I’m less concerned about who takes credit for implementing comprehensive immigration reform than I am about ensuring it gets done. But since yesterday’s announcement by the Gang of 8, which includes Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake, I’ve heard lots of complaining and very little thanks. Who cares if it’s Congress or the President …
Read MoreIn a new ad released by the NRA, an announcer poses the question, “Are the President’s kids more important than yours?” To which most people will reply, “No, of course not.” The ad goes on to ask, “Then why is he skeptical about putting armed security in our schools when his kids are protected by …
Read MoreAs a political blogger, it would behoove me to begin my first post of the year with high hopes for what could be accomplished in Arizona’s legislature and in Congress. I should speak of political resolutions and ways citizens can become more involved in the process. I should do this, and maybe I will… another …
Read MoreI used to find the openness of my youngest son’s campus charming. I loved that there were no locked doors leading to the building, no barriers impeding parents and children so they could come and go freely and play in the desert behind the school. Everyone knows everyone, so small and close-knit. It was safe …
Read MorePhoenix residents are ticked off and for good reason. $78,000 ain’t chump change, especially in this economy. But the city manager’s pay raise is about more than just money. It’s about priorities. After all, city employees are still taking pay cuts and furlough days. City residents are still paying for an emergency food tax. And …
Read MoreMuch to the chagrin of comedians, Arizona is moving away from its embarrassing headlines on immigration extremism and embracing a S.A.N.E. approach. After more than two years of work, the Real Arizona Coalition has put together a platform for federal immigration reform supported by almost 40 state organizations, which include thousands of individuals such as …
Read MoreIf this last election taught us anything, it’s that Latinos cannot be ignored. They matter. As the fastest expanding minority group in the country, they have and will continue to have an important role in this country’s elections. That means Republicans need Latinos. Democrats need Latinos. America needs Latinos. And what is it that Latinos …
Read MoreIn the wake of last week’s election, Arizona’s Republicans and Democrats are left with a mixed bag of emotions. On the one hand, Democrats are thrilled with the reelection of President Barack Obama but dismayed with the loss of Senate candidate Rich Carmona and Sheriff’s candidate Paul Penzone. They are overjoyed they picked up seats …
Read MoreLast week I wrote about an email blast sent to the parents of students at Veritas’ Archway Classical Academy by Headmaster Erik Twist, encouraging them to vote No on Prop 204. Arizona law prohibits public schools, which includes charter schools, from using public resources to try and influence an election. The email was a last …
Read MoreRumors are flying about all kinds of voter suppression tactics being used in this election cycle, particularly here in Arizona. From the Tea Party poll watchers, Verify the Vote, who Dems believe are working to intimidate first-time and Latino voters, to incorrect election dates on Spanish language voting materials, we have more than our share …
Read MoreWe keep hearing about Congress’ lowest ever approval ratings. We keep hearing about Americans sick and tired of a government that refuses to compromise and get things done. If that’s really the case and if Arizonans feel the same way, then they need to elect individuals who aren’t afraid of bucking their party and working …
Read MoreIt’s a combination many Republicans in this state fear, especially GOPers like Joe Arpaio who made a career out of profiling and debasing brown people. But whether or not Arpaio wins reelection tomorrow, this group of individuals will change Arizona politics for decades to come. These young Latinos have tasted the power of political activism, …
Read MoreIn the races for Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, most believe the winners have already been decided. But don’t tell that to Democrat Lilia Alvarez who has raised impressive funds in a heavily tilted Republican district. Alvarez may be young, but she’s also incredibly savvy. She was one of the main forces in the successful …
Read MoreErik Twist, Headmaster of Veritas Archway Classical Academy in Phoenix, recently sent an email blast to the school’s parents explaining his opposition to Proposition 204. Prop 204 seeks to permanently extend the one-cent sales tax to fund public education, which includes charter schools like Veritas. In the email Mr. Twist rattled off a number of …
Read MoreMost of this year’s ballot propositions are easy NO votes, mainly because all but two of them were referred to the ballot by the state legislature. And as anyone who reads this blog knows, I’m no fan of our current state legislature. I intend to vote NO on all of the legislature’s propositions, with the …
Read MoreIf you’re old enough, you may remember this infamous Willie Horton ad from the 1988 presidential election between George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis. Many people credited this ad for helping Bush turn the conversation in the campaign and win the presidency. And as attack ads go, this one was definitely one of the best. …
Read MoreIf Attorney General Tom Horne were an Arizona police officer, he’d lose his job. Actually, he never would have had the AG job in the first place. As pointed out by Bill Richardson, a retired Mesa cop and columnist for the East Valley Tribune, Horne’s past legal problems, which include a lifetime sanction from the …
Read MorePardon my French, but it takes balls to take on Joe Arpaio without an army of supporters behind you. So when a virtual unknown, a local artist, decides to self-fund a commercial attacking Sheriff Arpaio, you gotta wonder, “what was he thinking?” He wasn’t thinking about himself, that’s for sure. Instead, he was more concerned …
Read MoreShe was walking home from a friend’s house that night with another teenager, a boy who lived in her neighborhood. She was 14; he was 16. The two were acquaintances and had been at the friend’s house with several other teens. No doubt, this girl assumed she was safe. But without warning and in the …
Read MoreI join Robert Robb of the Arizona Republic and former candidate for Phoenix mayor, Jennifer Wright, on 12 News Sunday Square Off. This week’s topics include Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery’s moderate immigration plan, the lack of state funding for education, and the end of the criminal investigation of Sheriff Arpaio.
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