G.I., “Capitol Watchdog,” doing more than a little lobbying on the side
by David Safier The Goldwater Institute likes to bill itself as a good government Capitol Watchdog. But when its employees testify in front of the Arizona legislature on a regular basis with a clear agenda, simply declaring themselves neutral on the legislation doesn't cut it. And when they actually write bills . . . it … Read more
Grijalva Education Forum tonight (Wednesday), 5:30pm, Rincon High
by David Safier Congressman Raul Grijalva will be discussing the re-authorization of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and implementation of Race to the Top from 5:30-6:30pm at the Rincon High Little Theater, 421 N Arcadia Blvd (Just east of Swan and Fifth). I expect Grijalva to put some distance between himself and the Obama/Duncan educational … Read more
G.I. learns difference between philanthropy and fundraising
by David Safier It's encouraging to see the Goldwater Institute has a learning curve when it comes to needless self parody. In June, 2010, G.I. advertised a job opening for a Director of Philanthropy. The job description made it clear that, for them, philanthropy begins, and ends, at home. It was a G.I. fundraising postion. … Read more
William Gheen: Obama, Napolitano preparing a “conflict with white America”
by David Safier According to Media Matters, William Gheen has been billed as "a moderate within the American nativist movement since founding ALIPAC [Americans for Legal Immigration PAC] in 2005." He even pulled out of a pro-SB1070 rally in Arizona "after learning that one of its organizers was linked to racist skinhead groups." He gets … Read more
Why doesn’t this margin or error make me feel comfortable?
by David Safier The east coast just had a 5.9 magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter in Mineral, Virginia. Ten miles away are two nuclear power reactors at the North Anna site. They were shut down temporarily, but there was no damage. Good news. The power plants "were designed to withstand a 5.9 to 6.1 quake." … Read more
Arizona’s political media: ‘pay no attention to that man behind the curtain’
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: In a follow-up to a story first reported here, AIRC Update: Tranparency for the media, but not for political lobbyists?, there are two reports today about the complaint filed with the Secretary of State by Jim March, second vice chair of the Pima County Libertarian Party, regarding lobbying by the secretive group … Read more
Note to the AIRC: Some bloggers are press entitled to First Amendment protection
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Arizona Independent Redistricting Commision (AIRC) Republican Commissioner Richard Stertz suggested at the AIRC public hearing on Monday that anyone could be considered a blogger and could have contacts with the Commission's mapping consultant without that contact having to be logged in by Strategic Telemetry. This oversimplification seems valid at first blush. Any … Read more
