Blog For Arizona

Lincoln Day dinners? Please, this is not your father's GOP

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Arizona Daily Star must be feeling left out today, but don't worry, I haven't forgotten about them.

Instead of publishing warmed-over press releases from the Martha McSally campaign as "news," CD-2 candidate Martha McSally headlines Lincoln Day dinner in Hawaii, maybe the Star should have hired a political reporter to send down to Cochise County to cover the Lincoln Day dinner in closer proximity to Tucson. What, the Star can't afford a stipend for gas and some food? Have Jim Click chip in.

Bill Hess at the Sierra Vista Herald can show your reporter how it's done. Check out this report. Fighting for the ‘will of the people’ (the link has been fixed):

FORT HUACHUCA — Some words spoken more than 150 years ago are still a battle cry for Republicans.

For the GOP today the fight to ensure the will of the people is heard is what the Republican party stands for, Casey Jones, the chairman of the Cochise County Republican Committee, said at the formal opening of the annual Abraham Lincoln Day Dinner.

Quoting Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, the final 14 words of the speech should be the motto of the Republican Party, Jones said.

Those words: “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth,” remain the clarion call of the party, the county chairman said. “We are in a grand battle to save our nation,” Jones said, noting two speakers at the dinner — U.S. Rep. David Schweikert and Arizona’s Chairman of the Republican Party Robert Graham — will specifically address the issues facing the party in this year’s federal, state and local elections.

2014 Peace Fair & Music Festival in 32nd year

Posted by Carolyn Classen

Tucson Peace Center's Calendar has a new colorful website look (click here). Easier to read their postings and event listings. Their peace calendar is also available at most Pima County public libraries.

 

Theme for this year's peace festival is "Climate Justice", and also new is the Climate Cabaret Ramada, so check it out. Call Chair Mary DeCamp, former Democratic Ward 3 and Mayoral candidate, for more info at (520) 445-4110.

 

Peace Fair's Schedule:

11:00 - Earth Spirit

11:30 - One Heartbeat

12:00 - Kathleen Williamson

12:30 - Mitzi Cowell

12:45 - Tucson's Raging Grannies

1:00 - Wayback Machine

2:00 - Baba Marimba

2:50 – Victor Shamas & Repose

3:00 - Spirit Familia

4:00 - Change Agents

Republican Pima County Supervisors to host town halls

Posted by Carolyn Classen

 

District 4 Republican Supervisor Ray Carroll is hosting a town hall on Feb. 13, 6 to 7 p.m. at the Kirk-Bear Canyon branch library. Supervisor Carroll was first appointed to his seat in May, 1997 and was elected in 1998, 2000, 2004, 2008. Email: [email protected], 520-724-8094, website: http://webcms.pima.gov/government/board_of_supervisors/supervisor_raymond_carroll_district_4/

He will be joined by Asst. Pima County Administrator Nanette Slusser, to answer questions about Pima County issues (i.e. bonds, roads, immigration, etc.)

Coming up in March, from Pima County's Republican District 1 Supervisor Ally Miller, newly elected in Nov. 2012 (info from her e-newsletter): "In the fourth quarter of 2013 I held three Town Hall meetings. These Town Halls provide an opportunity for the citizens of Pima County to learn more about the service my office can provide, discuss the issues impacting Pima County, and share their thoughts, concerns and comments on current issues facing our County. I hope you can join me for one of three upcoming Town Halls":

Thursday, March 13, 6:00 p.m. Pima County Natural Resources Headquarters 3500 W. River Road.

Saturday, March 15, 10:00 a.m. Kirk-Bear Canyon Branch Library 8959 E. Tanque Verde Road.

Thursday, March 20, 6:00 p.m. Oro Valley Branch Library 1305 W. Naranja Drive.

D 1 Supervisor Ally Miller, [email protected], phone 520-724-2738, http://webcms.pima.gov/government/board_of_supervisors/supervisor_ally_miller_district_1/

 

The other 3 Pima County  Supervisors are all Democrats: Chair Sharon Bronson (D 3), Vice Chair Richard Elias (D 5), and former Chair Ramon Valadez (D 2).

Scott Smith for Governor? Beware of "centrist" mayors.

I'm about to do a post that is similar to one I did on Democratic Diva a while back but since that site is down and Brahm Resnik of 12 News in Phoenix just tweeted that Mesa Mayor Scott Smith intends to announce his bid for the GOP gubernatorial nod in Arizona, I'm going to repeat my warning:

There was a guy by the name of Pat McCrory in North Carolina. He was the Mayor of Charlotte, a medium-sized city which had enjoyed a good bit of high tech development in recent years. McCrory was considered a centrist, and was the darling of the Chamber of Commerce and media establishment types in NC. When he ran for governor in 2012, McCrory styled himself as a keen-eyed, business focused pragmatist. At debates and endorsement interviews he swore up and down he wasn't going to indulge the tea party ideologues in the state legislature. He was all about jobs jobs jobs! When he was specifically asked about abortion at one forum, he gave a one word answer - "no" - to signing any bill involving abortion into law. 

Rolling Shift Rally: Support Unions at ASARCO, Jan. 6

Join the rally today in support of continued contract union/management negotiations at ASARCO. Here are the details from the Pima Area Labor Federation.

The nearly 2000 union members who work in ASARCO’s copper mines, smelters and refineries entered contract negotiations in June 2013. They are spread over five locations and are represented by eight different unions.

On Monday, January 6, 2014 Our Negotiating Committee and ASARCO will begin negotiations after the long holiday break.

Join us as we rally in support of our continuing negotiations and in support of our Negotiating Committee.

Water, snacks, hot cocoa, and shade provided. We have an agenda planned out for the entire rally so bring your family, friends, and dress warm because we will all be out until past 7:00.

If you have any questions contact:

Eduardo Placencio 520-373-3881

Official Negotiations Web Page
http://www.usw.org/media_center/news_articles?id=1381

Facebook Event: here.

Arizona Democratic Party Shows Its Progressive Side at State Committee Meeting

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Progressive voices were heard loud and clear at Saturday’s Arizona Democratic Party (ADP) State Committee Meeting in Maricopa, Arizona.

Unlike some past ADP meetingswhere progressives were ignored or where progressive resolutions were tabled and not heard by the full ADP membership, the Maricopa meeting was dominated by progressives.

During the morning caucus meetings, approximately 80 members of the progressive caucus (pictured here) met in the booming high school cafeteria to hear about legalization of marijuana, the plight of Dreamers, and a host of progressive resolutions.

In the progressive caucus, members unanimously endorsed resolutions: 1) in support of a Constitutional Amendment ending Citizens United and abolishing corporate personhood; 2) in support of passage of the Inclusive Prosperity Tax (AKA Robin Hood Tax); 3) against building the Keystone XL Pipeline; and 4) in support of allowing DREAMers to have Arizona drivers’ licenses and in-state college tuition. A resolution requiring clean elections candidates to give back extra funds passed, with some dissent. In addition, with only one dissenting vote, the Progressive Caucus voted to endorse Safer Arizona, the citizens’ initiative to legalize marijuana for personal use. [Votes from the entire State Committee after the jump.]

PDA Meeting: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Affordable Care Act (and Healthcare Reform)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and healthcare reform, in general, will be the focus of PDA Tucson’s general membership meeting on Thursday, Nov. 14.

Andrea Witte (the Connect the Dots Lady) will present the updated version of “The American Healthcare CrazyQuilt”, which looks at how the US healthcare system evolved into the most expensive system in the world but still leaves millions of people uninsured. She also will discuss the Affordable Care Act.

Dr. Eve Shapiro, local pediatrician and head of PDA Tucson’s universal healthcare issue organizing team, will talk about single-payer, universal healthcare and why that should be our country’s ultimate healthcare reform goal. The ACA is a step in the right direction but not the end of the road.

Concluding the healthcare portion of the program, Michal Goforth, executive director of the Pima County Access Program, will talk about local ACA outreach efforts and local implementation of the new healthcare law.

Rounding out the evening, PDA Tucson Chair Phil Lopes will discuss local and national initiatives of the Progressive Democrats of America.

The Nov. 14 meeting will be held at the Pima County Housing Center, 801 W. Congress St. The entrance faces Congress Street, but parking is on the North and East sides of the building. Doors open at 6 p.m.; program starts at 6:30 p.m.

Related Information:
Affordable Care Act Quick Reference Guide from Connect the Dots USA

Affordable Care Act Claims: PolitiFact Sorts Fact from Fiction

Senior Scam Prevention Events

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from Rep. Andrea Dalessandro (D-LD2):

UPDATE: Oct 16 PDA Tucson Fall Membership Meeting Postponed until Nov 14

by Pamela Powers Hannley

October 15 Update:

Yesterday, I posted a notice about the Fall Membership Meeting of PDA Tucson. The headline speaker was to be Congressman Raul Grijalva.

The Congressman had to cancel, so the PDA meeting is being postponed until Thursday, Nov. 14. 

Here is a link to the event on Facebook. You can find updates there or on this blog. We had hoped that Grijalva canceled because he was called back to DC to vote on lifting the shutdown and the debt ceiling, but given this afternoon's headlines that vote appears to be a distant dream.

October 14 Blog Post:

With the government shutdown, historic gridlock in Congress, and multiple protests errupting, Washington DC has been a hotbed of political activity.

While some Arizona Democrats are cozying up to the Republicans, Congressman Raul Grijalva continues to be a leader of the progressive movement. Last week, he and other progressive Congressmen were arrested at a recent immigration reform protest in DC (above). He also spoke with Democracy Now about the shutdown and immigration reform.

This Wednesday, October 16, Grijalva will give a Washington update at the Fall Membership Meeting of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) Tucson Chapter at the Ward 6 midtown office.  

Values Voters Summit Selects Ted Cruz as Their 'Annointed One'

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The results of a straw poll conducted at the Values Voter Summit showed that conservatives are united in their support for Senator Ted Cruz in 2016. Ted Cruz Wins Values Voter Straw Poll, Along with Santorum Surprise:

Senator Ted Cruz [claimed] a commanding 42% of votes for a prosective Presidential run. Former senator and presidential candidate Rick Santorum, who spoke on the first day of the summit and suggested that the thought of running again crosses his mind from time to time—“even today”—received 13 percent of the vote, an almost statistical tie with Dr. Ben Carson.

On the vote for a prospective vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Carson won handily with 21% of the vote. Ted Cruz placed in second, with 17%, while Congresswoman Michele Bachmann earned third place with 9% of the vote. Another item in the poll was major issues: voters decided that religious liberty was the number one issue facing conservative voters, with pro-life matters coming in second.

Now you may be wondering, "How did Ted 'Calgary' Cruz beat out Christian Reconstructionists and Dominionists like FAUX News host Mike 'Huckajesus,' Rick 'man on dog' Santorum, and the Minnesota Loon, Michele Bachmann?"

UPDATED: Monthly Progressive Roundtables Give PDA Members a ‘Seat at the Table’ (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

UPDATE: This article was picked up by the national publication In These Times and by the Daily Kos Progressive Blog Round-up. Check out the In These Times version for more details: Knights of the Progressive Roundtable.

Deals are made, and bills are negotiated not only in the halls of Congress but in offices and meeting rooms around DC. Since December 2012, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) has been conducting monthly, Educate Congress roundtable meetings with Congressional representatives and key staff.

With a give-and-take format, these meetings allow PDA representatives and allies to discuss proposed legislation and related progressive ideas and allow Congressional representatives and staffers to offer updates, insights, and strategies.

The Progressive Roundtables provide a forum to address a broad range of issues– from Wall Street gambling and hunger in America to voting rights, immigration, fracking, universal healthcare, the living wage, austerity, tax reform, mass incarceration, and more.

“One of the things I love about PDA is you stand up for ‘the little guy,’ and that’s what government’s all about,” Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern told the roundtable audience in July 2013. “Donald Trump doesn’t need us [Congress], but somebody who is unemployed or somebody who is working and making so little that they still qualify for SNAP [food stamps], they need us!” More roundtable details and videos after the jump.)

House Republican Conference 'Astroturf' Town Hall

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Last month, the House Republican Conference produced an "exceptionally detailed" guides for their members on how to survive the August recess. The 31-page kit put together by the House Republican Conference is Here (Scribd).

Steve Benen reported at the time, House GOP has a game-plan for August:

[T]the "planning kit" gets even funnier.

Among the other tidbits:

* The House Republican Conference is apparently preoccupied with Vine, a social-media tool that allows users to create and easily share six-second videos. Good luck, House GOP, on solving your problems six seconds at a time.

* Members are being encouraged to publish op-eds in local media on the IRS "scandal." That there is no IRS "scandal," and all of the allegations Republicans raised have been discredited, has apparently been deemed irrelevant.

* According to the Roll Call piece, the Conference "suggests planting questions" at local events "to get the conversation rolling in the right direction."

* And House Republicans are encouraged to go on an "Energy Production Facility Tour" during the recess. Members, of course, have been told to "wear a hard hat" and -- you guessed it -- put this and other events on Vine.

Military coup d'état unfolding in Egypt

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

After weeks of protest against President Mohamed Morsi, the shit hit the fan today. There is a military coup d'état unfolding in Egypt after Morsi refused to step down and call for early elections. NBC News reports, Egypt coup? Morsi aide says tanks on move:

Forces allied with the president of Egypt said Wednesday that a military coup was under way and that tanks were on the move outside Cairo.

Representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood, backers of President Mohammed Morsi, said that some of its leaders have been rounded up and arrested. A Morsi adviser told NBC News that communication with the president had been cut off.

A military deadline for the president of Egypt to give up power came and went with no sign of a resolution to the standoff and both sides vowing that they were prepared to fight to the death.

As the military appeared to take control of state television, thousands of people massed in Tahrir Square in Cairo, waving flags, singing patriotic songs and demanding the ouster of Morsi.

They danced and cheered after a local television report that Morsi was under house arrest, but two presidential advisers told NBC News that the report was not true.

Laser lights spell out a message to President Mohammed Morsi as protesters congregate in Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on July 2. (Khaled Desouki / AFP - Getty Images)

Ronstadt Transit Center: Community Space or Capitalist Dream?

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The Downtown Tucson Partnership-- like other business groups before them-- has designs on the Ronstadt Transit Center (RTC). Since the early Feb. 5 City Council vote approving a 60-90 day public comment period before throwing the RTC to the dogs... er ... developers,  the Tucson Bus Riders Union held a public forum at the Rialto, compiled and organized hundreds written comments collected at the forum, met with City Councilwoman Karin Uhlich, and participated in collecting 2800 surveys from bus riders. 

When the Ronstadt Transit Center was constructed in 1991, it was billed as a community gathering place. Dance and music performances at the RTC were featured during Downtown Saturday Nights (pre-cursor to Second Saturdays but twice per month in its heyday). At the April public forum, dozens of speakers talked about improving the transit center, making it a focal point for community activities (as it once was), and building community-- not commercial develop-- at the site.

The big question is: in making its decision regarding the fate of the Ronstadt Transit Center, will the City Council listen to the 41-member Downtown Tucson Partnership or the thousands of Tucsonans who have voiced their opinion on this issue?

Today, May 17, a group of transit activists, downtown residents, and members of the Tucson Bus Riders Union will gather at the Ronstadt Transit Center in a community-building exercise. Wear white, bring your musical instruments, signs, and your community spirit to the RTC at 5 p.m. and let's see what happens. Meet under the clock, and don't disrupt the buses. This is a bus-friendly, community event-- not a protest.

For background on the most recent Ronstadt Transit Center struggle, check out stakeholder opinions after the jump.

Upcoming AHCCCS/Medicaid restoration actions

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

First, learn about the governor's proposal at a training session on Thursday -

AHCCCS Training Session on The Governor’s Medicaid Coverage Plan

PURPOSE: The future of Medicaid is at a critical time. Support for the Governor’s Plan is needed to ensure that over 60,000 people do not lose coverage. Learn more about how YOU can help! 

DATE: Thursday, May 9, 2013; 6:00-7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Disability Empowerment Center (DEC), 5025 E. Washington St., Suite 202, Phoenix, AZ 85034

RSVP to: [email protected]

REASONS TO ATTEND:

-Become an expert on the Governor’s Medicaid Plan

-Learn how to write a Letter to the Editor

-Identify your elected officials and how to contact them

-Lead Civic Academies in your communities 

 Then take your newly-acquired knowledge to a rally at the State Capitol on Wednesday, May 15.

The Medicaid Restoration Coalition is holding a rally to let legislators know that there is a large amount of support for the governor's proposal on the House lawn at 11 a.m.  Arrive early for good parking.  The best spots in the parking lots of the Executive Tower and Wesley Bolin Plaza will go quickly.

Summary:

What: Rally for Restoration

When: 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 15

Where: House Lawn, Arizona State Capitol

 

UPDATED with New Events: Progressives, Mark Your Calendars for April Events!

April3 Update: New events have been added for April 6 and 9.

It’s only April 1, but already there is an impressive line-up of progressive events taking shape this month. In addition to these educational events, there are multiple fund-raisers for candidates, parties, and causes in April.  The list below is not meant to be all-inclusive. (Check out Facebook and the Pima County Democratic Party calendar or the calendar on Blog for Arizona for other events-- including multiple opportunities to donate.) The Tucson events included here are all free and are related to one or more Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) core policy issues: economic and social justice, universal healthcare, clean elections, ending corporate personhood, clean environment, or ending the wars.

April 2: Community Vision for the Ronstadt Bus Center

The Tucson Bus Riders Union and the Primavera Foundation are sponsoring a community forum to gather Tucsonans’ ideas on what should be done with the Ronstadt Transit Center on Congress Street. For several years, developers have been eyeing the Ronstadt Center for demolition and relocation out of downtown. If you believe that it is important for a sustainable city to have a bus terminal downtown—near restaurants, retail shops, major employers, and the new street car line—come to this meeting at the Rialto Theater, beginning at 5:30. For more information, call 624-0312 or email [email protected] or go to the event’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/events/496939023698809/.

April 3: Solar Energy Efficiency vs the Status Quo

The Tucson Chapter of Drinking Liberally is sponsoring a joint presentation by Bruce Plenk, City of Tucson Solar Energy Coordinator, and Russell Lowes, Sierra Club Rincon Group Energy Chair and Research Director forwww.SafeEnergyAnalyst.org. The DL social hour begins at 6 p.m., with the speakers beginning around 7 p.m. on the patio of The Shanty. For more information, check out DL’s Facebook event http://www.facebook.com/events/104680899727634/.

More events after the jump.

Kozachik Kickoff Party: Pima Dems Love Fest (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Yesterday's re-election campaign kickoff for Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik was a Democratic Party love fest for the feisty Republican turned Democrat. 

There were nearly as many Pima County Democratic Party faithful in attendance at Borderlands Brewery as there were at the traditional St. Patrick's Day fundraiser a few days earlier. 

Kozachik told the crowd of Dems, Greens, Occupiers, Progressives, and, I believe, a few closet Republicans that his campaign has hit the ground running with 800 signatures in just a few weeks. The Pima County Republican Party has not announced a challenger to the iconoclastic Kozachik, who proved to be too independent minded for them, after he bucked a loyality pledge to Governor Jan Brewer, spoke out against the Arizona Legislature's multiple attempts to hurt Tucson and Pima County, endorsed Democrats Richard Carmona for US Senate and Ron Barber for Congress, partied with Pima Dems on Election Night 2012, and-- the last straw-- spearheaded a campaign for universal background checks at gun shows.

More photos and video after the jump.

John Nichols: What Challenges Face Labor & Progressives in the Future? (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

John Nichols, political writer for The Nation and regular contributor to MSNBC, returns to Tucson on Saturday, March 9, 2013, to discuss the progressive movement, our mutual goals with labor, and the challenges ahead. 

With intransigence in the Congress and sequestration cuts swirling around our heads, Nichols will provide us with lively commentary and new insights into American politics. 

Nichols spoke to a packed house last year in Tucson. If you attended that event, you know he is both entertaining and thoughtful in his analyses of the news and the political climate.

This free event is sponsored by the Tucson Chapter of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), in collaboration with the Pima Area Labor Federation (PALF). It will be 6-8 p.m. at the IBEW Hall, 570 South Tucson Blvd. 

For a taste of what you will hear, check out this video from last year's event-- after the jump.

Arrests, deportations, protests: Is Tucson an immigrant-friendly city or not?

by Pamela Powers Hannley

On Sunday, Tucson Police and the Border Patrol arrested Rene Meza Huertha, in front of his wife and children, and arrested activist Raúl Alcaráz Ochoa, who was trying to prevent the arrest of Huertha. This action by TPD is in direct violation of the City Council's vote in August 2012-- making Tucson an "immigrant friendly" city. From the Arizona Daily Star...

"We don't want people to feel fear when traveling to work, to school, to the store," [City Councilwoman Regina] Romero said before the meeting. "We also don't want people to be afraid to call the police to report a crime."

She said a conversation now will begin among the city, immigrant communities, businesses, the Tucson Police Department and others about how to make the city more welcoming.

Activists are calling for a protest and press conference today, Monday, February 18 at 4 p.m., outside of TPD. 

On a related note, the American Friends Service Committee, Border Links, Derechos Humanos, and other immigrant supporters, including the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson, will hold a press conference and protest of Operation Streamline on Tuesday, February 19, at 12:30 at the Federal Courthouse. The Operation Streamline action leads up to a Congressional hearing on this policy on February 22 in DC. Details and background on both of these actions after the jump.

AZ Dem reorganization meeting: Not a good day for incumbents (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Saturday, January 26, was a day of surprises-- a bad day for incumbent Democratic Party officers but a good day for activists and young Democrats. It was the culmination of the Arizona Democratic Party's (ADP) statewide reorganization, which began with the election of new precinct committee (PC) persons in August.

These last two years have been somewhat tumultuous for the ADP, after the stormy election and eventual resignation of Andrei Cherny (of No Labels fame) as party chair. Both the county and state parties came under fire from candidates and activists for playing favorites, endorsing candidates before the primary election, and, sometimes, and actively working for or against certain Democratic candidates. As a result, many unhappy campers grumbled on Facebook, on the blogs, and in person, and some even protested the headquarters in Phoenix. Multiple groups-- including progressives-- used the past few months to gain power in the local party structure-- with an eye on Saturday's state committee meeting. 

On Saturday, 400+ elected precinct committee people elected the chair, eight vice chairs (four of each gender from different counties), a secretary, a treasurer, a DNC representative, an education coordinator, and an affirmative action moderator. 

The first upset victory of the day was for first vice chair. Former Carmona campaign manager and long-time activist Alexis Tameron beat three-term vice chair Harriet Young handily. After the jump, watch a video of Tameron, as well as more details, photos, and election results.

Code Pink flash mob: 'Arms are for hugging' (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

You've gotten hand it to Code Pink. They're everywhere (1, 2, 3) protesting for peace and an end to corporate domination of our country. Check out the video of their flash mob protest over inauguration weekend after the jump.

PDA Tucson's Phil Lopes runs for Dem Party Vice Chair

by Pamela Powers Hannley

On Saturday, January 26, 2013, the Arizona Democratic Party will hold its reorganization meeting in Phoenix. New state party officers will be elected by elected precinct committee (PC) people. If you are a progressive and an elected, please consider voting for Phil Lopes. If you are a PC and can't make the meeting, contact your legislative district chair and give someone your proxy vote. Here is the proxy form. 

Below is Lopes' candidate statement...

Phil Lopes for Vice Chair

Dear AZ State Democratic Committee member,

This letter is to ask for your vote for the position of Vice-Chair of the AZ Democratic Party. I would be honored to have your support and vote. I am running for Vice-Chair to:

• strengthen the party, especially in public policy advocacy, and,
• to improve the public’s perception of the Party

We elected Barack Obama to be the People's President (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Today, President Barack Obama, our 44th president, started his second term.

Last November, in overwhelming numbers, a diverse coalition of Americans said we want this black man to be our president for another four years-- not that hollow representative of the 1%, that child of privilege, that flip-flopping liar with the hidden corporatist agenda.

President Obama won the presidency by a larger majority than John Kennedy or Ronald Reagan, and he did so by inspiring a rainbow of Americans that he can better lead all of us through these challenging times to a better, stronger, fairer America. He continued the theme of togetherness in his inaugural address-- specifically calling for unity, while giving a nod to groups who elected him-- gays, Latinos, blacks, women, middle class workers.

We, the people, believe that induring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war...

This morning during the mainstream media banter leading up to the inauguration ceremony, corporate talking heads-- one after another-- parroted their gloom-and-doom meme about Obama's second term. Don't believe them. We the people will build our future-- not the media talking heads, not the corporatists, not the Congress, not the state legislatures, not the courts. We the people must take responsibility to be the change we want to see in our country.

During the next four years, there will be times when we agree with President Obama and times when we don't. But we must remember that we the people chose him, and only we the people can help him be the best president he can be.

Our work is not over. This country faces many social and economic challenges. As the President said this morning, we must move forward together. In the coming years, let's help the President and our elected officials make the right choices-- choices that will further equality, justice, and liberty for all Americans. We elected Barack Obama to be the People's President. Let's help him earn that title during the next four years. Watch the video below and remember how hard we worked for today and how jubliant we were on the evening of November 6, 2012. 

PDA People's Inauguration live-- NOW

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The People's Inauguration-- sponsored by Progressive Democrats of America (PDA)-- is live streaming now here.

Great stuff-- War on Poverty, immigration reform, organizing the unemployed, Robin Hood Tax, eminent domain for economic development.

Jesse Jackson, Randy Parraz, Congressman John Conyers, and labor leaders just spoke.

Randy Parraz: "Change is coming to Arizona."

Jesse Jackson: The US should be as tough on gun manufacturers as we are on tobacco companies.

Bill Fletcher of the government employees union: Unions should organize the unemployed. He also called for the government to use eminent domain to take over forclosures and failing factories (before they close) to save people and communities from crushing poverty. [Why not? We saved GM.]

Congressman Jim McGovern now: "Hunger is a political condition."

More coming. Tune in. Tweets at @pdacommunity, @ProgressiveCentral and @p2hannley. Photos on PDA's Facebook page. Do it. Be the change you want to see. You are not alone in this struggle.

PDA sponsors 'People's Inauguration' in DC on Jan 19: Watch live streaming

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) is hosting Progressive Central: The People's Inauguration on January 19 in Washington DC. 

Progressive pundits and politicians from around the country-- including our own Congressman Raul Grijalva-- will be there. If you're like me and will be in Tucson tomorrow, check out the live streaming of Progressive Central on the PDA home page, beginning at 8 a.m. (Eastern Time).  Bisbee's own Loneprotestor will be in DC-- so look for video from her on this blog. I attended Progressive Central in Charlotte while attending the Democratic National Convention, and it was inspiring. More details from after the jump.

Pima Dems elect Jorgensen, party slate by acclamation at reorg meeting

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The Pima County Democratic Party elected a slate of new officers-- including Don Jorgensen as chair-- by acclamation at Saturday's reorganization meeting. The whole election took about 30 minutes.

Although there were rumors about wild card candidates (from the business friendly Latinos who took over Legislative District 3) running against the suggested slate and although the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) met with progressive precinct committee (PsC) people to encourage them to run for statewide or county offices, there were no surprises on Saturday. (The progressive faction and the business friendly Latino faction are represented on the Executive Committee and on the State Committee, making both groups more diverse in multiple ways.)  

Nearly 150 voting PCs attended the reorganization meeting at Amphi High School; 51 were needed for quorum.

Chair Jeff Rogers-- who led the local party with a strong hand through two, often-contentious terms-- called the meeting to order and ran it. He started by congratulating the Dem foot soldiers for helping to elect President Barack Obama and a Democratic majority of Congressional seats-- Ron Barber, Raul Grijalva, Ann Kirkpatrick, Kyrsten Sinema, and Ed Pastor.

Arizona State Senator Steve Farley nominated Jorgensen (pictured at left), a candidate who he said "has blue blood, in a good way".

In a short speech after his speedy, uncontested election, Jorgensen-- dressed in the Dem Party Chair "uniform" of blue jeans, cowboy boots, and a blue blazer-- came across as smart, friendly, inclusive, and spot-on with the issues that reflect Democratic values.

"I know that it is wrong to have more laws to regulate a woman's vagina, than assault weapons; more laws that support prisons more than public education; and laws that allow you to be pulled over because of the color of your skin," Jorgensen said, alluding to multiple right-wing bills passed in recent years by the Arizona Legislature.

"We need to work smarter and speak louder," Jorgensen continued. "We are not going to be complacent as we were in 2010. The work starts tomorrow." More about the elections after the jump.

UA students & activists ask DeConcini: 'Why did you sell your soul to CCA?' (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Today, the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) is meeting on the University of Arizona campus. One of ABOR's most infamous members is former Senator Dennis DeConcini.

Why is DeConcini being villified through social media and the blogs? Because he's also a stockholder and member of the Board of Directors of the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), which builds, owns, and manages private prisons across the country.

Arizona has multiple CCA prisons-- thanks to close ties between CCA and Governor Jan Brewer, former State Senate President Russell Pearce, American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) boosters in the Arizona Legislature, and DeConcini. More background and a video shot on the UA campus, after the jump.

Democratic Party reorganization: Anti-Grijalva shake-up in LD3

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Reorganization of state and county political parties is one of the more arcane processes of our political system. 

Every two years, new and incumbent precinct committee (PCs) people are elected in August, during the primary. New and incumbent politicians are elected in November. Between the November election and February 1, legislative districts (LDs), then the county political parties, and lastly the state political parties reorganize and elect new officers. (Both the Democrats and Republicans do this.)  

Many of the same people volunteer to be PCs, officers, and State Committee representatives. Sometimes there is a bit of drama -- like when the Three Sonorans tried to get me to run for county part chair against Jeff Rogers or when the state party bent the rules to elect Andrei Cherny-- but generally, there are few real surprises-- until now.   

On Monday, while the eyes of Tucson were on the TUSD desegregation public forum, a coup took place on the west side. As a representative of Congressman Raul Grijalva read the Congressman's statement in favor of the restoration of Mexican American Studies, anti-Grijalva forces took the chair of LD3 and key positions on the county Executive Committee. Details after the jump.

PDA: Envisioning a more progressive Arizona Democratic Party

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Are you one of those Democrats who grumbles about the Arizona Democratic Party’s (ADP) slide into Republican-lite territory?

 Are you tired of Blue Dog Democratic candidates?

 Are you tired of the party’s weak stances on hot-button issues?

Did you ever wonder why the ADP’s Progressive Caucus has so little power—despite being the state party’s largest caucus? (Maybe you didn’t even know that the ADP had a progressive caucus?)

Are you ready for change?

If you said, “Hell, yeah!” to any of the above questions, then it’s time to stop muttering and start acting. On Wednesday, Nov. 14, the Tucson Chapters of Drinking Liberally/Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) are holding a special meeting  at The Shanty—beginning at 6 p.m. with FREE pizza. The focus of the meeting will be on envisioning and brainstorming a more progressive Democratic Party in Arizona. Former Arizona Legislator and PDA Tucson coordinator Phil Lopes will lead the discussion.

Why should you attend? Read the details after the jump.

Occupy Tucson sponsors People's Bailout Party and Potluck, Nov. 15

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Underwater mortgages, student loan debt, medcial bills, unemployment, credit cards, preditory lending-- for a myriad of reasons Americans are in debt and hurting financially.

How did this happen? To quote a popular Occupy chant: "Banks got bailed out. We got sold out!"

To draw attention to our national debt and solutions to solve the real debt crisis of average Americans, Occupy Tucson will Occupy Wall Street (via live stream) and host the People's Bailout Party and Potluck this Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Historic Y.  

From Occupy Tucson...

PEOPLE'S BAILOUT LIVESTREAM PARTY & POTLUCK -- NOVEMBER 15: Come to The People's Bailout Livestream Watch Party and Potluck on Thursday, November 15, from 5-9 p.m. in the Courtyard at the Historic Y, 738 N. Fifth Avenue.

From Melissa: "Join us as we watch the livestream from New York of The People's Bailout, a variety show and telethon to benefit the 99%. Special guests include Janeane Garofalo, Lizz Winstead, Frances Fox Piven, Max Silvestri, Hari Kondabolu, David Rees, The Yes Men, actor/director John Cameron Mitchell, Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel, Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth, Guy Picciotto of Fugazi, Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio, Climbing Poetree, the Invisible Army of Defaulters, members of Healthcare for the 99%, Occupy Faith, and many more.

Join Strike Debt for an updated version of an old classic, the telethon, to launch The Rolling Jubilee, a campaign that buys debt for pennies on the dollar and does away with it. Instead of collecting the debt, we will abolish it and help free the debtors! It will be a wild night of music, comedy, magic, education, and the unexpected. This fast-moving variety show will mix well-known performers, intellectuals and activists from Strike Debt and Occupy Wall Street.

"People shouldn't have to go into debt for an education, because they need medical care, or to put food on the table during hard times. We shouldn't have to pay endless interest to the 1% for basic necessities. Big banks and corporations walk away from their debts and leave taxpayers to pick up the tab. It's time for a bailout of the people, by the people. The event will be livestreamed at www.rollingjubilee.org. The Rolling Jubilee is a project of #StrikeDebt. Please feel free to bring food or non-alcoholic drinks to share, if you want to."

Tucson Progressive Film Festival: 6 films: 3 days: $15

Progressive Democrats of America Tucson Chapter is teaming up with Tucson MoveOn.org and The Screening Room to host a weekend of progressive films, this weekend, October 26-28.

Six films on wide-ranging topics from the Koch Brothers to urban farming will be aired. You can come to one film or buy a weekend pass for only $15-- cheaper than Net Flix!

Prices: $8/film, $10/ individual day pass, $15/entire festival. You can buy tickets at the box office before the shows or buy day passes and festival passes via Pay Pal by going to the PDA Tucson website and clicking the "Buy Now" link in the right column. Be sure to bring your Pay Pal receipt to The Screen Room as your ticket for admission.

http://pdatucson.blogspot.com/

Friday, Oct. 26, 6:30 
Former State Senator and PDA Tucson Chair Phil Lopes will introduce the Festival and welcome everyone

Friday, 7 p.m.
Heist: Who Stole the American Dream 
followed by a discussion led by filmmaker Frances Causey
http://www.heist-themovie.com/index.html

Saturday, October 27, 3 p.m. 
Urban Roots (the Greening of Detroit)
followed by a discussion led by Tucson urban gardeners and a representative from the Community Food Bank

Saturday, 7 p.m. 
Koch Brothers Exposed, 
http://www.kochbrothersexposed.com/

Sunday, Oct. 28, 1:30 p.m. 
Cyanide Beach
followed by a discussion led by filmmaker John Dougherty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPuxQkHzMJ0

Sunday, 2:45 p.m.
Vote
followed by a discussion led by State Senator Paula Aboud

Sunday, 4 p.m.
Laramie Inside Out
followed by discussion led by filmmaker Beverly Seckinger
http://laramieinsideout.com/

Boehner and the big money machine comes to AZ for McSally, Paton, & Parker

by Pamela Powers Hannley

In case your invitation got lost in the mail, here's a reminder to dust off your "business attire", break out a few thousand greenbacks, and hit the road for a Paradise Valley VIP fundraiser.

Arizona's elite Congressional team will be joined by Speaker of the House John Boehner to raise big bucks for Republican candidates Martha McSally (CD2), Jonathan Paton (CD1), and Vernon Parker (CD9), who are running against Ron Barber, Ann Kirkpatrick, and Kyrsten Sinema, respectively.

I guess the Republicans have really given up on Gabriela Saucedo Mercer (Congressman Raul Grijalva's Teapublican challenger), since she is not listed on the invitation. It is odd that Senate hopeful Jeff Flake-- who is running against Dr. Richard Carmona-- is not listed as a beneficiary. (I guess he's getting plenty of help from the Koch Brothers and their ALEC pals.)

See the rest of the invite after the jump.

Presidential knockout: If you're still undecided after debate II, you're not paying attention

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The second 2012 presidential debate was a rousing throwback to old school American politics. Both candidates were "fired up and ready to go." Both delivered a few zingers and gotcha moments. Both explained their plans for America's future... well, sort of.

Republican challenger Mitt Romney-- obviously hoping for a repeat of the frist debate in which he appeared energized, arrogant, and on top of his game, if you ignore the lies and the moderator bullying-- started the second debate smiling and upbeat. About 30 minutes into it, Romney was scowling in the background as President Barack Obama actually answered policy questions. By the end of the debate, when the families came on stage, both Romney and wife Ann had those "holy shit what just happened?" looks on their faces.

So, why was the second debate so different from the first one? Obviously, after the first debate, Obama realized that Romney wasn't going to play by anyone's rules but his own (ie, stick to the truth, stick to the question topics, stick to his previously stated views, or stick to the agreed upon debate rules). In the first debate, Obama seemed confused and frustrated by Romney's reckless but masterful disregard for propriety, and Obama didn't call him out on it, which is why, I believe, many people said Obama was "off his game" that night. Where was our witty, intelligent guy? Why didn't he point his finger at Romney and say, in prep school style, "You, Sir, are a liar!" Or, in Chicago style, "What you talkin' bout, n....?" [Sarcasm alert.]

Last night, Obama-- and moderator CNN's Candy Crowley-- took the gloves off with the prep school bully turned vulture capitalist. Obama and Crowley both called out Romney when he didn't answer the questions or answered a completely different question than what was asked. In his element with the town hall format, the president was quick-witted and light on his feet, when he said that Romney's economic plan was a "sketchy deal"; when he said that Romney didn't have a five-point plan, he had a one-point plan; when he ripped Romney's infamous 47% comment (after Romney opened the door by saying he cared about 100% of Americans); or when he answered the first college student's questions about post-graduation employment with a specific list of policies (when Romney had just shined the student on with platitudes).

But I think the best performance of the evening was by Crowley. Let's face it. Jim Lehrer blew the first debate. He allowed Romney steamroll him... repeatedly. The debate was such a mess that it was difficult to figure out the format or what the questions were half the time because both candidates (but mostly Romney) were allowed to stray. Crowley-- who is being attacked today by the right for her active role in actually moderating the debate-- did her best to keep the debate moving and make the candidates stick to the format and the questions.

Personally, I don't see how anyone could be undecided after last night, but if you are, undecided, check out this story by the New York Times after the jump and get off your duff.

Election integrity event: 'Will your vote count?' (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Information on tonight's election integrity event from the organizers...

Tonight, Wednesday, October 17, Bear Canyon Library, 6:30pm- 7:45pm. East Side Republicans will host a Point/ Counter Point on Election Integrity "Will YOUR Vote Count" speakers will be [Pima County election fraud lawyer] Bill Risner & Benny White.

Come ask questions, listen to the experts and know what to look for if you are a poll worker."

Election Fraud, Culture of Corruption in Pima County, why Early Ballots shouldn't be counted before Election Day and what all this means to us votes and more. 

 Address to Bear Canyon Library: 8959 E Tanque Verde, 85749 Tucson, AZ.

The event will filmed and available on Facebook at the AUDIT_AZ  page. 

For more background, check out the audio clip of Risner after the jump.

President Clinton campaigns for Carmona in Arizona, as polls show race tightening (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Despite Arizona’s reputation as a stalwartly red state, with a capital R, Democrats are hoping to take back one of the state’s US Senate in November.

Although Democrats have held a percentage of the state’s Congressional seats for years, the Republican Party has controlled both Arizona US Senate seats since 1994, when embattled Senator Dennis Deconcini retired, and Arizona Congressman Jon Kyl won it.

Since early 2012, former Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona has been crisscrossing the state, campaigning tirelessly to move that Senate seat to the D column. Over the summer, Carmona climbed steadily in the polls against Kyl’s heir apparent and six-term, conservative Congressman Jeff Flake. A recently released poll shows Independent-turned-Democrat Carmona leading Flake by four percentage points—a statistical dead heat.

This close—and important—Senate race has attracted the attention of heavy hitters from both parties. While the Koch Brothers’ Freedom Works PAC has been pumping money into Flake’s campaign, this week Democrats sent their secret weapon—President Bill Clinton—to Arizona to help Carmona.

Wednesday night, Carmona and Clinton addressed an estimated 5500 Arizonans at an outdoor rally on the Arizona State University (ASU) campus.

More details and a videos after the jump.

Bringing in the big guns: Clinton stumps for Carmona

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The Democrats smell blood in the water. 

Congressman Jeff Flake-- formerly thought to be the heir apparent to retiring Jon Kyl's US Senate seat-- is now in a dead heat for that seat with Independent-turned-Democrat, former Surgeon General, Green Baret, Pima County Sheriff's Deputy, ER doc Richard Carmona.  

Carmona has been stumping tirelessly statewide for almost a year, steadily rising in the polls and raising millions of dollars to beat the lobbyist-turned-Tepublican. Carmona's increasing popularity and public pressure recently persuaded Flake to agree to multiple debates statewide. Flake had previously declined all debates, beyond a simple forum at a Phoenix PBS station with no audience. Another sign that Flake is in trouble; he is coming under fire on social media for twisting the facts about Carmona's past. (OK, politicians twist facts for a living, but Carmona has such a distinguished record of service that the super-PAC-funded trash talk is backfiring on Flake.)

A sure sign the Dems think they can win this, they recently announced that the big fundraising gun of the party-- former President Bill Clinton-- will stump for Carmona this week, October 10 in Tempe. Go here to register for this event. Woot! 

 

Celebrate the one-year anniversary of Occupy Tucson, Oct. 14 (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Sunday, October 14, Occupy Tucson will celebrate it's one year anniversary. Occupy Tucson was one of the longest-running encampments in the history of the Occupy Movement.

Although Occupy Tucson was a peaceful encampment, at one point, the Tucson Occupiers had received hundreds of tickets, primarily for breaking curfew at local parks-- more tickets than any other Occupy group, except New York City. Some of those tickets are still winding their way through the court system, but most have been dismissed (including mine). 

Occupy Tucson may not be camping in the parks anymore, but the movement is far from dead. Occupy Tucson is housed in a small office in the historic YWCA on 5th Ave. You can find out more information by checking out their website and Facebook page. 

For a walk down memory lane, check out these videos of Occupy Tucson. After the jump is background information on the Occupy anniversary celebration (complete with a General Assembly, of course.)

 Organizing Occupy Tucson, Oct. 1, 2011

 Occupy Tucson General Assembly, October 9, 2011

 Day 1: Occupation of Tucson

 The Tucson Progressive gets a ticket at Occupy Tucson

El Tour de Rio Nuevo March, Tucson

Jobs with Justice, Occupy Tucson, and Union Workers march to save postal jobs

Arizona Unionists and Supporters Protest Proposed Anti-Labor Laws

TUSD candidate forum: How can TUSD be improved? (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

In this 7th video from the Drinking Liberally Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) candidate forum, candidates discuss how they would improve the district, including how they would increase graduation rates.

Watch this new video after the jump. To view all of the videos in this series, go to my YouTube channel or go here for all of my BfAZ stories.

White privilege? Video is worth a thousand words (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Dave Safier posted a short story this morning-- Presented Without Comment-- about the Three Sonorans' putdown of Safier's endorsement of Kristel Foster for the Tucson Unified School Board (TUSD).  (Whatever, I said I didn't agree with Dave either. People are allowed to have their own opinions.)

What Safier failed to mention was that the Three Sonorans also used the occasion to crack on Blog for Arizona and progressives, in general, and me, in particular. So, what else is new? Morales likes to pick on women who are vocal and active in politics. Just ask Loretta Hunnicutt, Kyrsten Sinema, Dolores Huerta, Janet Marcotte, DeeDee Blase, Adelita Grijalva, Gabby Giffords, Regina Romero, and Kristel Foster--to name a handful of his past targets. 

Sexism aside, I take issue with Morales' assertion that progressives take action and protest on the street corners when unions need our help but not when Latinos need our help. This false dichotomy implies that only white people belong to unions and that's why only white people care about them. Wrong. 

After the jump, watch the anti-SB1070 protest video, the protest video against anti-union legislation proposed by the Arizona Legislature, and testimony regarding anti-union activities at the IBEW Hall. You'll see progressives standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Latinos in all three videos.  (BTW, in the photo above, that's me in the turquoise dress, between the two cops, covering the UnDocuBus protest in Charlotte.)

TUSD candidate forum: What about TUSD's finances and projected budget shortfall? (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

This is the fourth video in a series shot at the Tucson Unified School District candidate forum hosted by Drinking Liberally Tucson on September 26, 2012.

In this segment, candidates talk about budget cuts and the district's finances. Each candidate got 1.5 minutes to answer the question; three candidates were allowed 30 second rebuttals because they or their policies were specifically attacked by another candidate.

If you want to see the TUSD candidates live, the League of Women Voters, YWCA, and others are sponsoring a debate tonight, Monday, October 1.

Watch this video after the jump. Watch the whole collection here.

Abortion: What happens when a 'pro-choice' blogger debates a 'pro-life' protester? (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

With the Republican Congress and the state legislatures (including Arizona's) passing anti-woman laws that ranged from the absurd to the vindictive, I can't understand why any woman in the US would vote Republican in this election. 

The impressive War on Women backlash may be one reason why most campaigning Republicans--except Todd "legitimate rape" Akin--are trying to forget anti-woman maddess that swept through their party in the spring. (After all, they don't want to lose all of the women's vote.)

None the less, the War on Women and the assault on women's reproductive rights continue-- at least in the religious right wing of the Republican Party.

The Democratic Party's platform includes strong pro-choice language. Consequently, at the recent Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, a small band of anti-abortion protesters demonstrated in front of the convention center daily. Mostly, the demonstrators were old white men (surprise, surprise), but on one particular day a handful of young women joined them (to lend some credibility?).

You might say that "the devil made me do it," but with video rolling, I engaged one of the protesters in a heated, street-level debate about abortion, choice, access to contraception, sex education, "legitimate rape", fetus personhood, the morning after pill, and forcing underage girls to have a rapist's baby. 

Surprisingly, we found some consensus. We both believe...

- Abortion is a very difficult choice.

- Abortion should be a last resort, not a routine birth control method.

- Rape is rape, and there's no such thing as protection from pregnancy when a woman is raped.

- Abstinence only education is "unrealistic." Contraception and sex education should be provided to young girls in order to prevent unwanted pregnancy. She didn't want the contraception to be free, but she was somewhat more enlightened and reasonable than most Congressmen. 

- Vaginal ultrasound should be an option, if the woman wants one. (On the tape, she seems incredulous when I tell her about some of the legislation that has passed.)

Of course, the big differences between us were that:

- I believe every woman should have the right to choose, and she wants the government to dictate what citizens do;

- She believes that a fetus is a person from the moment of contraception, and I don't. She also believes that "right to life" doesn't apply to "criminals". (So, the death penalty is OK, but not abortion.) 

What I came away with is that much of the anti-woman legislation passed by Arizona and other states is too extreme even for a deeply religious woman who is vehemently opposed to abortion.

Watch the video after the jump.

TUSD candidate forum: What about Mexican American Studies? (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Seven of 12 candidates for the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) governing board candidates participated in a candidate forum sponsored by Dinking Liberally Tucson on September 26, 2012.

After the jump, listen to the candidates' thoughts on the controversial Mexican American Studies program. This is the second in a series of videos from the forum. Here is a link to my You Tube channel where this and other video clips reside.

TUSD candidate forum: Hear their words (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Blog for Arizona was well-represented at the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) candidate forum, sponsored by Drinking Liberally, last night. As Dave said is his post earlier today, he was the moderator. Sitting next to him, I filmed the entire forum, and, of course, nearby was the "Father of Drinking Liberally Tucson," Mike.

The evening was cordial. There were no outbursts from the candidates or the audience of about 35, which included current TUSD board member Adelita Grijalva.

Unlike Dave, I'm not going to offer candidate critiques, except to say that we disagree. What I am going to provide is the candidates' unedited voices in a series of videos. The first one is attached to this post below.

Dave (and audience members) asked several great questions on a wide range of topics including Mexican American Studies, TUSD's budget, teachers' unions, school closing, administrative downsizing, and many more. Each candidate got one minute to answer each question, plus a 1.5 minute opening and closing statement. If one candidate directly critized another one, the defendant got a 30-second rebuttal. As a result, Kristel Foster and Betts Putnam-Hidalgo gave Dr. Mark Stegeman and Miguel Cuevas a few extra minutes over the course of the evening. 

After the jump, watch the candidates' closing remarks.

How progressive is Tucson?

• 

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Tucson has a reputation of being Arizona's hotbed of liberal thought, old hippie ideas, great music, and electic art, but how progressive is Tucson?

Pretty darn progressive... 
 
- Recently 341 Pima County residents were elected as precinct committee people (PCs). These volunteers represent the Democratic Party's ground game. They show up to walk, they make phone calls for candidates, and they donate to candidates and issues. Of the 341 newly elected PCs, 81 or 24% are affiliated with Progressive Democrats of America's (PDA) Tucson Chapter. This includes six of the eight people who serve on the PDA Tucson Steering Committee (some of whom are pictured here with other PDA state and national leaders.)

- Tucson's PDA Chapter is the largest in the state, and one of the largest in the country. 

- PDA Tucson has sponsored or partnered with others to support public events related to the People's Budget 1,2,3 (as opposed to the military-industrial complex's budget), union busting, single payer healthcare, public banking, open primaries, clean elections and the end of Citizens' United, job creation by promoting local business, the Robin Hood Tax, corporate personhood, the Occupy movement, immigration reform and the end of SB1070, and other Main Street issues.

- PDA Tucson is bringing progressive issues to local candidates through the Brown Bag Lunch Program.

- PDA Tucson is partnering with Tucson MoveOn and The Screening Room to create the first-ever Tucson Progressive Film Festival, October 26-28.

If you want to learn more about this burgeoning progressive movement or be added to our mailing list, check out PDA Tucson's blog or Facebook page or the PDA national website.

You can be the change you want.

Blogging the DNC2012: The inside scoop from the Tucson Progressive

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Want the inside scoop on blogging the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte? The parties? The people? The protests? The politics?

Check out my interview on The Lou Show.

If you want to hear my pearls of wisdom in person, come to the Laughing Liberally Tucson Comedy Showcase on Tuesday, September 18 at Casa Vincente. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Here I am with Arianna Huffington, a very gracious lady, and Krzystzof Piotrowski, another Huffington Post Off the Bus blogger, at the Huffington Post Oasis at the DNC. You can hear my interview and see part of his video after the jump.

Michelle Obama gets DNC Women’s Caucus ‘fired up and ready to go’ (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The War on Women has been raging nationwide with Tea Party-controlled state legislatures and governors signing into law multiple bills that attack women’s rights, families, and social safety net programs.

At the recent Democratic National Convention (DNC), First Lady Michelle Obama and other speakers at the DNC’s Women’s Caucus meeting repeatedly stressed the themes of equal pay for equal work, access to care, discrimination, choice, and the power of the women's vote. With several standing ovations and chants of "fired up, ready to go" and "four more years," the Women's Caucus had the feeling of an old time tent revival.

Although the First Lady was the featured speaker, several guest speakers warmed up the audience of approximately 400 women (and a handful of men).

Video and more details after the jump.

Unable to attend President's speech, Obama fans fill the streets of Charlotte (videos)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Thousands of people crowded the sidewalks of Charlotte on the last night of the Democratic National Convention. Originally scheduled for the Bank of America Stadium, which holds 73,000 people, President Barack Obama's speech was moved indoors to the Time Warner Arena, a much smaller venue. The official reason for moving the venue was projected rainy weather, which had plagued the convention off and on all week.

Pundits are reporting that the venue was changed because Democrats could not fill the stadium, but hundreds-- if not thousands-- of people milled about on Charlotte's sidewalks or watched speeches at the outdoor MSNBC stage or inside bars, restaurants, and the convention center.

The street scene was carnival-like with dozens of vendors selling t-shirts, buttons, American flags, programs, and other Obama memorabilia. Although thousands of disappointed but amicable Obama fans, plus police, pedicabs, and a handful of protesters filled the area outside of the arena, the aura was peaceful and friendly, as it had been all week.

Watch videos of the street scenes in Charlotte, after the jump.

Code Pink To Dems: Stop Drone Warfare, Bust Up Big Banks

by Pamela Powers Hannley

I knew when I saw that hot pink bra on the sidewalk, I knew that Code Pink must be nearby. 

Code Pink, the women-initiated peace and social justice group, protested the War on Women at the Republican National Convention. Their message for President Barack Obama and Democrats targets the military-industrial complex.

At the People's Convention, sponsored by Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin spoke against war-- particularly drone warfare-- and called for Congress and the President to make dramatic cuts to the military budget.

Benjamin, author of Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control, is a highly vocal peace activist.

At the PDA event, she said that there are strong, powerful men like Arizona Senator John McCain, who are standing up against cuts to the military budget, which are scheduled to go into effect due to sequestration.

But where is the movement to protect Pel Grants, Medicaid, and other social programs? she asked. According to Benjamin, the US could cut the military budget by 80% and still have the largest military in the world.

"Slash the Pentagon and put that money into life-affirming activitieis, which is what the people on the planet need," Benjamin demanded.

Attacking the other sector of the military-industrial complex, Benjamin and other Code Pink protesters wore pink bras on the outside of their clothes and shouted "Bust up the banks" in front of Bank of America, which is headquartered in Charlotte, host city of the Democratic National Convention.

Video after the jump.

Photos and commentary from the campaign trail

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Thanks to the Huffington Post Cover the Convention contest, I am currently at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.

For ground level coverage that you will not get from the lame stream media, check out my stories on Huffington Post, Blog for Arizona, Twitter (p2hannley), Facebook, UStream, and YouTube.

Blog for Arizona's "2012 Convention" tab in the top left corner will feature a collection of candid photos from the convention.

 

Arizona Democratic Party primary candidates battle to the finish line

Social media was on fire yesterday, as Arizona Democratic candidates and their surrogates battled it out on Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail blasts.

Although Arizona voters have had nearly a month to complete early mail-in ballots, August 28 is primary election day, and there are several hotly contested Democratic primary races between Blue Dogs and progressives. Some common themes run through these races, most notably the environment, the economy, campaign financing, and women's issues. In addition, some Latino groups are using support for two controversial laws as a litmus test-- SB1070, the "papers please" anti-immigrant law, and HB2281, the law targeting Mexican American Studies (MAS).

Race analysis after the jump.