Prepping for Meghan? Would Gov. Ducey actually do it?

On the heels of the disclosure that Arizona Sen. John McCain is battling brain cancer, comes a barrage of Meghan McCain image polishing in the local newspaper.

Thursday’s front page features a massive photo of the nearly 81-year-old senator with a report on the “aggressive, tough to treat” malignancy. It also includes this tweet from daughter Meghan, in which she says of her father, “….like any daughter, I cannot and do not want to be in a world without him.”

Page 7 carries a full page report, headlined,: “Meghan McCain: He is the toughest person I know.”  But the editorial is what was the attention grabber, the hard copy version is headlined, “Meghan McCain emerges with poise and eloquence.”  It would be difficult for Arizonans to equate this description  with the coarse, tattooed, motor mouth who complained that her father’s presidential campaign ruined her sex life, calling his failed effort a “libido killer” and even throwing in a slam to her much classier mother. The editorial, referring to John McCain as “one of the most influential leaders of our time,” was a rehash of his legendary heroism, disputed (video) by those who were imprisoned with him in Vietnam and members of congress who questioned his permanently shutting down access to POW and MIA records.

The online version of the editorial is even more blatant, “Our View: John McCain’s legacy is in good hands.” Sounding more appropriate for an obituary, this creepy praise came as John McCain is still among us.

Despite being bewildering it’s clear the Arizona Republic is pushing for Gov. Doug Ducey to appoint the marginal Ms. McCain to fill the senate seat occupied by her father. Ironically, it wouldn’t be much of a push, since the governor and senator have a longstanding connection dating to the  early 1980s when Ducey moved to Arizona to attend Arizona State University, and began working at Hensley& Co., the Anheuser-Busch distributor owned by Cindy McCain.

None of his 6 other children (2008) rate this syrupy coverage or even a mention.

Meghan McCain’s Republican credentials have always been suspect. A social liberal, she became a Republican as a Father’s Day surprise, in a display of “commitment” to her Dad. It’s worth noting that at the time, he was the GOP nominee for the U.S. Presidency. Like her father, Meghan refused to vote for Republican nominee, now President Donald Trump.

Even plagued with serious health problems, John McCain continued to lash out at President Trump, who, joined by First Lady Melania, sent him warm wishes after hearing of the serious diagnosis.

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Repeating lies doesn’t make them truth

Education and Donald Trump top the AZ Republic’s scams

We’re only one week into the new year and President-elect Donald Trump has not quite two weeks before his inauguration, but that doesn’t stop the folks at the Arizona Republic from engaging in deceptive use of the English language.

The newspaper’s scheme brings to mind Winston Smith, the protagonist in George Orwell’s best seller “1984.”  A clerk in the government’s Ministry of Truth Records Department, Smith’s job was to rewrite historical documents to align with the constantly changing current political deception. Newspeak, a reduced language became the tool to limit free thought and concepts posing a threat to the totalitarian regime. Any form of thought alternative to the party’s construct was classified as “thought crime,” “crime think,” or “doublethink.” Smith’s work included manipulating facts, revising newspaper articles and doctoring photographs to remove “unpersons,” the term used to describe people who had fallen out of favor with the party.

In these cases however, it is not a regime or party but the newspaper itself that engages in the deception. In advance of today’s State of the State address, Sunday’s edition used the front page to take Gov. Doug Ducey to task on the issue of education. The headline: “With his term half over, Ducey under pressure to go big.” Would the liberals pumping out these ludicrous stories have referred Democrat Gov. Janet Napolitano using those words two years into her first term?  How about Barack Obama?  Not a chance.  They saw two more years and a second term ahead for the Democrats.

Sunday’s edition also carried an editorial, “Ariz. Schools need real help,” in which they quote their own reporter as well as cite left-wing polling data. It’s not a mystery that subscriptions to this rag are on life support.

Education has become a hot issue for the educrats. Not only is it underfunded, it is underfunded. This is not a typo, just making a point.  It has become the norm for school districts to continually hold bond override elections, “for the children” or to “get more money into the classroom” —  specifically the teacher’s paycheck. The Arizona Lottery was sold to voters in Nov. 1980 as a means of putting millions yearly into education. The City of Phoenix has a Democrat mayor who ran on making education a priority, despite the fact that elected city officials play no role in shaping education policy — typically the realm of the state government and school districts. Greg Stanton has moved past those vague promises, now throwing his hat in the ring for the under-the-radar post of Secretary of State, a frequent backdoor route to the governor’s office.

Voters are getting tired of having to live within their means while the school districts continually cry out for more money. As a result, ballot overrides, once considered sacrosanct, have begun failing.

Proposition 123 a massive increase in education funding, pushed by Gov. Ducey, was a nail-biter for several days, since the vote margins were razor-thin. The final result was 50.8 percent in favor to 49.2 percent opposed to the measure. State Treasurer Jeff DeWit was an adamant opponent, saying there was ample money to fund education without raiding the State Land Trust Fund or raising property taxes.

Sunday’s edition of the newspaper also rolled out a commentary by propagandist Linda Valdez, who never saw an illegal she didn’t prefer to a U.S. Citizen. Her rant includes these odd words: “Millions of families in the United States are living in fear because of Donald Trump’s rise to power.” Apparently she missed the fact that he is not an apparition, but was elected to the presidency of the United States.  Then she pulls out the old canard, that these (illegal) families “face catastrophic separations.“ The oft-repeated lie is outrageous. Nothing stops parents returning to their homeland from taking their American-born children with them. She describes a grandnephew of hers — “a child” —too fearful to sleep.

Nowhere does she mention the hordes of children sent into the U.S. alone and under deplorable conditions by their own parents, who know they will be links to the outlandish practice of chain migration also known as family reunification. Valdez conveniently forgets Jose who illegally crosses into the U.S. for work, sending money home to Maria and the ninos, until his new honey becomes pregnant and Jose forgets about his old family south of the border. How about a column on that practice, Linda?

 

Gov. Doug Ducey reprises gimmicky “court packing”

Back in 1937 —  when most of us were but a gleam in our dad’s or granddad’s eye — Democrat President Franklin Roosevelt, just coming off a reelection victory, announced his audacious plan to expand the nine-member U.S. Supreme Court. He touted his scheme as making the court more efficient. Critics, including his  own Vice President and many congressional Democrats who joined with Republicans, charged that Roosevelt was trying to “pack” the court with liberal like-thinkers and  neutralize the impact of Supreme Court justices hostile to his far left “New Deal” — which he feared the court would disassemble.

Here Franklin Roosevelt in one of his radio addresses known as Fireside Chats, makes his case for increasing the number of Supreme Court justices with what he blandly referred to as the “Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937.” It became more widely known as “Roosevelt’s court packing plan.”

Fortunately, Roosevelt’s efforts to persuade failed.

Arizona Gov, Doug Ducey faces no such hostility. Yet he has just enlarged the 5-member Arizona Supreme Court by two members. The move gave him the ability to appoint the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice, which he can point to in future campaign ads. We take no issue with the appointees Andrew Gould, a former superior court and court of appeals judge, or Solicitor General  John Lopez, who lacks any judicial experience — but the process that placed the two Republicans on the high court is suspect.  The new justices are Ducey’s second and third appointments to the Supreme Court. In January he appointed Libertarian leaning, registered Independent Clint Bolick. According to a news account, the unnecessary expansion will “cost an additional $1 million dollars each year, and came despite objections from Chief Justice Scott Bales, who wrote Ducey to veto the legislation.”  The bill HB 2537, signed by Ducey was the brainchild of East Valley state Rep. J.D. Mesnard, an educator.

The State Courts building, dedicated in 1991, was built to eventually accommodate two additional justices, but there is currently no pressing need.

Ducey used the same argument that Roosevelt used saying the expanded bench would allow the court to take on more cases and ensure swift justice. In fact the Supreme Court, known as the court of last resort, is very selective in the cases it chooses to take and most of the research is done by law clerks. It hears all death penalty appeals.

In contrast, the Courts of Appeals — Arizona has two — review all civil and criminal cases properly appealed from Superior Courts.

Whether court packing is done by Democrats or Republicans, it remains equally suspect.

Irate JP Clancy Jayne displays appalling lack of judgment

Cathy Riggs a much more judicious choice for Desert Ridge Justice of the Peace

The Yellow Sheet recently reported that Gov Doug Ducey’s decision to endorse Cathy Riggs in the Desert Ridge Justice of the Peace race did not endear him to incumbent JP Clancy Jayne.  Ducey called Cathy Riggs, “Smart, trustworthy and principled.” Riggs is the wife of Frank Riggs, one of Ducey’s 2014 primary rivals.

Jayne, hardly the picture of either principles or refinement, is quoted as saying he’s “beyond pissed,” calling Ducey, who he says he’s known for 30 years, a “S.O.B.” 

The Yellow Sheet quoted the enraged Jayne describing Gov. Ducey as his gofer saying, “When he drove a beer truck for Hensley and Company, he was running around doing gofer work for me when I was president of Gilbert Days. He was having to go around and do gofer work for me because I got Jim Hensley to be our beer sponsor for the rodeo.”

The qualifications for being a Justice of the Peace don’t present insurmountable hurdles. English literacy, Arizona residency, having attained the age 18, being a registered voter and having a pulse are about it.  Those minimum requirements and a huge permanent campaign sign on a semi-trailer parked along I-17 heading north got Clancy Jayne elected. Cathy Riggs adds considerably to those minimals, with a law degree and experience as a police officer and detective.

Justices of the Peace in Maricopa County currently earn $101,500 — based on a percentage of a Superior Court Judge’s salary. They receive excellent benefits. The part the marginal Clancy Jayne likely revels in the most, is being able to wear black judicial robes. It’s time to put him back in the jeans and denim shirts he previously wore as a rodeo competitor.

On her campaign website, Riggs lists the FIVE times Clancy Jayne was reprimanded by the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Sonoran News investigative reporter Linda Bentley has written about Clancy Jayne on numerous occasions. Here are a few revealing reports:

Aug, 2, 2016:   Arizona Chamber sends Clancy Jayne cease and desist letter

July 26, 2016: Clancy Jayne recycles decade-old endorsements in bid for reelection

July 13, 2016: ‘Let’s choose integrity’ for Desert Ridge JP

Aug. 23, 2012: Fourth sanction for Desert Ridge Justice of Peace Clancy Jayne

MC Recorder’s race: Vote for Aaron Flannery

Law intended to provide voters with a sense of confidence in the integrity of the voting system will not be enforced by Helen Purcell who instead declares, “We’re not the police”

In the race for Maricopa County Recorder, political newcomer Aaron Flannery would appear to be a long-shot as he challenges Helen Purcell, currently running for her 8^th term. Purcell has been a diligent elected official, overseeing the meticulous recording of all permanent public records and maintenance of the voter registration rolls for Maricopa County’s nearly 2,000,000 registered voters.  She is responsible for administering the Elections Department which conducts all national, state and countywide elections and has won awards for her efforts.

Then came the March 23, 2016 presidential preference election, where long lines created havoc and outraged voters accused her of intentionally authorizing too few polling places, a cost saving measure that had been approved by the Board of Supervisors.  She acknowledged her error in not properly anticipating the large turnout and refused to submit  to demands that she step down. The snafu was not deliberate or intended to suppress minority votes, a fallacious charge hurled at her by the left. As might be expected in managing an office that delivers so many services to so many citizens, there have been other lapses from time to time.

But Helen Purcell’s refusal to enforce the state law banning the nefarious practice known as ‘ballot harvesting‘ (video) in the August Primary Election currently underway is a bridge too far. The Arizona legislature passed HB 2023 this past session in response to concerns regarding the fraudulent practice. Ballot harvesting is now a Class 6 Felony. Violators face up to a year in jail and $150,000 in fines.

In signing the bill into law March 9, Gov. Doug Ducey said:

“Voting is a key pillar of our democracy. This bill ensures a secure chain of custody between the voter and the ballot box. We join 18 other states in this common sense approach to maintaining the integrity of our elections.”

Of all people, Helen Purcell should realize the importance of providing  confidence in the trustworthiness of our voting system. No more passes for Ms. Purcell.  She has forfeited the trust placed in her since first taking office in 1988.

Aaron Flannery, a Phoenix native, family man and active Republican, introduces himself with these refreshing words:

“I am a small business consultant and independent contractor. I hold a Master’s in Business Administration and a Master’s of Public Administration and the only government job I have held is with the US Army.”

Pay a visit to his website. You’ll be impressed.

Gov. Ducey endorses his first boss’s husband

Gov. Doug Ducey has endorsed eighty-year-old John McCain, who is running for his sixth six-year U.S. Senate term. If the very senior, left-leaning “maverick” is reelected and serves out the term, he’ll be staring 90 in the eye. 

Can’t we do better than this, governor? (video) 

Arizona’s governor was still a teenager living in Ohio when McCain first ran for congress in what was then Congressional District One in the East Valley.

Could it be that Ducey is repaying this lukewarm endorsement McCain gave him on Primary Election night 2014 as McCain claimed Democrat “Fred DuVal will be a very formidable candidate”? In fact DuVal trailed in all fifteen Arizona counties.

But the larger point is Ducey owes his former boss Cindy Hensley McCain. Although Ducey back-burners it, after moving to Arizona in the 1980’s to attend Arizona State University he worked for Cindy’s Anheuser-Busch beer distributorship during his college years. 

Worthy of note is the fact that McCain rolled out the Ducey endorsement after Luis Gonzalez’. McCain is obviously going for the sports minded voter rather than the politically knowledgeable. He’s all too aware that those who are paying attention will be voting for proven conservative, Dr. Kelli Ward in the Republican Primary.

Ducey expands AZ Supreme Court in costly move

With the issuance of this letter, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey formally announces his signing of House Bill 2537, which expands the state Supreme Court from five justices to seven. Ducey assures that this action is not “court packing” and goes to great lengths to disabuse any notion that this action is a judicial power grab. He says implementation of the $1 million + plan is necessary to ensure “swift justice,” although Chief Justice Scott Bales contends the additional judges are not needed and expansion “is not warranted when other court-related needs are under funded.” Earlier this month Bales asked the governor to veto the legislation.

“Arizonans deserve swift justice from the judicial branch,” Ducey’s letter states. “Adding more voices will ensure that the court can increase efficiency, hear more cases and issue more opinions.”

In January, Ducey appointed Clint Bolick, a registered Independent and Goldwater Institute lawyer, to the high court.

Judicial appointments are among a governor’s most significant decisions, since jurists long tenures far exceed the term(s) of the appointing governor. Judge’s decisions impact issues ranging from the death penalty to issues of constitutionality. All death penalty cases are automatically reviewed by the Supreme Court. 

In the letter explaining his signing Wednesday morning, Ducey said the additional justices will put Arizona on par with states that have similar or smaller populations yet more Supreme Court justices. 

Ducey’s letter explained,  “Adding more voices will ensure that the court can increase efficiency, hear more cases and issue more opinions.”

Rep. J.D. Mesnard, (R-LD 17) who sponsored the bill is quoted as saying the expansion will result in a “greater opportunity for diversity on the court,…including diversity of opinion.”

The list from which Ducey selected currently registered Independent Clint Bolick to the Supreme Court, had just the man to ably meet those requirements. Maurice Portley, a former Maricopa County Superior Court judge was appointed to Div. I of the Court of Appeals in 2003. Well respected, Judge Portley has a wealth of experience on the bench and is black. If Ducey was looking for diversity, Judge Portly would have been the obvious choice,  If Ducey was seeking experience, selecting Portley would have provided that quality and then some. Several of the other applicants had similar judicial experience. which Ducey’s ultimate selection lacked — though he is politically connected.  If that constitutes the diversity the governor touts, we’ve set sail in needlessly choppy waters.