Featured Stories
Today’s Gatewood goes to . . . Congressional Republicans
September 8, 2011
by
by David Safier [NOTE: I created The Gatewood in honor of Henry Gatewood, the banker in John Ford's 1939 "Stagecoach" who ran off with $50,000 in payroll money and said, while clutching the satchel full of stolen money, "'America for Americans! The government must not interfere with business! Reduce taxes! Our national debt is something … Read more
More about AIRC Commissioner Richard Stertz
September 8, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: If you go to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission web site and look up the bios of the Commissioners, this is what you will find for Commissioner Richard "Rick" Stertz — a blank page: So let's fill in some of the blanks from available reporting that a public too busy to notice … Read more
Complaint filed against AIRC Commissioner Richard Stertz
September 8, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Oh, like no one saw this coming. Rick Stertz was hiding in plain sight from the time he submitted his application to the AIRC. I am only surprised that it took this long for a complaint to be filed against him. Craig McDermott reported back in February Random Musings: Redistricting Update: Pearce names Richard … Read more
AIRC Update and Tentative Schedule of Public Hearings
September 7, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The next public hearing of the Arizona Independent Redistricitng Commission (AIRC) is scheduled for Thursday in Tempe. September 8, 2011 Fiesta Resort – Galleria Ballroom2100 S. Priest DriveTempe, AZ 85282 2:30 P.M. Agenda Info Tentative Meeting Schedule – These are meeting dates that we are trying to put together for future meetings. … Read more
Call the Wahhmbulance! ‘Gotcha!’ feigned outrage and pearl clutching on the right
September 7, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Ralphie [as an Adult narrating]: In the heat of battle my father wove a tapestry of obscenities that as far as we know is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan. – A Christmas Story (1983) The Tea Party tyrants are upset because Teamsters boss James Hoffa called them "sons-of-bitches" in a Labor … Read more
ALEC States & Nation Policy Summit coming to Phoenix Nov. 30
September 6, 2011
by
by David Safier Those of you who have been following the BfA series, Alec and the Arizona Legislature, might be interested in the upcoming ALEC 2011 States & Nation Policy Summit in Phoenix, November 30 to December 2. It will be held at the beautiful Westin Kierland hotel, near the Scottsdale Municipal Airport. Room rates … Read more
A lesson from (no longer) CCA prisons in Florida
September 6, 2011
by
by David Safier Private prisons are all the rage here, as they are in Florida. Florida Gov. Rick Scott recently approved privatizing 30 South Florida prisons. Here are two tales about CCA (Corrections Corporation of America) prisons in Florida, neither of them good. First, from Bay County: After 23 years, Corrections Corporation of America in … Read more
Texas district schools “mimic” charters . . . by spending more money
September 6, 2011
by
by David Safier Some of Houston's district schools are looking to emulate effective strategies of charters, which include longer school days, a longer school calendar and tutors to help struggling students. Nine Houston elementary schools adopted the "reforms." The pricetag? $19 million for the year. See, you have to pay teachers more if you want … Read more
