George Washington’s harsh learning experience

Newly promoted Major General Edward Braddock arrived at Hampton Roads, Virginia in February 1755 with two regiments of regulars to assume command of Gen. Braddockall British forces in North America. England and France were engaged in an epic struggle for control of a large part of the continent as well as colonial possessions in other parts of the world. It was a war for empire fought on a global scale.

At a meeting in Alexandria, Virginia that April, Braddock laid out his plan to capture Fort Duquesne (modern Pittsburgh). His British regulars were augmented by nine companies of Virginia militia. Braddock had nothing but contempt for these locals, he considered them to be lazy, apathetic and useless. Naturally, there was a degree of friction between Gen. Braddock and his militia officers. One of them was a tall, former surveyor by the name of George Washington.

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“Coming Around Again”: Coolidge City Council Special Meeting on its “Christian-only” invocations policy

By Craig McDermott, crossposted from Random Musings

When I first wrote about the mess in Coolidge, where the city council there had approved a policy of allowing just Christian-only invocations before its meetings, I noted that a special meeting of the council had already been called for Monday, September 21 (tomorrow, as of this writing), but that the agenda for that meeting hadn’t yet been posted on the city’s website.

It has since been posted.

 

Event:  Coolidge City Council Special Meeting

Where: Council Chambers, 911 S. Arizona Boulevard, Coolidge, Arizona

When: 9/21/2015, 6 p.m.

In bigger print, from the city’s website

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AZCrazy: They start ’em young here…or at least, before they get to the legislature…

By Craig McDermott, crossposted from Random Musings

Note: “young” refers to political age, not chronological age

I’d speculate about something being in the water, but there isn’t enough water here

Most of the national (and international) ridicule directed at Arizona politics in recent years has been rooted in some of the actions of the state legislature or other denizens of the capitol district, but there is a “grass roots” brand of unprofessionalism that permeates certain local and special district governing boards.

Given that many of those boards serve as political feeder routes to the lege, it isn’t actually much of a surprise that the Arizona Legislature is so dysfunctional – certain members of these boards have made their “whackjob” bones before moving up the political ladder.

In recent years we’ve seen…

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Could it Be True? Has Thucky Returned?

I know, I know, it could be an imposter seeking to punk us.

Nonetheless, I’m positively brimming with excitement.

You see, a commenter going by “John Huppenthal” posted a comment to one of the BlueMeanie’s posts yesterday. BlueMeanie’s response was as you would expect: flat-out mean. There’s a reason for that monicker, you know.

But I sure hope he hasn’t chased our old friend away.

I actually had wanted to reach out to the Thuckster during his lame duck days in the Supe’s office.

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Political Calendar: Week of September 20, 2015

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Political Calendar for the Week of September 20, 2015:

Democrats of Greater Tucson Annual Awards Luncheon

Sunday, September 20, Noon: Democrats of Greater Tucson Awards Luncheon, at Hotel Tucson – City Center, 475 N. Granada Avenue, Tucson, AZ. Luncheon from 12 Noon until 2:00 PM check-in begins at 11:00 AM. Master of Ceremonies is David Fitzsimmons. Keynote speaker is Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick. Alice Papcun Lifetime Achievement Award: Herschella Horton; Maurice Grossman Community outreach Award: Luci Messing; Steve Emerine Election integrity Award: Sandra Spangler; introducing the inaugural Albert M. Elias Democratic Business Leader Award. Individual tickets are $65, table of 10 is $650. Sponsorship levels are available. VIP Reception at 10:00 a.m. in The Buckley Room. Champagne, mimosas and fresh fruit. An additional ticket for $35. To order online go to https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/dgt2015. Please order by September 13. For more information please contact Jeremy Lasher at (520) 609-7641.

Ann Kirkpatrick for U.S. Senate Reception

Sunday, September 20, 2:30 p.m.: Ann Kirkpatrick for U.S. Senate Reception, at the Tucson Omni National Resort, Bella Vista Salon, 2727 W. Club Drive, Tucson. Individual Ticket $100, Friend $250, Supporter $500, Sponsor $1,000. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Kevin at Kevin@KirkpatrickforArizona.com or (928) 224-8523.

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