Back in the Saddle Again

Well, it's been a loooooong time since I posted here, hasn't it? While a lot of my posts continue to be scattered around the blogosphere, I've started posting regularly at AZ Netroots [www.aznetroots.com]. I've decided to cross-post those (and maybe some other) items here. So, here are my 3 latest AZ Netroots posts:


DES to Implement Voter Registration Law (finally!!) (+)
by: AZ Bob
Sat May 17, 2008 at 20:29:50 PM MDT
The US Dept of Justice and Arizona's Dept of Economic Security have signed a consent agreement providing that DES offices will furnish voter registration materials with every "application, recertification, renewal or change of address." DES is also obligated to provide assistance in filling out voter registration forms, and forwarding completed forms to the appropriate county recorder. The agreement resulted from DOJ's warning that it was about to commence litigation against the state for failure to comply with the provisions of the Nat'l Voter Registration Act (NVRA). The DOJ, which has devoted most of its effort during the current administration to purging voter rolls rather than building them, took action after pressure by ProjectVote.org and AZ Democrats.
You can read more about the deal (and get a copy of the agreement) from MyDirectDemocracy: http://www.mydd.com/story/2008...
Discuss :: (0 Comments)


What's Up With AZ-06? (+)
by: AZ Bob
Fri May 16, 2008 at 09:56:56 AM MDT
Is there really no Democratic candidate (again)for the House in the 6th CD? AFAIK, only Richard Grayson has filed, but he says on his own website ((http://grayson-for-congress.blogspot.com/)) that he's not a serious candidate.
I've had some interaction with Jeff Flake, and I believe he is probably sincere about earmarks, taxes and social issues. So, I'm not as hostile as Grayson seems to be towards Flake, personally. But it's undeniable that Flake has voted time-and-again against the interests of his constituents, the military, and our country. When I've questioned him about the reason for these votes, I've never gotten a straight answer, so I have to believe he's just toeing the party line.
Whatever party a politician may belong to, we don't need any more rubber stamps. If a candidate or incumbent can't make their own decisions and explain the reason for their votes, they don't deserve our vote.
I'm asking all of you in the 6th district to take some action. Visit Grayson's website and see if you can support him. Talk with your neighbors about what's important to them (and you), then check Flake's voting record to see what he has done to answer those concerns. Go to one of Flake's events and ask him about it. Write, call or email his House office about those issues. Let the editor of your LOCAL paper know what happens.
We may not have a chance to replace Jeff Flake this year, but we can start making enough noise that he'll have to listen to (and start representing) us. If we make noise, some strong candidate will decide to run next time. Enough noise, and the state party apparatus will start helping us out.
Discuss :: (1 Comments)


Call Gabrielle Giffords TODAY (-)
by: AZ Bob
Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:11:27 AM MDT
This week House Democratic leaders will once again to try bring the Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 to the floor. Every vote is needed to push this legislation. Daily Kos notes that one of our own congressional Democrats, Gabrielle Giffords, hasn't yet said whether or not she'll support this legislation. Please give her office a call and ask her to get on board. Our military has sacrificed enough without getting screwed on benefits, too.
Gabrille Giffords (AZ): (202) 225-2542
The Kos article is here: http://www.dailykos.com/storyo...
Discuss :: (0 Comments)

Fear of Words

So, I'm trying to avoid watching/hearing the overkill coverage (if you'll pardon the expression) on early warning signs of Cho's paranoid delusion, and I remember wondering: "How long will it take the thought police to start running with this?" Not long . . .

Write an essay, go to jail - it's now a crime for high school students to write an essay which "alarms and disturbs" the teacher.

. . . and THAT's why I never took a "creative writing" class.

Why Can't Rudy Giuliani Read?

“Rudy Giuliani said Tuesday that if a Democrat is elected president in 2008, America will be at risk for another terrorist attack on the scale of Sept. 11, 2001. But if a Republican is elected, he said, especially if it is him, terrorist attacks can be anticipated and stopped.” [from Roger Simon @ Politico April 25, 2007]

SAY WHAT?! WaPo reported two years ago that international terrorism is way up since Republicans invaded Iraq, and MotherJones just last month analyzed the “Iraq Effect” – terror attacks and fatalities way, way up, even without counting Iraq or Afghanistan.

So, I guess this is where we thank the Republicans for “doing a heckuva job” fighting terror?

And, uh, Rudy? You might reconsider that line about you “especially” being able to “anticipate and stop” terrorist attacks. Weren’t you mayor of the only city in America that was ever successfully attacked by terrorists? TWICE? Not something I’d put on MY anti-terror resume . . . .