My Own Santorum… Cocktail, That Is.
March 17, 2012
By Michael Bryan Saturdays are cocktail day around the Bryan household. Friends come over and I play bartender. Sometimes I go for the classics, but today I was inspired. He died for your cocktail A bar owner in New York has gotten some great press by inventing his own version of the Santorum Cocktail. I … Read more
A Worn Out Welcome
March 17, 2012
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Posted by Bob Lord Why is Hamid Karzai lashing out at Americans? Because he’s insulted over the Koran burnings? Because he’s angry at the loss of Afghani lives? Hardly. We’re talking about one of the most corrupt rulers ever to grace the planet. He could care less about such things. So, why is he lashing … Read more
Reminder: LD 28 St. Patrick’s Day Annual Fundraiser – New Date!
March 17, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Thanks to the Arizona Democratic Party scheduling a Special State Committee Meeting today at the same date and time as the originally scheduled event (doesn't anyone know how to do a calendar conflict check? Why do you think we publish a weekly calendar?), LD 28 has rescheduled its Annual St. Patrick's Day Fundraiser to … Read more
Reminder: Women in Blue 2012 Breakfast and Lobbying Day
March 17, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Announcement from the Arizona Democratic Party: Women in Blue 2012 Breakfast and Lobbying Day Featuring Special GuestNicole Stanton and State Legislators:Rep. Lela Alston – Rep. Sally Ann Gonzales – Rep. Katie Hobbs Rep. Debbie McCune Davis – Rep. Lynne Pancrazi – Rep. Anna Tovar Sen. Paula Aboud – Sen. Olivia Cajero Bedford … Read more
‘States’ Rights’ Tea-Publicans run amok
March 17, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Oh geezus, here we go again. The Birthers-Birchers-Secessionists of our Tea-Publican legislature are spouting Neoconfederate nullification and secession theories again, in a reprisal from last year.
It sounds an awful lot like the nonsense spewed by the sovereign citizen movement and Oath Keepers movement that have been labeled hate groups by organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center, among others.
The Arizona Daily Star reports State bill puts feds second to sheriffs:
A state Senate panel has fired a warning shot of sorts over the heads of federal law enforcement agencies: Don't come nosing around these parts unless you get the local OK. Legislation offered by Rep. David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista, would require employees of those agencies to first notify the sheriff of the county "before taking any official law enforcement action in a county in this state."
The only exception would be if notification would impede the federal officer's duties. But even then, HB 2434 requires notifying the sheriff "as soon as practicable after taking the action." The proposal took its first step toward becoming a reality Thursday when the Senate Committee on Border Security, Federalism and States Sovereignty voted 5-2 to approve, sending the bill to the full Senate.
A deeper look into Richard Miranda’s criminal behavior
March 17, 2012
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by David Safier As often happens, the Phoenix New Times has the most complete coverage I've seen of the activities of ex-legislator Richard Miranda which will probably land him in jail for a few years. Toward the end, the article links to a 2009 R-Cubed post that goes after Miranda and hints at some of … Read more
‘Conservadem’ Amanda Aguirre to primary Congressman Raúl Grijalva
March 17, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: "Conservadem" Amanda Aguirre, a former state legislator from Yuma, formally announced this week that she will run for Cogress against Congressman Raúl Grijalva in the Democratic primary. Aguirre joins Democrats seeking to oust Grijalva: Yuma businesswoman Amanda Aguirre announced Thursday she will run against U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Aguirre, 59, a moderate … Read more
Today’s Librotraficante events covered in the Star, Weekly
March 17, 2012
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by David Safier
Kudos to Alexis Huicochea of the Star for today's story about the Librotraficante Caravan, Ethnic studies support rolls in. My favorite line is from author and caravan organizer Tony Diaz about why he plans to have a taco truck distribute books in Tucson.
"Tacos are delicious and it's great to have books in the taco truck," he said. "It's like food for thought – people can have their barbacoa tacos and their contraband books."
The Weekly's Mari Herreras also has a good post on The Range, The Wet Books Are Coming! The Wet Books Are Coming! It links to an interview she did with Diaz a few weeks ago with lots of good background information.
Both reporters talk about the group Diaz helped found, Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say. The group's purpose is to promote interest in Latino literature and reading in general, featuring reading showcases and book giveaways. The group also does television broadcasts and a radio show. According to my interview yesterday with Lianna Lopez, the term "Librotraficante" was coined awhile ago when they were loading books into a van after and event and someone commented, "Hey, we're Librotraficantes!"
When I mentioned to Lopez what a fine piece of political theater this whole caravan is, filled with spot-on imagery and a flair for the dramatic — part of a long, proud tradition — she said the group is an active participant in the international conferences on Pedagogy & Theater of the Oppressed and will be presenting a workshop on the subject this afternoon during the Ultimate Lit Teach-In starting at 1pm (Flier of events below the fold).
Don't forget: If you want to hear some premier authors reading from their works, attend tonight's Literary Showcase, 7pm, UA Social Sciences Building, Rm. 100, 1145 E. South Campus.
