Billy Crystal watching Meg Ryan faking it was one of the most memorable movie scenes in recent memory. It’s fair to say that’s how engaged Republican primary voters are feeling as they evaluate whether upstart Christine Jones is faking her espoused conservative bona fides or whether she really has the financial resources to become a player in the 2014 Arizona … Read More
Cathedral To The Rowdy: Just Do It
The cathedrals of Europe tend to be of the religious variety, serving both as cornerstones of faith and tourism. Here in the United States our cathedrals are the shrines of sport. Wrigley Field. Fenway Park. Augusta. Churchill Downs. They are magnets for economic impact. In Arizona we do have a rather Grand, natural cathedral three hours to the north. Closer … Read More
Innovation For Public Schools: How To Outflank The Choice Movement
Like any monopoly the public school system has constantly fought change, during the past decade in the form of greater school choice. And it is losing in higher income areas like the Scottsdale School District where some 9,000 students choose charter or private schools. This is putting enormous pressure on the system there, populated by bureaucrats who don’t know how … Read More
This May Get The Phoenix Coyotes’ Attention
Arizona’s NHL franchise avoided a public vote following the Glendale City Council’s split decision to award its new owners a $15 million payment. Such a referendum election would have likely torpedoed the transition to new ownership since it would have delayed ratification of the city agreement until after the season was to begin. The saga that has been hockey ownership … Read More
25 Million Reasons and Counting
Tough on crime and tough on illegal immigration. That’s Andrew Thomas in a nutshell. What’s not to like? As a candidate for Governor, Thomas hopes to appeal to the most conservative voters in a split field and capture the GOP nomination. From there, he would look to ride the Republican voter registration advantage to a brand new office on the … Read More
Republican Candidates As Charlie Brown’s Teacher: We Need More Jack Kemp And Less Ronald Reagan
We all remember the sound of Charlie Brown’s teacher, that muffled, mumbling sound no one could much listen to for longer. That’s the way just about every Republican candidate sounds these days. Ronald Reagan was great. I am a conservative not a moderate. I can recite my poll tested talking points with the best of them, hopefully with more money. … Read More
Denny Barney Needs To Say He’s Sorry, And Quit Channeling Rick Renzi
Did Republicans just ignore all of the headlines over the years about disgraced former Congressman Rick Renzi who was found to abuse his position while in office for real estate gains? We ask because of the Arizona Republic headline today raising similar questions about current Maricopa County Board Chairman Denny Barney (Maricopa County chairman in ethics flap). While many Republicans … Read More
Be Like Bill: Here’s To More Wisdom In The GOP
As we are about to enter the 2014 campaign season television advertisements and flyers will flood mailboxes and airwaves. They will emphasize many words and messages. But nary a one will tout “wisdom.” They should. Allow us to explain using the example of Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. Readers are surely familiar with former Maricopa County Andy Thomas’ travails. And … Read More
Voters Know Better
Some politicians just want it too badly. They are just too obvious. Everyone who sees what they are doing knows what they are doing. Yet these same politicians seem to have no idea that they aren’t fooling anyone. Exhibit A for today is Arizona Secretary of State wannabe Michele Reagan. For years she has wanted to be elected to statewide … Read More
Crickets From Critics In Scottsdale
Every community has critics. And that’s a good thing, especially in an age of a declining fourth estate. Their eyes, ears and energy can be just what’s needed to shine a light into some darker places. But in Scottsdale activism has become its own art form, its own sport. While there are certainly problems in one of America’s best cities … Read More