Notes on the Star
by David Safier I have given the Star a heaping serving of praise lately — especially considering the source: someone who scours the paper daily and often criticizes it for its lacks and excesses. My only criticism of late was more about its owner Lee Enterprises and the corporation's virulently anti-union stance. Advertisement That being … Read more
“Rule o’ Law Russell” becomes “I’m the Law Pearce”
by David Safier Rule o' Law Russell can find neither the rule nor the law saying he can ban someone from the state Senate Building. Yet he says he has banned Sal Reza, and when Reza, who claims he hadn't heard of the ban, entered the building Thursday, he was arrested for misdemeanor tresspass. Under … Read more
A rift in the space-time continuum today …
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: From the department of things you just can't make up. A Google search on the Arizona Republic web site for an article turned up this fascinating result: Even "the Google" at the Arizona Republic combines the tin foil hat conspiracy theorists of UFO ufologists with Tea Party birthers. I would love to … Read more
Arizona Legislature: week in review
By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings …and a sneak peek at next week… – Signed into law this week: HB2167, banning "Spice," a dangerous synthetic version of marijuana. Passed both chambers and all commitees in those chambers unanimously. Because of an "emergency" clause, this law goes into effect immediately. – Controversial bills that passed one … Read more
Gates: I’m looking at you, Rummy
by David Safier SecDef Robert Gates thinks any future SecDef who recommends anything similar to the invasion of Iraq should "have his head examined." And he was talking to cadets at West Point when he said it. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates bluntly told an audience of West Point cadets on Friday that it would … Read more
A significant, and long needed, change in Teachers Union policy
by David Safier As a teacher and good union man for my 30-plus year tenure, the one thing that always made me wince was when the union went to the mat to save the jobs of teachers who were, in a word, lousy. The union always said it was protecting those teachers so the rest … Read more
Time to lace up your ‘comfortable pair of shoes,’ Mr. President – we’re walking on Saturday
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: "If American workers are being denied their right to organize when I'm in the White House, I will put on a comfortable pair of shoes and I will walk on that picket line with you as president of the United States." — Barack Obama, while making a campaign speech in Spartanburg, SC … Read more
