Culture

Gary Nelson: Right On Crime, Right On Justice

March 26, 2013 by Guest Opinion Leave a Comment

A CALL FOR A TRULY CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO JUSTICE

By Gary Nelson

Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” – George Washington

I once heard a story about a couple who bought a large, aggressive dog with the intent of protecting their family from criminals. Tragically, however, the dog attacked one of their young children and nearly killed her, scarring her for life. Ironically, the very thing they hoped would protect them proved to be the source of violence far worse than they were ever likely to suffer at the hands of a criminal. The protector became the perpetrator, and their worst fears became reality.

The United States finds itself in a similar predicament today. Our vicious dog is a justice system which has become the most punitive in the free world. The “tough on crime” paradigm that has dominated our justice system for the past three decades has brought about the criminalization and incarceration of a radically disproportionate number of our citizens. We created it to ensure our safety, yet it now threatens greater societal harm than we ever imagined.

The perceived need to “crack down” on crime has resulted in severe punishments for crimes involving everything from assaults with firearms to personal use of drugs. Mandatory minimum sentences and “three-strikes” laws have drastically restricted judicial discretion, denying judges the ability to custom-fit sentences according to the circumstances of the offense or the needs of the community.

As a result, the United States of America imprisons a larger proportion of its population than any other civilized nation, including Cuba, China, & Iran. The number of Americans incarcerated has increased 400% since 1980, and it is estimated that over 30% of young adults now have criminal records.

The “Land of the Free” was rapidly becoming the “land of the imprisoned.” Recently, however, many have begun to understand that this trend has to change.

The implications for our nation’s future are profound. People with criminal records, including those only charged with misdemeanors, have an extremely difficult time finding work. The vast majority of employers will flatly refuse to hire anyone with a record. It is becoming increasingly clear that our over-dependence on punitive justice is creating a vast army of unemployable citizens destined to be dependent on government, or more crime, for their livelihoods.

As a veteran law enforcement officer and lifelong political conservative, I have come to believe that we conservatives have made a serious mistake in supporting the expansion of governmental power that is the inevitable consequence of “tough on crime” policies. We have embraced an approach to justice that has resulted in exponential increases in spending on corrections, courts, and police, as well as the criminalization and vocational incapacitation of 1 in 33 Americans. We have acquiesced to the erosion of individual liberty and the expansion of government power through over-regulation of nearly every aspect of our lives.

It is time for a return to a truly conservative, and American, model of justice. We must break our addiction to “crack-downs” and “get-tough” legislation, and move towards a restorative model of justice that provides real opportunities for the offender to return to productive citizenship.

It is for this reason I am pleased to be affiliated with Right On Crime, a campaign dedicated to “fighting crime, restoring victims, and protecting the taxpayer.” Endorsed by prominent conservatives like Grover Norquist, Marc Levin, and William Bennett, as well as eminent criminologists John DiIulio and George Kelling, Right On Crime is leading the way in returning our system of justice to a cost-effective, restorative direction. If you are concerned about the future of our nation and want to see “justice” once again be the focus of our legal system, I encourage you to visit RightOnCrime.org and get involved.

Filed Under: Conservatives, Crime and Punishment, Culture, Demographics, Guest Opinion, Spending Tagged With: crime victims rights, Gary Nelson, Right On Crime

The Shadow of Big Government

March 4, 2013 by Guest Opinion Leave a Comment

By Thomas Purcell

Shadow Government It’s been said that ennui and employment are simply incompatible. Obviously the person that said that has never lived in a country run by statists.

Yesterday I spoke with an old friend; we worked together for a few years back in the early 90’s during a roaring economy here in Arizona. He was still in the same business today, but was explaining that he was going to leave the business to sell something else, as his business was awful.

He explained some issues revolving around his financial situation, living condition etc. but basically all his problems revolved around a lack of money.

“People just aren’t buying stuff. It’s not 1995 you know” he explained.

As the conversation ended I realized that this was not the first time I heard it. Everywhere people were saying that exact expression, ‘it’s not the 1990’s you know’ or ‘it’s not what it was’. Funny thing though, the President swore his policies were the same as Clinton’s just a few short months ago at the Democratic convention.

Even people who are working are taking on roommates, working two jobs, or doing something more to make ends meet. They stay in unhappy or violent relationships because they have no other place to go; they stay in jobs with bosses they hate because they are uncertain about their prospects for another job, they take less money than they think they are worth to avoid layoffs.

Thomas Purcell

Then they go home at night and sit in front of the TV or computer rather than going out because they are worn out from work and have no money for extras and take their medication to get through another day.

A quiet ennui has settled over the land as we continue to accept less, work more, and feed more of our money to a hungry government. We worry about government inspectors who look over our shoulder, we worry about that report that needs to be filled out for the state, and we read the emails from the boss on the new regulations and change our procedures once again.

This is the legacy of big government. It’s not the promise of a utopic society; it’s the nightmare of government telling us what to do and how to behave. It’s like living with your parents again and working for minimum wage hoping that you can save enough to move out.

We passed laws yesterday to enhance programs to protect women from violence, but fail to address the real issue causing societal unrest—the pressure of working too hard, for too little, with too much oversight—which leads to violence in the first place, not just at home, but at work and school. Like too many rats in cage with too little cheese, eventually the rats being to prey on each other. Men blame women for a feeling of emasculation and so they kill their wives in a fit of rage. School kids blame classmates for being bullied and the schoolmasters for allowing to happen and so they go ballistic and massacre them. Workers ‘go postal’ at the guy in the cubicle next to them as they pop their gum one too many times, or they fail to get that promotion that the boss decides they can’t afford.

How often do we see it happen where men prefer killing everyone rather than go through the financial chaos of divorce? Or criminals commit suicide rather than face the prospect of prison and humiliation?

Instead we decide more programs are necessary and exacerbate the problem. Each new program now costs 5 times what they say, since we have to borrow to pay for it, increase the taxes to compensate, and return the principle at compounding interest. The debt piles up and the pressure piles on. All those little programs are straws that beginning to break the camel’s back—we are bankrupt and are foolishly thinking of cutting the defense of our nation and the safety net for our elderly when we are sick and old.

A pall has fallen over the land; the shadow of big government.

Read more of Thomas Purcell at his blog: www.Thomas-Purcell.com

Filed Under: 2nd Amendment, Conservatives, Culture, Economics, Entitlements, Federal Government, Freedom of Speech, Government Reform, Guest Opinion, Political Correctness, Political Parties, Political Science, Spending, Taxation Tagged With: Thomas Purcell

Taking Women’s Rights Forward With A Hard Left

March 4, 2013 by Guest Opinion Leave a Comment

By Suzanne Sharer

Talk about a war against women! Currently ground zero is right here in my own back yard as Arizona is once again front and center when it comes to so called “human rights” vs. right and wrong! Women’s rights have just taken a giant step backward in the city of Phoenix this past month with the passing of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton’s infamous “Bathroom Bill”. This bill does nothing more than degrade women while putting us into dangerous situations and stripping us of our dignity and the respect we deserve. When was it; about two weeks ago that the left came out with some absolutely brilliant maneuvers to stop rapists? Now women are being legislated into questionable situations in the name of “civil rights” to where they have just made it easier for rapists and deviants to have easy access to women and children. Sadly it appears that Stanton has put special interests and a radical political agenda ahead of the personal safety and concerns of the ladies who grace his city. Grown men will now be allowed into girls/women’s restrooms in our parks and public places in the name of sexual equality and human rights.

The false argument; By passing a an expansion of the city’s human relations ordinance, known as the Bathroom Bill, much to the dismay of the mayor and his supporters, we are supposed to believe that under the guise of “prohibiting discrimination” on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, this new law will not have any devastating consequences for our churches, religious organizations, businesses, and families.

All I can say is move over Mayor Bloomberg it appears that Mayor Stanton of Phoenix is going to give you a run for your money when it comes to making false arguments on behalf of the ridiculous legislation you are putting out there! Oh and by the way this article isn’t even covering Stanton’s absurd gun “buy back” program that he just revealed! I can’t wait to touch on that soon! I truly hope people won’t rally behind that brain trust as women will need their guns locked and loaded now more than ever just to use a public restroom in the city of Phoenix!) Stanton has made his position clear. He is taking the City of Phoenix on a serious left turn at the risk of women and children, pandering for the dollars he feels the LGBT community will bring him. Now anybody who wants to wear women’s clothing will not be prohibited from entering into the girls/women’s bathrooms of our schools, parks and restaurants as well as our place of worship and any other public places in the name of prohibiting discrimination, tolerance and of course let’s not forget the mighty dollar in that forward thinking America.

If tolerance is so important in this new age of forced acceptance I have to ask the question; where is the tolerance for those of us who find this bill offensive to our rights? I find it very objectionable as a woman and as a mother to a beautiful young girl that I am being told I must be accepting of men who want to identify themselves as women, giving them more of a right than I have! Legislating people into uncomfortable and dangerous situations by telling them they are being narrow-minded of others rights if they disagree is not a step towards a future I feel we should be embracing! If you have an innocent young daughter would you want her exposed to a man irrespective of whether he may think of himself as a woman using the public restroom? Does how he feels on the inside change what is on the outside? There are clear physical differences that need to remain separate and regardless of how a person “feels”! I believe we need to base our decision on common sense and the fact that men and women have physical differences that need to be kept separate and private when it comes to these situations for everyone’s comfort and security not just those of the minority who are screaming the loudest.

Aside from all the problems this creates for women and young girls, local business’s and church’s now have to be concerned with being cautious not to violate these new “rights” if they wish to avoid any legal action that can now be taken against them by the passing of this new bill simply for standing up for their own ethics. Essentially what Stanton is saying to Phoenicians is that with the passing of his new “bathroom bill” the good people of Phoenix no longer have the right to speak out in defense of their morals or can use their judgment on an issue of common sense and public safety, now that we are living in a kinder more forward thinking society based on these new “human rights” given to us via Phoenix City Council.

What strikes me as odd is how Mayor Stanton put such urgency to this bill under a veil of media silence. With so many other more pressing issues that actually involve public safety, Stanton panders more to special interest groups that make public safety even more of an issue! If it wasn’t for a few media outlets such as Mike Broomhead of KFYI who dedicated some very valuable and insightful time on this subject during his radio show last week, most of Phoenix would not even be aware of what has just transpired. It appears that Stanton who made a promise to be transparent is getting a failing grade at this much like our current President. You can bet this bill was fast tracked through the city council to avoid media and public scrutiny to prevent the large outpouring of opposition it deserves! You can find some good links to read what is in the bill here on Mike Broomhead’s page; http://www.kfyi.com/pages/broomhead.html?article=10955139

After all is said and done what astounds me the most is the total lack of respect and the disregard for the comfort and safety of the women of Phoenix! The left flippantly states that it makes no difference which way the feet are facing in the stall but I couldn’t disagree more…First off it this is what they believe then why are we having this discussion? Second, I am 5’4” and weigh 112 lbs. What chance would I have if cornered in a secluded restroom by a man who weighs twice as much as me and much stronger? What chance do women really have, our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters? What are you going to worry about more, the so called “civil rights” of transgendered men to have access to women’s restrooms or the safety of your loved ones now exposed to any deviant who wishes to put on a dress?

Read more: http://www.kfyi.com/pages/suzanne-sharer.html?article=11017473#.UTSr1GNzu6E.facebook#ixzz2MaGTvVl1

Filed Under: City Government, Culture, Debates, Elected Officials, Family, Guest Opinion, LGBT, Political Correctness, Public Safety, Small Business

In Memoriam: Tribute to Andrew Breitbart – I Can’t Stand to Say Goodbye

March 1, 2013 by Guest Opinion 2 Comments

By John Ondrasik

I see Andrew every day. When I fire up my buddy list there is Bodiaz bringing his dose of happy-sad. Thanks, someone, for not turning his computer off.

On the one-year anniversary of his death, many folks will speak of Andrew’s loss to the cause. Go ahead and cube that vacuum a few times. It’s true, in some measure he lives on in all of us. When I was out campaigning for Romney last year, all my tough decisions were decided by a simple What Would Andrew Do?

But for me, and many, it’s not about politics or movements. I’m still mourning the small “b” Breitbart. I miss my friend terribly. I loved the guy.

A few days after Andrew’s funeral last year I wrote a song. It was never meant for public consumption. With his wife’s Susie’s permission, here’s the demo/lyric.

I Can’t Stand to Say Goodbye
Here
Gone
Unfinished Song
All was there
All is lost

No Silver Linings
No God’s will
No Sense or Reason
Our heart is still

All that remains is moving on
Lessened
Cheated
Robbed us all

I can’t stand to say goodbye
Oh No…

Memories
Not enough
In the Home of the Brave
You were the best of the lot
There’s no replacing
This hole won’t fill
Death is cold and it’s cruel
Real and unreal

All that remains is to carry on
With Tears and Riddles
We’ll never solve

I can’t stand to say goodbye
I can’t stand to say goodbye
Oh No…

Here at the bridge we will never cross
Here at the bridge…Lost

I can’t stand to say goodbye
I can’t stand to say goodbye
I can’t stand to say goodbye
Goodbye
Oh No…

Reprinted from http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2013/03/01/Original-Song–Tribute-to-Andrew-Breitbart-I-Cant-Stand-to-Say-Goodbye#sthash.ud8RVwP4

Filed Under: Conservatives, Culture, Memorial Tagged With: Andrew Breitbart

Thoughts on the City of Phoenix LGBT Ordinance

February 26, 2013 by Shane

A few thoughts on today’s culture war battle at the City of Phoenix.

I attended the meeting for the purpose of testifying against the tax on food. I signed a card for that specific agenda item having no intention of testifying on the LGBT ordinance.

My position on this has been very clear. I simply do not believe that the City of Phoenix should inject government policy into the personal and private lives of any Phoenicians except when a crime is committed. Some liberals and libertarians would say “keep government out of our bedrooms.” OK, so how about a little consistency by keeping government to a minimum in our private business matters? What the City of Phoenix did tonight was invite a huge conflict between Constitutional rights and individual sexual identity.

By now social conservatives should realize they have lost the culture war on issues related to sexual identity and behavior. The most reasonable position social conservatives can now take is to hold back any level of government from the power position of picking winners and losers in the conflict between sexual identity and free speech, religious freedom and freedom of conscience.

Locally, social conservatives did not lose the culture battle in Phoenix tonight. Social conservatives lost the culture battle in November of 2011 when it failed to elect conservatives to the Phoenix city council.

We knew this was coming. The signs were there in 2011 when mayoral candidate Greg Stanton made wide overtures to the LGBT community and efforts to align Phoenix with San Francisco values. Anyone who dared to point it out was labeled a bigot. So goes the spirit of tolerance on the left.

(Too often, both sides fail to see this as a debate over public policy rather making it about personal attacks on individuals and their sexual identities.)

Tonight’s meeting was a reflection of the very intolerance those pushing for tolerance decry. Anyone who dared to oppose the ordinance was booed and jeered. No respect for human dignity and certainly no respect for the public policy process.

Social conservative did turn out at the meeting – certainly not in number. And those who did engage were speaking a different language to the huge LGBT majority who did turn out (probably with plenty of advance notice). Two different languages because there are two different worldviews – one based on faith, the other clearly sexual and secular in nature. There were translators in the testimonials – individuals who know the difference and can communicate between the two worldviews – Cathi Herrod from the Center for Arizona Policy, an attorney from the Alliance Defending Freedom and the Rev. Jarrett Maupin spoke. These individuals are bilingual on issues that tangle logic and emotions.

And there was a tremendous amount of emotion – mostly from the LGBT – about living with a sexual identity that conflicts with traditional societal norms. Who was going to argue with the dozen of transgendered individuals who gave personal stories of rejection, anger and sympathy?

Which brings me to my personal feelings on the whole matter.

My pastor, my church, my Jesus preaches love. The Word commands us to love God first and to love our neighbor as ourselves second. There are two commandments in the New Testament. That’s it – pretty simple. My pastor (who happens to oversee five campuses in Phoenix Metro) reminds us to look past a person’s self-identity and love them no matter what. We are to love them like Christ would love them – regardless of their sin(s) (I’m not going to name them here. You can look them up.) But most important, we are to bring others into a real and living relationship with Christ allowing Christ to work in their lives toward God’s glory.

This is where I separate matters of faith from the role of the state (in this case the City of Phoenix).

If I were Mayor of Phoenix I would have rejected the idea of injecting my sliver of government into the personal and private lives of individuals. To do otherwise is asking for the wailing and gnashing of teeth. This seems to be the only position a reasonable community of people can hold without forcing a cultural conflagration to take place.

Entangling sex and politics is a messy business as we learned tonight. Hopefully our politicians will take note and keep social engineering to a minimal melodramatic level in the future. Political social conservatives lost tonight but true Christianity continues to love on.

Filed Under: Charity, City Government, Constitutional Law, Culture, Human Condition, LGBT, Religion, Special Interests Tagged With: Greg Stanton, LGBT, Mayor of Phoenix, Phoenix, Phoenix City Council, Sal DiCiccio

So these celebrities want us to “Demand A Plan” to end gun violence

December 23, 2012 by Shane 8 Comments

So these celebrities put out a commercial asking Americans to Demand A Plan to end gun violence.

I agree.

Let’s have the right to protect ourselves and especially our children.

What I question is their sincerity and credibility.

I would bet that 90% of them have armed security at their concerts, filming locations and even public events. I would also bet that they don’t want armed security at our taxpayer-funded public schools for the protection of our children.

On their website, they are advocating for three things:

1. Require a criminal background check for every gun sold in America
2. Ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
3. Make gun trafficking a federal crime, including real penalties for “straw purchasers”

They ask visitors to their website to sign a petition to President Obama (list building!) Keep in mind this is the same President who’s Attorney General oversaw the Fast & Furious scandal in which a US Border Patrol agent was murdered.

And if you’re wondering why I’m so angry about their hypocrisy, I’m a father whose daughter attends a high school where a crazed student threatened to kill her classmates. Fortunately, that student is now sitting in a Maricopa County detention facility.

Filed Under: 2nd Amendment, Crime and Punishment, Culture Tagged With: Demand A Plan, Fast & Furious, Hollywood

Christmas Message from Chairman Tom Morrissey

December 21, 2012 by Arizona Republican Party 1 Comment

Friends,

On behalf of the million-strong voters in the Arizona Republican Party, I heartily wish you a Merry Christmas.

As we reflect on the meaning of the holiday season, I can’t help but think about our good fortune as Americans, and especially as Arizonans.

Our party’s strength in Arizona is tremendous and growing, and in so many ways Arizona is leading the nation with our conservative principles and our proven success in winning elections.

We have you, the supporters of our Republican candidates, to thank.

I ask that you especially thank our Almighty God for the great many blessings we all share.

Sincerely,

Tom Morrissey

Chairman, Arizona Republican Party

Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Culture, Elected Officials, Holiday, Political Parties, Press Release Tagged With: Arizona Republican Party, AZGOP, Christmas, Tom Morrissey

“Hating Breitbart” – A Powerflul Movie that Explains Why We Lost in 2012

November 19, 2012 by Cafe Con Leche 9 Comments

by Bob Price (re-posted with author’s permission from TexasGOPVote – original link. Author is the Texas State Director of Cafe Con Leche Republicans)

Hating Breitbart is a great movie about a great American patriot. Unfortunately it was released too late to help us understand what we were really up against in 2012. Governor Mitt Romney was not running against Barack Obama alone. He was also running against a liberal media that was determined from the beginning to re-elect the President they had installed in office in the 2008 election.

Hating Breitbart illustrates not just the bias of the liberal media, but the outright activism of the media. A point in case is the mythical Republican War on Women created by George Stephanopoulos during one of the Republican Primary Presidential Debates. Contraception was not and should not have been an issue in the 2012 campaign. But, Stephanopoulos created this myth that Republicans wanted to ban birth control and the rest of the media ran with it. This was not some kind of political fluke. It was, rather, a strategy implemented by the media to create and control the tone and content of the issues to be discussed in the election.

Abortion, likewise, should not have been a center issue for Republicans during this election. Granted, it is an issue of importance to people, and it should be a foundation of our platform and position, but this election should have been about jobs and national security. The media was not about to let that happen because those are losing issues for Obama. We followed their lead and let this be a promoted issue. The result – two stupid sentences from two Senate candidates – two lost Senate seats and a severely tarnished Republican brand.

There is no Republican War on Women. It is a myth created to drive a wedge between women and Republicans. If you want to understand where women are on politics, look at my interview with Debbie Georgatos and read her book, “Ladies, Can We Talk?”

Andrew Breitbart understood the media and its approach and tactics. After all, he had been one of them. But he saw the harm that was being done to our country and decided to do something about it. Breitbart went to war with the mainstream media and the Democrat propoganda machine.

When you watch the movie, Hating Breitbart, you will learn to look at the media in a different light. You will see how they are not only willing, but eager accomplices with the Democrats. Hating Breitbart illustrates this by showing how Breitbart dealt with Democrats and the media about the alleged issue of Tea Party member verbally assaulting black Members of Congress with racial slurs. It didn’t happen. There is no proof that it happened. But these Congressmen said it did, so the media ran with it. Evidence? We don’t need no stinking evidence!

All Republicans should see this movie. We need to learn and understand Democrat and liberal media strategies. We should learn their tools and use them against them. Radio talk show host Kira Davis has learned this and is using it very effectively to reach out to minority voters across the country.

In many ways, TexasGOPVote founder and publisher, John Stautner, shows much of the same warrior mentality as Andrew Breitbart. He is studying these tactics and teaching them to a small but growing army of bloggers and writers like me who will not sit back and allow the media to run unchecked.

Hating Breitbart is a must see movie. To find show times at a theater near you, visit http://hatingbreitbart.com/theaters. Go see this movie and then join the army fighting the war against the liberal media.

Filed Under: Conservatives, Culture, Liberals, Media Tagged With: Debbie Georgatos, George Stephanopoulos, Hating Breitbart, Mitt Romney, Obama, War on Women

Barack Obama – The President of Shiny Objects

November 15, 2012 by Shane Leave a Comment

President Obama is a president of shiny objects. He deflects, distracts and distorts as his method of governing.

Here are two examples:

Back in the second week of June, Attorney General Eric Holder was under fire by the US Senate during testimony in the US Senate. There were calls for his resignation and contempt citations. The US Supreme Court was also due to release its ruling on Arizona’s SB 1070. And the Inspector General released a report on Secret Service misconduct. What did President Obama do? He issued the notorious deferred action order which basically told children born to illegal immigrants in the US that federal agencies would ignore existing law and put them into some vague legal limbo.

THIS WAS A DISTRACTION.

Fast forward to September 11, 2012 and four US citizens including an ambassador are murdered in cold blood while serving at the US Embassy in Benghazi, Libya. The President and his administration do everything they can to avoid using the word terrorism but it becomes very apparent that they and their willing accomplices in media (with the exception of FoxNews) finally get caught omitting and covering for candidate Obama right before the election. Suddenly and strangely, the head of the CIA self-outs himself as an adulterer and immediately resigns his position days before he is scheduled to testify before the US Senate on what really happened in Benghazi. Coincidence?

One thing is certain. Everyone’s attention has been shifted off the four murdered Americans on to a titillating and salacious sex scandal involving US generals and Pentagon housewives.

The lesson to be learned here? Keep your eyes on this president. His MO is to deflect, distract, distort, divide and deny.

Filed Under: Conspiracy Theories, Crime and Punishment, Culture, Elected Officials, Federal Government, Foreign Policy, Illegal Immigration Tagged With: Barack Obama, Benghazi, General David Petraeus, Libya

Four More Years?

October 25, 2012 by Sonoran Alliance 1 Comment

Sometimes, we must see the future clearly to act boldly in the present.
Take a glimpse into the darkness of Obama’s America in 2016.
High unemployment. Record high gas prices. The Middle East in chaos.
Religion on the run. Record debt levels. America downsized.
America downgraded.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Crime and Punishment, Culture, Debt, Ethics, Federal Budget, Federal Government, Foreign Policy, Liberals, Marriage, National Security, Political Ad, Predictions, Religion, Spending, Taxation, Unions, Welfare

County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox Sues Taxpaying Constituents (Ethical?)

October 18, 2012 by Guest Opinion 5 Comments

Should a county supervisor get $975,000 by suing the taxpayers
for “emotional stress” she claims she experienced on the job?

I say any elected official who sues taxpaying constituents for monetary gain does not deserve re-election! And I’m backing up that statement by running against Mary Rose Wilcox for county supervisor in District 5.

The fact is that Millionaire Mary Rose has been at the center of a lot of controversies, which I am detailing in this and several more upcoming videos

Two separate grand juries saw sufficient evidence to charge her with abuse of power, fraud, and conflict of interest. And a federal criminal case is still pending against her.

Find out what the newspapers haven’t told you about this woman.
And vote for me, Ron Harders, for Supervisor in District 5.

As Supervisor:

· I’ll be a positive force — working to set a new tone of civililty on the board.
· I’ll bring real expertise to the job — as an accountant, financial auditor, computer analyist, and businessman.

I’m RON HARDERS — The man who dares to run against Mary Rose Wilcox.

To defeat her, I need your vote!

To get the word out, I need your campaign contribution!

www.vote4harders.com

Click here to play video.

Ronald Harders
hbaronaz@msn.com
http://RH0413.iwowwe.com

Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Campaigns & Elections, County Government, Culture, Elected Officials, Ethics, Government Reform

New Richard Carmona Ads Don’t Absolve Him of Troubling Past with Women

October 16, 2012 by Press Release 15 Comments

Making World Better Place” for Women Doesn’t Include Banging on Their Doors in the Middle of the Night

PHOENIX – Democrat Richard Carmona unveiled two new ads today, intended to mitigate the impact of his confrontational history toward others, especially women.

“Dr. Carmona’s new ads don’t absolve him of his troubled past dealing with people, particularly women,” said Andrew Wilder, communications director for Jeff Flake for Senate. “We don’t think making ‘the world a better place’ includes beating on someone’s door in the middle of the night.”

Background on Richard Carmona’s History of Confrontation

Dr. Cristina Beato Testified To Congress In 2007 About An Incident In Which She Felt Threatened By Richard Carmona

During His Surgeon General Tenure, Carmona’s Boss, Cristina Beato, Alleged That He “Banged On Her Door And Yelled At Her In The Middle Of The Night.” “But behind the scenes, his former boss Cristina Beato — a onetime supporter turned bitter enemy — was painting a very different picture of Carmona for House investigators, alleging that an angry Carmona twice banged on her door and yelled at her in the middle of the night after workplace disputes.” (John Bresnahan and Manu Raju, “Richard Carmona Draws Fire From Another Former Boss,” Politico, 5/21/12)

With Her Two Children Inside, Beato “Refused To Open The Door Because She Was Frightened Of His Behavior.” “Beato’s most eye-opening accusation involves two incidents in which she says Carmona banged on her door at her house in the middle of the night, screaming at her over issues the two disagreed on. Beato, a single mother with two children, said she refused toopen the door because she was frightened of his behavior. The two lived in the same neighborhood on the National Institute of Health campus at the time.” (John Bresnahan and Manu Raju, “Richard Carmona Draws Fire From Another Former Boss,” Politico, 5/21/12)
“‘I Think Any Normal Woman, When Somebody Comes In At Midnight Demanding And Raising Their Voice, Would Feel Threatened,’ Beato Said In The Interview.” (John Bresnahan and Manu Raju, “Richard Carmona Draws Fire From Another Former Boss,” Politico, 5/21/12)

Beato Alleged Carmona Was An “Extremely Angry” Person And A “Living Nightmare” To Work With. “Beato gave her testimony in secret in 2007, saying Carmona was an ‘extremely angry’ person, a ‘living nightmare’ to work with, had trouble working for a female supervisor and abused travel privileges by improperly billing taxpayers for some personal expenses, according to the testimony. When POLITICO contacted Beato recently, she confirmed her testimony and reiterated her accusations on the record, five years after she originally gave them to the House committee.” (John Bresnahan and Manu Raju, “Richard Carmona Draws Fire From Another Former Boss,” Politico, 5/21/12)

Carmona Declined Interviews On The Matter. “Carmona declined several interview requests for this story, but campaign aides furiously denied the allegations.” (John Bresnahan and Manu Raju, “Richard Carmona Draws Fire From Another Former Boss,” Politico, 5/21/12)

Carmona Was Accused Of Having A Serious Problem With Women In The Workplace

Dr. Cristina Beato: “Dr. Carmona Also Had A Very Difficult Time Having A Female Hispanic Supervisor. He And I, BehindClosed Doors, Clashed Frequently. I Would Never Do This In Public, But He Insulted Me. He Tried To Belittle Me.” DR. CRISTINA BEATO: “Dr. Carmona was very, very brilliant, and he worked very hard. Dr. Carmona also had a very difficult time having a female Hispanic supervisor. He and I, behind closed doors, clashed frequently. I would never do this in public, but he insulted me. He tried to belittle me.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 45)

Dr. Cristina Beato: “I Experienced Sexism From Him.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 45)
Dr. Cristina Beato: “He Was An Extremely Angry Person. And He Would Walk Out The Door And Put On A Smile. I Have Never Seen Such Dysfunctionality In My Life.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 45)

Beato: “He Has Problems With Women, Serious Problems With Women.” CRISTINA BEATO: “And he has problems with women, serious problems with women. And he could not stand the fact that I was going to beASH. He tried to undermine my nomination several times, both on the Hill here — because I know my Senator that sponsored me — as well as in the White House. He’d try to go in — and people would tell me this, you know. It wastotally unprofessional, totally unprofessional.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 48)

Beato: “It Was A Living Nightmare. It Was A Living Nightmare.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 48)

Carmona Also Had A Confrontation With A Female Colleague When He Was Head Of The Pima County Health System

Campoy, A County Health Commissioner, Reported To The County Attorney That A Doctor Had A Drug Abuse Problem And Was Writing False Prescriptions; Carmona “Had Already Dealt With The Doctor On The Issue Two Years Before.” “His final battle there came in a dispute in May 1999 with county health commissioner Sylvia Campoy, who had reported to the county attorney allegations that a Kino doctor with a drug abuse problem had written false prescriptions to access drugs. Carmona had already dealt with the doctor on the issue two years before, and after an internal investigation, encouraged the doctor to report himself to the Board of Medical Examiners.” (Ann-Eve Pedersen and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“After Campoy Reported The Allegations, Carmona Became Irate, Saying She Had Violated The Accused Doctor’s Confidentiality, an opinion shared by the Kino Community hospital board and the Pima County medical society.” (Ann-Eve Pedersen and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“‘What I Got From Dr. Carmona [After Reporting The Case] Was Antagonism And . . . Threats,’ Campoy Later Told An Investigator From The Arizona Department Of Public Safety’s Prescription Fraud Unit, according to a state Board of Medical Examiners document obtained through Arizona’s public records law. ‘I was screamed at, I was yelled at. I was told it was none of my business. I was told that I had breached peer review.’” (Ann-Eve Pedersen and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

Carmona Bullied A Female Nurse When He Was A Director At The Tucson Medical Center

“Court And Hospital Records Show A History Of Conflicts Between Carmona And Other Doctors, Who Complained About His Lack Of Cooperation, ‘High Handedness,’ ‘Unwillingness To Communicate’ And ‘His Escalation Of Disagreements In An Effort To Prove He Was Right.’” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“In One Case, Hospital Administrators Cited His ‘Bullying’ Of A Nurse Who Said He Failed To Diagnose A Young Boy’s Skull Fracture In 1991.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

Carmona Retaliated By Demanding Angie Calvino’s Resignation Because She Complained About Him. “Carmona demanded Angie Calvino’s resignation after she complained to colleagues about his medical judgment, rather than reporting her concerns to the hospital’s confidential peer review committee, court records show.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“In A Mediated Agreement, Calvino Agreed To A Demotion If Carmona Did Not Report Her To The State Nursing Board For Not Following Protocol, According To Those Familiar With The Case.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“However, Court Records Show That A Few Months Later Carmona Did Report Her, And Calvino Remained Demoted.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

Stay up to date on Richard Carmona’s campaign to be a rubber stamp for Democrats’ liberal agenda in Washington by visitingwww.RubberstampRich.com.

For more information on Jeff Flake and why he’s running for the U.S. Senate, please visit his website at www.JeffFlake.com.

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Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Campaigns & Elections, Culture, Liberals, Press Release Tagged With: AZSEN, Jeff Flake, Richard Carmona, US Senate

Archaic Political Word of the Day – Haberdashery

October 12, 2012 by Shane 4 Comments

A few weeks ago, a colleague of mine who also happens to be a fantastic wordsmith had a conversation about archaic words that need to be revived. This happened as a result of a US Senate candidate being quoted and using such a word. (I’ll bring that word up in a later post).

Thus, birthed the idea for the revival of archaic political words that should be dashed into the political vernacular of today’s narrative.

Today’s word is Haberdashery.

From Merriam Webster:

goods sold by a haberdasher
a haberdasher’s shop

Haberdasher is defined as:

British : a dealer in notions
a dealer in men’s clothing and accessories

Turning to Wikipedia, we receive this description of Haberdasher:

The word appears in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Haberdashers were initially peddlers, sellers of small items such as needles, buttons, etc.

Within the political vernacular, one oftentimes hears this word in reference to a politician attempting to peddle their message. “That’s pure political haberdashery!” a politician may use in a quote.

Finally, the most contemporary reference to a haberdasher would be to that of the late President Harry S. Truman who before becoming President, owned a haberdashery in downtown Kansas City.

The next time you hear some political candidate ranting about some insignificant non-issue, remember to call it what it is – haberdashery!

Filed Under: Culture, Political Science Tagged With: Archaic Words

Contraindications Warning: Obamacin

October 2, 2012 by Guest Opinion 9 Comments

One of our creative readers just produced this excellent little video. Let’s help it go viral.

Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Arts, Campaigns & Elections, Culture, Drugs, Liberals, Political Ad Tagged With: Barack Obama

‘Won’t Back Down’—A Must-See Movie

September 27, 2012 by Goldwater Institute 55 Comments

By Jonathan Butcher, Goldwater Institute

Mark your calendar for Friday, September 28, when the feature film Won’t Back Down hits theaters. Based on real events in California, the movie depicts a group of parents’ efforts to reform a failing school. Hollywood stars Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight, Away We Go) and Viola Davis (The Help) play two devoted mothers who gather signatures for a petition to take over their children’s school, one that has underserved students for years.

California is one of four states with a “parent trigger” or “parent empowerment” law that allows parents to petition to convert a traditional school into a charter school or replace school leadership. Under these laws, at least half of the parents in a failing school must support the transition. California, Texas, and Mississippi passed laws in 2010 and 2011, while Gov. Bobby Jindal signed Louisiana’s law earlier this year.

The Arizona State Senate passed a “parent empowerment” bill last March, though the measure eventually stalled in the House. Lawmakers in at least 20 other states are considering the reform idea.

Two weeks ago, Businessweek explained how the parent empowerment law has given parents in Adelanto, California new hope. Doreen Diaz joined with other Desert Trails Elementary parents in 2010 and petitioned to turn their school into a charter school. With the help of Parent Revolution, a non-profit based in Los Angeles, Doreen gathered signatures and began a grueling battle with school and district leaders.

While the fate of Desert Trails remains unresolved, Doreen insists drastic action is needed to help its students. “I hope that more people see [Won’t Back Down] and are inspired to stand up and fight,” Doreen says. She can point to McKinley Elementary, where parent engagement spurred the creation of a charter school nearby—a school that outperformed McKinley in the first year it was open—or the dozen states considering parent empowerment laws.

I hope Won’t Back Down inspires lawmakers to give parents the freedom to turn failing schools into success stories.