Mea local-GOP-politics culpa

by David Safier

I don't write much about local politics, and when I ventured into writing about the world of the Pima County GOP a few days ago, my inexperience and — let's face it — my ignorance showed. I heard from people of a number of political persuasions that my analysis of the back story behind the Brian Miller ouster was, shall we say, not very astute.

They were correct. Mea culpa.

If I may use an analogy, since I'm fond of them: When you stand far away from a group of people, they seem to be standing closer together than they really are (Look through a telephoto lens sometime, and notice how things that are far away seem to be clumped together. A wide angle lens, when you're standing right near the objects in view, creates the opposite effect). The right's analysis of the left certainly suffers from that kind of skewed perspective. I was guilty of the same kind of skewing.

So, ignore the analysis in my post, Will Brian Miller take his marbles and go home? But you might want to check out the comments. A number of people who know the GOP far more intimately than I ever will posted some very interesting observations. And a few comments down, AZ Blue Meanie wrote, "Is this a private fight or can anyone join in?" Then, of course, he joined in, adding some important legal observations.

I learned a lot from reading the comments. I hope I've also learned when to keep my big keyboard shut — namely, when I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.