The Arizona Education Association is sponsoring a rally at the state capital on March 4 to express support for schools and oppose further cuts to the education budget. You can find more details here:
Hi everybody, my name is Josh and I am Tim Nelson's campaign manager. Tim Nelson is committed to running the most intensive grassroots campaign Maricopa County has ever seen. We have already started up our volunteer phone banks.
Tim has been getting great support from people all over the county. Some of it has been financial, but most important have been those who are willing to make phone calls or knock on their neighbor's door.
Here's Al Gore in January of 2006 speaking at the American Constitution Society. He lays out the themes of his new book "Assault on Reason" before he started writing it.
In the coming weeks I will be making the case for drafting Al Gore to run for the White House in 2008.
The next president should be a man of vision and competence to repair the damage done to our Constitution and our country. Someone not tied so closely to parties or industries. Someone with a sense of responsiblity to not just our country but to the entire world. (I know a little dramatic.)
I don't expect everyone to jump on the Al Gore celebrity bandwagon, so I'll attempt to show the man and his growth into the man who should be in the White House. You know, for the children. LOL!
Watch and get a feel for the man when he was in the White House. This is a video of an interview Al Gore did with Charlie Rose in 1994.
John McCain gets smacked down hard by CNN correspondent Michael Ware when St. John tries to say things are swell in Iraq and that General Petraeus sports around town in an unarmoured Humvee. Why not? all the other troops are!
Anyway, here is the video of Blitzer, McCain and Ware:
The population is in despair retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey wrote in an assessment on the situation in Iraq, based on a recent round of meetings there with Gen. David H. Petraeus and 16 other senior U.S. commanders. "Life in many of the urban areas is now desperate." McCaffrey was scheduled to brief White House officials on his findings yesterday.
AND
Americablog is suggesting we all call McCains office and ask where the safe neighborhoods are.
On Monday, March 19th the Coalition Against the War will have a 4th Anniversary Protest Against the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq. It will begin at 11:30am at the office of Senator Jon Kyl (2200 E. Camelback Rd, Phx)
At 2:30pm we will march to the office of Senator John McCain (5353 N. 16th Street, Phx)
At 5:00pm there will be a Rally at McCain's office
At Twilight a Vigil and reading of names of the dead.
Both Senators will presented a Petition for Redress of Grievances in opposition to their support of the invasion, occupation and escalation in Iraq.
If you support the troops, please put this protest on your calendar and participate in these events as much as possible. For more information and updates on the schedule visit http://www.azpeace.o... or http://www.liquidnix....
Does anyone have any information on where petitions for this campaign can be signed? Apparently Dan Nowicki and the Republic don't think things like URLs and contact information have any place in a news article.
Any information on who these people are? Dems? Republicans? Wackos? Do we care?
Dan Nowicki
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 14, 2007 12:00 AM
A new recall drive targets Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a top contender for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination.
Organizers oppose McCain's continued support of the unpopular Iraq war and consider him complicit in what they perceive as the erosion of American civil liberties associated with the war on terror.
"For the most part, he's been all right, but he's supposed to be representing Arizona, and right now he seems to be just representing himself," said William Crum, treasurer of Americans for Integrity and Justice, the Glendale-based recall committee. "He's got tunnel-vision for the presidency."
Open Letter to:
Democracy For America -Tucson (DFAT)
Thoughts on Tactics, Strategy and Philosophy Concerning our Participation in The Upcoming Worldwide "Days of Action" 3/17/2007 and 3/18/2007
(Three parts - 2100 words - Jan. 1, 2007)
Cross posted at Jon Read's Blog
Join us at the Maryvale Community Center on Sunday, January 14th, from 5-7:30pm for this free film screening and discussion. Topped off with a live performance from local artists DJ Robyn and Manifest Destiny, this fun-filled night will bring us all an awareness of stereotypes and powerful lyrics presented in hip-hop music. The discussion will be lead by Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Kim McCreary, and Dr. Camilla Westenberg.
Refreshments and food from Carlos O'Breins will be provided.
Maryvale Community Center
4420 N 51st Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85031
Please contact Stacy for any additional questions: stacy@makeadifference.org
602-973-2212 ext.233
The patron Saint of Mavericks' is running hard for the big chair in the White House and he's trying to bury the competition before the game gets going. He's going at chief rival Mitt Romney like Tonya Harding on Nancy Kerrigan!
The Republican Governors Association a group headed by Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney,was holding thier annual conference at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Doral, Florida. I guess McCain just happened to be in the neighborhood, so he decided to stop by; and hold competeing meetings AND a dinner for McCain backers AT A CLOSE BY RESORT!
McCain claimed he was just checking in with his buddies. I'm sure he does it every year right?
Anyway Adam Nagourney writes that this was a pretty somber event in that the GOP governor's roster shrunk from 28 to 22 this election. HeeHee!
But don't worry Ken Mehlman put everyone at ease by saying, "Duh, I don't know? Rove told me we were winning!"
Not really, he actually said, "We can't simply write this election off as preordained, as the natural order of things to be automatically rectified in two years," Mr. Mehlman said, warning that the party has to figure out ways to increase its appeal.
Hey Ken, you can't put lipstick on a PIG and make it look pretty! It's still a pig.
Sam Coppersmith is a former Congressman and is currently on staff with Harry Mitchell for the transition to Washington, DC. All of that is well and good... as are the countless other things I am sure he has done for the common good.
There's a "reverse Robin Hood" aspect to income tax credits, because better-off taxpayers can take advantage, while those just getting by can't. But that's the way it is, so if you can, whoosh yourself through several Arizona tax loopholes before Dec. 31.
HOW TO HELP
First, contribute to a "private school tuition organization" this year, and become eligible for an Arizona income tax credit in April. The credit limit is now $500 for individuals and $1,000 for married couples.
Contribute to a private school tuition organization?
That's helping?
What the hell kind of Democrat sends public money to private schools?
On KPHX today Cynthia Black covered the first two hours for Jeff Farias's Truth to Power Hour. Cynthia has a Sunday show on KPHX called Action Point. She had Zelph (post, Zelph, post!) on today for almost an hour discussing Arizona politics.
One of the stories they discussed was state senator John Huppenthal's recent attempt at revisionist history.
The landmark civil rights case Brown v the Board of Education made it illegal to overtly segregate in our public schools. Segregation still occurs, but it is more subtle now, tied to housing patterns and neighborhood incomes instead of being conscious choices by school administrators.
At least that is what I thought.
Then I read an article about Tucson's Basis charter schools.
The wave is reaching it's peak today and I am stoked! I am dropping my kids off at school checking in at work and heading over to join Team Mitchell to walk the streets!
I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Obama event two weeks ago, the Clinton GOTV rally at ASU and the MJ Fox appearance last evening at the Fiesta Inn. Each time I felt the energy was building, the candidates were more at ease, and the message clear. Is our time to take over and fix this mess!
Each time I look at our slate of candidates I feel proud that we have an awesome team. Smart, hardworking candidates with solid policy ideas. We have enough proof, after twelve years of a GOP Congress and six years of tyrannical GOP rule that their agenda is a selfish, greedy one that hurts, no kills, Americans. They have overstepped their bounds and need to be smacked in the mouth and put back.
I have seen the transformation, over the past 15 years, of the AZ Democratic Party from one of general disorganization, with pockets of success, to a political machine. Not perfect, but a force to be reckoned with. The idea that we could have a majority of Dems going to Congress is amazing and heartening.
The positions of Dems on all the major issues fall in line with the majority opinions across the country. It's time for us to take our agenda to Washington and make it happen.
It's also time for us as citizen activists and journalists to hold our own to account. The Democrats that we send to Washington need to hold K Street at arms length and do the bidding of the people. We need to let our Representatives know that we are the in charge and we willingly give them our consent to rule but we won't stand for business as usual. New direction is what this election is about and that's what we expect.
We won't stand for corruption and cronyism in our Party. We won't stand for compromise for the sake of looking fair and balanced when it doesn't actually serve our interest.
We're in the homestretch and we need to finish strong.
Wactivist, Tedski, and Lofty Donkey, have put together an ACTBlue page for our Arizona candidates. Geo, Zelph and yours truly have just climbed on board to lend our support.
Go to the page and give whatever you can to help push these great candiates closer to victory on Nov. 7!
The link is here and we are asking to give as much as you can to help. Do not be ashamed if all you can do is $5 or $10! Every little bit counts. Whether it helps pay a salary, buy office supplies, or just refreshments for the troops, IT COUNTS!
NOW IS CRUNCH TIME! The AZ Republic just endorsed Harry and we are so close here in AZ-05, I can taste victory!
We just moved Drinking Liberally to Tempe, at Casey Moores, Every other Thursday at 5:30! I want Thursday the 9th to be a victory celebration!
Hop aboard the Blue AZ Express! WooooooWooooooo!
Thank you! This has been a Public Service Message!
(I keep promoiting this so it gets some play and because Leftyblogs has not been picking it up on the AZ frontpage.
BARNEY FRANK IS DOING IT! ASK ED PASTOR FOR SOME LOVE!
http://www.barneyfrank.net/node/145 - promoted by TimO)
Visit MyDD for info on the "Use it or Lose it!" Campaign! Here is the rundown on how we can get "safe" AZ candidates to use some of their cash to help other races in AZ.
Forgive me Chris Bowers for copying the whole post but I have limited time and this is important.
Over the past three days, we fired some warning shots across the bow of ultra-safe House Democrats who are hoarding campaign cash despite having either no Republican challenger, or token Republican challengers. By our count, this comes to over $50,000,000 we could use to extend the playing field outside of our top twenty-five targets. Today, with the help of MoveOn.org and several other blogs, the campaign moves into high gear.
Here is what we want: the 70 ultra-safe Democrats on our list to give 30% of their September 30th cash on hand directly to Democratic challengers, or directly to the DCCC. We then want them to post a statement on their websites, or issue a press release, explaining why they feel said donations are so important this year. In return, they will receive a much better chance of a Democratic House majority, and the adoring love of the netroots. If they do not this give this money, it will become more difficult to achieve a House majority, and they might also face some recurring questions about why they did not give when our candidates needed it the most, and when our target list was deeper than it has been in a generation. If they don't give and we don't win a majority then, well, that will really look bad in the future.
There are only fifteen days left in this election cycle. Time to purchase new media is running out. The longer we wait to purchase new media, the more expensive it will get. Many field campaigns in districts outside of the top twenty five are skeleton crews starved for cash, and will struggle compared to the Republican GOTV machine. We have an extremely rare opportunity in dozens of districts, and we have to make it count--now. I want nothing more than to laud praise onto generous Democrats, such as Barney Frank, who has already donated more than 30% of his $800K+ September 30th cash on hand to the DCCC. I want both money and praise to flow. I want to help build up the image of new netroots heroes, and believe me I will do just that when Democrats start giving. But our time is short. The election ends in just fifteen days.
Call the ultra-safe Democrats in your state on this list. When you call, you will be told that these Democrats have already given money to Democratic challengers and party committees. Don't be daunted: Here are several ways to respond:
* Tell them that you know they have already given this cycle, but our target list hasn't been this deep--60-70 Republicans seats!--in over twenty years, and it needs to be fully funded, so they need to give more. * Tell them the grassroots have never given this much before, and safe Democratic incumbents need to do the same. * Tell them the DCCC and the DNC are taking out loans of more than $10 million in order to fund seats that have not been competitive in a decade. * Tell them the time to buy new media is running out, and with every passing day, media buys will become more expensive for our candidates.
Remember, you won't be alone when you call. Thousands are joining you around the nation. Call ultra-safe Democratic House incumbents in your state today. Tell them you will sing their praises far and wide when they give 30%. Tell them we have to use this money, or we could lose these elections. It really is that simple.
Everyone's favorite political dirtbag, Nathan Sproul, may be under the gun once again, for a little double dealing. Here is a little background on Nathan: http://baltimorechro...
and http://www.dailykos....
This time he may be working against candidates in his own party!
Sproul is working for Len Munsil's Campaign in the AZ Governor's race. I guess Len is not concerned with staffing his campaign with upstanding citizens.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Harris is having none of it. This article was buried in the AZ Republican this Friday:
Governor candidate wants probe of state GOP
Associated Press
Aug. 25, 2006 12:00 AM
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Harris called Thursday for an independent audit of the state Republican Party's finances because of "possible financial double dealing" involving work done by a political consultant for the state GOP and a rival gubernatorial candidate.
The East Valley Tribune reported Aug. 19 that the party was paying Nathan Sproul and other political operatives to register new Republican voters.
Sproul also is helping manage the gubernatorial campaign of Len Munsil, one of four Republicans running in the Sept. 12 primary.
Markos Moulitsas, founder and proprietor of the Community Blog, DailyKos, is scheduled to appear at Phoenix College September, 22 to promote the release of the paperback edition of "Crashing the Gate".
I read "Crashing the Gate" earlier this year and it was the inspiration for AZNetroots. That and the worst president and congress in history!
Markos is only doing a few dates, so we are privileged to be one of the cities he chose to visit. I encourage everyone to attend as Markos is an inspirational speaker and leader in the grassroots movement that took CT by storm and will help Democrats take back Congress in November.
In his announcement, Markos mentions our quiet little berg with optimism;
I know someone is going to complain that I'm not going to their campus. Well, I only have so much time. And 1) I'd rather focus on the November elections than spend a lot of time on the road and on planes, and 2) I miss my family a great deal. As is, IN, PA, AZ, and OH offer some of the most fertile ground politically this cycle, and I'll be keen to spend even a little time on the ground there this close to the election.
It's nice to hear optimism from him now, as opposed to his comments about Arizona in "Crashing the Gate" where he was not so optimistic.
I will post details about the appearance as they become available.
Update: I forgot to add that I think we should plan a meetup before or after the appearance. It would be great to meet everyone!
