Blog For Arizona

The Tucson Progressive is covering Democratic Convention for Huffington Post!

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Back in February, the Huffington Post launced a contest to send a group of citizen journalists to the upcoming Democratic and Republican Conventions. 

The winners were announced this morning. Eight people were selected-- four for each convention.

AND I'M ONE OF THE WINNERS!!!!! Yipee! 

Here is the announcement from Arianna Huffington. 

After the jump is my video submission. Besides touting my qualifications in the two-minute video, I made a sentimental appeal. As a journalism student at Ohio State, I covered the 1972 McGovern-Shriver race for the Ohio State Lantern. My j-school partner and I  traveled in the press bus with the national media-- which was a trip because we were the only women on that bus except for a reporter from Time Magazine. Anyway, although Brigid and I wrote about the campaign, we never got to go to the convention that year. Forty years later, I'm going to the convention. :D So excited.

Dr. Heinz goes to Naco (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Those of us grumbling about newly-elected Democratic Congressman Ron Barber's Republican voting record must remember that Barber still has a primary challenger for the CD2 race in November. 

After the jump, check out State Legislator and Democratic challenger Dr. Matt Heinz touring and speaking in Naco. Check out his website for townhalls and upcoming appearances. Heinz will hold a Happy Hour fundraiser at Woody's Bar in Tucson on July 16 at 6 p.m., and he will be in Sierra Vista on July 18.

Jim Hightower stumps for Grijalva in Tucson (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Progressive activist and humorist Jim Hightower  was in Tucson recently to stump for Congressman Raul Grijalva. 

Hightower and Grijalva spoke and mingled at an intimate gathering at former City Councilwoman Nina Trasoff's house before heading to The Loft for a more formal event. (See the video below, after the jump.)

Grijalva is one of the most liberal members in the US House of Representatives, a co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, and one of the Congressional candidates being backed by Progressive Democrats of America (PDA). Grijalva-- who has been an outspoken proponent of the People's Budget (as opposed to the corporatists' budget), immigration reform, universal healthcare, and protecting the environment-- is facing two primary opponents, both backed by Rosemont Mine. (This is reminiscent of the recent Tucson mayoral race. Republican Mayoral Candidate for the 1% Rick Grinnell was bankrolled by Rosemont Mine also. Luckily, Mayor Jonathan Rothschild-- pro-water and anti-mine candidate-- beat him handily.) Hightower, who is known for his newsletter The Hightower Lowdown and witty commentary on KXCI, is a member of the PDA board and a strong supporter of the new progressive movement in the US.

As always, Hightower was a delight. Here are a few gems from his presentation at The Loft.

Hightower on Congress: The water won't clear up until we get the hogs out of the creek.

Hightower on Democrats: Some dems are weaker than Canadian hot sauce.

Hightower (who hails from Austin, Texas) on Rick Perry: Rick Perry put the "guber" in gubernatorial.

Hightower on the 99%: It's not charity we want. It's economic and social justice.

Hightower on corporate money and PACs: It's not Raul Grijalva they're after -- it's you.  

Video footage and more photos after the jump.

Jobs with Justice urges Tucsonans to stand with postal workers on hunger strike (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

A contingent of US Postal Service workers and supporters will go on a hunger strike beginning tomorrow, June 25, in Washington DC, to protest post office closures.

Many post offices and mail processing stations nationwide have been slated for elimination and colsolidation, including Tucson's Cherrybell mail processing station.

Tucsonans came out in force to protest closure last fall when USPS representatives came to town to explain why it makes sense to ship Tucson's mail to Phoenix and then ship it back to Tucson for delivery. Despite strong protests-- last fall and again on tax day-- the federal government still wants to close Cherrybell.

Tucson's Jobs with Justice is holding a demonstration and press conference featuring union leaders and Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias on Monday morning. Here's the info...

Tucson's Jobs with Justice Coalition urges solidarity with postal workers. Help us save local jobs and keep our postal services locally.

Demonstration and Press Conference TO SAVE OUR POSTAL SERVICE AND JOBS!

Monday, June 25

Demonstration: 7:00 to 9:00 AM

Press Conference: 8:30 AM

Both events in front of the American Postal Workers Union office, 2937 E. 22nd Street, (just west of Country Club).

Connie Sadler-Nelson, American Postal Workers Union Local President, and County Supervisor Richard Elias will speak to the press.

Tucson is facing the closure of our Cherrybell Main Post Office. Congress is trying to kill the entire postal service, bust the unions, and eventually privatize the postal system.

Postal workers and community supporters will hold a Hunger Strike in Washington, DC from June 25 through the 28th to save the postal service.

Demonstrate your support for postal unions, Cherrybell Post Office, jobs and US postal service.

Refreshments will be provided: bagels, juice, coffee, cold water.

 

Watch the videos after the jump...

Keep the press free: We can't let Democrats become Republicans

by Pamela Powers Hannley

For years, the Republican campaign style has been increasingly restrictive.

George W. Bush started it all. McCain, Palin, and others who followed fine-tuned the information control tactics-- requiring pre-registration and tickets for political events, banning political signs, and requiring pre-approved questions.

During the 2010 elections, this trend evolved into paid admission for political events (not just fundraising events), few if any audience questions, and elimination of photography and videotaping. Teapublicans in 2010 became so hostile to the press-- or anyone who challenged their ideas-- that physical dust-ups occurred. (Does anyone remember Joe Miller?) 

Fast forward to the 2012 elections and we see a disturbing trend: Democrats adopting Republican information control techniques. The most recent incident was May 26 at a Cochise County Democratic Party Candidates Forum. US Senate candidates Dr. David Ruben and Dr. Richard Carmona were scheduled to speak, along with Jeremy Lasher, Southern Arizona Field Organizer for the Ron Barber campaign.

A beautiful day in Sierra Vista, local Democrats gathered in the shade for a picnic and political speeches. Everything was sunny until video blogger and Cochise County Democratic Party Precinct Committee (PC) Person Alison McLeod started videotaping the speeches. The first hint of a problem came when Lasher covered his face with a clipboard and muttered something about Facebook, as he entered the backyard of a private home where the candidates’ forum was being held. (You can see him and his clipboard in the video below.)

McLeod successfully filmed Ruben's speech and mingling local Democrats, but when Carmona started his standard stump speech, campaign operative and Communications Director Andy Barr insisted that she stop filming. The situation degenerated to the point where a Cochise County Democrat covered the lens of McLeod's camera and asked her to leave. 

In an era where many citizens carry the Internet and a video camera in their pockets, this attempt to control distribution of messages is naive at best and heavy-handed at worst. For a candidate who touts transparency, it is ill-advised for Carmona to allow his staff to deny press coverage of speeches and activities.

Yes, this event was held in the backyard of a private home, but it was a Democratic Party event (not a private party), candidates delivered campaign speeches, and it was freely publicized on the Internet. From the Cochise County Democratic Party website...

Upcoming Activities and Events

• Monday, April 30, 2012, Cochise County Democratic Committee meeting Democratic Office, 1010 E. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista - 6:00 PM.
• Saturday, May 5, 2012, West End Fair - Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista, 11:00AM – 6:00 PM
• Saturday, May 26, 2012, May Fundraiser Picnic and Candidates Forum - more details to follow

In my opinion, this candidates’ forum was a public event, and McLeod had every right as a citizen journalist-- not to mention a Democratic Party PC and a Carmona supporter-- to film the speeches and publish them.

McLeod and I have videotaped and published stories about candidate speeches at multiple Democratic Party events with no restrictions... until Barr joined the Carmona campaign and instituted new press rules. Barr informed each of us (on separate occasions) that the press is not allowed to attend and cover certain campaign events.

Although McLeod's run-in with Barr occurred at a Democratic Party event in the backyard of a private home, mine occurred after a Democratic Party event at Hotel Congress several weeks ago. The day after I filmed the 30-minute speech (excerpted here and published here), I got a call from Barr. Having worked in public relations for many years, I assumed he was being a conscientious media relations person and following up to see if I needed more information before publishing my story. (At the event, I had introduced myself as a blogger for the Tucson Citizen and the Huffington Post to Carmona, who seemed totally cool about everything, and chatted with me for a few minutes as a dozen other people snapped pictures—and probably shot cell phone video.)

Unfortunately, Barr was following up to tell me I should not have attended the event and should not have filmed it because the press was not allowed to attend. I was shocked, really, and told him that I was invited to the event and had RSVP’d; I assumed I was invited because I am a political blogger and videographer. In our multi-e-mail exchange, I warned Barr that in Southern Arizona, there’s a blogger with a video camera around every corner and that the campaign should just deal with it… instead of trying to fight it. How can the campaign invite the party faithful to hear Carmona’s message and weed out the bloggers and video enthusiasts? They can’t, and trying makes them look naïve.

In actuality, seven of Tucson’s most prolific political bloggers are (or have been) Democratic Party PCs—Three Sonorans, Poco Bravo, AZ Blue Meanie, Mike Bryan, Dave Safir, Tedski, and moi. Many of those guys are (or have been) on the Pima County Democratic Party Executive Committee and/or the Arizona Democratic Party Statewide Committee. Also, there are blogging PCs in Maricopa County and elsewhere in the state.

In an era where regular newspapers cover a fraction of the news they used to and television news shows have been reduced to book tour publicity venues and celebrity news, citizens need social media, blogs, and alternative news sources to be informed.

Dr. Carmona, in the spirit of President Thomas Jefferson, who wanted to mail newspapers to every American, let the press be free.

  

Barber vs Kelly vs Manolakis: The most boring debate ever

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The Congressional District 8 (CD8) special election debate on Wednesday night was the most boring debate I have ever heard.

High school graduate Jesse Kelly repeated the Teapublican talking points faithfully-- guns, God, guv'ment-- but he forgot the gay part of their message. Former Gabrielle Giffords aid Ron Barber revealed himself as a true Blue Dog (AKA Republican-lite). And the Green Party's Charlie Manolakis did what any self-respecting third party candidate would do; he raised issues that the two major party candidates would rather not mention-- like universal health care, the Occupy Movement, and the 99%. 

The only thing that made the debate less somnamulant was the live chat line provided by the Arizona Daily Star. I had great fun jousting with FOX News zombies like local radio attack dog Jon Justice (who kept declaring verbal victories for Kelly when none existed). Of course, the FOXies were all for a double border fence (championed by Kelly) and further militarization of the border (promoted by both Kelly and Barber) but totally against "Obamacare" (which Kelly wants to end and Barber weakly sorta defends). One brilliant commenter even declared, "Not everyone needs health insurance." (He's either on Medicare or just foolish. Chat line chatter here.)

By far the longest discussions focused on the economy, the border, healthcare, and Rosemont Mine (Kelly for, the other two against). Unless I missed them between chat posts, ending the wars, public education, true immigration reform, job creation (beyond cutting taxes for the rich, as Kelly proposes), the plight of the 99% and the disappearing middle class, the Republican War on Women, and broader environmental issues were not addressed.

On the economy, Kelly blabbered about the folly of raising taxes (AKA letting the Bush tax cuts sunset) during a down economy and pushed for further tax cuts for the rich and smaller government. His transparent defense of the corporatist class was appalling. Barber said he would not vote to increase taxes on the middle class but believes that the rich should "pay their fair share"-- President Obama's original position during the big tax cut fight of December 2010. Every time the economy or job creation came up, Kelly touted tax cuts for the job creators-- ignoring the fact that trickle down economics has failed on all accounts, except for making the rich richer.

On immigration, all three candidates focused on border security and the drug-related violence in Mexico and ignored the messier issues-- like the role US policy (NAFTA and the War on Drugs) has in creation of the violence; the plight and exploitation of undocumented workers; deportation and family stress; border crosser deaths in the desert; and the DREAM Act.

Predictably, Kelly was the most militant on border issues-- calling for a double fence along the whole Arizona border and more law enforcement. (Kelly wants less government except when it comes to the military.) Focusing on militarization with electronic gadgets as well as more boots on the ground, Barber's position wasn't much different. Manolakis introduced a few chuckles into the debate when suggested that border patrol agents should ride camels because they're suited for the desert and cost less to maintain. (Charlie, although you're idea makes some sense, it doesn't go with the John Wayne cowboy image Arizonans have of themselves.)

None of the candidates addressed the roles that the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) and the War on Drugs have played in creation of border violence, near lawlessness in Mexico, and dire poverty south of the border. President Nixon's War on Drugs has worked as well as Prohibition did; it has increased drug use and helped organized crime become more organized. (Check out the PBS documentary on Prohibition. The similarities to today's situation with marijuana prohibition are too glaring to ignore.)

On healthcare, Kelly decried rising healthcare costs and repeatedly called for repeal of Obamacare but offered no solutions for the future-- although he was asked to do so multiple times. Presumably, he goes along with the right-wing's call for the return of free-market health insurance, which is what got us into this costly mess. Ironically, Obamacare (which is based upon Romneycare, a Republican initiative) supports private insurance-- except for a few important changes like prohibiting the denial insurance coverage because of pre-existing conditions, expanding coverage to millions of Americans, and providing a minimum benefits package. Barber gets points for bringing up negotiating drug price discounts with Big Pharma. (President Bush II and his all-Republican Congress created Medicare Part D-- the Medicare prescription drug benefit-- as a giveaway to the pharmaceutical giants. The US is the only country in the world that pays top dollar for drugs and does not negotiate volume discounts.) Otherwise, Barber showed faint support for the worthwhile parts of Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare). Manolakis gets bigger points for championing universal healthcare. Medicare for All is really the best solution to rising costs, broader coverage, and curtailment of unnecessary procedures.

Overall, the debate was too civil-- with the majority party candidates repeating talking points. Except for the camels, negotiation of drug prices, and the brief mention of universal healthcare, no new ideas were discussed. 

The CD8 vote is happening now. If you live in Giffords' old district, as I do, check your mailbox for your ballot. If you want to go old school, you can go to the polls on June 12. The winner of this election will serve out Giffords' term.

Thanks to redistricting, the old CD8 will morf into the new CD2 for the general election in November. Barber has announced that he will run for that office also. Marth McSally, one of Kelly's challengers in the recent Republican primary, also has said she will run again. I'm hoping that other Democrats-- particularly State Senator Paula Aboud-- will enter the CD2 primary race to spice it up. Mr. Civility's mild-mannered, middle-of-the-road approach is more suited to campaign administration and not the blood sport of American politics. 

 

The PCRP Smackdown at the Manning House

by David Safier

It was a scene. I never got into the Republican special meeting at the Manning House. The planned order of business is to amend the bylaws so their current embarrassment chair, Brian Miller, can be kicked out, then kick him out using the amended bylaws. When I left at 6pm, after standing at the door since 4:30, the beginning of the meeting was still a half hour away.

There were three types of people there: pro-Millerites, of the Tea-Party-and-close persuasion ("Keep Miller, he's our man"); Republican establishment anti-Miller types; and the media. (The ones I recognized were Channel 9 News, Fox News, Dylan Smith of the online Tucson Sentinel and me.)

The door was closed, and only PCs were allowed in -- a few hundred in my estimation. About 30 non-PC Republican Millerites milled around outside. Smith stood by the door next to me recording the proceedings (I picked it up on my pocket audio recorder, but he was getting video), and the TV crews filmed a bit. Both the excluded Republicans and the Millerite PCs were very, very angry about the whole scene.

Among the excluded was Randy Graf, one time Republican state legislator and the party's standard bearer against Gabby Giffords in her first CD-8 race. He's not a PC, so he couldn't get in. We chatted a bit. He appeared to be amused, like he enjoyed watching the party break in two.

One excluded woman stood on the steps and shouted to the crowd against what she said was a rush job to get rid of Miller.

"The last time something was rushed through, it was the Health Care law, and you didn't like that, did you?"

Every once in awhile, she would renew the theme by shouting, "You didn't like it when Obama did it, but now you're doing it." That was her catch-all argument against everything that was going on.

As the last PCs were entering, Cap'n Al Melvin slid up, wearing a white polo shirt with "Al Melvin, State Senator" in a circle insignia over his heart (It may be an official-issue shirt, I don't know). A very nice, apologetic man in an NRA cap was guarding the closed door. He kept telling me, "I don't like what's going on here, keeping people out, but I just want to keep things civil and peaceful, that's all." When Melvin approached the door, the man politely asked him, as he asked everyone, "Are you a PC, sir?" Melvin answered, "I Am A State Senator." Those were his words, but his tone said, "Out of my way, peasant!" You had to be there to fully appreciate the moment.

Once everyone was inside, Chair Brian Miller came out to talk with his supporters who couldn't get in and to the press. He said there was plenty of room inside, and once the meeting was called to order, he was going to request that Republicans and the media be allowed in. He was very cool, but needless to say, he expressed extreme displeasure with the whole affair.

What happened, according to Miller, was, this afternoon Ann Stevenson (sp?), wife of a member of the executive committee, had contractual powers granted over the meeting by the Manning House. That made it her affair, meaning, according to House rules, she could include and exclude whomever she saw fit. I'm sure that's a violation of open meetings law, but that will have to come out in the wash.

The owner of the Manning House, looking shaken, came out on the steps and addressed the crowd, saying she was sorry, but since this is private property, she would have to ask us all to leave. She was backed up by a few police who were there for crowd control. Miller told the crowd to wait, if they wished, across the street, and he would telephone to let people know if they could come in.

I decided not to wait. As I drove away, another half dozen police cars were driving up the street to the Manning House. It should be an interesting night.

You can learn more, maybe, on Channel 9 or Fox News, but for the most complete coverage, I'm guessing you should go to the Tucson Sentinel and see what Smith writes and what videos he posts.

Follow What They Do, Not What They Say

Posted by Michael Bryan

The key to understanding the contradictions between Republican rhetoric and Republican governance is to keep your eye firmly on what they do, not what they say. The GOP currently is framing itself as the "small government, cut spending" party. What they actually do, however, is spend freely on their own constituencies (big oil, financial services, military contractors, the super-wealthy, etc.) and those that they are courting (seniors, especially).

Watch this installment of the Maddow Show for a great run-down of what the GOP, and Ryan in particular have actually DONE:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Now let's take a look at what Rep. Paul Ryan SAYS in response to Obama's SOTU. You get a much more enlightening view of Ryan's rhetoric after the Maddow segment.

With the proper context, it is clear to see that Ryan's response merely showers the listener with the same tired bromides about fiscal discipline and smaller government that constitute the ideological appeal of the Republican party, while give absolutely no plan for overcoming the challenges our nation faces. The only concrete proposal Ryan mentions is repealing "Obamacare", which will add 250 billion to the deficit over the next decade.

The GOP continues to be the party of no ideas, and they are in control of the House during this challenging period of our history as we rebuild from the last period of disastrous GOP control of our government.

May God bless the U.S.A. - we sure as hell are going to need it.

 

Chris Deschene at Tucson Houseparty

By Michael Bryan

Here's a brief speech to supporters and interested Democrats by Chris Deschene for Arizona Secretary of State at David Safier's house. In the brief time I spoke with him my impression was of a keenly intelligent, careful and disciplined man. I think he's going to be a formidable presence in Arizona's politics.

Here's the AZ Illustrated debate between Deschene and Bennett, in case you missed it.

Foothills Democratic Forum Rally for Terry Goddard and Democratic Candidates

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement fron the Foothills Democratic Forum:

 

Drinking Liberally with Brigadier General John Adams

This Thursday at 6pm at the Shanty on 4th Avenue, Drinking Liberally's special guest will be Brigadier General John Adams.

The General recently retired from a distinguished career in the Army. His most recent duties included Deputy United States Military Representative to NATO's military committee and Asst. Dept. Chief of Staff for Intelligence on the U.S. Army Staff. Gen. Adams holds masters degrees in International Relations and Strategic Studies and speaks French, Dutch, German, and Croatian.

The General laid out what he would like to speak to us about in some detail:

"During the past seven years, the Bush Administration has led the United States into two tragically conceived wars:  the War in Iraq, and the War on our Constitution. Although the Administration falsely portrays itself as the guardian of America’s national security, the Administration's current path will ensure strategic defeat for our nation in the war on terrorism, and the destruction of our liberties in their war on our Constitution.

Strategically, we must end our military occupation of Iraq in order to conclude this tragic adventure, and make any progress in the war on terrorism.  The Bush Administration takes our military for granted, wastes our blood and treasure on misguided adventures, and uses armed force as a first rather than last resort, preferring confrontation rather than diplomacy.  Furthermore, as a democratic nation and a protector of democracy, we cannot win a war that depends on military occupation as its very purpose.  Democracy cannot be promoted at the point of a bayonet.  We must end our military occupation of Iraq, bring our troops home, and work together with other countries throughout the region to restore stability and security to the Middle East.

Moreover, in the guise of defending us against the terrorist threat, this Administration wages a destructive war against our Constitution. As Benjamin Franklin said, "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."  Yet the Bush Administration demands we submit to such depredations as warrantless wiretapping and internet monitoring, denies the right of habeas corpus, and promotes torture and secret renditions of "persons under control."  As Americans, we absolutely deserve our liberties -- they have already been bought with the blood of countless who defended it for more than two hundred years.  We must neither mortgage their sacrifices, nor our liberties.  We must not be the generation that allows crass opportunists to destroy our core Constitutional values.

We will discuss how both these wars -- the War in Iraq and the War on Our Constitution – damage our national security.  We must protect our national security by ending both of these wrongheaded wars."

Please join us to discuss with General Adams the Bush Administration's two wars.

Reading Liberally 3/10 & Drinking Liberally at the Loft 3/11

•Reading Liberally 3/10 @ 1800•

Reading Liberally will meet on Monday 3/10 at 7:30pm.  We are reading "A More Perfect Constitution".  Please feel free to come as early as 6pm to enjoy a social hour.

Location: Lisa Henderson's house @ 1503 E. Ft. Lowell, Apt D, between Mountain and Campbell. Please park in back.

•Drinking Liberally at the Loft 3/11 @ 1930•

YOU'RE INVITED TO A SCREENING OF

"Uncounted:
The New Math of American Elections"
A Film by David Earnhardt 

  Watch the Trailer

TUCSON, AZ
The Loft Cinema
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 @ 7:30 PM

• Post Film Q&A with filmmaker David Earnhardt, The Brad Blog's Brad Friedman, and election integrity attorney, Bill Risner
• Hosted by Audit AZ
• After the Q&A, join David, Brad, Michael Bryan and Drinking Liberally on the Loft patio to indulge further in the pleasures of democracy: conversation, debate, socializing, and rabble-rousing!
• Ticket Prices: Adult $8.50, Senior(65+) $5.25, Student & Military $6.00, Member $4.75  

SEDONA, AZ
Future Studios Cinema
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 @ 7:30 PM
 

PHOENIX, AZ
Harkins Camelview 5
Thursday, March 13, 2008 @ 7:15 pm

 For more Information: http://www.uncountedthemovie.com

DNC Convention Arizona Delegate Selection is March 15th

The selection of district level delegates will take place on March 15th in each of Arizona's Congressional Districts. It's time to make plans to attend or prepare your proxy, if you are a Precinct Committeeperson.

Much more info after the click...

GOP Goes Nuts Over Giffords Talking with Constituents About Impeachment of Bush/Cheney

Upon learning that Rep. Giffords sent her Chief of Staff, Maura Policelli to meet with DFA/Tucson about impeachment, the Pima County GOP issued a press release which stated:

"Gabby Giffords' Chief of Staff Maura Policelli tonight will be the special guest at a meeting of the Tucson chapter of Democracy for America, a far left-wing activist group bent on seeing that President Bush and Vice President Cheney are impeached.

"'There are real problems facing southern Arizona like border security, healthcare and education,' Pima County Republican Party Chair Judi White said. 'It's hard to believe that Congresswoman Giffords would dispatch her top aide to such a frivolous event.'

"According to the agenda posted on the group's Web site, Policelli will participate in a discussion over topics relating to impeachment, including H. RES. 799, a resolution calling for the impeachment of the Vice President introduced by Congressman Dennis Kucinich."

Yet at the meeting with Policelli, the Congresswoman's Chief of Staff told the crowd that Giffords agreed with the view that this Administration is out of control, and further that Giffords would be in favor hearings in the House Judiciary Committee to determine if acts of Bush Administration officials might constitute impeachable offenses. Giffords did vote to refer articles of impeachment to the Judiciary Committee for further consideration. Policelli indicated that the Congresswoman takes her oath of office to uphold and defend the Constitution quite seriously. Video of the conversation between Policelli and constituents favoring impeachment will be available online soon.

DFA/Tucson leaders were very pleased by the common ground they found with Giffords' Chief of Staff and the Congresswoman's views, and are excited to continue working with Rep. Giffords to hold the Administration to account according to Dr. Ray Graap and Dick Kaiser, two of the organizers of the impeachment movement in Tucson. They are looking forward to Gifford's response to their letter suggesting that she sign on to Rep. Wexler's petition to begin just such an inquiry.

As to criticism from the GOP of Giffords for sending her staff to meet with community leaders on the issue of impeachment, such rhetoric is certainly not unexpected from a party so badly out-of-touch with Pima County's voters. But Chairwoman Judy White's characterization of citizens who are insisting that impeachment be considered by the Congress as the sole means of countering this Administration's abuses of power as "far left-wing" and "frivolous" is deeply undercut by the caliber and ideological disposition of those who are leading advocates of impeachment inquiries nationally. Serious legal professionals such as the American Lawyers Defending the Constitution support enforcing the rule of law through impeachment inquiries. Prominent conservative legal experts, such as Reagan Administration Justice Department official Bruce Fein, strongly support impeachment from a principled, conservative constitutionalist viewpoint. Apparently, these upstanding citizens are all frivolous and far left-wing in White's estimation. No wonder the GOP keeps losing ground in Pima County.

The Pima County GOP's characterization of use of Founder's cure for an over-reaching Executive as a marginal, left-wing issue only illustrates how out-of-touch with even their own electorate they have become. A swiftly growing minority of their own party members are alarmed by the Bush Administration's abuses of our civil rights and the rule of law, and many are becoming reconciled to position that impeachment is the only way to restore the balance of power in the federal government before what looks likely to be a Democratic President takes power in 2009. Nationally, a strong and growing minority of self-identified Conservatives (33%) and Very Conservatives (28%), and self-identified Republicans (23%), would support impeachment for wiretapping of Americans' telecommunications without a warrant according to Zogby polling. Apparently, a quarter of her own party members are frivolous far left-wingers according to White.

Members of DFA/Tucson would surely welcome (considering that they tried to invite representatives of an anti-impeachment viewpoint to their recent forum, and found no takers) an opportunity to discuss the impeachment issue with leaders of the Republican Party rather than merely engaging the shallow rhetoric and divisive politics that has led the current Administration so badly astray and relegated their party to minority status nationally, and near irrelevance locally.

 

Derek Tidball at Drinking Liberally Tucson

Derek Tidball, a veteran of the Afghan war and a self-described 'defense contractor' out of Ft. Huachuca, is running as an independent for the CD 8 seat against Giffords and Bee. He's got a heck of a hump to haul with with voters. We'll see what he's got to offer while we share a few beers. Bring your questions. Should be an interesting visit.

It all happens at Drinking Liberally this Thursday starting at 6pm at the Shanty on 4th Avenue and 9th Street (by the now perpetually under construction 4th Ave. underpass).

Cheers.

Drinking Liberally Welcomes Councilman Steve Leal

This Thursday, starting at 6pm, Drinking Liberally will be hosting Tucson Councilman Steve Leal at our weekly meeting at the Shanty on 4th Avenue.

Steve is a Tucson institution. Come meet him, have a beer with him, ask him questions and learn more about city politics in an evening that most people will learn in their lifetimes.

Cheers!

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Surfing the Tsunami Tuesday with Drinking Liberally

Come join Drinking Liberally as we watch the historic returns of the Feb. 5th primaries in 21 states for the Democrats, 22 for the GOP, including our own Arizona.

We will be gathering at the Nimbus Brewery and Taphouse starting at 6pm. Nimbus is on 44th Street off of Palo Verde. It's very easily to find, even if it's not easy to see from a major street. Just take the first left after coming down off the Palo Verde overpass if you are coming from the north; that's 44th.

Nimbus is a tasty micro-brewer, so there is some very nice beer on tap, and they are providing appetizers at half-off for the evening, so chow on down.

The nimbus people have lots of big tellies to which we'll have the remotes and a wi-fi signal, so bring your lap-tops to pull down the latest returns or update your blogs in real-time. I will probably be live-blogging for KJZZ's 'Here and Now' show that evening myself.

We'll be in the loft, but if you can't find us just ask for Drinking Liberally.

SOTU-long Bush!

This year will be Resident Bush's last State of the Union address. It will be a pack of utter lies, deep self-delusion, and Olympian hubris - should be hilarious.

Tim Bee's Big Surprise

Tim Bee stunned the Arizona political scene with a completely unexpected announcement that he is challenging Gabby Giffords for the CD 8 Congressional seat.

Seriously, though, Tim made it official -- he's in. I know, I was there. And, no, I didn't get tazed, Bro.

It was the kind of non-news news event one expects in the kabuki dance of American politics. But there were a few interesting bits.

Much more after the flip...

ACLUtv Screening

Freedom of speech is a given in America, right? Not if you're Muslim hip-hop poet Amir Sulaiman, who spoke his mind on national television, and then found the FBI on his doorstep. Or groups of protesters at the Democratic and Republican national conventions who were relegated to "free speech" zones far from the politicians with whom they disagreed.

This episode of The ACLU Freedom Files tells the stories of everyday Americans who were exercising their right to free speech and dissent, only to be harassed or arrested.

SEE THE TRAILER AT
     http://www.aclu.tv/episodes/dissent

"Dissent" will be shown by the ACLU-AZ S Arizona Chapter at:
Mission Branch Library
      3770 S Mission Rd, Tucson
      Saturday September 8 at 2pm
Everyone is welcome!

An Appeal from Drinking Liberally

UPDATE 8/27 @ 11PM: Thank you! We have met our goal and the PA system has been ordered. Thanks to the astute online shopping savvy of one of our members, we were actually able to obtain the system we wanted for a bit less than estimated: just over $140. The excess funds will be applied toward batteries for the mic, a new batch of Drinking Liberally buttons, and postage for Tasha's thank you notes to our guests. Here's the receipt for the system's purchase. Thank you for your enthusiastic response!

UPDATE 8/27 @ 2PM: We have nearly reached our goal of $165! Due to very generous $50 donation we have shot up to $145. We need just 20 dollars more to reach our goal, so won't you help us reach our goal with even a small donation right now? Note: New BforAZ posts continue to appear below this notice.

UPDATE 8/26 @ 8PM: Due to the generous donations of several members, we are now just over half-way to our goal of $165, having collected $40 at our last meeting and $50 via online donations, we are now up to $90 in the kitty. Please donate now and help us meet our goal!

We hosts of Drinking Liberally have decided that we need to invest in a public address system for use at our weekly meetings. Between ambient sounds, the size of the patio at the Shanty, nearby traffic and trains, the often limited vocal volume of some of our presenters, and the growing size of our meetings, it is sometimes hard for everyone to hear what speakers are saying.

We would like to purchase a portable wireless system that will allow us to place the amp and speaker unobtrusively and allow the speaker to move and hand about the mic without worrying about the wire.

These systems generally retail for about $200. When I announced our need at the last meeting, those present responded generously and we raised $40 toward our goal on the spot. We have a tip jar set up to send us money via PayPal on our website, please use this tool to send us a small (or a large) donation today.

Please consider making a small investment now that will pay off in weeks and months to come in the form of a more pleasant and informative Drinking Liberally experience. If every Tucson member reading this blog takes it upon him- or herself to donate even the mere $2 suggested tip amount, we'll quickly and easily meet and exceed our fund-raising goal for this project. That's less than the cost of a single pint of beer! Less than the tip you would likely give the server to bring you a pint of beer!

Please help the Tucson chapter with a donation now.

Thanks for everything you do to make Drinking Liberally an enjoyable experience for all involved!

Mike, Tasha, & Shasta
Your Tucson Drinking Liberally Hosts

Rove's Retirement Party Fundraiser 8/29

I gotta say, I love what the Pima party is doing here. Good fun with a purpose; a strategy after my own heart:

Rest In Peace: Jesse Latas

The memorial service for Jesse will be at 9:00 Friday (8/3) morning at Adair Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern Avenue, Tucson, http://www.adairfuneralhomes.com/Finding_Us.html.

Graveside services will be at 1:00 Friday (8/3) afternoon at the Southern Arizona Veterans' Cemetery, 1300 Buffalo Soldier Trail, Sierra Vista, AZ, http://www.azdvs.gov/veteranscemetery.htm

Memorials may be sent to any of the following organizations:

 Make a Wish, http://www.wish.org/

 The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls

 No More Victims, http://www.nomorevictims.org/

Gabrielle Giffords at Drinking Liberally on 7/5/7

I gotta say I was somewhat surprised when Gabbi's office contacted us for a date at Drinking Liberally. I had just tore into her over her vote on the Iraq supplementals that kept the troops in Iraq until at least September. I sent her a letter which I published here outlining my objection and visited her office to talk to staffers about my concerns. So, don't let it be said that Gabbi can't take criticism and meet it head-on.

In case you didn't know, Drinking Liberally with Gabbi will take place on Thursday July 5th starting promptly at 6pm at the Shanty on 4th Avenue and 9th Street at the underpass. The Congresswoman is expected at about 6:30. We'll hear from the Congresswoman and have a chance to pose questions, talk to her one-on-one, and get her drunk and get her to introduce a bill giving each of us a billion-dollar no-bid contract to study the effect of mouse farts on global warming. Should be lots of fun.

One of my state representatives, Steve Farley, will also be in the house on the 5th. Hopefully, he'll also come back later in the summer, as well. Last week, the 28th, we had a drop-in from state representative for LD 29 Tom Prezelski, who entertained the crowd with tales of his derring-do up at the state lege. We encourage our elected officials to schedule, so that our members can plan to attend, but we are always happy to see them anyhow.

Drinking Liberally Tucson now on Facebook

Drinking Liberally Tucson is trying out Facebook to help build community and foster greater participation by members. We have started a group on Facebook, and Drinking Liberally events will now be posted there as well.

If you don't have a Facebook account I encourage you to try it; it's free and it isn't just for college students anymore, it's a serious networking tool, with a good dollop of fun still mixed in that is missing from more buttoned-up tools like Linked In.

What to do on 7/7/7

Live Earth is coming: find a local event near you.

So far, there are several events planned in Phoenix and one in Tucson (which is free). Sign up. Volunteer to to help out. Not only is it going to be good fun with lots of great music, but it's a chance to meet others in your community concerned about the global environment.

I'll be there. I hope you will be, too.

DFA Presents Bob Bowman

“Take Back America!”
Dr. Bob Bowman
Brings his Patriot Tour to Tucson
Wednesday May 9th, 2007 at 7:00pm
Northwest Neighborhood Center
2160 N 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ
(One block south of Grant Rd on 6th Ave. Next to Mansfield Park)
This Event is Free and open to all.

Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Lt. Col., USAF, ret. is President of the Institute for Space and Security Studies. His Ph.D. is in Aeronautics and Nuclear Engineering from Caltech. He ran for President in the Reform Party in 2000 and was the Democratic candidate for the US Congress from the 15th Congressional District of Florida in 2006 (running on a "9/11 Truth" platform). He has lectured at the National War College, the United Nations, Congressional Caucuses, the Academies of Science of six nations, and the House of Lords. He is one of the country's foremost authorities on national security.

“We need a government that follows the Constitution, honors the truth, and serves the people. No more undeclared wars of aggression. No more spying on the American people. No more jailing of dissidents. No more exporting of jobs. No more NAFTA. No more government lies, and cover-ups. No more corporate welfare. No more health plans written by insurance companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers. No more energy policies written by Exxon and Enron. No more trillions in debt. Most importantly, no more using our sons and daughters to kill for the oil companies. Let’s “Take Back America!!”

Reading Liberally 4/16

Reading Liberally meets Monday 4/16 at 7pm. 

Drinking Liberally regulars Gloria and Andre have kindly offered to host. Soup will be served starting at 6:30pm. Please feel free to bring munchies and/or beverages of your choice, both with and without alcohol. 

The book, if you haven't read it yet, is Ghost Planes by Stephen Grey. If you don't want to read the whole book, but want to join us for the discussion, here's a link to some information about the book: http://www.ghostplane.net/

Gloria and Andre are at 4100 N Tortolita Rd. (Map it) Take Oracle north to Wetmore, turn west, Wetmore becomes Ruthrauff and then becomes Camino del Cerro after I-10.  Several miles on Camino del Cerro, past Silverbell, past Camino de Oeste to Tortolita Rd. Turn south on Tortolita Rd, continue 1 mile to the dead end sign. The house is on the left, 2 purple stucco walls mark the driveway. If you get lost call 743-3253.
See you there!

DFA Peace Forum

Drinking Liberally 3/29

Drinking Liberally will be happening again this Thursday, as it does every Thursday, starting at 6pm (you can drop in later, we're generally there for at least 2-3 hours) at the Shanty on 4th Ave. (401 E. 9th Street).

This week, we are joined by Mohur Sidhwa, the 1st Vice Chair of the Pima Democratic Party and Chairperson of Legislative District 28. Mohur is going to share with us the latest party news, and join us in conversation about the future direction for our local party. Please come and share you views and concerns with her.

We are rolling out a new, and partly unfinished, website for the local Tucson chapter of Drinking Liberally today. Please stop in and give us your feedback. There are still some unfinished bits, but the main thing missing is a survey we are working on to get some systematic feedback on how to improve your Drinking Liberally experience. We will be sending out an email over our email list when it is ready, and posting it on the site.

Drinking Liberally 3/22

It's time for another weekly Drinking Liberally. Liberals will be meeting at the Shanty at 6pm (see the right-hand side bar) for drinks and discussion.

This week, our special guest is Dan Patterson, a well-known local activist who is exploring the possibility of running for the Democratic nomination for Mayor of Tucson. Come on down and meet Dan and let him hear your concerns and hopes for Tucson.

Dan will be speaking at 6pm and again at 8:45pm.

Full disclosure: Dan has asked me to be on his exploratory committee and I have agreed.

An Election Integrity Event

Steven Freeman has the real facts about the 2004 election; he is award winning author, election integrity activist and will be presenting and having a book signing in Tucson at 6:30 pm this Friday, Feb. 23rd at the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union Hall. For those in Tucson, please stop by and meet Steven and bring your questions. If you are in the Phoenix area, consider driving down. I am sure we will still be going at 9pm.

You can find out more about the event and about Mr. Freeman's book: 

Was The 2004 Presidential Election Stolen? by clicking on the AuditAZ website: http://auditaz.blogspot.com/2007/02/lecture-discussion-book-signing-friday.html.

In addition, we just learned that Paul Lehto will be joining Steven so we are getting a double treat. Paul is an attorney with the Election Defense Alliance. http://www.electiondefensealliance.org/paul_lehto

You can RSVP for the event by responding to this email or clicking on the listed event http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=18291 ...or just show up. We have the capacity for 250 people and would love if we could get a full house.

Be sure to check out http://auditaz.us website regularly, as we have 16 bills currently in the Arizona Legislature that have to do with election issues. We will be advocating for some bills and opposing
others.

Lecture: Nuclear Power, American Security and Global Warming

Russell Lowes will be speaking about nuclear power this weekend. Russell is a Drinking Liberally regular and I encourage you to attend if you want to learn more about why restarting the nuclear industry in America is not a solution to our energy and greenhouse gas emissions problems.

Talk:  "Nuclear Power is a Threat to the U.S. Economy and can only
Compound Global Warming"

Speaker:  Russell Lowes, author of Energy Options for the Southwest,
Part I, Nuclear and Coal Power

When/Where:  2 pm Saturday, February 17, 2007 at Pima Meeting House, 931
N. 5th Ave., Tucson, south of Speedway a block and a half

Russell Lowes is author of "Energy Options. . ." about the dis-economy
of Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station near Phoenix.  His book was the
basis for canceling two additional planned reactors at Palo Verde.

The program is sponsored by the Women's International League for Peace
and Freedom

The program is FREE.  The public is invited.

For further information, call 791-9535

Drinking Liberally 1/11

It's time for Drinking Liberally once again. Like every Thursday liberals will gather to gab at the Shanty on 4th Avenue and 9th Street (401 E. 9th Street) starting at 6pm.

This week, our special guest is Chairman of the Pima County Board of Supervisors Richard Elias. Mr. Elias will share with us the upcoming agenda and challenges facing Pima County government.

Next week, our scheduled guest is Tucson City Councilperson Karin Uhlich.

We look forward to seeing you at Drinking Liberally. Please bring a friend, the best way to grow Drinking Liberally is by word of mouth from happy liberals. If you can, please bring finger food to share with the group.

Keep your ear to the ground and your calendar open for the Drinking Liberally SOTU Address on Tuesday, Jan. 23rd. We will be taking over a local watering hole with a big screen TV, lots of things to throw at said screen, enough ethanol to get us through the ordeal, and most importantly, fellow liberals with whom you can share the pain and confirm your continuing sanity in this penultimate year of the Bush Fiasco.

Drinking Liberally 1/04

Happy New Year!

Liberals will be doing the Drinking Liberally thing this Thursday at the Shanty on 4th Avenue starting at 6pm.

This week, our special guest is the Minority Leader of the Arizona House, Phil Lopes. Phil will be joining us to discuss the upcoming session of the Arizona House and what we Democrats can do with our newly won political capital, and what you can do to help support progressive goals in Arizona.

Next week, Chairman of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, Richard Elias will be in house to discuss what's happening in our county government.

Let's start out 2007 with a bang! Please bring finger foods that can be eaten without utensils, but more importantly, bring a friend as well. The best way for Drinking Liberally to grow is through your good word of mouth. Please, help us spread democracy one pint at a time in southern Arizona.

Drinking Liberally 12/28

Happy New Year! (Well, almost...)

As 2007, the penultimate year of the Bush Debacle, creeps up on us, Liberals will be gathering at the Shanty on 4th Avenue this Thursday evening starting at 6pm to begin the process of drinking away the memories of Auld Lang Syne.

This week, in the tradition of Time Magazine, our special guest is... YOU! Isn't that clever? It's all of you! I don't know how to make a CRT into a mirror or I would insert one here. Really, you've made this a great year for Drinking Liberally. Tasha and I have had a great time, and we hope you have, too. Thanks to all of you for showing up and creating a new and fun community here in Tucson that we can all enjoy.

Next week, our first guest of the year will be Minority Leader of the Arizona House of Representatives Phil Lopes. Phil has been so supportive of Drinking Liberally we're going to consider him a honorary Co-Host. Phil will be with us to explain Democratic strategy and policy initiatives in the coming legislative session with our newly improved minority position.

We have great guests lined up for the rest of January as well, including Pima County Supervisor Chairman Richard Elias and Tucson city councilperson Karin Uhlich, so mark your calendars every Thursday at 6pm for Drinking Liberally.

Take a cup o' kindness dear!

Drinking Liberally 12/21

It is once again time for liberals to gather in good cheer and fellowship at the Shanty on 4th Avenue starting at 6pm this Thursday.

This week our special guest really is May George. No mistake about it this time. May is a Fulbright scholar from Baghdad, Iraq. She has been here in the States since 2004, though her family still reside in Iraq. She'll be sharing her personal experiences of the war in Iraq, as well as those of her friends and family. May speaks Arabic, Aramaic, and English and is a Chaldean Catholic, not a Muslim. We can learn a lot from May, and hope you'll come down and give her a warm reception.

Speaking of warm, this week we are having a mulled wine tasting. So if you previously wrote to me to pledge a bottle of wine, please bring it this week. Probably it will be too cold for the patio this week so most likely we'll be inside. Also, please bring finger food that can easily be eaten without utensils.

Drinking Liberally 12/14

It's time once again for liberals to wander down to the old watering hole. You can see these wonders of nature this Thursday at the Shanty on 4th Avenue starting at 6pm. This once wary and skittish species have begun to throw off their camouflage and socialize openly with their own kind once again. They have even been spotted mixing unabashedly with elephants and (what would the mascot for independents be -- house cats?) other critters.

UPDATE: I'm an idiot. I screwed up the scheduling. May will be with us NEXT week, the 21st.

This Next week our special guest is May George. May is a Fulbright scholar from Baghdad, Iraq. She has been here since 2004, though her family still reside in Iraq. She'll be sharing her personal experiences of the war in Iraq, as well as those of her friends and family. May speaks Arabic, Aramaic, and English and is a Chaldean Catholic, not a Muslim. We can learn a lot from May, and hope you'll come down and give her a warm reception.

Next week, we do not yet have any special guest scheduled, but I can tell you that we are having a mulled wine tasting in celebration of the season. Ho Ho Ho. If you would like to kick in a bottle of red for the tasting, please contact me at TUCSON at DRINKINGLIBERALLY dot ORG.

Looking out to January, we have scheduled Pima County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Elias to come down and speak with us on January 11th.

Drinking Liberally 12/7

Drinking Liberally will be happening this Thursday starting at 6pm at the Shanty on 4th Avenue at the underpass. This week we will either be on the patio or inside the bar, depending on whether it's just cold out or damn cold out. Dress warmly, but wear layers, is my advice.

As with last week, we are experimenting with potluck this week, so you are encouraged to bring finger foods which don't require any utensils to eat. Thanks to those members who stepped up and delivered mucho yummy comestibles last week.

This week, our special guest is Jeremy Palmer, a PhD candidate from the UA's Near Eastern Studies speakers' bureau. Jeremy is an Arabic language expert. Jeremy is going to share with us his experiences in the Middle East, especially Syria and Jordan.

Reading Liberally was postponed to December 13th for the DFA Tucson Iraq War forum, so you have an extra week to sink your teeth into Rifkin's 'One Percent Doctrine'. For details see my earlier post regarding the postponement.

Iraq War Forum Tonight

Link: Harper's Index for August 2006.

"Ratio of the estimated U.S. cost of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol to the cost of the Iraq war so far: 1:1"

Don't forget. Tonight at 7pm is the DFA Tucson Iraq war forum at the Northwest Neighborhood Center. Be there.

Reading Liberally postponed until 12/13

This month only we are pushing back Reading Liberally from the first Wednesday of the month to the second Wednesday, Dec 13th. DFA Tucson is putting on a great forum on the Iraq war on the evening of the first Wednesday, Dec. 6th, and we don't want anyone to miss either event. In January, Reading Liberally will return to its regular schedule of the first Wednesday of the month.

We will be discussing Ron Suskind's book 'The One Percent Doctrine' on December 13th at 7pm. We will meet at the home of Drinking Liberally regulars Steve and Marianna. They live at 9940 E. Lucille Drive (map). They can be reached by phone at triple seven three-thousand if you have questions or get lost. You are encouraged to bring something in the way of a snack, dessert, or alcohol.

Finding the place isn't too hard, but Steve gives the following directions, "From Golf Links, go east past Harrison, turn right at next light (Bonanza) and go 3 blocks to Falcon Point Drive (the entrance of Falcon Point Subdivision) and make a left. It will be dark, so go slowly or you could miss it. When you turn into Falcon Point Subdivision, make an immediate left on Giovanna, go past mailbox and it turns into Lucille. Our house on the right corner as soon as you bend right. If you are coming from Houghton, go south to Golf Links, make right on Golf Links and then left on Bonanza."

Drinking Liberally 11/30 & Green Drinks 11/29

UPDATE: Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll will be joining us this evening for a liberal dose of conversation.

After a week's hiatus to accommodate everyone's Thanksgiving turkey-induced comas, Drinking Liberally is back to make your holiday season a little more merry. We will be meeting this week on Thursday at the Shanty on 4th Avenue starting at 6pm, as usual. All the info you need is on the right hand side bar of this blog.

For a while, we are trying a new approach concerning food at Drinking Liberally: potluck! Please bring food for the group if you can. Much appreciated are finger foods that go well with beer and don't suffer spoilage and don't need anything in the way of serving utensils.

Recently, we hosted City Manager Mike Hein, who gave us all a crash education on city government and proved to be a heck of a fun guy and real sport, answering our questions for over 2 hours. He claims to be a simple guy, but it's obvious to me that Mike is a very smart fella.

If you have in mind public figures you would like to see at Drinking Liberally, drop us a line.

Many of you might be interested in our 'sister organization' of sorts, Green Drinks of Tucson. Green Drinks is a networking and discussion group for those working in and interested in the environmental field. Green Drinks meets once a month on the last Wednesday of the month at La Cocina at Old Town Artisans square. Their next meeting is tomorrow, Wednesday the 29th, at 6pm.

Please consider joining their mailing list if you are interested in attending.

DFA Tucson Iraq War Forum Dec. 6th

DFA Tucson
PRESENTS

IRAQ: What Next?

Wednesday December 6^th , 2006
at 7:00pm

Northwest Neighborhood Center

2160 N 6th Ave , Tucson, AZ 

(One block south of Grant Rd on 6 ^th Ave. Next to Mansfield Park)

Click here for Map

 

A Panel Discussion followed by Questions and Answers.

This Event is Free and open to all.  Please invite others to attend.

Why did the Bush administration invade?

Dr. Richard Eaton

Professor, Dept. of History, The University of Arizona. He has had a long term interest in the Middle East, South Asia, and geopolitics and the global policies of the U.S. He has lived in the Middle East and India and has traveled extensively.

What is the real situation in Iraq?

Dr. Leila Hudson

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Near Eastern Studies, The University of Arizona . She is fluent in Arabic and monitors U.S. and Arab Media. She has lived and worked in Syria periodically since the 1980s and is familiar with the perspective of the people in the region.

How can this conflict be resolved?

Ambassador David Dunford

Former U.S. Ambassador to Oman from 1992 to 1995. Former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1988 to 1992. He served on the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad as Senior Ministerial Laision to Iraq's Ministry of Foreign Affairs between April and June of 2003.

Forum Moderator

Dr. Charles Smith

Professor, Dept of Near Eastern Studies, The University of Arizona Specialist in modern Middle East history. The sixth edition of his book "Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict" will appear in December.

Drinking Liberally 11/16

Liberals will be found drinking and talking at the Shanty on 4th Ave. again this Thursday evening, beginning at 6pm.

This week our special guest will be Mike Hein, Tucson's City Manager. I'm sure many of you haven't yet met the fellow who now runs our fair city. In our City Manager-centric, civil-service-oriented city charter, the Manager has a great deal of influence over the daily administration of the city. Take this chance to come and meet with Mike in person.

Last week, we had some good fun. We had a champaign toast to the new Democratic majority, and a whole lot of other toasts following that one. We met some new friends, reconnected with some old ones, and even had some friends down from Phoenix who made the trip just to be with us at this happy time. If some folks will drive 4 hours to come to Drinking Liberally, what are you waiting for, a written invitation? Come on down. You won't be sorry you did.

Reading Liberally Books Through May

Reading Liberally is the book club for discussion of current books on issues of politics, current events, and government.

Reading Liberally meets here in Tucson on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 pm. The location is changed monthly at this point, though it may settle upon a permanent location at some point, so check the calendar for each month's location or join the Drinking Liberally Tucson mailing list to be sure you get the location announcement.

We strongly encourage participants to have read the book; the discussion is more rewarding if everyone starts with the same knowledge. However, don't let that keep you away if you sincerely want to learn about the book through our discussion.

Reading Liberally's mission is to make a book discussion meetings as fun and engaging as Drinking Liberally. We try to meet in locations were we can have a glass of wine or beer and a nosh with our discussion. Often it is best to meeting in members' homes, building community and friendships as we explore these books. Always free-wheeling and fun-loving, but also engaging the issues and ideas in each book with a degree of intellectual rigor, we aim to make learning about these books both a great time and well worth your investment of time spent reading and attending.

Suggestions for meeting locations and books can be posted to the Drinking Liberally Tucson message board or emailed to the Hosts at Tucson AT DrinkingLiberally DOT Org.

Here are the books we have slated for the next several months:

Dec. 6th, 2006

---

Jan. 3rd, 2007

---

Feb. 7th, 2007

---

Mar. 7th, 2007

---

Apr. 4th , 2007

---

May 2nd, 2007

Drinking Liberally 11/9 Post-Mid-Term Edition

You are invited to the Post-Mid-Term Edition of Drinking Liberally!

We have plenty of reason to celebrate the Democratic takeover of the primary branch of government in our nation's capitol. It's time to talk about what we want a Democratic Congress to accomplish.

Come on down to the Shanty on 4th Avenue this Thursday evening, 11/9, starting at 6pm, to share the somewhat unaccustomed feeling of hope and optimism with your fellow liberals.

We have no special guest this week, and I dare say we don't really need one; there is a Democratic majority in the House! And the Senate!

Next week, Mike Hein, Tucson's City Manager will be our special guest.

If you haven't done so yet, please join our mailing list and feel free to share your ideas for Drinking Liberally at our message board. Drinking Liberally Tucson's schedule is permanently posted on the right sidebar of this blog. Inquiries from public figures interested in scheduling attendance as our special guest are always welcome at Tucson AT DrinkingLiberally DOT Org, as are questions and requests from our members.

Drinking Liberally Poll Party at the Trident

Drinking Liberally is having a Poll Party in Tucson at the Trident Saloon on election eve. Starting at 7 pm as the polls close, liberals will be gathering at the Trident at 2033 E. Speedway to bask in the glow of multiple big screen satellite TVs, access the many tubes of the internets via our newfangled wireless laptops, and soak up libations and food from the Trident's great menu (served until midnight).

You're welcome to stop by even if you've never been to a Drinking Liberally event. Drop-ins by party hoppers are also welcome and encouraged.

We certainly understand if you want to partake of the heady stench of victory at the Party's party at the Doubletree, or at the HQ of one of our fine Democratic candidates, but if you want a relaxed, well-informed, comfortable cockpit from which to savor the nation-wide Democratic demolition of the GOP majority as it happens, Drinking Liberally is the place to be on election night. Plus, there will be no speeches that we can't either change the channel on, or throw food at.

Drinking Liberally 11/2 and Poll Party 11/7

It's that time once again. Liberals will be drinking at The Shanty on 4th Ave by the underpass starting at 6pm this Thursday. This week we will be competing for liberals' affections with Bill Clinton, who is in town for a rally for Jim Pederson at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center at Reid Park at 6:30 pm. I won't be hurt if you decide to go there first - hell, I might go myself. But we'll still be there for you when Bill is done feeling your pain, so feel free to drop in later - we always go until well after 9 pm. It takes a little while to drink liberally, you know.

Last week, we hosted Tucson City Councilwoman Nina Trasoff, who said she had a great time and will be dropping in on us from time to time from now on. We look forward to it. That's one classy lady.

Next week, we don't yet have anyone scheduled, so drop by our bulletin board and make a suggestion, or email TUCSON at DRINKINGLIBERALLY dot ORG.

November 16th, DL will be hosting Tucson City Manager Mike Hein.

Please join our low-volume announcement-only mailing list, if you haven't already. Not all DL events and info are posted to this blog. To make sure you have all the latest information, you must join the mailing list.

In response to popular demand, Drinking Liberally will be hosting a Poll Watching party on election eve. In need of big screen satellite televisions, wireless internet access, and food service until midnight to sustain us through the long night, we will be holding the party at the Trident Saloon at 2033 E. Speedway (east of Campbell near the Buffalo Exchange). The party starts at 7 pm when the polls close, and continues until they kick us out.

Drinking Liberally 10/26

Drinking Liberally will be meeting as usual at The Shanty on 4th Ave and 9th St, beginning at 6pm, this Thursday Oct. 26th.

This week, our special guest is Tucson City Council Member Nina Trasoff. Please come and join Nina for conversation about the future of Tucson.

Last week, we hosted City Council Member Carol West. We had a great conversation about growth, water, environmental protection and many other topics.

Next week we don't yet have any special guest scheduled, if you have someone in mind, let us know by writing to Tucson AT DrinkingLiberally DOT Org.

Tucson's liberal book club, Reading Liberally will be meeting on November 1st. The book under discussion is "The Broken Branch" by Ornstein and Mann. Write to the address above for meeting details.

Drinking Liberally 10/19

It's time for Liberals to gather, share a beer or two and talk as citizens about the world and its follies. We will be meeting at the Shanty on 4th Ave and 9th St this Thursday evening starting at 6pm.

This week, our guest is former Democratic Councilwoman, now Independent Councilwoman for Ward 2, Carol West. Bring your questions about city policy and politics and converse with Carol.

Last week we screened "Iraq for Sale". We had at least 50 people in attendance and raised over $120 dollars for Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Next week, our special guest will be Democratic Councilwoman for Ward 6, Nina Trasoff.

Reading Liberally, our liberal book club, will be meeting Nov. 1st at the home of two of our members. We are reading "The Broken Branch" by Mann and Ornstein. Get your copy today and write to Tucson AT DrinkingLiberally DOT org for more information on the meeting.

The calendar for future meetings and our message board are located on the sidebar of this blog. All future events are subject to change and we welcome suggestions for future guests and events.