A glimpse into the convoluted thinking at the AZ Republic

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake has oddly found himself on both sides of the “political fallout” in the Charleston “church slayings.” That‘s according to the erratic Arizona Republic newspaper’s Page One, above-the-fold article. Flake was one of myriad national office holders and candidates who once accepted campaign donations from a man now identified as the founder of a white rights organization —- since being mentioned in the rabid ramblings of the cold-blooded murderer who slaughtered nine people in a prayer service last week.

Those who read this blog know we hold Flake and his mentor John McCain in low esteem. In that regard, we are not alone. The duo has the worst polling numbers in the country. But it is outside the realm of reasonableness to taint Flake with allegations of racism for accepting the contribution. His office issued a statement saying he would donate the money to a fund set up to aid the church. There’s a lot to dislike about the flaky Flake, but making this link is a stretch too far.

What we do find peculiar is this bizarre aid and comfort provided Flake in the same newspaper.  The brief piece referring to Flake’s “humane immigration reform” [read: amnesty] is written by none other than Phil Boas, director of the editorial department, who presides over the nearly daily decimation of his own wife’s father, Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Boas writes, “Flake has dedicated his career to pursuing humane immigration reform while challenging conservatives to update their views on the issue.” He also gives Flake bonus points for voting for the confirmation of the exceedingly problematic Loretta Lynch as U.S. Attorney General.

When it comes to racism and Flake, it’s his son Tanner who is the offender. In 2013 teenage Tanner was the subject of our post “Generational Flakes.” The younger Flake was exposed for his online spew of vile racist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic slurs. BuzzFeed has more here. For his vulgar rants, there was no woodshed or even a pretense of one for the arrogant brat. Jeff Flake apologized for his son, teaching him that getting off easy is easy when your dad is a U. S. Senator.

That doesn’t make Jeff Flake a racist either. Just a self-absorbed flake who let an important teachable moment pass.