A Humble Poltician is a Good Politician
Link: Political Notebook by Daniel Scarpinato : Farley gets singed on procedural misstep. "After avoiding a possible ethics violation Thursday, state Rep. Steve Farley spent the rest of the day doing some soul searching and meditation. Advertisement The whole incident started when Farley, D-Tucson, grabbed his mic on the House floor and complained that Rep. … Read more
RenziGate Roundup 3/2
The House ethics committee has decided to open their own investigation into allegations of embezzlement and extortion against Dick using a 4-member, bipartisan sub-committee. The panel does not have the power to require Renzi’s expulsion from the House, although they can recommend this action and the House could unseat Renzi with a 2/3rds vote • … Read more
The Mother of All Libraries
by David Safier OK, the headline is a bit of a cheat. “The Mother of All Libraries” isn’t a boast by Saddam Hussein about his book collection in Baghdad. It actually refers to the public subscription library Ben Franklin set up in Philadelphia when he was a young man. (You can stop reading now if … Read more
The Presumption of Innocence and the Assumption of Guilt
Innocent until proven guilty. If ever there were a legal motto that is observed more the breach than in the main, this is it. The Presumption of innocence is a nice formality, but everyone, and especially conservatives, are generally ready to lock up a criminal who is merely charged with a crime. Regardless of the … Read more
When Bee Brings Gifts, Look for the Stinger
by David Safier Mike has been gently nudging me to write about a topic I’ve been avoiding – Tim Bee’s bill to allow all school districts in Arizona to participate in, and get the extra dollars for, the state’s “Career Ladder” teacher pay program. I’ve ducked and dodged until now, and not because I don’t … Read more
Cuts in the Classroom
by David Safier (TASL) As I read the Star article, Classroom’s dollar share drops over breakfast this morning, I found myself asking, “Are all the analysts idiots?” Everyone was trying to explain why Arizona is spending a lower percentage of our education dollar in the classroom. They all got it partly right, but mostly wrong. … Read more
Still Think You Live in the Most Free Country on Earth?
Police routinely abuse their authority and discretion in the face of peaceful exercise of civil rights. We need to demand better training and more accountability when violations like this one occur. At least they weren’t beaten, pepper-sprayed, arrested, held without charge or trial, tortured and/or killed. This time.
