I gotta say I was somewhat surprised when Gabbi’s office contacted us for a date at Drinking Liberally. I had just tore into her over her vote on the Iraq supplementals that kept the troops in Iraq until at least September. I sent her a letter which I published here outlining my objection and visited her office to talk to staffers about my concerns. So, don’t let it be said that Gabbi can’t take criticism and meet it head-on.
In case you didn’t know, Drinking Liberally with Gabbi will take place on Thursday July 5th starting promptly at 6pm at the Shanty on 4th Avenue and 9th Street at the underpass. The Congresswoman is expected at about 6:30. We’ll hear from the Congresswoman and have a chance to pose questions, talk to her one-on-one, and get her drunk and get her to introduce a bill giving each of us a billion-dollar no-bid contract to study the effect of mouse farts on global warming. Should be lots of fun.
One of my state representatives, Steve Farley, will also be in the house on the 5th. Hopefully, he’ll also come back later in the summer, as well. Last week, the 28th, we had a drop-in from state representative for LD 29 Tom Prezelski, who entertained the crowd with tales of his derring-do up at the state lege. We encourage our elected officials to schedule, so that our members can plan to attend, but we are always happy to see them anyhow.
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From what Iam reading on your blogs most of you never knew Giffords before her run for Congress or the State Legislature ; I am my father had business dealings with her Father Giff at El Campo Tire as my father was the Manager of The Firestone Tire Store and retread shop on 6th Ave. back in the 1950’s!
I had already run for the Office of Pima County Sheriff in 1968 ;6 years before Gabby was born, and served on the Pima County Democratic Party Central Committee, and as a Union Steward for the AFL-CIO local 727 now local 99 of The United Food and Commercial Workers Union then called The Retail Clerks Union.
The problem is neither Giff Giffords or Gabby ever knew what a Union was and dealt in sub-standard tires and recaps that had massive tread separations due to low heated shoddy work. The repair business was a sham as anyone who used El Campo was either intimidated by there managers when they reported bad workmanship or just never went back, thus there demise.
Gabby was never told NO!
This sums up everything about Giffords and why she will never listen to your or my point of view because she is Miss Goody Two Shoes and dare you question her authority!
Giffords is a live long Republican and only changed Parties to run in 2000 for the State then fell into the Congressional Seat because of Millions of Dollars from special interest groups that she gladly accepted money from.
The massive war chest is what will be her downfall. She has accepted IOU’S from everyone just to get the money and name count not thinking about when those IOU’s will come due!
Its follow the money trail with Giffords as she will do what it takes to get elected to the next project either Senator or Governor and will not hesitate to change parties once again to achieve that goal.
Giffords is not about working for you or for me she is about working for Giffords!
With the land deals and back room business promises made to Local;State and now Federal lobbyists and City Managers to contractors from A to Z you will see a confusing array of legislation enhancing businesses at the Taxpayer Expense as we have seen just the tip of the Iceberg with the El Campo Rio Nuevo site and clean up deals that we the taxpayer are contracted to pay her Giffords Family Trust for the next 55 years also paying all clean up fees and taxes on those properties! What fool in there right mind would have signed such a deal unless it was money in there pockets.
My Family owns buildings and land in the Rio Nuevo Project and have never asked for a dime in clean up or improvements to our business that have been in place since 1928!
We also had to remove underground gas tanks on Stone Ave. and paid for the clean-up and removal ourselves and would never have dreamed of asking YOU the taxpayer to foot that bill!!
Most of Giffords staff are Republicans as are most of her contributors. The Lawyer and investment and Real Estate Brokers are everywhere on her F.E.C. filings and a whose who of “Lets Make A Deal!”
I think Giffords would make an Execellent Host to replace Monty Hall on Lets Make A Deal and Pick the Right Door to win your Prize!
When you were raised to screw the public and sent off to New York to learn about Hedge Funds and how to be a Stock Broker, being put into a Congressional Seat is Like a Candy Store full of Goodies and Trillions of Dollars at her disposal at Your and my Expense!
If you want to see a list of operatives go to the http://www.fec.gov web-site and read the lists of over 334 pages of IOU’S!!
Francine, you must have a great deal more success in contacting your representatives than I have had. I have contacted my “representatives” countless times and all I have to show for it are a few letters that explain to me why they are right and I am wrong. However, I still believe in contacting them because it is my understanding that some of them actually keep “counters” on those for and against certain issues.
The power, Francine, is with the people, but only when they have the collective will to act. Those who are waiting and hoping for Congress to experience some sort of group enlightenment simply because they are people just like us are delusional. The forces of power and corruption are too strong for the average Congress person of average intelligence and average integrity. And, let’s face it, most of them are very average, unremarkable, people who eventually succumb to whatever special interests are supporting them. How often does a Barbara Jordan or a Dennis Kucinich come along?
This argument about “show me the alternative” doesn’t fly, yet I keep hearing it. Create a political environment where the brilliant, honest people with integrity can be elected to a political office and they will come forward. Build it and they will come. There is no shortage of brilliance in this country, Francine. However, there is an acute shortage in Congress.
George, dear, dear George, I don’t think you paid attention to what I said: It is important for each and every one of us in CD 8 to tell our representative what she has to do to represent what is important to us. Getting on blogs is all well and good, but being in touch with the representative directly about what we think is more important. I am sure Giffords’ office is aware of what I think – I tell them. I am the one who said we have term limits – an election every two years. I don’t think nor do I believe that incumbency is a given. Show me what alternatives there are to the present incumbent and I’ll decide who (I think that should be whom) would be the candidate I will support. I suggest you have the same option!
“Apparently, our Congresswoman represents us…and listens.”
Oh yeah Roger? To whom? The people, OR big business?
Please read.
Majority Accountability Project Blog – Giffords profits from companies she criticized
http://majorityap.com/giffords_profits_from_companies_she_criticized
Submitted by Michael Giuliani on Thu, 2007-06-28 07:01.
DOUBLE STANDARD – Arizona Democrat Gabrielle Giffords is reaping personal profits from the very companies she criticized on the campaign trail.
As a candidate for Congress in 2006, Arizona’s Gabrielle Giffords railed against industries such as energy and pharmaceuical companies, accusing Republicans of having “sold out to big oil,” and allowing “the pharmaceutical industry to write legislation that determines their profitability.” She also earned plaudits from organized labor, who said Giffords “has proven that she strongly believes in the right of workers to organize.”
But a review of Giffords’ recently released personal finances shows that when it comes to her own profit, she is willing to forgo the principles that won her votes on the campaign trail.
According to that disclosure, Giffords is an investor in both big oil and pharmaceutical companies, investing her personal funds in companies such as Conoco Philips and Teva pharmaceuticals.
During her 2006 primary campaign, Giffords blasted her opponent, television anchor Patty Weiss, for being “in bed with corporate health care” because of contributions she received from two health care executives, calling Weiss “hypocritical.” According to press accounts, “Weiss’ husband, Alan Gelenberg,” helped one of those donors, Phillip Satow of JDS Pharmaceuticals, “start a nonprofit foundation after his son, a University of Arizona student, committed suicide.”
But of all the Giffords’ investments that conflict with her public stances, none are more surprising than her investment in the Mexico Fund, which “provides a vehicle to investors who wish to invest in Mexican companies through a managed non-diversified portfolio as part of their overall investment program.”
The firm’s portfolio includes Grupo Mexico, which operates a copper mine just a few miles outside Giffords’ Arizona district. Fourteen-hundred striking Mexican miners were fired last year, and replaced with non-union workers. Grupo Mexico is the mine’s owner.
Another of the firm’s holdings is CEMEX, the Mexico-based building supply company. The company has come under fire both in the United States and Great Britain for repeated environmental violations.
This is not the first time Giffords commitment to workers and organized labor have been called into question. According to reports, Giffords “cast the deciding vote to kill a bill that would have forced Walmart and other large employers to reimburse the state for the cost of state health insurance (AHCCCS) provided to their employees, right after Walmart lobbyist and donor to her campaigns Stephen “Rip” Wilson testified against it. She was the only Democrat to vote against the bill.”
Roger-you stuck your foot in it big time and yet, when I call you on it-you fail to clarify your insipid statements, only to try to turn the argument on me.
Nice try Limbaugh.
To paraphrase John Wayne (and to a certain extent Keith Olbermann): I may not like our congress critter, but I hope she does a good job. I was actually hoping she would perhaps surprise me and vote to get our troops out of Iraq, but I am sorry she felt unsafe to make that vote.
I’m sorry she felt unsafe to: vote her conscience.
I’m sorry Gabby felt unsafe to: Get our troops out of a killing zone.
I’m sorry Gabby felt unsafe to: put a stop to contractors ripping us taxpayers off.
I’m sorry Gabby felt unsafe to: make sure our troops are fully funded.
I’m sorry Gabby felt unsafe to: have the backbone to stand up to the Bush administration.
If she feels unsafe to place a vote in Congress, perhaps we should elect someone who is not afraid to vote their conscience.
Latas warned us this would happen-and he was correct!
By the way Francine-I’m glad you are standing by Gabby come hell or high water. Also Francine, I hope you are aware that Gabby did vote against what was one of your platforms in this campaign.
Giffords is making Raul Grijalva look more and more fair minded towards his constituents concerns and how he treats the business community. At least Grijalva knows what a Union is and Giffords thinks she is still at El Campo Tire and a member of the Tucson Business Womans Association talking down to Union Members and there concerns!
Giffords better wise up quick because I think she drove a nail into a re-election bid for 2008; I do not care how many Millions of Dollars and ATA BOYS she gets from The Chamber of Commerce she is OUT in 2008!
Both Mitchell and Giffords are in up to there eyeballs with Giffords sponsoring HR 2774 and Mitchell Co- Sponsoring a bill that gives your and my Federal Tax Dollars to start up businesses in Arizona that put BOTH of them into Office!
The fact they won in 2006 has nothing to do with 2008 once the curtain was drawn and we find out that only Jewish Businesses may apply!
Apparently, our Congresswoman represents us…and listens. So is Mitchell.
http://www.azcongresswatch.com/?p=3301
George, I dont think you would have praised her if she did vote the way you liked, but that is fine..we cant always get what we want. She had the courtesy at least to come to Drinking Liberally to explain her vote and where she is going…even when she knew many were not thrilled..and some like you were spitting mad. Like it or not, she won…and Jeff Latas lost. Iremain convinced that she ran an honorable campaign that didnt trash other demos…period. I also believe strongly that she was the only..of many good candidates that could win this district. One thing you said George bugs me a lot…since you like to quote, here it is:
“That will almost surely be fodder for the regressives next year, or a challenger on the Democratic side. Not two appealing choices for the Gabby camp, is it?”
You seem to relish this fact, dont you? I almost think you would rather have a demo primary challenger, a bloody primary war, and her lose to the Republicans than to have her in the seat.
Fine and dandy…but this district…and America…is no where near as progressive and liberal as you are. To govern, to get anything else done, means, yes, you can’t do everything you would like to do and you can’t ask that of everyone that serves you.
Like I said, I hope very much…for my brother, the families of our soldiers, and our soldiers who are their now that we can get out of this mess. Remember, it was the Republicans that created it, it is much messier than any protest will ever allow in its rhetoric (yes..getting out will mean hightened Genocide in Iraq)…the peaceniks among us dont seem to consider this or have a great answer of how to stop it when the troops leave.
Maybe next time she will vote to please you…but as you said above…it seems to be too late for her…it was too late the day she was elected for some of you.
http://www.azstarnet.com/business/190600
Now you know the rest of the story!
http://www.jewishtucson.org/section.html?id=314
Saz Coejl News
Saz Coel board meeting:
Our next Board Meeting will be Mondays April 16 and May 7 at 5:00 pm at the Jewish Community Center,upstairs in the couch area dircetly above the reception desk.
Solar Project on Feb. 13,2004 George Villes and Dale Mitchell of GEO INNOVATION and Micheal Jacobson of COEJL broke metal on the TUCSON HEBREW ACADEMY SOLAR DEMONSTRATION PROJECT-conceived in July of 2004.
Now the Investigation begins!!
I think we should ask all of our Congresspersons to voluntarily agree to post on their web page a listing of all of their contributors and the amounts of the contributions. Which persons/organizations give money, how much and to which legislators is information valuable to all voters in assessing the positions of the legislator. My particular concern is with the stranglehold of Pharma, the pharmaceutical industry, on the positions of our legislators. Also, I think making public the names and amounts of donations received by all congresspersons will go a long way toward helping us know to whom our legislators are beholden! Open the window and let the light come in.
George, let’s face it, there is absolutely nothing Gabby could do to suit you – your blog during the primary made that clear. I disagree with some of her votes – and last night, at Drinking Liberally, a large group of people had a chance to let her know what they think. You should let Gabby know what she needs to do to represent you!
I have called for a Congressional Investigation into Giffords support of a German backed Solar Company being paid Federal Dollars for setting up shop in Tucson.
This deal is full of players as one solar Company sells out to annother with the promise of Giffords getting Federal Money for all the players.
The Giffords LLLC and Family Trust is still receiving Taxpayer money through the Rio Nuevo Project for 50 years at $165,000 a year for property not in the project as Giffords was then a State Representative sitting on the Enviornmental Clean up that cleaned up the El Campo Sites with your and my Tax Dollars.
Anything that Giffords touches with Federal Tax Dollars to line the pockets of her friends at home and in foriegn countries is subject to an investigation!
“Im guessing that what we are going to find is that, like it or not, she is going to feel safer voting the vote she really wanted to as soon as it comes up next…”
What the F&%$ is that kind of logic?
So, in kralmajales version of Gabby’s chicken&^$% vote on Iraq, she really didn’t want to vote for the funding, but she didn’t feel safe enough to vote how her constituents wanted her to.
Huh?
Let’s assume for a minute (in kralmajales version) that Gabby didn’t feel safe enough to vote against the military spending bill but for the social spending bill (ala Grijalva). Now that Pelosi will resurrect the vote (I don’t know how you will resurrect legislation that has already been passed-but then again this is kralmajales world we are talking about here); and let’s say Gabby votes against the legislation (because she feels safe enough to), where exactly does that put her?
1. A legislator who does not have the guts to make the tough decision when it calls for it?
or
2. A flip-flopper who sticks her finger in the wind when the vote calls for it?
That will almost surely be fodder for the regressives next year, or a challenger on the Democratic side.
Not two appealing choices for the Gabby camp, is it?
Let’s face it, Gabby screwed over all her constituents with that vote on the Iraq funding bill. I am interested to she how she tries to spin it this time, because her press release last time made no sense.
I am sure she will be poised enough to handle spitting mad and will listen, either way. I also can’t imagine that anyone here would refrain from civility…er…maybe not EVERYONE…but most.
Im guessing that what we are going to find is that, like it or not, she is going to feel safer voting the vote she really wanted to as soon as it comes up next…and that may be July as it appears with Pelosi resurrecting the vote. I urge her to vote to move us out…especially now that there is some chance the legislation would actually pass.
Next, we need a President who won’t veto it!
I just hope that all the Drinking Liberally folks are gracious to Gabby… I know several who are spittin mad at her Iraq vote. It is rare for a sitting Representative to make such an appearance, and I don’t want anything to happen to discourage her from making return visits.
I look forward to hearing what she has to say and hearing some open, honest, and polite exchanges.