Giffords/Blue Dogs take a stand on health care
by David SafierThis morning the Blue Dog Dems sent out a letter, signed by most of their members, including Giffords, that is going to complicate and delay health care legislation. Extracting the exact meanings and implications of the letter is way above my pay grade, but it looks to me like it's self contradictory and … Read more
Star aids, abets U.S. Chamber of Commerce and global warming deniers
by David SafierYou may have read the op ed in Thursday's Star, Don't tax us over shaky science. It's boilerplate "global warming may or may not be man made so we shouldn't make such a big deal out of it" stuff. Man-made global warming is still theory. Maybe we are responsible, but maybe not; more … Read more
Al Melvin: “Taxes are like death”
by David SafierI heard Cap'n Al Melvin say this on NPR this morning: "Taxes are like death. Once they happen, they're final." You gotta love these Republicans. Our budget cuts won't have women and children dying in the streets, they assure us, but taxes are like death. Cuts in social services that harm the most … Read more
Ignoring the master’s voice
by David Safier Divided allegiances cause all kinds of problems, as beleaguered Senate President Bob Burns is learning. Before the midnight hour ending the legislative session, Burns thought he could cut a budget deal by passing the Accidental Guv's legislation for a vote on the sales tax. It didn't work out that way. No one … Read more
Turd Blossom finally deposed by Congress
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: For years, Karl Rove ("Turd Blossom") was protected by a feckless GOP-controlled Congress that completely abdicated its constitutional duty to conduct legislative oversight of the executive branch, and abandoned any and all pretense of a moral and legal obligation to enforce the rule of law – as long as it involved a … Read more
Expect to hear a lot more about this
by David SafierFrom a press release today: Goddard Files Suit Against Massive Real Estate Fraud Scheme (Phoenix, Ariz. – July 9, 2009) Attorney General Terry Goddard hasfiled a consumer fraud lawsuit against numerous Tucson real estateprofessionals and businesses alleging a sophisticated,multi-million-dollar real estate fraud scheme. The lawsuit, filed in Pima County Superior Court, alleges that … Read more
What makes a successful teacher?
by David SafierIf anyone knew exactly what qualities it takes to make a successful teacher, we'd have half our education problems solved. Having said that, Wendy Kopp, the founder of Teach for America, is interviewed in the NY Times, and she has some thoughts on how to predict who will be successful, which, I think, … Read more
