SB1070 Update: “dimwits, racists and cranks”

by David Safier

Commenter Todd chimes in on the increasing levels of Arizona lunacy and bigotry coming from high places, punctuated by a depiction of Arizona in Harpers that you won't find in any of our tourism bureau brochures.

Todd points out, sadly, that the Phoenix New Times is one of the few more-or-less-mainstream outlets doing what the MSM should be doing — spotlighting the truly, frighteningly crazy stuff coming out of this state.

I need to add the fine work the Tucson Weekly does as well, though it's too busy making up for the Star's deficiencies to give its full attention to the smaller statewide stories that spotlight the direction this state is heading.

Todd's comment:

One thing that SB1070 is doing is focusing a national spotlight on the AZ politics and how absolutely horrid they are. I first saw this story on a blog that covers national news.

I just received the new issue of Harpers and there is a story by Washington Editor, Ken Silverstein on Arizona. To those of us who are familiar with AZ politics it covers many things we are well acquainted with, but to those outside I think it will be shocking.

I liked this particularly blunt passage from Silverstein:

"The general unsightliness of the capital makes it a fitting home for today's Arizona legislature, which is composed almost entirely of dimwits, racists and cranks. Collectively they have bankrupted the state through a combination of ideological fanaticism on the Republican right and acquiescence on the part of G.O.P. moderates and Democrats."

Unfortunately, we do not have local media, outside of New Times and the occasional high school journalist, that are willing to expose who has wrecked Arizona and instead provide a sounding board for the "dimwits, racists and cranks."