Read Blog for Arizona | Politics from a Liberal Viewpoint for more about December 2014

The Bush-Cheney regime torturers probably should not travel outside the U.S.

December 10, 2014 by AZ BlueMeanie

The United States is not only a signatory to the U.N. Convention Against Torture, it was the principal author. Under the Convention that the U.S. authored, the U.S. is legally obligated to prosecute acts of torture and enforced disappearance if there is sufficient evidence to to bring a case. The 6,300 page classified Senate Intelligence Committee report is a roadmap to prosecution.

If the U.S. will not live up to its legal and moral obligation to prosecute those involved, the rest of the world has a right to do so under universal jurisdiction. The Bush-Cheney regime torturers probably should not travel outside the U.S.

Think Progress reports, Horrors Of Torture Report Prompt International Calls For ‘Criminal Accountability’:

Ben Emmerson, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on counter terrorism and human rights doesn’t think official authorization from agencies within the U.S. frees those who carried out torture from facing justice.

“The fact that the policies revealed in this report were authorized at a high level within the U.S. government provides no excuse whatsoever,” Emmerson said in a statement. “Indeed, it reinforces the need for criminal accountability.”

Sean Noble cannot account for $1.6 million in dark money

December 10, 2014 by AZ BlueMeanie

h/t “Dracula Untold”

The Dark Lord of “dark money” in Arizona, Republican consultant Sean Noble of DC-London, the money laundering bag man at the center of the “Kochtopus” dark money network, has a bit of a problem. In laundering all that “Kochtopus” dark money, he cannot account for $1.6 million in dark money.

The Center for Public Integrity reports, Koch-linked operative mum on mystery millions:

Three years ago, the Center to Protect Patient Rights — a nonprofit grant-making organization fueled by the political fundraising network of conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch — made a seven-figure contribution to another nonprofit.

That transaction itself may not have been notable, except for the fact that the group, American Commitment, says it wasn’t the beneficiary of the money.

Now, Sean Noble — a political consultant who was chosen by the Koch brothers to quarterback their political efforts, and who signed the Center to Protect Patient Rights’ tax return disclosing the contribution under penalty of perjury — is refusing to explain where the missing $1.6 million went.

45th Annual 4th Avenue Winter Street Fair

December 11, 2014December 10, 2014 by Carolyn Classen

Poster drawn by local Tucson artist Courtney Kelly. Has it really been 45 years of this festive street fair?

I hear that the Sun Link modern streetcar will simply operate from both ends to the 4th Avenue Streetfair during the fair’s hours, and go back & forth to their east/west stations. People seeking to go through to the other end will need to walk or catch a shuttle bus to other end of the street fair (between University Blvd. to E. 9th Street). See map below.

The next Street Fair is December 12, 13, 14, 2014. Hours are 10 am to 6pm (dusk) each day. The Street Fair takes place between Ninth Street and University Blvd. along Fourth Avenue. The Fourth Avenue Street Fair brings together 400+ arts and crafts booths, 35+ food vendors,Main Stage, street musicians, food, jugglers, street performers, the ever so popular Free Kids hands-on-art Pavilion. There is face painting, balloons, demonstrations, sidewalk entertainment and tons of other fun activities. This is Tucson’s Largest Arts Venue. A Tucson Tradition.

The “establishment” should have been more careful about what they wished, and worked, for

December 9, 2014December 9, 2014 by AZ BlueMeanie

Crossposted from DemocraticDiva.com

All In With Chris Hayes on the bind that traditional GOP big donors are in due to new campaign finance rules:

Link to video (because BofA never likes any video I try to embed)

As Hayes and a later panel with guests explained, the post-Citizens United reality means that “bundlers”, the wealthy, connected lawyers, lobbyists, and business types who have wielded electoral power for decades by shaking down multiple contributions, are penny ante compared to billionaires like Sheldon Adelson and the Koch brothers, who have the ability to funnel piles of money directly wherever they want.

Sen. John McCain statement on the release of the Senate Intelligence Committee report on illegal torture

December 9, 2014 by AZ BlueMeanie

John McCain was tortured when he was a guest at the Hanoi Hilton during the Vietnam war, and his experience left him deeply opposed to the use of torture.

McCain did his best to outlaw the Bush-Cheney regime’s illegal torture program, but the limitations set out in his anti-torture bill were overridden by President Bush in a “signing statement” that accompanied Bush’s official approval of the measure.

Sen. McCain delivered an impassioned speech in the Senate today in defense of the release of the Senate intelligence Committee report on illegal torture. FLOOR STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON CIA:

Dec 09 2014
Washington, D.C. –

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today delivered the following statement on the floor of the U.S. Senate on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence report on CIA interrogation methods:

“Mr. President, I rise in support of the release – the long-delayed release – of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s summarized, unclassified review of the so-called ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ that were employed by the previous administration to extract information from captured terrorists. It is a thorough and thoughtful study of practices that I believe not only failed their purpose – to secure actionable intelligence to prevent further attacks on the U.S. and our allies – but actually damaged our security interests, as well as our reputation as a force for good in the world.