Trump nominates AZ Treasurer DeWit as NASA finance chief

Will this open the door for Gov. Doug Ducey to appoint Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Yee to fill out Jeff DeWit’s term?

Arizona Treasurer Jeff DeWit, who was a Donald Trump loyalist from the onset of the 2016 presidential campaign is being repaid for his staunch allegiance and diligent work as Chairman and Chief Operating Officer by being nominated to oversee the finances of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The new post requires senate confirmation and a move to Washington, D.C.  DeWit previously announced he would not run for reelection.

Tuesday’s newspaper reported that Arizona Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Yee (R-LD20) has announced her intention to run for state treasurer. In July 2016, Sen. Yee represented Arizona as a featured speaker at the Republican National Convention. SRAZ predicted then that “she was going places.” Read her impressive bio here.

At a September press conference, DeWitt, clearly a fan of conservative Sen. Yee,  presented her with an award, saying she “truly understands the role the State Treasurer of Arizona serves in protecting taxpayers.” Yee previously worked at the Treasure’s office during the Dean Martin administration.

At the same event, DeWit also pulled no punches, as he called Arizona Corporation Commissioner Tom Forese, “Sleazy Foresey” and said he,“Wouldn’t trust him with a dollar of my own, certainly not $15 billion of taxpayer money.”

DeWit was referring to the fact that Forese, who has opened a campaign for state treasurer has become a political hot potato over allegations that more than $3 million in anonymous money was spent to elect him and fellow commissioner Doug Little to the commission. The Phoenix Business Journal reported on speculation that Pinnacle West Capital Corp, the parent company of ACC regulated utility Arizona Public Service Co., was the source of the “dark money” contributions to a PAC run by political operative Sean Noble.

Following a successful term, Republican Jeff DeWit should be easily confirmed for the NASA post. It would then be up to Gov. Doug Ducey to appoint a replacement from the same political party. DeWit’s successor would have to run in the next primary election. 

This is Arizona Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Yee speaking at the Republican National Convention:

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Stock market spectacular: Dow surges to all time high 24,000

President Trump’s policies herald investor confidence 

CNN Money headline tells the story: “Dow rockets to 24,000, building on incredible post-election surge.”

Barely a month after hitting 23,000, the Dow reached the latest landmark today just after the opening bell. It’s yet more evidence of excitement among investors about the strengthening economy, record corporate profits and progress in Congress on tax cuts for businesses.

The Dow has spiked nearly 6,000 points since President Trump’s election last year, notching 79 daily record highs since then. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq are also near all-time highs. The latter is up a whopping 30% since the 2016 election.

Read the full report here.

Leftist faith “leaders” tell McCain, Flake tax bill morally wrong

AZ duo urged to “listen to God’s call” and reject Senate tax bill

A new tactic is at play in the effort to dismantle President Trump’s tax bill, which benefits American families, returns outsourced jobs to the USA and strengthens the economy. A full page ad claiming to represent 500 faith leaders is urging lame duck senator Jeff Flake and failing John McCain to vote in opposition to the tax bill, which they claim — using over 6-inch tall caps — is “MORALLY WRONG.”

The ad, paid for by Faith In Public Life Action Fund, apparently has money to burn. Full page newspaper ads are expensive, and its paid staff of 14 is large. It refers to itself as a “powerful force for justice, compassion and the common good,” code words for wealth redistribution, a basic tenet of Marxism. A full  page is devoted to #RESISTANCE, giving a clear understanding of the group’s far left bent.

One column on the site begins with the words, “Donald Trump’s election left my soul weary.”  Since aiding the illegal invasion is an obvious priority, President Trump‘s promise to provide national security by constructing a wall, is not on its liberal agenda.

No wonder they feel they have a chance to sway short-termer Republicrats McCain and Flake.

AZ Rep.Grijalva accused of drunkenness, hostile workplace

Secret settlement from hush fund revealed

U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat representing Congressional District 3 has found himself in the spotlight for more than his radical leftist views.

According to The Washington Times, Grijalva is revealed to have settled a $48,395 “severance package” in 2015 with one of his top staffers who threatened a lawsuit claiming the Arizona Democrat was frequently drunk and created a hostile workplace environment.

The report details that while the Office of Compliance has been the focus of outrage on Capitol Hill for hush-money payouts in sexual harassment cases, the Grijalva payout points to another office that lawmakers can use to sweep accusations under the rug with taxpayer-funded settlements negotiated by the House Employment Counsel, which acts as the attorney for all House offices.

The employment counsel negotiated a deal for taxpayers to provide nearly $50,000— five additional months’ salary — to the female aide, who left her job after three months. She didn’t pursue the hostile workplace complaint further.

This  arrangement appears to run counter to House rules that restrict severance packages, and it caught the eye of watchdogs who were already demanding answers about payouts in the wake of rampant sexual harassment complaints.

Victims are required to sign a confidentiality agreement before the matter can be resolved, which is why this payout was so easily swept under the rug.

Over the past 20 years Congress’ Office of Compliance has paid out $17.2 million to settle 264 complaints of sexual harassment and other workplace violations on Capitol Hill, The Washington Post reported. The funds used for the settlements and awards come from a special Treasury Department account established in 1995 for such payments — in other words out of our tax dollars.

Unconstrained McCain, Flake untrustworthy on tax reform

The charade is over: AZ Senators only represent their obsessive anti-Trump rage

The expensive ad campaigns urging Jeff Flake and John McCain to say “No!” to tax reform are difficult to miss. They flood the airwaves and take up full pages in the local newspaper.

Someone should tell the hostile folks at Citizens for Responsible Tax Reform they’re wasting their resources. Neither Flake nor Arizona’s Senior Senator (ASS)  need to be coerced into derailing one of President Trump’s signature issues — regardless of the potential for positive impact for spurring economic growth and simplifying the cumbersome filing process for millions of Americans. The federal tax code is over 74,000 pages.

Arizona‘s Senior Senator, 81 and ailing, is still consumed by a jealous rage that Donald Trump easily attained the presidency that will forever elude him. His legacy will be his petty, well rehearsed Caligula-like “thumbs down“ (brief video) on repealing and replacing Obamacare. ASS is more committed to being an impediment to the president than he is to the citizens he is supposed to represent.

Flake, with an 18 percent approval rating, chose not to subject himself to the embarrassment of a big loss, and now relishes his role as a reckless lame duck. With no need to please constituents, he can vote against major reforms and spew his anti-Trump vitriol without consequence. Both men, whether overtly or covertly, supported Hillary in her failed presidential bid. McCain previously called her a “rock star” and Flake said he voted for Evan McMullin, a fellow BYU alumni.

 President Trump is slated to meet with Senate Republicans today ahead of crucial votes expected to take place within days. The GOP drive to pass a massive tax cut package would be a major legislative victory for middle-income Americans and provide economic stimulus for businesses. The trick is to hold the precarious caucus together when members like those supposedly representing Arizona put their hatred of Trump before their obligation to those they ran to represent Republicans hold the majority in both chambers — with 52 Republicans in the 100-seat Senate. The GOP needs a simple majority of votes to pass their version of the tax cut bill.

We urge you to read Sen. Rand Paul’s fine article, “Here’s why I plan to vote for the Senate tax bill (and my colleagues should step up).” In it he commends the senate tax plan writers who included his suggestion repealing the ObamaCare mandate.  He writes, “The mandate is clearly a tax, a fact that was established by the Supreme Court when it upheld ObamaCare. So including it in the tax bill only makes sense.”

Clarity works. So does integrity.

Added early evening:
The New York Times reports that when McCain was asked about what concerned him about the Senate tax bill, he replied tersely: “A lot of things.”

Republicans have ample reason to worry and not just because of his admission that he knows little about economics. It’s his finger-in-the-eye to Trump that drives him regardless of how his petty hostility affects the rest of us.

Calif. learns what AZ already knows about Janet Napolitano

As conservatives who chafed under the heavy hand of Janet Napolitano, we were gratified to see that she is finally being outed for her ruthlessness and corruption. Here in Arizona, Napolitano was known for hamhandedly pushing through leftist issues.

Emily DeRuy, writing for the Mercury News reports University of California President Janet Napolitano is under fire for interference in a state audit, and has been forced to apologize for her actions. At least one Bay area lawmaker is calling on Napolitano to resign.

“From what I’ve seen, I really do think it’s time for the UC system to make a break from President Napolitano,” Republican Assemblywoman Catharine Baker, vice chair of the Higher Education Committee. She has not taken full responsibility — and she has not been completely forthright with the committee.”

But the Board of Regents that oversees the 10-campus system unanimously decided Thursday that Napolitano should remain at the helm, even as some regents expressed outrage at her actions.

According to the report, Napolitano has faced blistering criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for her handling of the audit, which showed her office failed to disclose $175 million in funds in a secret account even as it paid executives hefty salaries and prepared to raise tuition. This is the letter sent by the California Auditor General to state political leaders detailing the deception.

Rather than showing her the door, the spineless Regents merely requested Napolitano apologize for her office’s interference — which she did, expressing “regret” for her “mistake.”  She was hired at a $570,000 yearly base salary as of 2013 and has likely had raises since. This palatial estate is part of her benefits package.

A new law, AB 562, has been enacted to deal with Napolitano-style deception in the future. Even far leftwing California Gov. Jerry Brown has expressed disappointment, saying he will withhold $50 million from UC until it implements a series of reforms recommended by the state auditor.

Know this: Janet Napolitano is not prone to apologies. Her “mistake” was getting caught. Napolitano’s modus operandi is to dig in her tasseled Gucci loafers. Somehow this liberal Democrat who left the Arizona governor’s office midterm to join the Obama administration as the ineffective Secretary of Homeland Security, and boogied from that post to become president of the University of California college system — manages to land on her feet. Arizonans have known her since she carpet-bagged into the state, where Bill Clinton appointed her U.S. Attorney. From there she was elected as Attorney General,  which she used to spring-board to the governor’s office, where she was known as “J-No” for her unprecedented penchant for wielding a veto pen and for her statement against providing security along Arizona’s southern border: “You show me a 50-foot wall and I’ll show you a 51-foot ladder at the border. That’s the way the border works.”

Napolitano was integral to the attempt to “slime” Clarence Thomas as he was put through a brutal hearing prior to his confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court.  Napolitano represented Anita Hill.

As Homeland Security chieftain, she issued this publication warning that returning U.S. military personnel posed a “rightwing extremist” threat since they possess combat skills.

The actual danger is arrogant liberal Janet Napolitano.

H/T to valued reader and commenter Conservative Since Birth

Do you prefer a sleek jaguar or a secure border wall? & UPDATE

Liberals are fond of telling us why building a secure border wall is a bad idea.

A wall won’t stop those who are determined to enter the United States: As though desire provides rights. Ask Harvey Weinstein, Al Franken, Charlie Rose and the myriad other high profile sexual abusers about that.

 We can’t stop the illicit drugs coming across the border: We just have to consider our kids collateral damage.

Our population is aging:  Regardless of the fact that many illegals have the equivalent of a grade school education and limited skills, we are told we need a younger labor force. Illegal aliens, though prized by  the illegal labor profiteers who belong to the Chambers of Commerce, are not educated high tech workers. Crops are able to be harvested mechanically. When they are trained to work in the service industries and construction trades, they undercut wages and  take jobs from American workers. Their American-born children then compete against our own American students for university placements and jobs.

It’s cruel to break up families: Although deported illegal aliens are free to take their children home with them, this bogus claim remains high on the faith-based community’s list.

Now there are even more novel approaches to advocating for an open border. We are to consider the “fragile ecology” of the desert border region, and  big cats —  Jaguars, to be exact. The Arizona Republic devoted three pages to telling us about the “beautiful cats” that are “known to cross the border in the same mountainous region as people.” Bet you didn’t know “building an unbroken barrier to stop the people, means extinction of the America jaguar.” The article is titled, “A big cat, a big wall, a big question.” The bold subtitle hits the preposterous button:  “Keeping border crossers out of the U.S. would also affect jaguars, symbols of a strong Southwestern ecosystem. Is it worth it?”

To which we say, Yep. Sure thing. Or as the Lone Ranger‘s trusted sidekick,Tonto, often said, “You betcha, Kemosabe. “

Sunday’s front page report, continuing on to three jump pages, reveals there is another wildcat endangered by the construction of a border wall. Ocelots, described as spotted night stalkers that prowl the Amazon, are also threatened. Most migrate from Mexico into Texas. We are told they live a life of mystery in the borderland shadows, evading even the eyes of the biologists who study them, except during occasional live trappings or roadkill cleanups.

Though biologists miss them, they haven’t escaped the notice of the open border proponents at the Arizona Republic, writing, “In Arizona, at least occasionally, a few slink along the tree-lined mountains that rise from the Sonoran Desert, a place where they face local extinction if a border wall cuts off migration routes.”

Next we’ll be told that construction of the border wall will further endanger exotic species, previously unknown in the southern deserts. Watch for articles on the newly spotted white rhinoceros, penguins, zebras or gorillas. The Arizona Republic is not above using any scheme in its attempt to halt the much needed wall.

Many Americans who voted for Donald Trump last year did so, based in large part, on his promise to build a barrier. Illegal invaders on two feet, must be stopped.

 

Mesa Mayor Giles gets an earful from angry voters

Calling President Trump an “idiot” doesn’t play well with conservative East Valley constituents

After the way Arizona State University’s Journalism students — who should prize freedom of speech — treated invited guest Joe Arpaio, rudely chanting (video) Bohemian Rhapsody over him as attempted to speak in 2009, it might come as a surprise to learn the University of Arizona has a National Institute for Civil Discourse.

The group with the grand sounding name is headed by Carolyn Lukensmeyer, who tries to explain the heated responses generated by Mesa Mayor John Giles’ foolish statements made to Jeff Flake and picked up by his open microphone. Along with encouraging Flake to run for president, despite polls showing he can’t even keep his senate seat — resulting in his decision to abandon his 2018 reelection bid — the mayor called President Trump “an idiot.” Flake, confusing his own career with the GOP,  described the future of the Republican Party by saying, “It’s toast.” 

Liberal Lukensmeyer got it wrong, of course. She blames the negative reaction Giles received to what she refers to as symptomatic of a “personal” and “attacking” dialogue “that began during the 2016 election.”  In other words, it’s all President Trump’s fault. “It’s now like a virus that’s infected the public,” she added. 

It’s obvious she doesn’t read the far left, Hillary-endorsing Daily Insult (Arizona Republic) which is dedicated to anti-Trump derision. During the presidential campaign and continuing since President Trump’s election, the newspaper is awash with coordinated efforts of contrived “reports,” vitriolic columns, blasting editorials and vicious cartoons.

As to Flake’s opinion, spewed last week, that the end is in sight for the Republican Party, those crickets you hear chirping indicate the response from ineffective Arizona Republican Party chairman Jonathan Lines.  He even remained mute when RNC chair Ronna Romney McDaniel took Flake to the woodshed for anti-Trump rhetoric in August.

Republicrat braintrusts Flake & Giles: GOP’s future is “toast” was the Seeing Red AZ post, following Flake and Giles’ spew of insults and absurdity.

2017 Thanksgiving wishes to our readers

The First Thanksgiving by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe

We pause today to reflect on the many blessings we enjoy as citizens of this great land, and wish the abundant bounties of this uniquely American holiday to each and every one of our readers.

Do yourself a favor and read this inspiring Thanksgiving Proclamation, issued 3 October 1789 by President George Washington. The first paragraph references God a total of five times:

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Read President Washington’s Proclamation  in its entirety here. We recommend this inspiring message for reading aloud at your dining table today. It’s a gift your friends and family will long remember.

Sexual harassment claims become a growth industry

“I deeply apologize for my inappropriate behavior. I am greatly embarrassed. I have behaved insensitively at times, and I accept responsibility for that, though I do not believe that all of these allegations are accurate. I always felt that I was pursuing shared feelings, even though I now realize I was mistaken.”  —Charlie Rose, now fired from his longtime PBS program and CBS’ “This Morning,”

ASU is evaluating whether to rescind the Walter Cronkite Excellence in Journalism Award, presented to Rose in 2015. Charlie Rose is the latest in a long list of those who have acknowledged claims leveled against them.

New allegations of sexual misconduct in Hollywood, the media, and on Capitol Hill are dominating headlines. Men forcing themselves on women, and in some cases young men or boys, is reprehensible behavior. In recent weeks revelations have reached epidemic proportions. Politicians and celebrities appear to be standing in line to step up to the podium to offer apologies for past indiscretions. Many are entering sex addiction programs to show their commitment to rehabilitating themselves, as they watch their hefty salaries and prestige screech to a halt.

Newsweek’s Anna Menta writing that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of the powerful men who have been accused of sexual harassment, misconduct and assault, has posted a chronological list which will be updated regularly as new allegations come to light.

Conspicuously missing is admitted womanizer, impeached President Bill Clinton. Questionably included is Judge Roy Moore, now running for a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama. Though he‘s been a candidate five times, none of the 40-year-old allegations arose until the Republican establishment — led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — determined he was too independent to be compliant and began circuitously dredging for “victims” to recite uncorroborated stories, with liberal lawyer Gloria Allred as coach. Moore has emphatically denied the allegations which have been thrown at him for maximum political damage preceding the Dec.12, 2017 special election.

Prior to his dalliance with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, which Bill Clinton first lied about, then admitted. (video) he had numerous women claim he forced himself on them. Another Geniffer Flowers, acknowledged a multi-year affair with him. Hillary, Bill’s ambitious enabler wife, blamed the revelations of his indiscretions on the “vast right wing conspiracy,” (video) while she gave campaign aides orders to “destroy” his accusers.

In the increasingly steamy environment, bizarreness has emerged. For a new low in political swagger there is the statement released by Bill O’Neill, an Ohio Supreme Court Justice currently a Democrat candidate for governor. O’Neill, responded to the controversy surrounding Al Franken’s behavior with a grotesque recitation of his own sexual past, which he says was complied to “save my opponents some research time.” He revealed he “was sexually intimate with approximately 50 very attractive females” in the last 50 years.

Are all accusers victims? When repeated denials are issued by the accused, those making the claims should be deposed under oath. Not every assertion is valid. Whether or not allegations have been verified, they are now considered compelling enough to ruin lives and careers. Our legal system still operates under the presumption of innocence. The politically motivated charges against Judge Roy Moore should give us all pause.