Featured Stories
Dr. Richard Carmona Veterans Town Hall in Phoenix
August 1, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: A late notice from the Dr. Richard Carmona for U.S. Senate campaign: Richard Carmona holding veterans town hall Thursday in Phoenix Rich Carmona continues his statewide veterans town hall tour in Phoenix on Thursday, where he will meet with veterans and supporters. This will be the fourth stop in a series of … Read more
Rep. Trent Franks continues to bring shame upon Arizona
August 1, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Despite his actions having been condemned by his fellow Arizona caucus member, Sen John McCain, and even the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, Arizona's Rep. Trent Franks has doubled-down on his religious bigotry McCarthyism. The Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required) reports Trent Franks defends request for probe of Muslim infiltration of government:
Rep. Trent Franks, R-Glendale, this week defended his call for an investigation into the influence of Muslim groups on government organizations, even as the proposal came under more fire.
[Last] Thursday, 42 religious and secular groups criticized Franks and four other House members who signed letters demanding the probe, saying the letters questioned “the loyalty of faithful Americans based on nothing more than their religious affiliations and … tenuous evidence of their associations.”
The groups ranged from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and American Baptist Churches USA, to the Hindu American Foundation and People for the American Way, to the Secular Coalition for America and American Atheists, among others.
Their criticism followed a Senate floor speech last week by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who said the letters’ focus on one top State Department official, Huma Abedin, “are nothing less than an unwarranted and unfounded attack on an honorable citizen.”
“These attacks on Huma have no logic, no basis, no merit. And they need to stop now,” McCain said.
A clear choice for women in November
August 1, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: James Downie writes at The Plum Line today, The Morning Plum: On women’s health, a clear contrast between Obama and GOP: Today marks a major milestone for the Obama health care law and, more importantly, women’s health. As the Center for American Progress outlines, “a regulation goes into effect that will phase … Read more
Just a thought
August 1, 2012
by
by David Safier Our northern states have higher salaries and standards of living than the southern states. It must be the superior culture in the north that makes the difference, with a little Divine Providence thrown in for good measure.
Indian electrical grid failure: US politicians and power brokers should take note
August 1, 2012
by Pamela Powers Hannley Buried in the back of today's Arizona Daily Star was this story about massive electrical blackouts in India. 'Decisions not made' at root of massive India blackouts Who cares? Right? Americans are focused on how many gold medals US Olympians have won yesterday and how many gaffes presidential hopeful Mitt Romney … Read more
‘Checks and Balances in Government’ initiative may not qualify for the ballot
August 1, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The Neoconfederate secession initiative by wingnut millionaire Jack Biltis, aka the Checks and Balances in Government initiative, is likely not to have enough valid petition signatures to qualify for the November ballot. The Yellow Sheet Report (subscription required) in a post "CHECKS & BALANCES NOT SO CLOSE, AFTER ALL" reports: It turns out that only … Read more
Free MAS community class: Your chance to find out what it’s all about
July 31, 2012
by Pamela Powers Hannley Well, if you always wondered what the big deal was with Mexican American Studies (MAS) classes, here is your opportunity to attend a free community class taught by an MAS instructor Curtis Acosta. (I wonder if they allow video cameras?)
Cuevas and Stegeman respond to MAS protests at their homes
July 31, 2012
by Pamela Powers Hannley
TUSD board members released the following statement after Mexican American Studies (MAS) supporters demonstrated in front of Mark Stegeman's house and made unannounced visits to the homes of Miguel Cuevas and Michael Hicks.
MIGUEL CUEVAS AND MARK STEGEMAN CALL FOR CIVILITY
July 25, 2012 – Tucson, Arizona – Over the past few days, Miguel Cuevas, TUSD Board President, and Mark Stegeman, TUSD Board member, have each had their personal residences violated by pro-MAS groups. The same groups that have chained themselves to desks in the TUSD boardroom and tossed smoke bombs at public meetings have staged protests outside the homes of both board members.
“Not only do I work during the day, but I live with my grandparents. So when I got the call telling me that protesters were at my home, I had to call my father and send him over to my house. By the time he got there, my grandmother was in tears. She was terrified of the protesters and my father had to tell them to vacate our property,” said Miguel Cuevas.
“Not only did demonstrators come to my house last week while I was at work, but last year protesters came to my workplace, disrupting a class that I teach at the University of Arizona and plastering posters around my office. Students who pay to come to school to learn should not be subjected to such rude behavior,” said Mark Stegeman.
Mr. Cuevas and Dr. Stegeman agree that it is time to call for civility and are asking the community to support that effort. “We are elected by the community, serve the community, and sometimes make hard decisions for the benefit of the community as a whole. Our work should not expose our homes and families to invasion and harassment.”
Video after the jump.
