poll ratings.
The article focuses on the general poll numbers for Congress, without exploring the history of them (I'm sure some of the cause is the unfulfilled high expectations for the new Democratic majority, but gee - do ya' think that 12 years of Republican mismanagement and corruption in the House could have set the stage for the overall low numbers?) and the pressure felt by the Democrats (but nothing about the ongoing investigations/indictments, almost exclusively focused on Republicans)...but I digress...
Then the article goes on to mention three AZ House members by name -
Three Arizona congressional seats are expected to be competitive in the 2008 races: Mitchell's Tempe/Scottsdale seat, Giffords' Tucson district, and a rural seat held by Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Flagstaff/Casa Grande.
Only one of those named is currently under investigation. Can you guess which one?
Hint: it isn't either of the Democrats.
Oh, and the article closes with a sentence that implies that the Democrats were uncooperative with the reporter writing the article -
Mitchell's and Giffords' offices did not respond to requests for comment on the national polls.
Just a couple of questions - what did Renzi's office have to say (there aren't any Renzi quotes of any kind in the article) and did the reporter even call Renzi's office?
I'm not sure if the last sentence illustrates the writer's bias, or just showcases his laziness.
Sheesh...
Don't Forget - SICKO early premiere benefitting MCDP
See Michael Moore's searing indictment of the American health care system a day before everyone else and help the Maricopa County Democratic Party at the same time...
Thursday, June 28 at both Harkins Arizona Mills 24 and Harkins Gateway Pavilions 18. KPHX AM1480 Radio Host Jeff Farias will greet fans and moviegoers at Arizona Mills starting at 6:30PM.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $35 Tickets can be purchased online now or at the door. Every attendee gets an MCDP T-shirt, too.
Harkins Gateway Pavilions 18
10250 W. McDowell Road
Avondale, AZ 85323
(623) 478-9411
Harkins Arizona Mills 24
5000 Arizona Mills Circle
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 820-0387
Later!
Thursday, June 28 at both Harkins Arizona Mills 24 and Harkins Gateway Pavilions 18. KPHX AM1480 Radio Host Jeff Farias will greet fans and moviegoers at Arizona Mills starting at 6:30PM.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $35 Tickets can be purchased online now or at the door. Every attendee gets an MCDP T-shirt, too.
Harkins Gateway Pavilions 18
10250 W. McDowell Road
Avondale, AZ 85323
(623) 478-9411
Harkins Arizona Mills 24
5000 Arizona Mills Circle
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 820-0387
Later!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Rep. John Kavanagh - Russell Pearce with a 'Noo Yawk' accent...
Tonight, I had a choice.
I could have attended a charity screening of the movie "Serenity" to benefit local charities GIFT (Growth Improvement for Female Teens) and The Women's Foundation of Southern Arizona or I could have gone to a meeting of the Community Council of South Scottsdale.
Since I watched, over a 5-day period a couple of weeks ago, the entire Firefly series as well as 'Serenity,' the movie based on the series (something I recommend for anyone - it's a great series and holds together well with the movie), I elected to attend the community group meeting.
Damn, I'm glad I made that choice.
Tonight's meeting, held at the Granite Reef Senior Center, was an immigration forum with state Rep. John Kavanagh (R-LD8) and Alexis Tameron, Congressman Harry Mitchell's district director. Both were there to give updates on immigration-related activity at their respective levels of government.
Ms. Tameron discussed Congressman Mitchell's positions regarding the immigration issue and also about the recently-revived immigration 'reform' measure in the U.S. Senate. She acknowledged a lack of specific information regarding individual provisions in the bill because it is still subject to negotiation, amendment, and debate in the Senate. She offered to contact interested folks when the Senate finalizes and passes its bill.
In short, it was pretty standard stuff.
John Kavanagh, however, was a revelation.
Tonight was the first time I had seen him up close since I attended a couple of LD8 candidate forums last year.
During those forums, he came across as a far-right Republican; an intelligent, educated, and well-spoken one (he's an instructor at Scottsdale Community College), but not a hard-line bigot.
Well, apparently, while he was *running* for the office, he was on his best behavior.
Now that he *in* the office, it's a different story.
He blamed immigrants for all that ails society - rising crime, failing schools, diseases (TB and leprosy were his favorites there), potential terrorism, and more.
He also has no use for the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (the one that says that babies born in the U.S. are automatically U.S. citizens), but he admitted that getting another Constitutional amendment passed to 'correct' the 14th is unlikely.
In short, he's an intelligent, educated, well-spoken version of Russell Pearce (R-National Alliance), only with a 'Noo Yawk' accent.
Some of his choicer quotes tonight [with my responses] -
"They come here for the benefits." [No, they come here to work in lousy jobs.]
Arizona cities that have 'sanctuary' policies are "shameful." [Only if considers 'shameful' to be a synonym of 'humane.']
Jon Kyl is a "disappointment." [OK, so anybody can get *one* right.]
Regarding the Minutemen - "good people." [ROTFLMAO - watch the film Crossing Arizona.]
After citing a (unverified) statistic that 1/5 of the residents of Arizona are illegal immigrants, he looked around the room and said "everybody in this room looks OK." [Good freakin' God...]
And my personal favorite:
"Russell Pearce is my close friend." [With friends like that, who needs jackboots....]
Here's to hoping that the LD8 Democrats can find a good candidate to run against him next year, and that the LD8 Republicans can see past the polish and understand that Kavanagh isn't there to represent them.
Good night...
I could have attended a charity screening of the movie "Serenity" to benefit local charities GIFT (Growth Improvement for Female Teens) and The Women's Foundation of Southern Arizona or I could have gone to a meeting of the Community Council of South Scottsdale.
Since I watched, over a 5-day period a couple of weeks ago, the entire Firefly series as well as 'Serenity,' the movie based on the series (something I recommend for anyone - it's a great series and holds together well with the movie), I elected to attend the community group meeting.
Damn, I'm glad I made that choice.
Tonight's meeting, held at the Granite Reef Senior Center, was an immigration forum with state Rep. John Kavanagh (R-LD8) and Alexis Tameron, Congressman Harry Mitchell's district director. Both were there to give updates on immigration-related activity at their respective levels of government.
Ms. Tameron discussed Congressman Mitchell's positions regarding the immigration issue and also about the recently-revived immigration 'reform' measure in the U.S. Senate. She acknowledged a lack of specific information regarding individual provisions in the bill because it is still subject to negotiation, amendment, and debate in the Senate. She offered to contact interested folks when the Senate finalizes and passes its bill.
In short, it was pretty standard stuff.
John Kavanagh, however, was a revelation.
Tonight was the first time I had seen him up close since I attended a couple of LD8 candidate forums last year.
During those forums, he came across as a far-right Republican; an intelligent, educated, and well-spoken one (he's an instructor at Scottsdale Community College), but not a hard-line bigot.
Well, apparently, while he was *running* for the office, he was on his best behavior.
Now that he *in* the office, it's a different story.
He blamed immigrants for all that ails society - rising crime, failing schools, diseases (TB and leprosy were his favorites there), potential terrorism, and more.
He also has no use for the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (the one that says that babies born in the U.S. are automatically U.S. citizens), but he admitted that getting another Constitutional amendment passed to 'correct' the 14th is unlikely.
In short, he's an intelligent, educated, well-spoken version of Russell Pearce (R-National Alliance), only with a 'Noo Yawk' accent.
Some of his choicer quotes tonight [with my responses] -
"They come here for the benefits." [No, they come here to work in lousy jobs.]
Arizona cities that have 'sanctuary' policies are "shameful." [Only if considers 'shameful' to be a synonym of 'humane.']
Jon Kyl is a "disappointment." [OK, so anybody can get *one* right.]
Regarding the Minutemen - "good people." [ROTFLMAO - watch the film Crossing Arizona.]
After citing a (unverified) statistic that 1/5 of the residents of Arizona are illegal immigrants, he looked around the room and said "everybody in this room looks OK." [Good freakin' God...]
And my personal favorite:
"Russell Pearce is my close friend." [With friends like that, who needs jackboots....]
Here's to hoping that the LD8 Democrats can find a good candidate to run against him next year, and that the LD8 Republicans can see past the polish and understand that Kavanagh isn't there to represent them.
Good night...
Senate Republicans earning their campaign contributions today...
Senate Republicans, led by Jon Kyl (R-PAC), successfully protected Big Oil and its profit margins today when they blocked consideration of tax breaks for alternative energy.
By a vote of 57 - 36 (60 needed to pass), the Senate failed to invoke cloture and block a threatened filibuster of the Baucus Amendment to HR6. The amendment would have created the tax breaks for alternative energy and funded them with a tax hike on large oil companies.
Our own Jon Kyl, from an AP article -
Nice to see that the hundreds of thousands of dollars that Kyl has received from energy PACs over the years hasn't dulled his keen perception of consumers' needs. (that's sarcasm folks :) )
Senator Kyl - Wouldn't the consumers reap a more valuable long-term benefit by having a choice of different products to meet their energy needs?
Just askin'....
Anyway, I wonder how many campaign contribution checks were signed at the various industry PACs after the vote (not that I'm a cynic or anything. :)) )
Later!
By a vote of 57 - 36 (60 needed to pass), the Senate failed to invoke cloture and block a threatened filibuster of the Baucus Amendment to HR6. The amendment would have created the tax breaks for alternative energy and funded them with a tax hike on large oil companies.
Our own Jon Kyl, from an AP article -
"When you put a tax on a business it gets passed on to consumers," argued Sen. John [sic] Kyl, R-Ariz. "Instead of reducing gasoline prices, this bill is going to add to the cost of gasoline."
Nice to see that the hundreds of thousands of dollars that Kyl has received from energy PACs over the years hasn't dulled his keen perception of consumers' needs. (that's sarcasm folks :) )
Senator Kyl - Wouldn't the consumers reap a more valuable long-term benefit by having a choice of different products to meet their energy needs?
Just askin'....
Anyway, I wonder how many campaign contribution checks were signed at the various industry PACs after the vote (not that I'm a cynic or anything. :)) )
Later!
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