Hello all! There was no good news at 1700 West Washington this week — on anything. In the environmental realm, they continued the march backward to the 19th Century by advancing bills to ignore federal laws (keep the cash coming, but hold the clean air and clean water requirements), oppose endangered species protections, and to condemn federal public lands. Senator Jackson added an amendment to the bill that said this condemnation authority does not apply to Native American lands. Interpreted broadly, I do think that would mean the bill would not apply to any lands in Arizona.

Also advancing in the Senate was the “Big Bad Wolf” measure, the “We don’t need no stinking Clean Water” bill, and yes, the “License to Pollute.” You will be pleased to know that Senator Smith — not really a “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” type — added an amendment on SB1393 to try and limit regulation of particulate emissions. Apparently he thinks we have too much clean air.

Please plan to come for Environmental Day at the Capitol. Meet legislators and advocates and hear more about what is happening at the legislature and beyond. We are focusing on Protecting Arizona’s Environment — the next 100 years, as a lead up to Arizona’s centennial next year. We will be gathering on the Senate lawn at the State Capitol on Tuesday, March 8th from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Let us know if you are coming and plan to meet with your legislators that day. We will have a brief program, displays, and cookies and lemonade.

Please take this opportunity to contact your senators one more time on the following bills. After this week, they will likely be over in the House. Also, contact House members on the anti-wolf message. It is always helpful to call, when you can, to establish a relationship with your legislators, but feel free to use the easy email links too.

Help Protect Wolves and Other Endangered Species! Ask your senator to vote no on SB1392 and SB1395. Click on Protect Wolves and other Endangered Species to s

It appears that We Dare, the video game for soft swingers, is going to only be offered in Europe for now, which is a shame, since the people in the ad seem to be having such an authentically entertaining time. I guess Americans are stuck with strip Mario Kart for now. Bummer.

While I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to voluntarily read or hear anything else connected to the events of January 8th at this point, this month's GQ has an interesting oral history of that happened, as told by some of the heroes of that morning: Daniel Hernandez, Patricia Maisch, and Bill Badger.

Hernandez: Originally we were going to be airlifted to University Medical Center. However, I saw that there was an ambulance there. I said, "What's the ETA on the air evac?" They didn't respond, probably because they didn't know. I took that as too long. I said, "She's number one priority. We need to get her out of here—now." They put her on a board. They told me, "We don't want you to go in the ambulance. There's no room." I said, "You'd better make room." On the way, I continued to talk to her. I told her, "I'm on the phone right now trying to get ahold of Mark"—her husband—"and your mom and dad here in Tucson. Do you understand that?" Especially when I mentioned her parents and Mark, she squeezed extra tight.

Oh, Maru. That box is just too much for you.

[Daily What]

Arizona lawmakers are trying to do a good thing—but even the best of intentions can’t stop the worst kind of predators.

• Photo Ryn Gargulinski
• A warning isn't good enough.

A bill kicking around the Legislature hopes to prevent future incidents like Tucson’s Jan. 8 mass shooting that left six dead, multiple people wounded and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot through the head.

Not unlike measly orders of protection, the bill aims to halt violence before it really gets out of hand. Its intent is to intercept potential volcanoes, like former Pima Community College student and alleged shooter Jared Loughner, before they erupt.

While we applaud the elected officials’ efforts and find their intentions noble, House Bill 2559 seems about as effective trying to knock down Mount Lemmon with a stick.

The bill makes it obligatory for colleges and other government entities to alert local law enforcement if a person was expelled, suspended, fired or terminated from membership because of “violence, threats of violence or behavior that constitutes a danger to self or others.”

Law enforcement officials, in turn, must forward the information to the appropriate local or regional health agency or crisis center.

Then what?

Twenty-four hour surveillance? Intervention with a needle full of thorazine?

• Teenagers opened the parade down the south side.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SAMANTHA SAIS

The 86th Annual La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros officially started today with the parade on the south side of Tucson. Thousands of Tucsonans lined the streets to partake and participate in the old Tucson tradition.

(more after the jump)

• Members of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' office were honored at the rodeo parade.

Photographs by Samantha Sais

In what seems like already a lifetime ago, a deranged gunman killed six people and injured 18 more in a shooting spree one quiet Saturday morning in January.

What followed was a month-long display of community solidarity and support for the heroism that was displayed on a Safeway parking lot that fateful morning.

Today, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros celebrated their 86th annual event, starting with a tribute to those who died and the heroes from that morning.

Here is just a glimpse of some of the scenes at today's Rodeo Parade.

• Christina Taylor-Green is remembered on one of the tribute horses at the parade.

(more after the jump)

MSNBC:

More than a dozen Baltimore police officers and the owners of a car repair shop have been charged in a towing extortion scheme.

Federal authorities announced Wednesday that 17 officers and two brothers who own Majestic Auto Repair Shop in Rosedale were charged in the conspiracy. Prosecutors say the brothers paid officers to arrange for their company, rather than a city-authorized company, to tow vehicles from accident scenes and make repairs.

Commenting on the situation, Sen. Clay Davis:

On Jan. 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger explosed after launch, killing all seven astronauts on board.

One of those astronauts was Commander Dick Scobee, a graduate of the UA College of Engineering.

Now 25 years years later, the Challenger Center for Space Science Education (CCSSE) celebrates its use of science and math to teach students decision-making, problem-solving, teamwork and communication. The Challenger Learning Center has since grown to 48 locations across the U.S. and other nations. They serve over four million students to date.

Here to celebrate the 25th anniversary is Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, the founder of CCSSE.

Rodgers will be signing copies of her new book, Silver Linings, on Saturday, Feb. 26 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at the UA Bookstore, 1209 E. University Blvd.

The film 8 Murders a Day, a documentary that closely examines the escalating violence in Juarez, Mexico, will open in Tucson at the Harkins Theater, 5455 S. Calle Santa Cruz, on Friday, Feb. 25.

Two Tucson natives are featured in the film: author Charles Bowden and former television news reporter Paul Cicala.

Synopsis (from the film's website):

Since January 2008, the Juarez drug cartel, led by Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, has been in a turf war against the Sinoloa drug cartel, led by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. This war is for the coveted smuggling routes into the USA. The Americans demand for illegal drugs has led countless weapons and cash to enter into Mexico in exchange for these drugs. This documentary investigates the current situation in Juarez, which has now become the murder capital of the world because of this turf battle. In 2007, the city of Juarez averaged less than one murder per day. Today, it is over 8 murders a day and counting. Interviews with print and television journalists, acclaimed authors, and college professors help look into perhaps the greatest human-rights disaster in the world today, with no apparent end in sight.

The film's website can be viewed here. For showtimes, visit the Harkins Theater website.