May 11, 2008

Friday’s political hit on John McCain, has drawn a fair amount of scrutiny, with Amanda Carpenter offering the most realistic review of Matthew Mosk’s “creative writing.”

The mention of your blogger’s name in the story prompted the interest of the local ABC affiliate, which sent a photographer and producer by the ol’ “Radio Ranch” prior to showtime on Friday.

As is so often the case with television news, the Channel 15 report fails to include some damning distinctions concerning the WaPo’s story. First of all, contrary to Mosk’s assertion that Fred Ruskin “pursuaded then-Rep. J.D. Hayworth to draft a bill proposing the exchange of 35,000 acres of ranch property for 21,000 acres of federally owned Arizona land,” the fact is that many different parties wanted to see the land exchange become reality. Among the proponents were the City of Flagstaff, the Pulliam Airport Authority, several church groups, nonprofits, and youth organizations that operate camps within the affected acreage, and many smaller communities. As often occurs with any question of public importance, support wasn’t unanimous–but it was strong and broad-based.

Secondly, it is what the story fails to say that ultimately discredits the entire exercise. Post staff writer Mosk implies that longtime McCain Campaign donors gained a financial advantage with the completion of this land exchange, but nowhere does he say that the donors or Senator McCain made an explicit agreement that the swap would be done in exchange for political cash. Such a “quid pro quo” would be illegal, and if there were proof of that, Matthew Mosk would be the new Bob Woodward. But there is no proof of that because it didn’t happen–so Mosk has to construct a “jounalistic smoke bomb” in lieu of the real fire of scandal.

To do so, the WaPo journalist turns to a familiar source–Rob Smith of the Arizona Chapter of the Sierra Club. Smith helpfully points out to the Post that “when the public trust intersects with private interests, basically he (McCain) has favored land development…in every case.”

Smith is the “go-to” guy for every writer who needs to peddle the myth that Republicans really don’t care about the environment. What you may find surprising is that when given a choice of actually doing something to help the environment or pulling a political stunt, Smith and the Sierra Club always opt for the latter.

During my second term in Congress, San Carlos Lake was running dry. We could essentially maintain the lake level if we could purchase water from other sources for agricultural users downstream, and many different groups kicked in some funds–the utilities, the City of Safford, some of the affected counties, and ultimately Uncle Sam.

Some civic organizations and non-profits also contributed–so in that spirit, I called the Sierra Club, and if memory serves, talked directly with Mr. Smith. I explained the situation, cited the three nesting pairs of bald eagles who made their home at San Carlos Lake, and invited his organization to get involved, because this was the essence of an environmental problem that we all had a stake in solving.

Smith’s response (again through the mists of memory): “Gee, Congressman–we’d really like to help, but any funds we could contribute wouldn’t even amount to a drop in the bucket.” I again invited Smith and his organization to get involved; again, he declined.

Fast-forward a few months to the 1998 Campaign, and the Sierra Club purchases $10,000 of radio time, running ads claiming that “Congressman Hayworth is in favor of dirty air and dirty water.”

Of course, the real dirt is that the Arizona Chapter of the Sierra Club had no interest in finding a “bipartisan solution to a problem,” ( the sentiment so often expressed by the Editorial Board of” The Arizona Republic”) but had enough interest in my political extinction that it devoted its funds to an “independent” radio buy on behalf of the Democrat running against me.

With all the time that has passed, and all the “maverick” positions he has championed, John McCain probably believes he can gain independent and dissafected Democrat votes by championing environmental causes. In fact, reports indicate that he plans a “Global Warming/Climate Change Tour” for his campaign.

When the Presidential Campaign really heats up though, he should understand that the Sierra Club will wholeheartedly embrace the Democrat nominee.

Friday’s Washington Post offers McCain and the rest of us a glimpse of what’s ahead.

I enjoy a blog called Newmark's Door; it's filled with random musings from an economics professor at Duke. His wife suggested that he ask his students a question, but he decided it was too easy even for an Economics 101... Greg Patterson

Read the disturbing account of Bernie Ward’s admission of distribution of child pornography over the internet.
Ward’s radio show was called “God Talk”

Apparently it was only a one-way conversation.

Why do you think the Maricopa Medical Center is increasingly overwhelmed?

This requires a good bit of reading. The article takes front and center placement of the daily’s Valley section, continuing for most of an interior page. Buried on page six is the explanation:

The emergency department cares for people from throughout the Valley, although most come from neighborhoods that surround the hospital, near Roosevelt and 24th streets in a heavily Hispanic neighborhood. Many of those people are high-risk and use the ER instead of a primary-care doctor.

Be warned and hang on tightly to your billfold. After describing the overworked staff and “aging” facility, the case is made for replacing the “almost 40 year old structure and its outdated layout that creates challenges in delivering medicine in today‘s marketplace.”

The emergency department and trauma center are part of Maricopa Integrated Health System, a $430 million organization funded partly through a property tax approved by county voters. The system treats 400,000 people yearly, reports the paper

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….at least for the moment?

Humorist Andy Borowitz provides some much needed comic relief.

 

American-born impressionist Mary Cassatt (1844 - 1926) specialized in paintings depicting mothers and children. Our selection for this Mother’s Day, The Child’s Bath, is one of her most celebrated.

Last year I unveiled a very special Mother's Day photo album, which has continued to grow this year - now with 95 mother/child portraits: You can see the photos and read the moms comments at Our Little Extras - A Mother's Day Down Syndrome Celebration. Or watch the slideshow: Please send me yours if you'd like to be included! The more, the merrier!

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle Is the Hand That Rules the World Blessings on the hand of women! Angels guard its strength and grace, In the palace, cottage, hovel, Oh, no matter where the place; Would that never storms assailed it, Rainbows ever gently curled; For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. Infancy's the tender fountain, Power may with beauty flow, Mother's first to guide the streamlets, From them souls unresting grow-- Grow on for the good or evil, Sunshine streamed or evil hurled; For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. Woman, how divine your mission Here upon our natal sod! Keep, oh, keep the young heart open Always to the breath of God! All true trophies of the ages Are from mother-love impearled; For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand

We're no fan of McCain's, but this site is pretty shoddily thrown together. Their arguments against him aren't any good. Goofy and poorly written. "John McCain is to blame for millions of home foreclosures." No, the people who chose to buy subprime mortgages when they couldn't afford homes beyond their means are at fault. "John McCain is to blame for sending American jobs overseas to other countries." No, the changing economy is, lower-level service jobs are being shipped overseas and replaced with higher-skilled jobs here in the U.S. as our population becomes better educated (and fatter unfortunately as a result). Doesn't help that unions keep wages so high jobs are probably moved overseas faster than they would if it was a true free market.

Here's some more b.s. from the site -

John McCain will raise your gas prices to $5.00 or even $6.00 per gallon. Multimillionaire John McCain will raise your health care prices. Multimillionaire John McCain will raise interest rates on your bank loans, home mortgage, and credit cards. Multimillionaire John McCain will make it easy for health insurance companies to deny health insurance to sick people. Multimillionaire John McCain will make it easy for hospitals to deny health care to uninsured sick people.

Former conservative Congressman Bob Barr, who joined the Libertarian Party a couple of years ago after leaving Congress, has announced that he may be running for President on the Libertarian Party ticket. While Barr is a solid conservative who we greatly respect, his views on the Iraq War are a dealbreaker -

“What we’ve fallen into in recent years — not just since 9/11, but particularly since 9/11 — is this notion that, in order to protect ourselves, we have to preemptively go into and — in the case of Iraq — occupy another sovereign nation,” Barr said. “Simply saying, ‘Gee, it’s better to fight over in this other nation and destroy another nation, so we’re not potentially attacked here, is the height of arrogance.”

As for the Bush administration’s refusal to define waterboarding as torture, Barr referred to the practice as “sophistry of the worst and rankest order.”

It's unfortunate, because the rest of Barr's conservative credentials are far superior to McCain.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Most of the McCain “unity slate” delegates won positions for the upcoming national convention—scheduled for September 1 - 4 in Minneapolis/St. Paul.

McCain was nowhere to be seen today as his minions worked the crowd on his behalf and uniformed security officers, (expecting an insurrection perhaps?) were ubiquitous. A sight to behold.

The Arizona Republican Party web pages give a glimpse into the whirlwind activities.

The resolutions all passed by acclimation, to the chagrin of Paul Hickman, AZ Chief of Staff for Sen. John McCain, who shouted a loud, “No!” Several of the resolutions were strong anti-illegal immigration measures.

It was a long day. Any state delegates in attendance who would care to comment, this is your chance.

The price of ‘Forever’ stamps is going up.  On May 12, the postage price will increase from the current 41 cents to 42 cents.

With such a large influx of illegal Canadians sneaking across the border near Detroit, the Department of Homeland Security has wisely decided to employ the same vigorous controls and virtual fencing on the northern border that we have in place southwest of Tucson on our Mexican border. The Examiner gives the full report.

Ralph Nader, 74, is not a quitter. He doesn‘t like the ‘spoiler’ term often applied to him, either, as he reenters the presidential race, running as a third-party candidate. He has qualified for the ballot in Hawaii and New Mexico.

“Spoiler is a contemptuous word of political bigotry,” he said during an hour long speech to about 80 voters who gave him a standing ovation. He was on a stop through Arizona as he tries to win a spot on the state ballot, according to the daily.

 

The story from the convention is that there is no story. The official party slate ruled the day and the delegates were all well behaved and congenial. The conservatives scored a few delegates in the CD 4 voting. The state party did a good job on organizing the event. Most people were busy visting with good friends, talking to a candidate, etc to get too worked up.

1:10 Lunch is over and main meeting is back in session. The party/McCain slate won in most of the CD voting. Dean Martin is speaking to the audience now. Voting for at large delegates coming up.

10:05 Shadegg is now speaking. He is good but not quite as good as Kyl.

9:50 Kyl’s speach was very well received. Credentials reports 850 delegates. Re open for 15 minutes.

9:39 Long opening prayer included a sermon. Great rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Kyl is now speaking for the “unable to make it.” Kyl as usually is very eloquent. Kyl said there was some technichal difficulty with McCain video feed. Not sure in McCain will even speak by remote.

I've been a fan of The Sundays since their first album, so naturally I'd fall for this L.A. jazz-inspired group.

Father of the Year award winner discusses his future political plans with Morley Safer.

The Arizona Republic reports that far left Democrat and partisan flak Tim Nelson (”ACLU Tim”) has formally announced he will be running against popular incumbent Republican Andrew Thomas for Maricopa County Attorney. ACLU Tim held a press conference Thursday attacking Thomas on several fronts. He accused him of promoting himself through his Stop DUI billboards. He conveniently omitted mentioning the billboards that his boss, Governor Napolitano, used to promote herself and put her photo on, which cost taxpayers $150,000. Or any of the many other ways she’s promoted herself as governor.

ACLU Tim said that he would occasionally enforce Arizona’s human smuggling law against illegal immigrants, such as if he needed them to testify against smugglers. Sounds like selective prosecution to me. In contrast, the article reports about Thomas,

Thomas ran his first campaign on an anti-illegal immigration platform and kept his promises by helping draft, and then enforcing, immigration legislation.

ACLU Tim said that under Thomas, the county attorney’s office fails to obtain convictions on almost 1/3 of cases that go to trial. Fortunately, the reporter covering this wasn’t lazy, and asked the county attorney’s office spokesperson Barnett Lotstein for actual statistics.

Lotstein says that the overall conviction rate has remained at about 93 percent and that the office actually wins about 80 percent of trials despite an increase in the number of cases that go to trial.

Lotstein also pointed out ACLU Tim’s lack of criminal prosecution experience, having been a civil attorney and political flak for his entire career,

He’s a civil lawyer, and the hand-picked candidate of the governor who wishes to have someone who is not quite as independent as Andy Thomas in this office.

It comes down to this: do you trust the statistics from an ACLU attorney who got them from criminal defense attorneys, or the prosecutor’s office which has toughened up crime laws and plea policies? Crime rates have finally started going down around the Valley, Thomas is obviously doing something right. Why replace him with an ACLU soft-on-crime wannabe prosecutor who will return crime levels to their prior level.

Some Web site concepts are simple and entertaining. Some are compelling, if not disturbing, while others are stupid and pointless. And many are just awesome. For honorable achievement of all the above, I present, Manbabies.

GET MORE AT ManBabies.com!

Laura Ingraham is a radio talk host worth listening to with her sharp insights intot he state of politics, culture and faith. She is an outspoken Roman Catholic and defender of the pro-life movement. Also a survivor of breast cancer. After years of waiting for the Guatemala adoption process - which her listeners id not know of - she is now a mother. Click here to hear Laura's announcement of her adoption!