Kirsten Sinema Rock star for a day!

Anyone who has met Kirsten Sinema (I have) knows that she is smart, determined and devoted to her various causes. There are a lot of people that fit the same description, but they often lack effectiveness. I admit that I wondered more than once if this was the case with Rep. Sinema.

I am happy to report that she has eliminated my doubts by doing this. Basically, she found the votes to pin an amendment (giving some rights to unmarried couples) to the anti-gay marriage amendment making its way through the Legislature destined for the Fall ballot. This left the Republicans in the Leg in the untenable position of enshrining rights for these couples or dropping the amendment.

Kudos to Rep. Sinema for finding a way to win with the odds stacked against her. You are the Democrat's Lament Rockstar for a Day, to Hell with that you get two days!

Come on Guys, Really, You Didn't Read the Bill?

I wrote about this stupid bill that passed the Arizona Legislature a while back. I understand the sentiment behind not allowing soldiers names to be used without their families' permission. The simple fact is that legislators at their best are supposed to protect our freedoms even when it might be unpopular. I don't expect the soldier's family to be rational when they just lost a loved one, but legislators should take a longer view.


A bill aimed at trying to silence one guy making t-shirts should make anyone pause. Clearly no matter how the bill was put together, it was a violation of the First Amendment. The simple fact is that you all voted for it because you were afraid not to. I get that, it is political reality, but don't give me the babe in the woods act about not knowing what is in the bill. You cannot have it both ways (I am talking to you Prezelski and Sinema in particular), I would expect you to know better. BTW -- I know you guys don't read the bills, but really, admitting it in the newspaper? Really disappointing...

Is this the best way to deal with the Minute Men?

Kirsten Sinema, the very liberal (in a good way), legislator from District 15 has proposed this bill to try to curtail the activities of groups like the Minute Men. I have to admit that I don't always agree with her, but damn do I respect her moxy, not to mention her total disregard for getting reelected.

The bill would basically target non-law enforcement people on armed patrol. I have a little trouble with all of this... I am conflicted... On one hand, I don't care for the Minute Men. I think that for the most part they are reactionary, unhelpful and many of them are racists. However, I am not sure I am comfortable going after these sorts of groups in this fashion. It strikes me as, well, a little unamerican. I disagree with them, but support their right to act dumb. However, I am also trouble by armed idiots patrolling the border. Then, there is the issue of fanning the flames of this whole debate in an unhelpful way.

I am not sure of the right answer, but I feel pretty sure that this is not it.