Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

A favorite son of Southern Arizona and a champion for the environment has died. Stewart L. Udall was preceded in death by his brother and Southern Arizona legend Morris K. Udall (pictured together at right). Stewart L. Udall: An untiring voice for nature: 

Stewart L. Udall, the first Arizonan appointed to the Cabinet and a towering figure in environmentalism for more than 50 years, died of natural causes Saturday.

The former Democratic congressman was 90.

Said President Obama: "Whether in the skies above Italy in World War II, in Congress or as secretary of the interior, Stewart Udall left an indelible mark on this nation and inspired countless Americans who will continue his fight for clean air, clean water and to maintain our many natural treasures."

Udall died at his home in Santa Fe, N.M., surrounded by family, according to a statement from his family, released through the office of his son, Sen. Tom Udall.

He had been in bed since a fall last week.

Udall served as interior secretary under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson during the 1960s. He was the last surviving member of Kennedy's original Cabinet.

He also represented Southern Arizona in the House of Representatives in the 1950s.

Udall worked with his late brother, former Rep. Morris K. Udall, on countless environmental and Native American initiatives.

Some of the accomplishments from Udall's Cabinet career included the creation of the Wilderness Act of 1964, The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the expansion of the National Park system. He also helped create The Land and Conservation Fund.

Udall oversaw the formal creation of four parks, six national monuments, eight seashores and lakeshores, nine recreation areas, 20 historic sites and 56 wildlife refuges, according to Star archives.

Udall was born in St. Johns, a town founded by his grandfather, a Mormon missionary. Udall's father, Levi S. Udall, served as an Arizona Supreme Court justice.

Stewart Udall served as an Army Air Forces gunner in World War II, flying 50 missions over Western Europe and receiving the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

He graduated from the University of Arizona, where he earned undergraduate and law degrees. He took a break from his studies to do missionary work for the Mormon church on the East Coast.

"Stewart Udall was one of our most distinguished and accomplished alumni," said Lawrence Ponoroff, dean of the UA's James E. Rogers College of Law in a prepared statement. "He served as a source of inspiration for countless lawyers and law students, and he will be greatly missed."

Udall started as a Tucson attorney who fought to desegregate the city's schools, open UA eating facilities to blacks and help pass a law banning discrimination against minorities in hiring.

In 1968, he and his brother pushed through a bill creating the Central Arizona Project, which was signed by President Johnson.

As a private attorney in the 1970s and '80s, he won a 30-year battle to get Navajo uranium miners compensated for lung cancer incurred on the job.

He also wrote "The Quiet Crisis" in 1963, a landmark book offering an early warning on threats to the environment.

"Stewart Udall was, plainly and simply, the most consistent, most respected and most effective American environmental voice of the past 50 years," said Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz. "What he did beginning five decades ago as secretary of the interior shaped the nation we are today."

In October, President Obama signed a bill renaming a Tucson-based organization that once only carried his brother's name. The group is now known as the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation.

Established by Congress in 1992, the foundation provides scholarships to college students who intend to pursue environmental careers and Native American students pursuing tribal policy or health care careers.

Udall is survived by his son Tom and five other children.

He's also survived by his nephew, Sen. Mark Udall of Colorado.

A memorial will be held later this year in Santa Fe, according to the family's statement.

Contributions in Udall's memory can be made to the following organizations: Santa Fe Pro Musica, Santa Fe Conservation Trust and Think New Mexico.

The world would be a better place if more politicians exhibited the passion, intelligence, grace and humor of Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall. The passing of this dynamic duo of brothers is a great loss. The Udall brothers will forever be fondly remembered and sorely missed. My condolences to the Udall family.

The Pima County Democratic Party has been planning the Stewart L. Udall and Morris K. Udall Dinner to honor our Southern Arizona favorite sons later this year. Arrangements are under discussion with Senators Tom Udall (NM) and Mark Udall (CO). Date to be determined.

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Some of you may have noticed a new name leaving comments to posts under the handle Nanny Knows Best. As he knows, the editors of this blog receive information about the source of comments posted here.

Somebody has failed to fully disclose. Nanny Knows Best is a British blogger Nanny Knows Best. Nanny Knows Best is part of the KenFrost.com "The Living Brand" network of blogs:

You can view Ken's summary resume by visiting my resume. If you would like to learn more about him, you can do so by visiting his self introduction.

Ken writes articles covering business issues for Gerson Lehrman News, and is an Accounting & Financial Analysis Council Member (AFA Council Members include CFOs, former top regulatory body officials, partners from the world's leading accounting firms, academics, forensic accountants, and other financial executives).

The news articles can be accessed via this link Gerson Lehrman News.

Mr. Frost claims Nanny Knows Best was ranked 13th by MSN in their list of the Top 30 Blogs, but doesn't say when (link disabled). After reviewing several of his posts, it is clear that Mr. Frost is a Thatcherite conservative (hence the Nanny State wordplay), and a shameless self-promoter.

So Ken, are you visiting here in Arizona or are you just trolling blogs for shameless self-promotion?

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Political Calendar is posted on Sundays. Please send us notice of your political events prior to the Sunday before your event (7 days would be most helpful). See the calendar icon in the right-hand column of the blog page for easy access to the calendar.

Political Calendar For The Week of March 21, 2010

Sundays, 6:00 p.m.: Drinking Liberally, at The Shanty, 401 E. 9th Street (at 4th Avenue). An informal, inclusive progressive social group, and lively discussion. Contact: www.livingliberallytucson.org.

Monday, March 22, Noon: Democrats of Greater Tucson luncheon, Dragon's View Restaurant (400 N. Bonita, south of St. Mary's Road between the Freeway and Grande Avenue, turn south at Furr's Cafeteria), buffet lunch costs $8.50. Featured speaker is University of Arizona Professor Richard Eaton on "the complexity of the Middle East."

Monday, March 22, 6:00 p.m.: Legislative District 27 meeting, at Downtown Tucson Public Library, 101 N. Stone Avenue. Featured speaker is Sam Wercinski, candidate for Arizona Secretary of State. For more information contact Jim Hannley jhannley2@msn.com.

Thursday, March 25, 6:30 p.m.: P.C. Training program, at the Pima County Democratic Party HQ, 4639 E. 1st Street (one block South of Speedway West of Swan Road). Learn how precinct committeemen (PCs) fit in with the state and national party, how to contact your neighbors, how to help candidates, and the many uses of the Voter Activation Network software! Snack provided. Please RSVP to Vivian Harte at (520) 883-8880.

Saturday, March 27, 11:30 a.m.: Arizona List 6th Anniversary Luncheon Celebration, at the Doubletree Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way (Tucson). Luncheon honoring Catherene Morton, and featuring Amy Walter, one of the leading journalists covering Washington today! Ticket prices: 2010 Renewed Members: $50; Non-Members: $75; Students: $25. Tables of Ten: Dessert Table $750; Rose Mofford Tribute Dessert Table $1,000; and Sponsorship Table $2,000 or $5,000. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Nettie Silleck at (520) 327-0520.

Saturday, March 27, 11:30 a.m.: Arizona List Phoenix Hors D'Oeuvers and Dessert Reception, at the Wrigley Mansion, 2501 E. Telewa Trail (Phoenix). Come join us for our 6th Anniversary celebration, honoring Jim Pederson and Sylvia Urrutia, and featuring Amy Walter, one of the leading journalists covering Washington today! Ticket prices: 2010 Renewed Members: $40; Non-Members: $60; Students: $25. Tables of Ten: Dessert Table $600; Rose Mofford Tribute Dessert Table $1,000; and Sponsorship Table $2,000 or $5,000. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Nettie Silleck at (520) 327-0520.

Saturday, March 27, 1:00 p.m.: "Coffee with Constituents" with Rep. Steve Farley, at KG's East Side Cafe, 8735 E. Broadway Blvd. (Tucson). House Democratic Policy Leader Steve Farley (LD 28) invites his constituents to join him for coffee and discuss important issues (including health care, the job market, and education) and the current legislative session. No RSVP is required.

Saturday, March 27, 4:00 p.m.: Legislative District 18 Spring Fling Fundraiser, at the home of Chuck & Virginia Walker, 1714 E. Indigo Street (Mesa). Join LD 18 at our annual Spring Fling for great food and fun. Hear U.S. Senate exploratory candidate Rodney Glassman perform jazz before kicking off our great list of elected leaders and candidate speakers. Speakers include U.S. Congressman Harry Mitchell, Rodney Glassman, Felecia Rotellini, Jason Williams, Arif Kazmi, Michael Conway, and more. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. For more information and to RSVP please contact (480) 390-5931.

Special Announcements:

Center for Progressive Leadership Training Program

The Center for Progressive Leadership offers a comprehensive training program for progressive individuals planning or thinking about running for an elected office in the near or distant future, as well as those wishing to hone their skills as campaign managers. The Center is currently accepting applications for the session held on the weekends of April 10-11, May 1-2, and May 22-23 (all workshops are in Phoenix). The program fee is $100. Applications are due by March 22. For more information or to register, please contact Angelica Delgadillo at (602) 254-1495 or adelgadillo@progressiveleaders.org.

The 21st Annual LULAC Educational Awards & Scholarship Banquet

Thursday, April 1, 6:00 p.m.: At the Tucson Convention Center Copper Room, 260 S. Church; (no-host cocktails at 5:30 PM). This year Congressman Raúl Grijalva and Attorney General Terry Goddard will receive special recognition for their work in bettering the lives of young people. Tickets are $75 (tax-deductible for the amount exceeding $25). Proceeds will go to LULAC Council 1057's effort to send students to attend the LULAC Washington National Youth Leadership Seminar and to provide scholarships with LULAC's National Scholarship Foundation. Please send a check payable to the Southern Arizona Institute of Leadership (a 501(c)3 non-profit) to: SAIL, c/o LULAC 1057, P.O. Box 2443, Tucson, AZ 85702. Please RSVP by March 26 by mail, phone at (520) 903-2838, fax at (520) 792-6388, or e-mail at lulac1057@cox.net.

Democrats of Greater Tucson Luncheon

Monday, March 29, Noon: Democrats of Greater Tucson luncheon, Dragon's View Restaurant (400 N. Bonita, south of St. Mary's Road between the Freeway and Grande Avenue, turn south at Furr's Cafeteria), buffet lunch costs $8.50. Special Guest is Jon Hulburd, candidate for Congressional District 3. Come support Mr. Hulburd in his effort to win the seat now held by retiring Rep. John Shadegg. For more information please contact Marilyn Freed, (520) 326-3716 (Leave message).

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Time once again to update candidate filings. The dance card is almost full. You can play along at home at http://www.azsos.gov/cfs/CommitteeSearch.aspx

The Pima County Board of Supervisors appointed Ted Vogt to the District 30 House seat vacated by "Don't make me angry" Frank Antenori, whom they appointed to the District 30 Senate seat vacated by the wannabe tin horn dictator of Tucson, former Sen. Jonathan Paton. Pima County Supervisors appoint Ted Vogt to LD 30 House seat. Vogt is a UA third year law student and former Captain in the U.S. Air Force (served 6 years). He was also District 30 Republican chair, and he clerked under U.S. Senator Jon Kyl and Vice President Dick Cheney. Oh, dear God.

Last week, The Accidental Governor signed the Jan Sham Budget. Arizona became the first state in the nation to drop the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a popular program enacted with broad bipartisan support in Congress a number of years ago. 47,000 children will be left without health coverage. Arizona is finally first in something -- and not something of which to be proud. We should hang our heads in shame.

This GOP-only budget fails the moral test of government: "how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped." - Hubert H. Humphrey.

One candidate filing of note this week: Renz Jennings, who previously served 14 years as a Corporation Commissioner before being termed out in 1998 has filed to run for the Corporation Commission again.

A word of caution, the list below does not distinguish between an "exploratory committee" and a "candidate committee." "NP" indicates no party affiliation designated on the face of the filing.

So who is out there exploring if not actually running for office in 2010?

Governor

Janelle Wood - NP
Kent Warren Couchee - NP
Fredrick 'Fred' Scotty - NP
Robert Winn - NP
Stanford Collins - Independent
Alvin Ray Yount - Independent
Harold F. Howard - Independent
Benjamin Jankowski, Jr. - Independent
Barry Hess - Libertarian
Bruce Olsen - Libertarian
Samuel T. Willis - Republican
Hugh Kealer - Republican
Karen Johnson - Republican
Johnnie E. Robinson III - Republican
Robert Shaw Graham - Republican
Matthew Jette - Republican
John Munger - Republican
Steven H. Slaton - Republican
Jan Brewer - Republican
Buz Mills - Republican
Dean Martin - Republican
Charles Caston - NP (ASU College Republicans)
Terry Goddard - Democrat

Secretary of State

Sam Wercinski - Democrat
Christopher Deschene - Democrat
Ken Bennett - Republican

Attorney General

David Lujan - Democrat
Felecia Ann Rotellini - Democrat
Vince Rabago - Democrat
Tom Horne - Republican
Andrew Thomas - Republican
Tajudeen "Taj" Oladiran - Republican

Treasurer

Andrei Cherney - Democrat
Thayer Verschoor - Republican
Barbara Leff - Republican
Theodore "Ted" Carpenter - Republican
Doug Ducey - Republican
Thane Eichenauer - NP

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Jason Williams - Democrat
Penny Kotterman - Democrat
John Huppenthal - Republican
Margaret Dugan - Republican
Beth Price - Republican

Corporation Commission

Jorge Luis Garcia - Democrat
David Bradley - Democrat
Renz Jennings - Democrat
Gary Pierce - Republican
Brenda Burns - Republican
Barry Wong - Republican

State Mine Inspector

Manuel Orozco Cruz - Democrat
Joe Hart - Republican

Arizona Legislature

LD  1 Robert "Bob" Donahue - Democrat - Senate
LD  1 Steve Pierce - Republican - Senate
LD  1 Andrew Tobin - Republican - House
LD  1 Karen Fann - Republican - House
LD  1 Noel Campbell - Republican - House
LD  1 Lucy Mason - Republican - House (filing does not designate office sought)

LD  2 Sylvia Laughter - Democrat - Senate
LD  2 Jamescita Mae Peshlakai - Democrat - Senate
LD  2 Jack Jackson, Jr. - Democrat - Senate
LD  2 Albert Tom - Democrat - House
LD  2 Tom Chabin - Democrat - House
LD  2 Patrick Carr - Democrat - House
LD  2 Albert Hale - Democrat - House
LD  2 Frank Mulligan - NP - House

LD  3 Beth Weisser - Democrat -Senate
LD  3 Ron Gould - Republican - Senate
LD  3 Thomas Howell - Republican - Senate
LD  3 Nancy McLain - Republican - House
LD  3 Doris Goodale - Republican - House
LD  3 Ray Cullison - Republican - House

LD  4 Sue Dolphin - Democrat - Senate
LD  4 Scott Bundgaard - Republican - Senate
LD  4 Shawn Kohner - Republican Senate
LD  4 Tony Bouie - Republican - Senate
LD  4 Karina Guerrero - Democrat - House
LD  4 Jack Harper - Republican - House
LD  4 Judy Burges - Republican - House
LD  4 Timothy 'Tim' Zobel - Republican - House
LD  4 Eric Sheats - Republican - House

LD  5 Sylvia Allen - Republican - Senate
LD  5 Bill Konopnicki - Republican - Senate
LD  5 David Rodriguez - NP - House
LD  5 Bill Shumway - Democrat - House
LD  5 Brenda Barton - Republican - House
LD  5 Chester Crandell - Republican - House

LD  6 Patricia Flickner - Democrat - Senate
LD  6 Lori Klein - Republican - Senate
LD  6 David Braswell - Republican - Senate
LD  6 Teri Conrad - Democrat - House
LD  6 Steven Henry Kaiser - Republican - House
LD  6 Nicholas Burr - Republican - House
LD  6 Carl Seel - Republican - House
LD  6 Richard Newhouse, Jr. - Republican - House
LD  6 David Fitzgerald - Republican - House
LD  6 Clint Van Wuffen - Republican - House
LD  6 Amanda Reeve - Republican - House

LD  7 Eric Shelley - Democrat - Senate
LD  7 Ray Barnes - Republican - Senate
LD  7 Nancy Barto - Republican - Senate
LD  7 Brad Buch - Republican - Senate
LD  7 Robert "Bob" Green - Republican - Senate
LD  7 Peter Joseph Royers - Democrat - House
LD  7 Donald Chilton -Democrat - House
LD  7 Michael Coskun - Republican - House
LD  7 David Burnell Smith - Republican - House
LD  7 Kristen Burroughs - Republican - House
LD  7 Howard Sprague - Republican - House
LD  7 Craig Barton - Republican - House

LD  8 Stuart Turnansky - Democrat- Senate
LD  8 Michele Reagan - Republican - Senate
LD  8 John Alan Kriekard - Democrat - House
LD  8 Walter John Williamson - NP - House
LD  8 Ray Mahoubi - Republican - House
LD  8 Eric Ulis - Republican - House
LD  8 Dennis Robbins - Republican - House
LD  8 James Rich - Republican - House
LD  8 Michael Blaire - Republican - House
LD  8 Paul LoBianco - Republican - House
LD  8 John Kavanagh - Republican - House
LD  8 Michelle Ugenti - Republican - House
LD  8 Paula Anne Pennypacker - Republican - House
LD  8 Jacob Roy Chapman - Republican - House

LD  9 Sheri van Horsen - Democrat - Senate
LD  9 Rick Murphy - Republican - Senate
LD  9 James Andrew Clark - Republican - Senate
LD  9 Shirley McAllister - Democrat - House
LD  9 Diane Douglas - Republican - House
LD  9 Debbie Lesko - Republican - House
LD  9 Richard "Rick" Gray - Republican - House
LD  9 Nathaniel Martin - Republican - House

LD10 Justin Johnson - Democrat - Senate
LD10 Linda Gray - Republican - Senate
LD10 Jackie Thrasher - Democrat - House
LD10 Edy Blackwell - Democrat - House
LD10 Aaron Jahneke - Democrat - House
LD10 James Weiers - Republican - House
LD10 Bill Adams - Republican - House
LD10 Doug Quelland - Republican - House
LD10 Kimberly Yee - Republican - House

LD11 Rita Dickinson - Democrat - Senate
LD11 Allen Harlan - Republican -Senate
LD11 Rich Davis - Republican - Senate
LD11 Adam Driggs - Republican - Senate
LD11 John Allen - Republican - Senate
LD11 Andrew Smigielski - Republican - Senate
LD11 Eric Meyer - Democrat - House
LD11 Beverly Kraft - Republican - House
LD11 Dusti LeeAnn Morris - Republican - House
LD11 Kate McGee - Republican - House
LD11 Shawnna Bolick - Republican - House
LD11 Eric West - Republican - House

LD12 Tyler Kissell - Democrat - Senate
LD12 John Nelson - Republican - Senate
LD12 Clark Silver - Republican - Senate
LD12 Evangeline 'Eve' Nunez - Republican - Senate
LD12 Angela Cotera - Democrat - House
LD12 Jerry Weiers - Republican - House
LD12 Steve Montenegro - Republican - House

LD13 Steve Gallardo - Democrat - Senate
LD13 Martha Garcia - Democrat - Senate
LD13 Ana Tovar - Democrat - House
LD13 John Martin Quezada - Democrat - House
LD13 Lydia Hernandez - Democrat - House
LD13 Richard Miranda - Democrat - House

LD14 Robert Meza - Democrat - Senate
LD14 Chad Campbell - Democrat - House
LD14 Debbie McCune Davis - Democrat - House

LD15 Krysten Sinema - Democrat - Senate
LD15 Nathan Oshop - Democrat - Senate
LD15 Bob Thomas - Republican - Senate
LD15 Katie Hobbs - Democrat - House
LD15 Lela Alston - Democrat - House
LD15 Luis Alberto Garcia - Democrat - House
LD15 Ken Clark - Democrat - House
LD15 Robert Johnson - Democrat - House
LD15 Bernice Condit - Republican - House
LD15 Paul Dean Yoder - Republican - House
LD15 Kathryn Marquoit - Independent - House
LD15 Leslie White - Independent - House

LD16 Victor Jett Contreras - Democrat - Senate
LD16 Leah Landrum - Democrat - Senate
LD16 Cristy Lopez - Democrat - House
LD16 Jimmie Munoz, Jr. - Democrat - House
LD16 Ruben Gallego - Democrat - House
LD16 Catherine H. Miranda - Democrat - House
LD16 Sandra Gonzales - Democrat - House
LD16 Robert Michael Gular - Republican - House

LD17 David Schapira - Democrat - Senate
LD17 Wendy Rogers - Republican - Senate
LD17 Teddy Eichenauer - NP - Senate
LD17 Ed Ableser - Democrat - House
LD17 Ben Arredondo - Democrat - House
LD17 Donald Hawker - Republican - House
LD17 Augustus H Shaw IV - Republican - House

LD18 Robert McDonald, Jr. - Democrat - Senate
LD18 Russell Pearce - Republican - Senate
LD18 Michael Conway - Democrat - House
LD18 Cecil Ash - Republican - House
LD18 Steve Court - Republican - House

LD19 Rich Crandall - Republican - Senate
LD19 James Molina - Republican - Senate
LD19 Kathryn "Kit" Filbey - Democrat - House
LD19 Kirk Adams - Republican - House
LD19 Scott Perkinson - Republican - House

LD20 John McComish - Republican - Senate
LD20 Rae Waters - Democrat - House
LD20 Christopher Tolino - Republican - House
LD20 Bob Robson - Republican - House
LD20 Jeff Dial - Republican - House

LD21 Steve Trang - Democrat - Senate
LD21 Steve Yarbrough - Republican - Senate
LD21 Manuel Torres - Democrat - House
LD21 Jeff Vance - Republican - House
LD21 Venessa Whitener - Republican - House
LD21 J.D. Mesnard - Republican - House
LD21 Tom Forese III - Republican - House
LD21 Scott Bergren - NP - House

LD22 James Samuelson - Democrat - Senate
LD22 Andy Biggs - Republican - Senate
LD22 Adam Armer - Republican - House
LD22 Steven Urie - Republican - House
LD22 Kelly Townsend - Republican - House
LD22 Paul Howell - Republican - House
LD22 Laurin Hendrix - Republican - House
LD22 Brett Matthew Petillo - Republican - House
LD22 Eddie Farnsworth - Republican - House

LD23 Rebecca Rios - Democrat - Senate
LD23 Matthew Byers - Republican - Senate
LD23 Steve Smith - Republican - Senate
LD23 Barbara McGuire - Democrat - House
LD23 Ernest Bustamante - Democrat - House
LD23 Ralph Varela - Democrat - House
LD23 Frank Pratt - Republican - House
LD23 John Fillmore - Republican - House

LD24 Amanda Aguirre - Democrat - Senate
LD24 Robert Cannell - Republican - Senate
LD24 Lynne Pancrazi - Democrat - House
LD24 John Weil - Democrat - House
LD24 Russ Jones - Republican - House

LD25 Manuel "Manny" Alvarez - Democrat - Senate
LD25 Patricia Fleming - Democrat - House
LD25 Kenneth "Ken" Davis - Democrat - House
LD25 Ruben Ortega - Democrat - House
LD25 David Stevens - Republican - House
LD25 Gurmeet 'George' Nerhan - Republican - House
LD25 Timathy Davies - Republican - House
LD25 Craig Smith - Libertarian - House

LD26 Cheryl Cage - Democrat - Senate
LD26 Al Melvin - Republican - Senate
LD26 Nancy Young Wright - Democrat - House
LD26 Terri Lynn Proud - Republican - House
LD26 Vic Williams - Republican - House

LD27 Olivia Cajero Bedford - Democrat - Senate
LD27 J.D. 'Duke' Schechter - Republican - Senate
LD27 Bob Gilby - Democrat - House
LD27 Sami Hamed - Democrat - House
LD27 Dustin Curtis Cox - Democrat - House
LD27 John Martin Bernal - Democrat - House
LD27 Sally Ann Gonzales - Democrat - House
LD27 Eric Carbajal Bustamante - Democrat - House
LD27 Macario Saldate - Democrat - House
LD27 Robert Compton - Republican - House
LD27 Gene Chewning - Independent - House

LD28 Paula Aboud - Democrat - Senate
LD28 Ted Downing - Democrat - Senate
LD28 Ted Prezelski - Democrat - House
LD28 Mohur Mona Sidhwa - Democrat - House
LD28 Tim Sultan - Democrat - House
LD28 Steve Farley - Democrat - House
LD28 Bruce Wheeler - Democrat - House
LD28 Marlena Fineberg - [Democrat] - House
LD28 Ken Smalley - Republican - House
LD 28 Gregory Krino - Republican - House

LD29 Linda Lopez - Democrat - Senate
LD29 Matt Heinz - Democrat - House
LD29 Daniel Patterson - Democrat - House
LD29 Pat Kilburn - Republican - House

LD30 Todd Camenisch - Democrat - Senate
LD30 Frank Antenori - Republican - Senate
LD30 Marian McClure - Republican - Senate
LD30 Andrea Dalessandro - Democrat - House
LD30 David Gowan - Republican - House
LD30 Doug Sposito - Republican - House
LD30 Kurt Knurr - Republican - House
LD30 Parralee Schneider - Republican - House
LD30 Ted Vogt - Republican - House
LD30 Brian Abbott - NP - House

The long wait is over. I can now declare officially,

According to The Goldwater Institute, Bus Drivers are Bureaucrats.

Also maintenance workers and food service workers. They're bureaucrats too.

And equally officially,

Teachers are not bureaucrats.

How do I know? G.I.'s Matthew Ladner tells me so.

Ladner says, since there are a more-or-less equal number of teachers and non-teachers in Arizona's school districts, there is "an almost 1-to-1 teacher to bureaucrat ratio."

And if all non-teachers are bureaucrats, then bus drivers are bureaucrats. No getting around it.

When I questioned that assertion, G.I.'s Starlee Rhoades wrote,

"We believe the term bureaucrat accurately describes many of the employees in question and is a fair use of the term."

And when I emailed Ladner and asked him, If bus drivers are bureaucrats, why aren't teachers bureaucrats too? he answered,

All baseballs are balls, but not all balls are baseballs.

I take that to mean -- well, it means Ladner doesn't plan to give me a straight answer, because he can't give me a straight answer and maintain even a scintilla of logic.

So here we are. It's official, bus drivers are bureaucrats. And it seems, I am officially persona non grata at the Goldwater Institute.

But that doesn't mean others can't ask Matthew Ladner, or Starlee Rhoades, or Darcy Olsen, or Byron Schlomach, "Is it true you think bus drivers are bureaucrats?"

Maybe you'll get a zen koan of your very own.

Jim Nintzel of the Weekly has a way of asking follow up questions when a politician utters a sound byte, pursuing the glittering generality until the pol is forced to place it in a real world setting.

Jonathan Paton was Nintzel's latest victim. Paton, who generally has great political instincts, found himself featured in The Skinny with foot planted deeply in mouth. In other words, Nintzel got Paton to utter the truth, which is often a problem for politicians, and especially those like Paton whose lofty pronouncements have little to do with reality.

The subject was earmarks. Paton is against them. And Gabrielle Giffords is portrayed in Paton's Scarps (definition: attack pieces written by Daniel Scarpinato) as the Queen of the Earmarks. Well, maybe she's only the Maid in Waiting to Queen Pelosi, but you get the picture.

So the question is, if Paton is elected, will less money come home to Southern Arizona because he won't ask for money for our military bases, local governments or local non profits?

At first, Paton told Nintzel we would get more money without earmarks.

I guess Nintzel wouldn't let him get away with that patent absurdity.

[Paton] backed away from that argument earlier this week.

He concedes that if he has his way, Arizona can expect less from the federal government, because federal spending overall needs to be reined in, and citizens need to learn to live with less. [bold face added]

There's your stump speech, Jonathan -- and your bumper sticker, and your lawn sign, and your billboard.

"Vote for Paton and learn to live with less!"

What more do voters need to know?

I'm pleased to see the Star editorial picked up on Al Melvin's statement in the Explorer suggesting schools save money by using convict labor. The editorial wasn't kind to Cap'n Al.

There are thousands of good reasons for school districts not to consider inmate labor - kids. It's one thing to clean medians, it's another to work on school grounds.

Adults on school campuses are role models for kids. Every person, from the principal to the teachers to cafeteria and custodial workers, makes an impression on students. Kids learn the value of work, the honor of doing good work no matter the job and how an education is part of a good life.

Al Melvin has demonstrated his combined lack of empathy and common sense on too many occasions to list -- though some day I may try to compile a Melvin's Greatest Hits list (It will be long. It's so hard to choose!). He and his mentor Russell Pearce are poster children for what's wrong with the extreme right wing that's controlling the state and national Republican Party.

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

An instant Daily Show classic!

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

I am old enough to remember the Dixiecrat filibuster attempts to defeat the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The protestations of those who claimed it was social engineering and socialism, that it was against the natural order of God's law to "mongrelize" the races and that it would lead to the destruction of American society to end segregation and to treat all Americans equally under the law without regard to race, national origin, creed or sex. The voices of ignorance and hatred fomented fear and divided the nation between those who believed they were entitled to a privileged status in society, and those who were to forever be subjugated by this privileged class due only to an accident of birth -- not being born into a white Christian family.

America was forced to look into the mirror and to confront the morality of its ugly history with institutional slavery and institutional segregation. Leaders like President Lyndon Johnson and Vice President Hubert Humphrey and civil rights leaders like the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. called upon "the better angels of our nature" as Abraham Lincoln said, to "live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'" It was a test of the moral character of our country. Americans looked into their hearts and decided to do what was morally right.

Today we stand on the precipice of another "profiles in courage" moment in American history. It is almost a century since Theodore Roosevelt and his Progressive Party (aka Bull Moose Party) first proposed national health insurance in 1912. Franklin Roosevelt proposed an "Economic Bill of Rights" that included "The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health." Harry Truman proposed a national health care program. Truman Library - November 19, 1945: Truman Proposes Health Program.

Then, as now, the opponents of Truman's national health care program launched a spirited attack against the bill, capitalizing on fears of Communism in the public mind. The AMA characterized the bill as "socialized medicine," and called Truman White House staffers "followers of the Moscow party line." Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and FAUX News are singing from an old hymnal.

The voices of ignorance and hatred are strong and are fomenting fear and dividing the nation between those who believe they are entitled to a privileged economic status in society, and those who are to forever live in the shadows and be left to die due only to an accident of birth or life circumstance -- economic status or suffering from a "preexisting medical condition" that some faceless, nameless actuarial at a health insurance company can use to deny coverage of a claim or to deny insurance altogether in the name of making a profit to pay dividends to shareholders.

One's economic status or health status should not condemn one to a lifetime of pain and suffering or a death sentence. Losing one's health insurance coverage, or the denial of health insurance coverage, should not result in a bankruptcy that wipes out a lifetime of hard work and savings that leaves one destitute.

Access to affordable health care is a fundamental human right. It is the civil rights movement of our era. And it is a moral issue deeply rooted in the teachings of Christianity and all other religious faiths. This is a test of the moral character of our country. It is time once again for Americans to look into their hearts and decide to do what is morally right.

On Friday, President Obama found his moral voice in making a forceful closing argument to Congress to pass health care reform legislation. Let's finish the job and "do what's right."

Read the transcript Remarks by the President on Health Insurance Reform in Fairfax, Virginia (excerpt):

THE PRESIDENT: A few miles from here, Congress is in the final stages of a fateful debate about the future of health insurance in America. (Applause.) It’s a debate that’s raged not just for the past year but for the past century. One thing when you’re in the White House, you’ve got a lot of history books around you. (Laughter.) And so I’ve been reading up on the history here. Teddy Roosevelt, Republican, was the first to advocate that everybody get health care in this country. (Applause.) Every decade since, we’ve had Presidents, Republicans and Democrats, from Harry Truman to Richard Nixon to JFK to Lyndon Johnson to -- every single President has said we need to fix this system. It’s a debate that’s not only about the cost of health care, not just about what we’re doing about folks who aren’t getting a fair shake from their insurance companies. It’s a debate about the character of our country -– (applause) -- about whether we can still meet the challenges of our time; whether we still have the guts and the courage to give every citizen, not just some, the chance to reach their dreams. (Applause.)

At the heart of this debate is the question of whether we’re going to accept a system that works better for the insurance companies than it does for the American people -- (applause) -- because if this vote fails, the insurance industry will continue to run amok. They will continue to deny people coverage. They will continue to deny people care. They will continue to jack up premiums 40 or 50 or 60 percent as they have in the last few weeks without any accountability whatsoever. They know this. And that’s why their lobbyists are stalking the halls of Congress as we speak, and pouring millions of dollars into negative ads. And that’s why they are doing everything they can to kill this bill.

So the only question left is this: Are we going to let the special interests win once again?

AUDIENCE: No!

THE PRESIDENT: Or are we going to make this vote a victory for the American people? (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: Yes we can! Yes we can!

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Update to Wife of Justice Clarence Thomas launches a Tea Party organization.

Well, that didn't take long. The Los Angeles Times reports Virginia warns wife of Justice Clarence Thomas her group is violating law:

Virginia consumer-protection officials have warned the wife of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas that her advocacy group is improperly soliciting contributions in the state.

In a letter to Virginia Thomas on Thursday, the state Office of Consumer Affairs directed Liberty Central Inc. to the Virginia law that requires groups to register with the office or request an exemption before seeking donations for a charitable purpose.

Liberty Central is a Virginia-based group soliciting contributions online and is not registered or exempt, said Michael Wright, the manager of regulatory programs at the Office of Consumer Affairs, a branch of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Under state law, political advocacy is considered a charitable purpose.

"They should be filed with us," he said.

Thomas is the president and chief executive of Liberty Central, a nonprofit group hoping to mobilize conservatives online.

The group, which is aiming to appeal to small-government "tea party" activists, was incorporated in Delaware in January and is registered with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

* * *

Soliciting donations for a charitable purpose without registering with the Office of Consumers Affairs could result in fines of up to $5,000 for each violation, the letter said.

So Virginia Thomas incorporates a non-profit organization for political advocacy, and she doesn't have an attorney review all the applicable laws for compliance? She's married to an attorney isn't she? I believe a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

As is typical for any right-wing organization when they get caught violating the law, they blame everyone else:

Liberty Central asked for donations in an e-mail this week, after The Times reported on the group and Thomas' unprecedented role as an outspoken political advocate married to a Supreme Court justice.

"Although we're just getting started, we're already under attack from the left and its allies in the liberal media!" the e-mail said, noting The Times' story. "Our fully functioning Liberty Central website will launch in early May, but we invite you to send friends, family members and other known 'patriots' to subscribe or donate."

No one has ever confused the Los Angeles Times for the "liberal media." It has always been a conservative-leaning publication. The use of "liberal" to solicit funds from uninformed teabaggers simply demonstrated the knee-jerk response of the reactionary right. Like lemmings following each other over the cliff.

I'm a day away from declaring officially,

According to The Goldwater Institute, Bus Drivers are Bureaucrats.

Still nothing in the mail from Starlee Rhoades at the Goldwater Institute answering my simple question: What does "many" mean in her sentence:

"We believe the term bureaucrat accurately describes many of the employees in question and is a fair use of the term."

If I don't receive an answer in Saturday's mail, I can only assume G.I. is willing take the official stand that not only bus drivers, but also maintenance workers and food service workers count as bureaucrats.

That's the only way it can stand by Matthew Ladner's statement that Arizona school districts maintain "an almost 1-to-1 teacher to bureaucrat ratio."

It's not a stand I would want to defend.

On the other hand, unless journalists ask G.I.'s people, "Is it really true that you say bus drivers are bureaucrats?" they have nothing to worry about. I imagine that's what they're counting on.

Meanwhile, I ask, one more time . . .

"Please Mr. Postman. C'mon, deliver the letter, the sooner the better."

TUSD Superintendent Elizabeth Celania-Fagen will be leaving TUSD for Colorado's Douglas County School District, according to breaking news in the Star.

This is bad news for Tucson. Celania-Fagen is bright, capable and looked to be leading the district in the right direction, after years of leaders taking the district nowhere.

On the one hand, damn her for leaving when Tucson needs her.

On the other hand, who can blame her? Things will be going from bad to worse for Arizona's public schools, with no end in sight. If she has an opportunity to lead a district in a state that still supports its schools, she would be a fool to stay here and continue the thankless task of trying to move the district forward with dwindling resources.

I'll bet school districts all over the country are looking to cherry pick the best administrators and teachers from Arizona's schools. And I'll bet many of our best administrators and teachers are sending applications all over the country -- especially those who still have a decade or two left in their educational careers. It's not hard for educators to read the writing on the blackboard, or the whiteboard if their districts had enough money to buy one.

And if my bet is right, Arizona's schools will have to cope with dwindling talent at the same time they're coping with dwindling funds. It ain't gonna be pretty.

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The wannabe tin horn dictator of Tucson, former payday lender lobbyist and state senator Jonathan Paton, says he supports George W. Bush's failed hair-brained scheme to privatize social security. Just imagine how much more of Americans' retirement security the pirates of Wall Street could have stolen had Bush succeeded in risking their social security safety net to the giant Ponzi scheme of casino capitalism created by Wall Street bankers. What a tool. Pueblo Politics: Paton and Social Security:

Former state Sen. Jonathan Paton announced an endorsement this week from FreedomWorks, a conservative interest group that was launched with the support of former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey, Jack Kemp and C. Boyden Gray.

The group focuses on six main platforms — flattening the tax code, privatizing Social Security by letting workers divert some of their Social Security payroll taxes into accounts they manage, passing tort reform, increasing school choice, strengthening economic growth and continuing welfare reform.

In a statement, Armey called Paton “a true champion of freedom,” and lauded his “reputation for actively fighting for tax cuts and on behalf of freedom and limited government.”

Paton called the endorsement “humbling.”

Nothing like an endorsement from the Astroturf corporate lobbyist front group that is the corporate sponsor of the Dick Armey of teabaggers against health care reform. As a former lobbyist, Paton is right at home.

Democrats were quick to pounce on the endorsement. “He wouldn’t own up to it with Southern Arizonans, but — despite his lame attempt to paint himself as an outsider — obviously Jonathan Paton told Washington uber-insider Dick Armey he too wants to eliminate Social Security and Medicare,” said Andrew Stone from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Now it’s clear — both Jesse Kelly and Jonathan Paton support ripping the security net out from underneath Arizona seniors.”

Paton’s [WATB press flak Daniel Scarpinato] responded by saying, “Jonathan will take Jeff Flake and Dick Armey over Nancy Pelosi and Charlie Rangel any day of the week. He's proud that they support his candidacy and flattered that the Democrats took time to write a press release about it.”

Rhonda Bodfield, who is serving as a stenographer for the Paton campaign at the Arizona Daily Star continues: "So what is his position on Social Security? Paton supports giving those age 55 and under the option of voluntarily investing up to one-third of their payroll taxes into personal accounts."

Of course what Rhonda leaves out of her "reporting" (sic) is the pertinent fact that this is the failed social security privatization plan of George W. Bush that Americans rejected overwhelmingly and punished Republicans for in a Democratic "wave" election in 2006.

Here's the question Rhonda should be asking, "where does Paton stand on Rep. Paul Ryan's 'Roadmap for America's Future (Ruin)'?" See here The GOP Road to Ruin and here Update: The GOP Road to Ruin. Does this Young Gun punk support Ryan's plan to eliminate social security and Medicare? In a district with a large number of retired senior citizens on fixed incomes, they have the right to know.

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

There are some interesting new developments in the Arizona Senate race.

The GOP primary between Sen. John McCain and former congressman J.D. Hayworth appears to be a dogfight. Poll: McCain-Hayworth primary race tightening. McCain now leads Hayworth 48 percent to 41 percent, a much narrower margin than the previous Rasmussen poll in January. (Rasmussen is a GOP pollster).

The latest results, released Thursday, are another statistical tie because the poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Slipping below 50 percent again could be a danger sign for McCain in his re-election bid. Pollsters and political analysts generally consider incumbents with less than 50 percent support as possibly vulnerable. Rasmussen surveyed 541 likely Arizona Republican voters by telephone on Tuesday.

Neither one of these embarrassments should represent the state of Arizona.

Democratic first-term Tucson City Councilman Rodney Glassman continues to dither with an exploratory committee playing the role of the reluctant candidate. "If enough people ask me to run, I will." Uh, Rodney, the reluctant candidate act only works for well-known experienced politicians, not some little-known first-term city councilman (whose family happens to have deep-pockets).

We may have a credible Democratic candidate who is ready to step into the fray. Politico reported yesterday that Arizona exec. eyes McCain challenge:

Arizona businesswoman Nan Stockholm Walden is taking a look at entering the Senate race on the Democratic side, according to Democrats in Arizona and in Washington.

Walden, [Vice President and General Counsel at Farmers Investment Co. (FICO) and Farmers Water Co. (FWC), and The Green Valley Pecan Company in Sahuarita] who served as a staffer for former Democratic Sens. Bill Bradley and Daniel Patrick Moynihan, could provide her party with a credible, well financed candidate in the event that McCain loses or is severely wounded in his nomination fight with former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, Democrats said.

"She could be quite formidable. She has a national network. She's been very plugged in with women donors – particularly, I think, in Senate races," one Arizona Democrat told POLITICO.

"Where this thing becomes a real live wire, obviously, is the point at which McCain loses the primary," the Democrat continued. "At that point it's just, who is the person who's there with the right profile, who can reach the kind of Arizona independents with a libertarian streak that runs hard in voters here?"

Walden's company owns a large pecan farm with several hundred employees, and she could be in a position to run as an outsider with private sector experience in an anti-Washington year.

* * *

Several lower-profile Democrats, including Tucson City Councilman Rodney Glassman, are already in the race [incorrect]. But Walden's financial resources – she has donated nearly $50,000 to other Democrats since the 2002 cycle, according to OpenSecrets.org – and policy background could make her immediately competitive.

Walden [formerly was] an Assistant Vice President for Federal Relations at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Here is what is available online about her previous position. Nan Stockholm, JD:

Nan Stockholm Walden is currently Assistant Vice President for Federal Relations at the University of Arizona in Tucson. She serves as the primary liaison between the Administration and Faculty and the Congressional delegation. Nan works with the President, Provost, Senior Vice Presidents, and Deans in developing federal priorities for research and funding. She also works with the University of Arizona Foundation and a number of national education organizations on joint efforts with foundations, Congress and agencies.

Prior to coming to the University, Nan Stockholm spent more than fifteen years as an environmental attorney and consultant. Nan worked at the local, state and national levels with government, non-profits, and companies on public benefit projects. From 1993-94 she served as Chief of Staff to Senator Bill Bradley. Before that she was Director of the Presidio Council, a group of distinguished Americans who advised the National Park Service on the future of the former Army base in San Francisco. She has also served as Counsel to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, as Director of the Conference of Western Attorneys General, and as Counsel to the Western Conference of State Legislators.

Nan received a B.A. in environmental studies with honors and distinction from Stanford University, and a J.D. from Stanford Law School where she was President of the Stanford Environmental Law Society. She is a member of the Bars of California and the District of Columbia.

She resides on a pecan farm in Sahuarita, Arizona with her husband, Richard S. Walden, who is Chairman and President of Farmers Investment Company.

Nan Stockhom, JD - Curriculum Vitae

UPDATE: This post has been corrected. Ms. Walden is no longer employed by the University of Arizona. The error was inadvertent.

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Accidental Governor, Jan Brewer, put her signature to 12 budget bills yesterday, including the draconian FY 2011 budget that she proposed earlier this year and which was modified only slightly by the GOP insane clown posse leadership, and proposes fixes to the FY 2010 budget that Republicans have failed to balance in violation of the Arizona Constitution since July 1, 2010.

As I posted earlier, this budget is a sham based upon delusional assumptions. The GOP insane clown posse budget is based upon delusional assumptions

The budget Brewer signed on Thursday is built on a bunch of presumptions of what voters and courts will do. Brewer signs bill slashing AHCCCS rolls:

The biggest of these is the proposed 1-cent-per-dollar increase in the state sales tax, to 6.6 percent, which will appear on the ballot in a May 18 special election. Estimates show that would raise about $918 million in the first year of its three-year existence.

But lawmakers and Brewer also are counting on voters agreeing to scrap the First Things First program in November just four years after they had approved it. That would give lawmakers access to proceeds from the 80-cents-a-pack tax on cigarettes that was part of the initiative to fund new programs for early-childhood development, a levy that raises about $150 million a year.

It also would let them take an estimated $325 million already accumulated.

Also on the November ballot is a request to voters to let lawmakers take more than $123.5 million set aside to buy open space around urban areas. That approval is needed because the fund was mandated by voters in 1998.

And the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association is planning to challenge the provision that cuts AHCCCS eligibility.

The requirement to provide coverage for everyone below the federal poverty level was part of a 2000 initiative.

Republicans who have a problem with democracy and respecting the will of the voters assume that voters will repeal voter-approved citizen initiatives that were enacted because the voters disapproved of the Republican Legislature's failure to act in the public interest. It's not going to happen.

Democrats say the budget will be subject to multiple lawsuits that will prevent many proposed cuts from taking effect. Budget for 2011 signed by Brewer:

"These phony cuts will only trigger lawsuits and ultimately save the state nothing," said Rep. David Lujan, D-Phoenix, the House minority leader.

One aspect of the budget expected to be challenged is a cut of $385 million to the state's Medicaid program, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. The move effectively rolls back an expansion of AHCCCS that was approved by voters in 2000.

The 2011 budget is available at azleg.state.az.us/jlbc.htm.

Hours after she signed her draconian budget, Brewer appeared at a news conference to urge opposition to federal health-care reform. Asked by reporters what the hundreds of thousands of Arizonans set to lose coverage this year should do, Brewer said they should use community health clinics and emergency rooms.

No really, she did. Brewer said the state had no choice but to dramatically chop the health-care rolls, even though doing so will increase the number of people in the state without coverage. Brewer signs bill slashing AHCCCS rolls:

"We do not have the money. We are broke," she said. "It is painful," she responded to questions about the number left unprotected. "We cannot take care of everybody, every day, for everything."

Brewer said she expects those denied public-health benefits will show up in hospital emergency rooms and clinics, which is exactly what the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and hospital officials have told lawmakers will happen.

They said a large increase in the number of people who can't pay their bills will force hospitals to increase costs to everyone else. And that, they said, will drive up insurance premiums for employers, potentially forcing them to stop providing coverage for their own workers and increasing the number of people without coverage.

Brewer dismissed the possibility.

Brewer was joined at the press conference by the GOP insane clown posse. Ariz. GOP lawmakers join Brewer in slamming health bill.

Economists have estimated that this Jan Sham Budget will cost Arizona over 42,000 jobs, yet Arizona's unemployment rate is 9.2%. Governor Brewer called this a "major step to recovery."

We are witnessing a corporatist elite plutocracy declare war against the vast majority of Arizonans. This is legislative malpractice and malfeasance in office on a grand scale. These Republicans serve only the corporations and the very wealthy. They answer only to their dark lord and master, Grover Norquist, to whom they have pledged their allegiance.

In fact, the bogus-named House jobs creation bill -- an across the board tax cut for corporations and the wealthy and the shifting of the property tax burden from corporations to residential homeowners -- is awaiting action in the Senate (it has already passed the House). The Accidental Governor has not agreed to Terry Goddard's call for a pledge to reject using the temporary sales tax increase on the special election ballot in May to fund this corporate tax giveaway.

I predict voters will reject major portions of the Jan Sham Budget, in particular, voters will not repeal previously approved citizen initiatives only to enable this corporatist elite plutocracy to enjoy more tax cuts.

The GOP insane clown posse leadership has already indicated that should voters reject these ballot measures in November, that they plan to call a lame-duck special session to engage in a budget cutting bloodbath after the election. I expect that Democrats will control one or both chambers of the Arizona Legislature and the governorship after November 2nd. The current Arizona Legislature and governor, the worst failures in the history of Arizona, should be precluded from calling a lame-duck special session to engage in a budget cutting bloodbath after the voters have held them accountable and turned their sorry asses out of office. This would pose a constitutional crisis in Arizona.

Sigh.

Still nothing in the mail from Starlee Rhoades at the Goldwater Institute answering my simple question: What does "many" mean in her sentence:

"We believe the term bureaucrat accurately describes many of the employees in question and is a fair use of the term."

Still no reply, even though she ended her letter to me with:

We appreciate your active interest in our research and look forward to continued dialogue.

It can't be a dialogue if only one side is talking.

If G.I. doesn't grace my mailbox with a letter by Saturday, I will be duty-bound to declare,

According to The Goldwater Institute, Bus Drivers are Bureaucrats.

And it is my hope that whenever G.I. folks interact with the media, a reporter or interviewer asks them, "Is it really true that you say bus drivers are bureaucrats?"

I can't wait to hear the answer.

Meanwhile, until Saturday, I remain expectant.

"Please Mr. Postman. C'mon, deliver the letter, the sooner the better."

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

I have heard from the organizers of this event that they asked four different reporters from the Arizona Daily Star to participate on a media panel to ask questions, and all four declined. Maybe they should have told them it was a Republican event -- then Rhonda Bodfield would have showed up. She's still writng that godawful "GOP Gossip Column." How far she has fallen. So sad.

I understand that Jim Nintzel of the Tucson Weekly had wanted to participate but had to go out of town.

Carolyn Classen of the Tucson Citizen reports on the LD 28 House campaign trail…March 19 - Carolyn's Community:

The Saguaro Eastside Democrats and Legislative District 28 are hosting a debate for Democratic State House candidates running in that district on Friday, March 19. The debate will start at 7 p.m. at the New Spirit Lutheran Church, 8701 E. Old Spanish Trail, NE intersection of S. Camino Seco. Light Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the debate should end by 8:30 p.m.

Moderator will be John C. Scott, host of KJLL 1330 AM talk radio show.

Expected to debate will be LD 28 Democratic house candidates [in alphabetical order]:

- State House Rep. Steve Farley (incumbent)
- Marlena Fineberg
- Ted Prezelski
- Mohur Sidhwa
- Tim Sultan
- Bruce Wheeler

Voters in the August 24 Democratic primary will chose 2 of these candidates to face off in the November 2nd General Election against Republican house candidates in LD 28.

For more information on this debate call Pat Wiedhopf at 520-850-6755.

Be informed, attend these debates to meet these Democratic candidates.

Saguaro Eastside Democrats want to correct the scheduled time of this debate:

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments and time for socializing. The debate will begin at 6:50 p.m. and is scheduled to end at 8:30 p.m.

All meetings of SED are free and open to the general public. Membership in the organization is not required.

In sports, you're told never to look beyond the game you're playing. Stay focused! But in chess, you're told to think at least 3 moves ahead.

Dems may not be terrific at sports, but they're truly terrible at chess. Republicans play 3 dimensional chess while Democrats are sitting on a park bench with grandpa playing a middling game of checkers.

Dem strategists, take heed. The Republicans are already onto the next move in the health care chess match. They're taking the battle to the states.

Idaho is leading the charge in a states-rights push to defeat a proposal in Congress that would require people to buy health insurance, a key piece of reforms being pushed by President Barack Obama.

Republican Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter used a ceremony Wednesday afternoon to become the first governor to sign into law a measure requiring the state attorney general to sue the federal government over any such insurance mandates.

Idaho is not alone. Similar measures are making the rounds in 37 states.

This has the potential to be a potent way for Rs to keep the health care debate alive. Because it's a bold move, it'll get all kinds of press. "Can states stop mandatory health insurance?" CNN and local media will ask. The question of the legality of the bill will be brought up over and over. And the crazy base will turn its attention to state legislators, screaming and honking and carrying signs with Hitler mustaches on D legislators.

If Dem strategists don't see this chess move coming, they'll be in check the minute Obama signs the bill.

I'm not a strategist, but here are a few possible Democratic presponses and responses.

Dems have got to repeat, "The Republicans are trying to take away your health care!" over and over, from now until the elections. We've given you affordable health care, regardless of preexisting conditions. They want to take it away from you. We care about you. They care about the fat cats.

Dems have got to say, "Republicans don't respect the law of the land," or something of that nature.

And if Dems can come up with the right way to say, "Sore loser," they can tag Republicans as children lying on the ground kicking and screaming and turning blue because they didn't get their way.

And let's not forget the Party of No. In this case, they're the Party of "No health care for you."

Come on, DNC, Plouffe and whoever else is working on messaging. If you don't have a post-signing strategy in place already, get with it!

UPDATE: We already knew Arizona has one of those bills ready. Here's Brewer getting on board:

Republican state legislators are joining Republican Jan Brewer in decrying the health care overhaul bill awaiting final action by Congress.

Brewer on Wednesday sent letters to Democratic congressional leaders, saying she'll work with other states' leaders to challenge the legislation and what she called "an unfunded mandate" on the state.

Republican legislators took up the issue during floor speeches Thursday, with Republican Sen. Al Melvin of Tucson saying the outcome of the congressional will dictate availability of services and spell "life or death" for seniors.

Didn't you just know Melvin would get in there with a zinger? The health care bill will bring death for seniors. What the hell is he talking about?

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Oh, the macho shit that people can deceive themselves into believing. "If I'm packing heat, I can defend the world." This "Superman complex" will only get you killed.

Police training exercises on campuses for years have demonstrated that a determined shooter will wound and kill numerous people before any teacher or student carrying a weapon has the reaction time to respond, and even if they do, to hit their mark. Police have to train for hours at the firing range on a regular basis to develop instinctive muscle memory response to fire their weapon accurately and to hit their mark.

Some Yahoo with a concealed weapon carry permit and little to no professional training with a firearm (the Arizona Legislature is even trying to get rid of concealed carry permits and the minimal training requirement) is not going to defend anyone. They are a target and pose a shooting threat (friendly fire) to others, and complicate the response of police officers. Just ask any cop.

This is why Sen. Jack Harper and Rep. Jerry Weiers are such buffoons for pushing a bill to arm professors at state universities. Campus-gun bill advances:

A proposal to allow faculty members to carry heat on college campuses has the gun lobby and police drawing down on each other, with each predicting dire consequences.

Sen. Jack Harper's controversial bill would allow any faculty member at a public college or university with a concealed-weapons permit to carry a gun on campus.

Harper, R-Surprise, said his striker on Senate Bill 1014 would deter a gunman from opening fire on an Arizona campus, knowing that some faculty members are armed and would save lives.

You jackhole. If professors are presumed to be armed, who do you think the first target of any classroom shooter is going to be? That's right genius, the professor. And then anyone foolish enough not to drop to the floor immediately for cover.

Arizona State University Police Chief John Pickens and Yavapai College Police Chief Joe Cappelli testified before the House Military Affairs Committee on Wednesday that Harper's idea is a bad one that might cost lives, not save them.

Despite police opposition, the committee voted 5-2 to approve the bill, giving a new life to an identical proposal that died in the Senate earlier this session.

Cappelli said everyday residents with concealed-weapons permits have far less training than police officers and are apt to fire wildly when confronted with the stress of a campus shooting.

An instructor at the Northern Arizona Police Academy, Cappelli said that even police hit their targets only about 25 percent of the time during officer-involved shootings.

Capelli added, "I'm not sure with all the hustle and bustle that we can discern an active shooter from a faculty member."

The bill now goes to the House Committee of the Whole for a vote. The entire House would then vote on the bill before it returns to the Senate.

Earlier this session, Harper proposed the same measure as Senate Bill 1011, but it died after it was held in the Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee.

Harper gave the measure a second chance by tacking it on to an otherwise routine bill that would have expanded assistance to the Military Family Relief Fund.

Chairman Jerry Weiers, R-Phoenix, said having faculty carry guns is no different than allowing airline pilots to arm themselves after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Oh good, another genius. There's a big difference. Passengers on airlines all go through metal detectors and are subject to searches. In international airports they are also subject to full body scans and chemical detection devices. The odds that an airline passenger is carrying a gun is next to zero. (And by the way genius, the flights on 9/11 were hijacked using box cutters with a razor blade, not a gun).

There are few college campuses that require students to go through metal detectors and subject them to searches. Any individual with a backpack could be carrying a load of weapons and ammunition on campus. The risk of a disturbed individual with a gun on campus is astronomically higher than for airline pilots on an airplane. Especially when the Arizona Legislature is increasing the risk by making it easier for disturbed individuals.

So cut out all this macho shit and get over your "Superman complex." You buffoons are endangering lives with this bill. Listen to the professional police officer associations who live with this threat on a daily basis and actually know what the hell they are talking about.

UPDATE: On Thursday, the House delayed consideration of a measure regarding carrying of concealed weapons. Under HB 2347, people who have permits to carry concealed weapons would no longer have to have the permit with them when they carry the gun.

People also would be exempt from the prohibition against carrying a deadly weapon into a public establishment or event, unless there is a sign at the business prohibiting it.

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Arizona's modern-day version of Governor George Wallace, Sen. Russell Pearce (R-Mesa), must be having a conniption fit. His bill to criminalize immigrants stalled in the House on Wednesday. Arizona Capitol Times » Bill to make illegal immigrants trespassers stalls in House: 

A sweeping immigration enforcement bill that would require police officers to enforce federal immigration laws and make all illegal immigrants criminal trespassers was slated to be voted on in the House today, but the effort stalled when Republican support started to slip.

Rep. David Gowan, a Sierra Vista Republican, said he only learned about the concerns of some Republicans minutes before the bill was set to go to the House floor for debate and a vote.

“We just had some issues within the (Republican) caucus,” he said. “I need to go find what those issues are.”

Gowan is the sponsor of the bill that was held, H2632, though the lawmaker behind the legislation is Sen. Russell Pearce, a Mesa Republican. Pearce’s bill, S1070, has already passed the Senate. The House had planned to amend Gowan’s measure to make it identical to Pearce’s, then substitute S1070 for H2632 on the floor vote.

That would allow S1070 to go straight to the desk of Gov. Jan Brewer, who is expected to sign it.

Gowan didn’t indicate which Republicans had problems, nor what those problems were. He said he hoped to get the bill to the floor “as soon as we can,” though he didn’t say when that might be.

“I want to make sure I’m very solid (on votes) before we go to the floor,” he said.

The Republicans' 2010 election strategy is to demonize and scapegoat immigrants to distract the public from the fact that this is the worst failed legislature in the history of Arizona. Republicans are guilty of legislative malpractice and malfeasance in office. Forty-four years of failed leadership is enough. Arizona deserves better. Kick these bums out.