Those of us who geocache label people who might discover what we are looking for as muggles. So there may be warnings about high muggle sightings at certain times of the day.
No mention about the Women’s March, Phoenix as its epicenter this year? Gloria Allred spoke as well as several women who are striving to make abortion safe and available. The petition to put abortion rights in our AZ Constitution is doing well and I am certain we will have what we need to get it over the finish line. It’s going to be the main reason people will be voting, well, alongside preserving our democracy by voting against the hateful orange hemorrhoid and for Biden’s policies. I’d like to see more coverage about all the energy being put into this. Thanks! Also, more about the youth vote and their activity as well.
I’d like a breakdown on judges running for office. Ballots list them but I have no idea about their records..what they actually did and any negative stuff too.
Speaking of which, CEBV offers training on “Request to Speak,” which is a way to weigh in online on the bills that are going through the legislature. You mention some in your newsletter... but there is a way to weigh in. There is a process to getting signed up for “RTS” and CEBV can help with the in person step.
For what it's worth, I'd like to share my own process for researching judges.
I use Ballotpedia to familiarize myself with the judicial system and read up on the backgrounds of judges and who appointed them (to get a sense of their possible political tendencies).
Then I looked them up the Judicial Performance Reports published by the Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review for general performance:
Then Googling the judge's name can pick up any news stories about them.
For example, I just did this for "Stephen M. Hopkins": Appointed by Ducey, he scored badly on the JPR, news stories showed he was reprimanded for unprofessional conduct, and has recently left office.
I'm not aware of any judicial scorecards created by any particular group, but they would certainly help me feel like a more informed voter.
I'd love to hear an interview with David Cook from the legislature. He is the only Republican that seems to come up with bills that are not based on fear and culture wars.
I would really like to learn about the history of water policy and what Arizona can actually do to strategize around drought. I think this history could be vital to understand what legislators are proposing and help understand incidences such as Senator Kerr (no relation) leaving the Governor’s task force.
Also, it would be fun if y’all did any event in Flagstaff. Mother Road Brewing Co. is a great spot for an event especially as the weather gets better!
Have your intern consume everything on the internet that was written or spoken by John McCain, Grant Woods, Don Bolles or some other respected Arizonan from another time. Train your intern to answer questions about today's contemporary politics in the voice of that famous Arizonan.
I believe that the number one objective for most politicians in office is to stay in office. It is not to serve their constituents or the pursue the greater good or to find common ground. Every word, every interview, every move is based on that one over-riding objective. There are some exceptions, but they are rare. Given this fact, I would be very skeptical of the words out of their mouths, on your site or elsewhere.
Yeah I understand that inclination but the thing I like about audio/video is you can really tell that they’re bullshitting in a way that doesn’t really translate to print. Especially when it comes to candidates not knowing anything.
I would like to see a focus on the AAA Ballot Initiative as was mentioned above. I sit on the AAA coalition field calls and I can plug you into someone you can interview. Email indivisiblenaz@gmail.com. Then we’ve got two Republican congressmen in seats that Biden won - Schweikert and Ciscomani. You should cover the effort to flip those seats.
We screwed up in the last election and let Tom Horne get elected. What are the down ballot races we need to be keeping an eye on this year? And how can we get voters not to skip those votes? Finally, the legislature will be throwing in other measures to muck up the ballot. They hope to reduce votes on the abortion access ballot initiative and slip through bills that Governor Hobbs can’t veto. So I’d like to see you cover those. Thanks!
What about the border? Talk about a hot election topic! I want someone to take a deep dive into what is REALLY going on at the border. Try as I may I cannot sort it out. Who (breakdown of ages, men/women/children, families, individuals, etc. as well as nationality) is coming across both legally and illegally? Who gets turned back, who gets to stay, why, and the numbers? What constitutes a valid request for asylum and what are the recommendations for tightening that up? I read so many conflicting news stories my head starts to spin. What are the facts?
Those of us who geocache label people who might discover what we are looking for as muggles. So there may be warnings about high muggle sightings at certain times of the day.
Maybe you could explain strikers and why we allow them? Be happy to meet for coffee.
This sounds like a job for JD Mesnard, who unsuccessfully tried to ban strikers.
No mention about the Women’s March, Phoenix as its epicenter this year? Gloria Allred spoke as well as several women who are striving to make abortion safe and available. The petition to put abortion rights in our AZ Constitution is doing well and I am certain we will have what we need to get it over the finish line. It’s going to be the main reason people will be voting, well, alongside preserving our democracy by voting against the hateful orange hemorrhoid and for Biden’s policies. I’d like to see more coverage about all the energy being put into this. Thanks! Also, more about the youth vote and their activity as well.
Good thought! We have kind of taken our eye off that one.
Thanks! It will be huge, just like in Ohio. I’m from Ohio and can’t even believed it passed. A welcome surprise and I think it will be the same here.
Interview Dr. Zuhdi Jasser. Fascinating man
I’d like a breakdown on judges running for office. Ballots list them but I have no idea about their records..what they actually did and any negative stuff too.
Yeah those are hard I just vote no but maybe this year we can do some research for y’all. Good idea
Follow Civic Engagement Beyond Voting... they’ll get to judges at some point.
Speaking of which, CEBV offers training on “Request to Speak,” which is a way to weigh in online on the bills that are going through the legislature. You mention some in your newsletter... but there is a way to weigh in. There is a process to getting signed up for “RTS” and CEBV can help with the in person step.
I agree, that would be helpful.
For what it's worth, I'd like to share my own process for researching judges.
I use Ballotpedia to familiarize myself with the judicial system and read up on the backgrounds of judges and who appointed them (to get a sense of their possible political tendencies).
Then I looked them up the Judicial Performance Reports published by the Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review for general performance:
https://www.azcourts.gov/jpr/judicial-performance-reports
Then Googling the judge's name can pick up any news stories about them.
For example, I just did this for "Stephen M. Hopkins": Appointed by Ducey, he scored badly on the JPR, news stories showed he was reprimanded for unprofessional conduct, and has recently left office.
I'm not aware of any judicial scorecards created by any particular group, but they would certainly help me feel like a more informed voter.
Constantin Querard and George Khalaf, Mike Nobel
Here’s one of them
https://kjzz.org/content/1855599/back-story-meet-man-who-used-clean-elections-make-arizona-more-conservative
I'd love to hear an interview with David Cook from the legislature. He is the only Republican that seems to come up with bills that are not based on fear and culture wars.
I would really like to learn about the history of water policy and what Arizona can actually do to strategize around drought. I think this history could be vital to understand what legislators are proposing and help understand incidences such as Senator Kerr (no relation) leaving the Governor’s task force.
Also, it would be fun if y’all did any event in Flagstaff. Mother Road Brewing Co. is a great spot for an event especially as the weather gets better!
Good idea on water politics/policies. And Flagstaff sounds fun (once the snow melts) maybe the bosses will spring for a road trip!
There’s barely any snow - don’t let it delay the launch of the Flagstaff Agenda! 😉
Have your intern consume everything on the internet that was written or spoken by John McCain, Grant Woods, Don Bolles or some other respected Arizonan from another time. Train your intern to answer questions about today's contemporary politics in the voice of that famous Arizonan.
Oh this is fun
"Today we're sitting down with Barry Goldwater to discuss the Freedom Caucus..."
In depth information on the No Labels Party. Who are the players and what could be the consequences of getting a candidate on the Arizona ballot.
Another term is “all hat no cattle”
I believe that the number one objective for most politicians in office is to stay in office. It is not to serve their constituents or the pursue the greater good or to find common ground. Every word, every interview, every move is based on that one over-riding objective. There are some exceptions, but they are rare. Given this fact, I would be very skeptical of the words out of their mouths, on your site or elsewhere.
Yeah I understand that inclination but the thing I like about audio/video is you can really tell that they’re bullshitting in a way that doesn’t really translate to print. Especially when it comes to candidates not knowing anything.
Hi Hank, I would participate in all three suggestions you provided. How about a house party to attend and be the guest speaker?
That sounds fun! My house is a mess tho...
What about in the homes of subscribers? If you need a "test site", I'm happy to offer that for your consideration.
Thanks! We may take you up on that. How does a house party work, exactly? lol
I would like to see a focus on the AAA Ballot Initiative as was mentioned above. I sit on the AAA coalition field calls and I can plug you into someone you can interview. Email indivisiblenaz@gmail.com. Then we’ve got two Republican congressmen in seats that Biden won - Schweikert and Ciscomani. You should cover the effort to flip those seats.
We screwed up in the last election and let Tom Horne get elected. What are the down ballot races we need to be keeping an eye on this year? And how can we get voters not to skip those votes? Finally, the legislature will be throwing in other measures to muck up the ballot. They hope to reduce votes on the abortion access ballot initiative and slip through bills that Governor Hobbs can’t veto. So I’d like to see you cover those. Thanks!
Ah i've been meaning to do a breakdown of what they've already sent to the 2024 ballot and what else might be on it.
And definitely CD1 and CD6 are on the list. Good ideas!
I’d show up for a coffee. (Don’t know what a Slack channel is.)
Slack is like a comments thread, i guess, but more organized.
What about the border? Talk about a hot election topic! I want someone to take a deep dive into what is REALLY going on at the border. Try as I may I cannot sort it out. Who (breakdown of ages, men/women/children, families, individuals, etc. as well as nationality) is coming across both legally and illegally? Who gets turned back, who gets to stay, why, and the numbers? What constitutes a valid request for asylum and what are the recommendations for tightening that up? I read so many conflicting news stories my head starts to spin. What are the facts?
Ooooh this sounds like a job for Curt Prendergast!