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Archives for November 2008

Latest Republic Headline: “Power May Shift to Anti-Abortion Side”

November 30, 2008 by 8 Comments

I told you so.

We knew that The Arizona Republic would eventually run the headline dealing with abortion or a variation on a theme of it.

Monday’s headline was just waiting for the opportune time to rear its ugly head and take a swipe at pro-life conservatives Republicans.

Of course, Jan Brewer is pro-life. I should know. I helped her by delivering pro-life signatures and votes when she first ran for the post in 2002.

With a Governor Brewer Administration on the February horizon, the Arizona Legislature will have the advantage of moving pro-life legislation through to a Governor who won’t veto it. Remember all the pro-life bills Governor Napolitano vetoed?  The Republic labels her a “staunch defender of abortion rights.” These weren’t bills dealing with partial birth abortion or outright bans. These bills dealt with parental consent,  a woman’s right to know legislation and fetal pain – bills that have widespread support across Arizona.

A stronger pro-life legislature and now a pro-life governor will find very little resistance other than from pro-abortion Senator Carolyn Allen who chairs the Senate Health Committee and a liberal press. And part of the strategy of the media and abortion supporters will be to cast the legislature and Governor as obsessed with banning abortion.

The truth is protecting the sanctity of life will play a integral role in the course of Arizona public policy but elected officials will need to fix the budgetary mess handed off to Republicans.

Filed Under: Legislation, Media, Sanctity of Life

Still Protesting

November 29, 2008 by 18 Comments

Election Day was over 24 days ago. Proposition 102 won 56.2% to 43.8%. The election is over. The voters decided. It’s time to move on.

Filed Under: Initiative(s), LGBT, Marriage

Them Thar Are Fighting Words!

November 28, 2008 by 18 Comments

Did you read Dan Nowicki’s recent blog post about the GOP showdown in LD-11? How’s this for a headline: “Tully ousts McCain-hating GOP chairman in District 11”

Not to continue the inter-party rift but, Nowicki’s words seem to urge on the battle with words like that.

Someone please correct me if I missed it but where was Dan Nowicki when a certain East Valley Legislator and his wife were under very personal attacks by an anti-employer sanctions group in the Primary Election?

On a tangential note, Random Musings has an interesting post about the GOP Senate leadership deciding not to renew lease space to the media in the Senate building. Instead, arrangements are being made for the media to move to the old capitol building where they can lease from Legislative Council. Here is the text of that letter that was sent to Howard Fischer:

Dear Mr. Fischer:

This letter is to inform you that the Arizona state Senate will not be renewing the current lease ending December 31, 2008, for the media space within the Arizona Senate building.

Arrangements are being made for you to continue to lease space from the Arizona Legislative Council on the Capitol Complex in the old Capitol. The Legislative Council will be mailing out a new lease that is similar in all material respects with a few modifications.

The new lease amount is not anticipated to increase over the next lease term. If you choose to enter into a new lease with the Legislative Council, please respond as soon as possible so the space can be made ready for occupancy January 1, 2009.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Timothy Bee, Arizona Senate President

My impression on both Nowicki’s and Random Musing’s postings is that the Republican Party certainly cannot count on any love from local media. As I noted in an earlier post, The Republic has gone antagonistically hostile on the GOP and leadership is preparing for the onslaught of attacks and negative press.

Filed Under: Media, Political Parties

Don’t Miss Dinesh D’Souza and Steve Moore at Phoenix Americans for Prosperity Summit

November 28, 2008 by Leave a Comment

AZ Taxpayers Summit
Join America’s foremost free-market voices, top experts on grassroots mobilization, and Arizona’s largest gathering of grassroots leaders from across the state on Saturday, December 6th from 8:00am-4pm at the Shriner Auditorium in Phoenix, AZ, for Americans for Prosperity Foundation Arizona’s Defending the American Dream Summit.

Confirmed speakers include bestselling author and Reagan biographer Dinesh D’Souza, The Wall Street Journal columnist Steve Moore, and national taxpayer activist Grover Norquist, as well as representatives from several free-market policy organizations in Arizona.

REGISTER TODAY and help send a powerful message to the politicians, the special interests, and the media that we’ve have had enough of out-of-control government spending and taxation, which threaten our prosperity.

The cost is only $20 for individuals, $30 for families, $120 for a table of eight and includes lunch! The first 100 individuals or families to register will receive a FREE leather Americans for Prosperity Foundation portfolio at the event.

Now more than ever, it is important that you let your voice be heard.

Don’t Miss Americans for Prosperity’s Hot Air Tour Stop at the Defending the American Summit

America is facing tough economic times! Yet some lawmakers in Congress continue to refuse to support free-market measures that would lower energy costs. And global warming alarmists like Al Gore cheer misguided policymakers on by calling for more energy taxes and regulation.

Join Americans for Prosperity’s 70-foot-tall hot air balloon in Phoenix to learn more about the Hot Air in the energy debate. This event will be fun for the whole family and completely free to registrants of Americans for Prosperity Foundation-Arizona’s Defending the American Dream Summit.

Shriner Auditorium
552 N 40th St
Phoenix, AZ 85008
December 6 , 2008
8:00am – 4:00pm

Confirmed Speakers:

Dinesh D’Souza

Steve Moore

Grover Norquist

and many more!

Filed Under: Economics, Special Event

Flake on Turkey Earmarks

November 27, 2008 by 1 Comment

Congressman Flake Spotlights Egregious Earmarks of the Week
Thanksgiving Edition

Mesa, Arizona – Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today highlighted pork projects contained in the Omnibus Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008.

This week’s egregious earmarks: $173,000 for the National Wild Turkey Federation, $118,000 for cranberry research in Massachusetts, and $1,104,000 for potato research in Oregon, Washington, Maine, and Idaho.

“Ending earmarks like these would be just gravy,” said Flake.

Filed Under: Spending

Happy Thanksgiving

November 27, 2008 by 1 Comment

On behalf of all the writers of Sonoran Alliance, we wish you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving!

We also want to remember those principles which have been endowed and passed on to us by those Americans who have long held and trusted in God’s guiding hand in our Republic’s longevity, prosperity and humility.

Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Day Proclamation – October 3, 1863

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

Filed Under: Holiday

Predict the Republic’s Next Headline

November 26, 2008 by 10 Comments

Looking back over the last week, readers of The Arizona Republic will find an assortment of headlines predicting the end of life as we know it here in Arizona. Apparently The Republic believes that a Governor Brewer will usher in the Dark Ages as Republicans take complete control of the state.

Here are the headlines and links as they have appeared over the last few days:

Wednesday, November 26th – “Governor change could shift state’s climate policies”

Tuesday, November 25th – “Uneasiness grows over how Brewer might cut budget”

Monday, November 24th – “School-funding setbacks feared if gov. leaves.” [Changed to] “Napolitano advanced cause of education: Some foresee political setbacks for school funding if governor leaves”

Sunday, November 23rd – “With possible departure, Brewer in spotlight Expected to become governor, she has charted conservative, practical course”

We want to open it up to our readers to predict The Republic’s next headlines.

Filed Under: Media

The Sky Will Be Falling!

November 26, 2008 by 21 Comments

It’s already started.

The Arizona Republic is running a story this morning that the departure of Governor Napolitano will create climate change in Arizona – “Governor change could shift state’s climate policies”

If Gov. Janet Napolitano heads to Washington to serve in President-elect Barack Obama’s Cabinet, it could portend a major shift in policy for one of her biggest local priorities: climate change.

Environmental groups, elected officials and other political watchers say that a new Republican administration, under the helm of now-Secretary of State Jan Brewer, would likely significantly reduce Arizona’s involvement in the Western Climate Initiative.

Granted, Secretary of State Brewer has not issued any recent policy statements regarding her current office’s role in climate change but that’s because the Arizona SOS has very little to do with messing with the weather.

So why would The Republic take yet another hit at the presumed replacement of Governor Napolitano assuming that Brewer does not care about the environment?

It should be obvious:

  • Brewer is a Republican
  • The Legislature is controlled by Republicans
  • The Republic promotes a liberal, secular worldview
  • The Legislature and Governor will control the agenda
  • The State of Arizona will have to make budget cuts

The article then runs to Sandy Bahr, the lobbyist for the Arizona Chapter of the Sierra Club to grab a few fear-fraught quotes:

I think probably the greatest disappointment is that if she is leaving early, some of the things she’s done will be undone in no time.

The Republic then writes:

Over the past six years, Napolitano has worked with – and, in many cases, done battle with – legislators and industry on a host of environmental initiatives, including:

  • Forest Restoration
  • Clean Air
  • Reduced Tailpipe Emissions

Nevermind the fact that Napolitano needed Republicans to help pass the legislation in the first place.

The Republican-controlled Maricopa County Board of Supervisors even took the initiative to promote a county-wide policy one under Bring Back Blue in 2007 and “Running Out of Air” in 2008.

Greening of EvangelicalsWhat I don’t appreciate is the overt bias by The Republic that Republicans could care less about the environment or that Democrats hold the title of “Protectors of the Environment.”

Even more disturbing is the way The Republic promotes the notion that the State of Arizona will be making a dramatic shift in environmental policy – on in which we resemble a 3rd world nation.

The fact is that Republicans and yes, even conservatives, do care deeply about the environment. There is even a movement amongst Evangelicals which advocates for good stewardship of the environment (“The Greening of Evangelicals.”)

But let’s also get one thing straight here, no one political party holds a monopoly on the environment. Republicans breathe the same air, drink the same water and enjoy the same outdoors that Democrats do.

I also believe that Republicans offer better solutions to taking care of the environment that maximizes personal freedom and minimizes government control.

Filed Under: Environment

The Divided States of America

November 25, 2008 by 10 Comments

According to Drudge Report a Russian analyst/professor is predicting the demise of America brought on by the financial collapse of American institutions. One claim Professor Igor Panarin makes is that America will be divided into separate regions primarily based on multi-cultural differences:

He predicted that the U.S. will break up into six parts – the Pacific coast, with its growing Chinese population; the South, with its Hispanics; Texas, where independence movements are on the rise; the Atlantic coast, with its distinct and separate mentality; five of the poorer central states with their large Native American populations; and the northern states, where the influence from Canada is strong.

He even suggested that “we could claim Alaska – it was only granted on lease, after all.”

Bloomberg is reporting the following:

A professor at the diplomatic academy of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the U.S. will break into six parts because of the nation’s financial crisis.

“The dollar isn’t secured by anything,” Igor Panarin said in an interview transcribed by Russian newspaper Izvestia today. “The country’s foreign debt has grown like an avalanche; this is a pyramid, which has to collapse.”

Panarin said in the interview that the financial crisis will worsen, unemployment will rise and people will lose their savings — factors that will cause the country’s breakup.

“Dissatisfaction is growing, and it is only being held back at the moment by the elections, and the hope” that President- elect Barack Obama “can work miracles,” he said. “But when spring comes, it will be clear that there are no miracles.”

The U.S. will fracture into six parts: the Pacific coast; the South; Texas; the Atlantic coast, central states and the northern states.

“Now we will see a change to the regulatory system on a global financial scale: America will cease to be the world’s regulator,” to be replaced by China and Russia, he said.

Pardon me for my fascination with this but more research has revealed that another analyst out of Europe, Vsevolod Istomin, has derived yet another map of the Divided States of America. This one however dates back to August 11, 2007. Here is that map and explanation of regions:

  1. California Republic
  2. Mormon state of Utah
  3. New Mexico
  4. Indian Territories
  5. Texas Republic
  6. Louisiana
  7. Florida
  8. The Confederation of the Southern States
  9. South Canada
  10. Upper Michigan
  11. Maine
  12. New Hampshire
  13. Vermont
  14. New England
  15. Free City of New York
  16. New Italy
  17. New Africa
  18. United States
  19. The Midwest Federation

And yet one more speculative piece online.

Filed Under: Government

The Fall of the Republic, The Rise of Blogs?

November 25, 2008 by Leave a Comment

The latest Zogby poll commissioned by the IFC Media Project has determined that most Americans now consider the Internet the most reliable source of news. According to the results, 37.6% consider the web most reliable while 20.3% rely on television national news and 16% responded with radio news. Missing from the poll was print media such as newspapers, although most newspapers now park their newsfeeds online. Other interesting findings reveal that:

  • 39.3% consider FoxNews most trusted
  • 16% trust CNN
  • 15% trust MSNBC
  • 72.6% believe the news they read and see is biased
  • 88.7% of Republicans believe the media is biased
  • 57.5% of Democrats believe the media is biased

Zogby conducted the nationwide poll November 5-6 and surveyed 3,472 adults.

This obviously confirms what has been happening at the local level with Arizona newspapers. The Republic faces continuous budget and staff cuts while the Tribune will be cutting staff and print circulation down to four days a week.

Most papers have already placed their news online leading to speculation that readers are simply accessing news without paying for a subscription. However, given the reputation of the editorial boards of The Republic and Arizona Daily Star, online readers are falling away over the blatant bias.

Newspapers are being forced to undergo a paradigm shift in order to stay relevant. New and younger readers are less likely to purchase a hard copy of the news and only pull what they want to read while sitting down at the computer.

Newspapers will also need to also make a decision whether or not to present news objectively or in a manner that affirms readers’ values. Most mainstream news outlets claim to be objective but lean left of center. It might be in their best interest to come out of the closet and announce those biases and let the readers vote with their dollars. FoxNews asserts itself as fair and balanced and the claim seems to hold up given their ratings and viewer responses. CNN and MSNBC however, do not make similar claims but have a reputation of promoting left of center shows and hosts. Their viewership ratings reflect thus.

Where this leaves the blogs in the big picture of news is undetermined and still being defined. Blogs serve an important role in the fact that they allow individuals to present their viewpoint although it is likely biased and sometimes incomplete or inaccurate. But it is tangible and personal and that draws readers in on an intellectual and even emotional level.

At Sonoran Alliance, our writers are encouraged to express their viewpoints but I also task them to back up any assertions they make and be as accurate and complete as possible. Yes, our writers have erred on occassion but we attempt to correct those errors as would be expected of any other writer. Our perspective is clearly and overtly conservative but that has always been our claim. We do the best to represent the conservative worldview and that success has been confirmed by our daily, weekly and monthly readership.

In this day and age news readers are voting with their web hits and page views. Print is out and bytes are in. But most important, readers are hungry to have their values fed and that hunger is driving the marketplace to change the menu and even how readers digest what they read and see.

Filed Under: Blogs, Media
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