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Saturday Editorial, July 21, 2012
July 21, 2012
In the flurry of news and opinion gusting out of our computer screens and smart phones, it is easy to become ‘news blind’ – so focused on the flakes and flurries that we forget where we are headed. We stumble confusedly ahead with no map to our destination. It’s easy to get lost in the storm.
I personally read almost every news source in Arizona – and keep up with national reaction to our politics, as well – in bringing to readers of BlogForArizona the Arizona Donkey Feed, which appears on our right-hand sidebar every day (you may also have the Feed emailed to you daily). So I, too, often find myself in that blizzard without a map.
I decided I might like to sit down once a week and take some time to look around, and identify what I think are the most significant landmarks around where we stand now. It might not be a map that will tell us where we are headed, but maybe I can get some idea of where we are. Over time, perhaps it will become a map of sorts.
I would also like to let you all know that Matt Heinz, candidate for Congressm in AZ’s CD 2, will be guest-host at Drinking Liberally in Tucson. Come down to the Shanty of 4th Avenue this Wednesday at 6pm and enjoy a beer with Matt.
So, here are some thoughts on what I think are the most important, or just most interesting, developments in the past week in Arizona’s politics…
Will more money go to education if the one cent sales tax initiative passes? Yes!
July 21, 2012
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by David Safier Lots of people are worried that if we pass the one cent sales tax renewal initiative, the legislature will just lower the amount it puts in the education budget, add the sales tax money on top of that, and we'll end up in the same place we are now. However, the wording … Read more
District 4 House Democrats Citizens Clean Elections Debate
July 21, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
The District 4 House Democratic candidates held their Citizens Clean Elections debate on July 12. It took CCEC awhile to post the debate video below the fold.
District 8 House Democrats Citizens Clean Elections Debate
July 21, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
The District 8 House Democratic candidates held their Citizens Clean Elections debate on July 11. It took CCEC awhile to post the debate video below the fold.
Wise words form Raúl Grijalva
July 20, 2012
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by David Safier Words from politicians can be valuable and insightful on occasion, but they rarely feel like they contain wisdom. Grijalva's statement below is the rare exception, combining genuine compassion with wisdom and understanding. Thank you, Raúl. Rep. Grijalva Statement on Shooting in Aurora, Colo. – “Our Duty is To Help Them Through This … Read more
A statement from Darcy Burner on the Colorado shootings
July 20, 2012
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by David Safier Darcy Burner is running for Congress in Washington, her third try. She's currently the president and executive director of ProgressiveCongress.org. She has a post up on Daily Kos, An adult conversation about guns that's worth reading in full. Here's an excerpt: Earlier today, a gunman walked into a movie theater in Aurora, … Read more
A statement from the Violence Policy Center about the Colorado shootings
July 20, 2012
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by David Safier
Here is a statement from the Violence Policy Center about the Colorado shootings. It's signed by a number of national, state and local organizations, including Arizonans for Gun Safety.
Over 30 National, State, and Local Gun Violence Prevention Groups Issue Statement on Colorado Mass Shooting
Washington, DC–Following today's mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater leaving at least 12 dead and dozens wounded, national, state, and local gun violence prevention organizations (see list at bottom) issued the following joint statement:
“Our deepest sympathies go to all those affected by this terrible tragedy.
"Today's mass shooting is the price paid in death, pain, and suffering by families and communities for an out-of-control, militarized gun industry that prides itself on selling increasingly lethal products to virtually anyone with little concern for the inevitable tragedies that result. In America today–where virtually anyone with a credit card and a grudge can outfit their own personal army–mass shootings are as predictable as they are tragic. Just as predictably, those who celebrate this lethal shift–the NRA and its gun industry partners–remain mute when families and communities suffer the consequences. And when attention fades, they'll once again resume their lethal trade, unless we stand together as Americans to stop them.
Gun violence is preventable. It is long past time for policymakers at all levels to act. Americans have a right to feel safe in their communities–in schools, restaurants, movie theaters, and all public places. Using the cynical desires of the gun lobby and firearms industry as an excuse for inaction is shameful."
National Organizations
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and its national network of chapters
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence
States United to Prevent Gun Violence
Violence Policy Center
Fact Checking the mendacity of ‘Mittens’
July 20, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Time once again for Steve Benen's weekly fact check of the shameless shapeshifter and pathological liar, Willard "Mittens" Romney. Chronicling Mitt's Mendacity, Vol. XXVI: Just last night, Rachel reported on Mitt Romney's new campaign offensive — based entirely on a President Obama quote that's been taken out of context — and stepped … Read more
