AEN gains cred from right wing attacks

by David Safier

When both the Sonoran Alliance and Jon Justice go after you, you know you're doing something right.

The Arizona Education Network made news recently for its rating of state legislators on their education votes. (Funny thing, though. The presser was covered all over the state but not in the Star, even though most of the group's leaders are Tucsonans. There was a passing reference in an editorial, nothing more. Gotta love our local "We emphasize local news" paper.)

The righties don't like AEN getting attention. They don't like it at all. The Goldwater Institute is supposed to dominate the education discussion with no rivals.

Jon Justice apparently talked trash about AEN on his show, and he has a piece about them on his website. The Sonoran Alliance went after the group as well. The charge: they're shills for the Democratic Party and the teacher's union. Too bad those groups aren't paying their shills these selfless volunteers who have turned this organization into a statewide presence.

I've been told my name comes up on Jon Justice on occasion as well. When I heard that, I was so proud. I had a Sally Fields moment. Tears of joy streaming down my face, I said, "You don't like me! You really don't like me!" It was a wonderful feeling.