Thomas Watch: Thank God for the New Times

Once again, the New Times runs circles around the Arizona Republic when it comes to political reporting. This article properly covers the on-going State Bar investigation of Thomas. Let's just say that the Republic only reported part of the story. (I know, it is hard to imagine)

Thomas Watch: Thanks Andy, Heck of a job!

The East Valley Tribune has this editorial about the Maricopa County tax payers being forced to pickup the legal bills of Dennis Wilenchik. While I agree in principle that prosecutors should be protected from the financial dangers of pursuing prosecutions, I am not sure that it should be absolute. I am also not sure that private attorneys should be deputized as prosecutors. Furthermore, I am not sure someone as dumb as Andy Thomas should be allowed to contractually indemnify the County's tax payers based on his bone-headed decisions. How much will this cost us? Andy Thomas and Joe Arpaio sure cost us a lot money.

I would make this a major campaign issue if I was running against him...

Thomas Watch: Poor Andy, sure whines a lot

Poor Andy Thomas is complaining to the Arizona Supremes because the Arizona Bar Association is investigating his various violations of ethics. Of course, we all know that much like George Bush, Andy Thomas cannot be held to the same standards of ethics and conduct as say everyone else... Here is the article from the Arizona Republic.

Note to Bar Association, be careful. Andy is delicate and sensitive (some might say effete). He may cry if continue to hold him to the same standards as every other attorney in the state (or even stomp his feet, plug his ears and say "lalalalalalala, I can't hear you).

Janet asks Arpaio to do his job (he refuses, not enough cameras around when serving warrants)

I don't have a lot of time today, but I wanted to post this article from the Arizona Republic. Basically the job of Sheriff is to run the jail and serve warrants. Sheriff Joe doesn't really enjoy either activity because it limits the number of press conferences with which he can bloviate about stupid totally useless non-sense (apparently it is not cost effective to use his tank to deliver warrants).

I know immigration can be a campaign issue, especially in Arizona, but doesn't having 59,000 unserved felony warrants make you soft on crime? Don't you Republicans remember Willie Horton? All the Sheriff's opponents have to find is one scary looking guy who killed or raped someone because they were not picked up by the Sheriff (or served a warrant), it would be pretty devastating.

Thomas Watch: The money rolls in...

This year's race for Maricopa County Attorney is shaping up to be a big one if the money raised is any indication. Tim Nelson, who is supported by the Governor, has raised $140,000 in two months while Andy has raised about $210,000. Traditionally, Maricopa County races tend to be low dollar affairs, so this is unusual. I am unhappy to say that Gerald Richard has only raised about $3,000. If he wants to make a serious run he has to start fundraising...

In spite of the fundraising, I still do not have any idea who is the strongest candidate against Thomas.

I will be watching for the following:

1. Tim Nelson's fundraising -- Are his high totals sustainable or just the Governor giving him a jump start?
2. Gerald Richard -- Will he raise enough to be competitive?
3. Who are the candidates hiring to run their campaigns? Will we see the same old losing consultants with the same old strategy?
4. Which candidate is going to draw a strong contrast with Andy Thomas?

Thomas Watch: Andy trying to rewrite history

I ran across this great article in the Phoenix New Times about Andy Thomas editing his wikipedia page. At first I thought this was snark, albeit funny nerd snark, but alas no. It does appear that a pretty good case can be made for Andy editing his own wikipedia page (and trying to cleanse all negative information).

Come on Andy, after the Matt Bandy case you should realize that you cannot easily hide your activities on a computer.

Good times...

Why do Thomas and Arpaio keep spending RICO funds on crap?

When will the worm turn on these two?

Thomas watch: Andy picks up another possible opponent

I ran across this article about another possible challenger to Andrew Thomas (the Douche). I think at this point I am willing to pony up the maximum contribution to anyone with a chance to beat him.

I don't know much about Tim Nelson other than he is a former council for the Governor. Here’s to hoping that Andy has pissed off the Governor enough for her to pull out the stops on fundraising.

Thomas Watch: Andy we cannot afford to keep you

After the big screw up with New Times, the aggrieved have decided to sue. They are suing Sheriff Joe Arpaio (DimeBag) and Andrew Thomas (the douche). They are willing to settle for a measly $15 million. With our current budget shortfalls and the large number of past and likely future court judgments against the dynamic duo, I think it is time we let them go back to whence they came...

Thomas Watch: Recall him!

We found out today from the Arizona Republic how County Attorney Andrew Thomas paid for his tax-payer sponsored campaign materials. He used money from the general fund of his office (instead of you know, prosecuting people) and from RICO funds (you know, money to fight organized crime and gangs). Great job Andy! I am sure your brochure will help with our burgeoning gang problems.

We have to either recall or defeat this douche bag!

Thomas Watch: Petite Bush de Maricopa

I guess it just goes to show that just like kids emulate their parents behavior, local political officials mimic the behavior of national officials. Andrew "the douche" Thomas is being secretive about his use of tax-payer funds to pay for a pamphlet (aka - campaign flyer). The Arizona Republic is reporting that he is refusing to tell anyone how much it costs.

I find it amazing that a public official who is supposed to enforce the laws can be this dense. I understand he wants to be reelected, but does he really think these billboards and pamphlets will help? He probably could have cruised to victory if would stop being such a nut. When did the Republican Party become the party of absconding with tax-payers funds for campaigning and secrecy? I thought you guys learned your lesson after Nixon.

Frankly, I find the authoritarian impulse of the modern Republican Party a little scary.

This has to stop... (Andrew Thomas can't help himself)

When will Andy "the douche" Thomas ever learn? This is just not right (From the East Valley Tribune). It was not right when Janet Napolitano did it and it is not right now (although Janet's billboards were pretty pedestrian in comparison). Stop using tax money for political purposes!

Thomas Watch: It's the mismangement stupid...

Sorry for the delay in writing, but I have been too busy. There was this today in the Arizona Republic about the ongoing debacle involving Andrew "the douche" Thomas and the New Times.
Poor Andy suffers from the same inability to do the job he was elected to do as George Bush. At a minimum the government has to do a few things and prosecuting criminals is one of them. No one expects an elected official to be saintly, but we would like competence. Using a political office as a stepping stone is somewhat expected, but when you are playing with peoples lives (life and death in some instances), it is not acceptable to be overly political.

Andy, you are a political hack... I don't care who replaces you as long they are an experienced prosecutor with more allegiance to justice than to seeking higher office (see scruples in the dictionary).

UPDATE: The judge ruled that Thomas' office did not follow proper procedures when it issued the subpoenas.

Thomas Watch: Andy draws a possible opponent

The Arizona Republic has this article about the first possible challenger to Andy "the douche" Thomas. I do not know much about Gerald Richards, but I would vote for just about anyone over the douche.

Mr. Richards seems qualified. He currently works as Administrative Director in the Phoenix Police Department, he served as a Deputy County Attorney, Chair of the Arizona Supreme Court Commission on Minorities and he strikes the right tone.

"I believe that it's time for a concentration of prosecution over politics and a consensus builder to bridge the gap between law enforcement, the courts and the community," he said. Recent controversies out of Thomas' office have given the community insight into why a new county attorney is needed, he said, referring to the recent arrests of two New Times executives ordered by Thomas' office.

I know I make a lot of snarky comments about Thomas, but seriously we need a less political County Attorney. CAs have the power to destroy peoples lives, a duty to protect us from criminals and that should not be taken lightly. Everyone in Maricopa County should have faith in the fairness and impartiality of the execution of such an important office.

SHOCKER: Sheriff's office mismanaged

How could it be true? Sheriff Joe "Dime Bag" Arpaio is already $1 million over budget. Joe Arpaio's office is so badly over budget that he decided to stop transporting prisoners into some courts (one of the his few legally mandated duties). He is slowing down the wheels of justice, so where is Maricopa Country Attorney Andrew "The douche" Thomas' complaint? Maybe he should sue the Sheriff because he is biased against the County Attorney's prosecutions (by not transporting them to court).

When do we rid ourselves of this no-nothing tool? How is this one explained away my right-wing friends? Where is the superior management that all Republicans supposedly possess? Where is the fiscal responsibility? Or have you just come to accept Joe as the media whore blow hard that he really is?

The Arizona Republic finally gets something right

The Arizona Republic has this editorial about the tempest in a teapot dispute between Joe "Dime bag" Arpaio, Andrew "The Douche" Thomas and Terry Goddard. They pretty much get the whole thing exactly right. Here is my favorite quote:

There simply is too much political baggage between Goddard and Thomas to pretend that Thomas' pursuit of Goddard on "bribery" charges is free of politics. Goddard, a Democrat, defeated Thomas, a Republican, in 2002 for the attorney general position. Both are considered candidates for the Governor's Office in 2010.

It is time to move this investigation to more objective arena. We should quit pretending that Arpaia and Thomas are capable of being unbiased. Just as a side note, I find it interesting that Andy Thomas is letting his political career be damaged by Arpaio. It seems that anyone that gets into bed with Arpaio comes out of the relationship worse off than they started (except maybe Janet). I cannot imagine an politician trusting Arpaio. He is so self-serving and self-centered that he does not care what damage might be done as long as it serves his purpose.

Thomas Watch: How about a little prosecutorial misconduct?

The Arizona Republic has this article about the ongoing tempest in a teapot between Terry Goddard, Andy "the douche" Thomas and Joe "dime-bag" Arpaio. I find myself increasingly speechless when confronted with actions of the modern Republican Party.

Since when did intragovernmental transfers become bribery? This charge is ridiculous on its face. It is funny how Republicans of the Bush variety care so little for insuring the safety of citizens and punishment of criminals (rather than the prosecution of political opponents). If Andy Thomas would stick to aggressive prosecution of criminals and quit being such a douche, he would probably have a good shot at Attorney General or even Governor (as frightening as that may seem).

Why is it that the modern Republican Party has lost all sense duty to our country, our society and our way of life? Prosecutors and law enforcement should strive to be above reproach. If you want to be a political hack, run for the legislature, run for Congress, but stay away Sheriff and County Attorney (that goes for both parties), please...

Thomas Watch: Good idea Andy, no one would abuse that...

Andy "The douche" Thomas has another brilliant idea. Try this on for size, you will be able to anonymously turn-in employers for violating Arizona's new employer sanctions law. Yes, that is a good idea... I can't imagine anyone abusing that.

Good work Andy, if you keep up this pace you will have destroyed much by the time you run for Governor. You can claim rightly that you worked hard at reducing the size of government (or at least further damaging the public trust) through incompetence, political hackery and pure douche baggery.

BTW -- Maricopa is the only county that will accept anonymous tips about employers. Every other county will require a notarized statement. But everyone knows that notarized statements are for chumps.

Thomas Watch: Baby Andy comes unhinged

I think this story is hilarious. I know that finding candidate disclosure forms may not be something everyone knows how to do, but it only take a few minutes to figure out. I can't decide if Andy "the douche" Thomas is really upset about this or just looking to change the story.

In the case that he really is upset, let me give him some advise. Don't run for public office or get a post office box. It is really that easy...

If you want to find a campaign finance reports for any Maricopa county or Arizona state official, they are here: http://recorder.maricopa.gov/CampaignFinanceFilingNet/
http://www.azsos.gov/scripts/cfs_committee.dll

Oddly enough, they have a new system that requires an email address at the county. You used to be able to search on your own. I wonder if this is a reaction to baby Andy's hissy fit?

Thomas Watch: New Times redux

I was about half way through an overview and history of the whole New Times - Andrew Thomas affair when I ran across this entry from Blog for Arizona. Given that the overview was better than mine, I will just give you a link.