Comment Archives: stories: Currents: Currents Feature
Re: “Respond to Hate”
With all due respect and no reflection on the article as a whole, referring to the student as an LGBTQ person is an absurdity of political correctness. It is impossible to be "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer all at once as one individual.
Re: “Under the Gun”
WHY... don't the Politicians simply "ALLOW" private citizens access to the NICS background Check system that Licensed Dealers use? That way if someone wants to sell a gun to someone they do not know, they can do a background check, if it's to a friend or family member, they don't. If someone is selling multiple guns regularly, they must have a Dealers License.
WHY... has the many thousands of people who have been denied a gun, because they have failed the NICS check...NOT been arrested and prosecuted as Felons, as they most likely Lied on the Federal Form 4473?
WHY... do the LibDems always CRY for MORE laws on Law-abiding Citizens, while at the same time REFUSE to enforce the Laws we have....Hmmm?
The way the Senate bill S.649 is written, I could be made a Federal Felon for handing my friends grandson a gun to shoot on my property, that is a pile of Horse Biscuits.
Re: “Education on the Rocks”
The depth of the problems at PCC as revealed by the HLC investigation is profound. The denial expressed by the four veteran board members is shocking and discouraging, since each of these individuals are, by themselves, decent people. However they are refusing to do the decent thing now which is to resign, save the college a LOT of money, and permit the Pima Co. School Supt. to appoint their replacements. They would be worthy of respect if they would fall on their swords. To dismiss the complaints and concerns of faculty groups, staff groups, alumni and citizenry, as well as those of retired leaders, is to show contempt for the very people they are supposed to represent on this body. They have refused to listen to both private and public pleas for actions for several years now, and have failed to acknowledge their culpability in creating this situation. It is time to truly accept responsibility and for once act in the best interest of the public and students.
Re: “Shotgun Wedding”
Thank you for this informative article that highlights the sleazy quid-pro-quo relationship between the AZ G and F Commision and SCI. Specifically, their work to dismantle the protection of the gray wolf in AZ after years of hard work on the part of envrionmental groups to protect these "underdogs". There is a full-throttle attack on wolves throughout the western states since Congress allowed individual states to decide the fate of the wolf populations thereby watering down and eliminating Federal protection of the wolves.
I am glad to hear that Tucson's own Center for Biological Diversity is involved in questioning this relationship between the two groups and I will be sending them a donation soon to help them in their cause.
Re: “Education on the Rocks”
From this article, it appears that the then PCC Governing Board, Chair, Scott Stewart, and the Board's attorney, John Richardson, willfully witheld pertinent information from the other four board members, three of whom were women. Vikki Marshall states, according to this article, that she was never informed regarding Flores' sexual harassment of female employees until very recently. Isn't this a major breach of Board ethics and perhaps the law?
Re: “Education on the Rocks”
I find the contrast with Rutgers University instructive. The men's abusive basketball was fired. The Rutgers AD was fired. And it looks like the President of Rutgers might be fired too. Rutgers is cleaning housing so that they can move on and attract a decent basketball coach and AD.
At Pima Community College the abusive former chancellor was offered his salary until the end of June 30, 2012 while his protege, Suzanne Miles, was also offered a chancellor's salary, "PCC OKs 2 salaries for college chancellor, March 1, 2012, Arizona Daily Star.
All of the administrators who defended Flores and turned a blind eye to his abuse, are still at PCC. Many were quickly given unpresidented 2 year contracts.
The 3 veteran board members who hired Flores are still on the Governing Board. The 4 veteran board members who enabled and defended Flores during his reign of abuse of power are still on the board.
The 4 veteran board members must go! And the new interim chancellor should have the power to fire those administrators complicit in Flores' reign of abuse. This current board has no standing; it especially has no standing to micro-manage the new interim chancellor.
Re: “Unhealthy Opposition”
I don't know what it is that makes everyone so altruistic. Why is anyone else's health problems my problems? I would like to point out that even if the federal government covers the cost initially, their coverage will be diminished as time goes on, but when you give someone an entitlement (by expanding the coverage) it is nearly impossible to reverse it after we've lost the support from the Feds. Additionally, I think the federal government has grown big enough already. I'm tired of paying more and more in taxes for those who think they're above hard work. The country doesn't have an unemployment problem, it has a "I'm too good to do that job mentality."
Re: “Shotgun Wedding”
Gosh, Tim, I can't imagine why any Game & Fish commissioners would decline your questions. Think it might have anything to do with the fact that everything you've ever written about Game & Fish has been a one-sided rant of half-truths and errant conclusions designed to denigrate the agency and its employees?
Since you've chosen to alienate yourself from the people closest to Game & Fish and wildlife management in Arizona, you're left with the crumbs of information metted out by others who are complaining that they, too, are on the outside looking in. Those people don't know as much as they think they do either.
SCI is only one of many sportsmen's conservation groups active in Arizona. Based on my front row observations over the past 10 years, I'd say SCI has much less interest in influencing Game & Fish policies than some other groups. SCI brings money and volunteers for conservation projects. They tend to avoid politics with the commission.
For the record, Suzanne Gilstrap was a lobbyist for a 501c(4) affiliate of the group you referenced. The political affiliate disbanded a year ago after the state's sportsmen led a noisy rebellion against them with both the commission and at the legislature. That was the big story you missed. But then you seem to miss all or part of most of the big stories about wildlife management in Arizona.
Re: “Education on the Rocks”
For what it's worth I second the call of the Pima faculty senate and the single uncompromised governing board member Sylvia Lee for the resignations of the four veteran governors. That none has yet given any public indication of recognizing the untenable position they are in is a clear sign of their inability to deal with the critical administrative problems facing the district. Pima is too important to our community for those who share culpability for its present predicament to retain their places. Must they be recalled? That would entail expenditure of time and money that might be better spent on positive forward-looking work for the district and its tens of thousands of students.
Re: “Coverage in Cabrini”
2012 Towers Act passed by the Chilean Congress:
Strictly limits the power of antennas.
Reduces Urban impact
Bans from kindergartens, health centers and schools.
Germany - Improve protection from electromagnetic fields
Rajasthan Banns cell towers on or near Schools, Hospitals or Jails. 200 towers dismantled!
The World Health organization classes all RF Radiation as Possible Carcinogenic to humans.
T-Mobile & Deutsche Telecom Report Outlines Biological Effects from Cell Phone Technologies
A report commissioned by T-Mobile and Deutsche Telecom MobilNet GmbH clearly outlines much of the science showing biological effects from cell phone radiation. This report was prepared in 2000–a decade ago.
It reviews effects such as gene toxicity, cellular processes, effects on the immune system, central nervous system, hormone systems and connections with cancer and infertility.
Note some of the report’s conclusions:
“Given the results of the present epidemiological studies, it can be concluded that electromagnetic fields with frequencies in the mobile telecommunications range do play a role in the development of cancer.”
“Impairment of cognitive functions was found in animal experiments at power flux densities of 2W/m2. In humans, there are indications that brain functions are influenced by fields such as they occur when using a mobile telephone.”
“An epidemiological study of children who had been exposed to pulsed high frequency fields, found a decrease in the capability to concentrate and an increase in reaction times.”
“Effects of high frequency electromagnetic fields on the central nervous system are proven for intensities well below the current guidelines.
France: Electromagnetic Waves: The Precautionary Principle Soon to be Applied in Schools
Voted 19 March 2013 at the French National Assembly
with all that going on, you Bone heads want to keep believing this Radiation is safe?
I guess not wanting to believe is a real powerful thing!! It just does not make the truth and facts any less Real than it is.
Re: “Targeting Protection”
Love animals, touch them, hold them. And then kill them. Y'all have a very strange way of expressing and teaching your love for conservation.
Re: “Deadly Practice”
I worked for the Agency and they do not care about the children or adults. They only care about how much money they make as an agency. They have lots of un happy staff that leave them because of the treatment they have received and because how they treat foster parents. This man was seen as a "god" by supervisors and management. He did nothing wrong even though the signs were visible. He was repoerted talking down to women and even onetime was seen in the community buying alcohol during his work hours. Geuss what not a thing was done.!!!!!! Women felt very threatened by him and sonmew staff even quit for that reason. He walked around as if he was untouchable with an intimidating attitude.!!!!!
Re: “Coverage in Cabrini”
My name is Dennis Williams.(Just so if you want to criticize me at least you can spell my name right). Me and the bank own some property at 3428-3434 E. Presidio, and 1323-1329 W. Hualpai Rd. (The bank lets me collect the rent for it.)
No I don’t make a lot of money on these rentals. The best I can do is just maintain and hold on to them with my fingernails and a frail hope and a shred of faith that they will one day be useful as part of the program I’m directing under Artfare, a 501c3. Because I believe I have a responsibility as a property owner to participate in activities that benefit the neighborhood, I’m a recent member of the Cabrini Neighborhood Association and the El Rio Neighborhood Association. . For the same reason, I’m also a member of Neighbors For Safer Wireless. Before you start looking for coordinates with which to aim your heavy artillery on me, let me just say that what I see here in this forum and on the streets of Cabrini, is a hopelessly deadlocked argument between deeply held beliefs at the level of politics and (there’s a Catholic Church involved so...) religion. You can’t argue a person into your political or religious belief anymore than you can tell someone they ought to like a certain food or be part of a certain community or ethnic group. You can’t tell a pregnant woman that her baby is going to be safe with additional microwave radiation being beamed down on it any more than you can tell a mama bear that you just want to pet one of her cubs....not one of your better ideas. You can’t convince a progressive parent who’s sending her child to Waldorf School that microwaves are safe....not going to happen. You can’t tell someone with a sore or a brain tumor just above the ear where they put their cell phone that it wasn’t caused by microwaves. As far as they (or myself in this case) are concerned they are not an anecdote. You say the studies and statements from the TUSD Governing Board, the FCC, the Pima County Board Of Supervisors, and World Health Organization, and A.M. Best, the insurance risk rating organization and etc. etc. are bogus or political. We say the studies calling us hypochondriacs are paid for by the cellular industry. You say the statistics showing lowered property values and consequent rise in crime and vandalism, and derelict properties are skewed, but you have the evidence right here in these online comments that enough people are against cell towers in Cabrini and other neighborhoods to make a big economic difference. Want to change these people’s minds with facts, figures, cites, local or national politics, or by getting into personalities? Good luck with that. For my part, my base of potential renters, and my profit margin are both so small, I don’t see myself surviving if the cell towers go in. And if I’m forced to sell or walk away a big rental or real estate consortium will be the only entity that can afford to take my properties and they’ll be turned into another set of cookie cutter, ticky tacky, little boxes so called town homes. And I’m not your best candidate for being talked into loving that scenario. We’re here together, and for whatever reasons, we can’t sell our homes and rentals and go someplace else. Like the ecologists say, there is no “away” in which to throw our garbage, and I say, there is no “away” to step away from the Neighborhood Association into. Cell towers or no cell towers we’re stuck here together and sitting back and doing nothing is working for tremendous commercial forces including AT & T and gentrification in general (look at how downtown is becoming a U of A company town in the name of “revitalization”), forces, if you ask me, (and I’m well aware nobody did) are arrayed against real neighborhoods. Whether or not we get past this issue determines whether the neighborhood has a chance to be a real community or whether it becomes what I call an artificial community made of “spit and whistle “ 3/8 inch stucco, pressed wood and cardboard. My project goes the other direction, toward organic gardening and an international art and artist exchange. Every penny I’ve made as a self employed HVAC-R maintenance guy has gone into this project I direct under Artfare, a 501c3, a project to which my rentals are dedicated.. The program is an international art and artist exchange, not invested in big buildings with money targets on their butts, but invested in community, based on student exchange, a member of Couchsurfers.com and WWIOOFUSA. So preach me a sermon, tell me it’s a dumb idea, but we can bring a lot of beautiful sculptures and art pieces made with nature to your neighborhood. It’s an urban gardening/aquaculture center, and child care music and art hour. As such I’m interested in cooperating with any gardeners and anyone who’s interested in the effort to return either or both neighborhoods to a more pristine, natural state. I’d like to see fences covered with vines, xeriscapes and live ponds with trees towering over them to provide shade and especially I am working toward the goal of supplying each of my tenants with a raised bed garden with a shade frame and a cold frame over it with small, well managed livestock to restore some sense of natural balance to a neighborhood over invested in dogs. My theory is that recognizing these aspects of the natural community will make our part of it, the human community, more relaxed, stronger and healthier by changing the entire “climate” of the neighborhood. I’m interested in cooperating with local gardeners in terms of sharing volunteer labor, expertise, produce and CSA’s (community supported agriculture programs). I’m saying all this because I’d like to get past this cell tower issue. We’re not going to change each other’s minds on it. It appears we can’t even have a good conversation about it, so I’d like to just move on to things we can agree that we should work together on. I don’t see how I, much less my projects, can survive if the cell towers go in.. Even if you don’t agree with people’s concerns for their financial or physical health, their opinions will matter. You can’t reassure them, you can’t assume whatever risk there is for them. There’s no amount of liability you or The Church can take out to cover the perceived harm. The Church’s financial interest in renting out the space for the cell towers doesn’t override the concerns of Neighbors For Safer Wireless for their health and safety. There have to be other ways we can help the church do its good work with St Vincent De Paul and Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, both of which I’ve supported in the past and will continue to support (ask Brian Flagg). But you have the evidence here in this forum that the towers can only damage the long term financial interests for the entire neighborhood. Even if the cell towers go in, people aren’t going to stop fighting for their perceived health concerns. Some people will be turned off by the fight and not want to join a bitterly divided neighborhood association. But it is what it is and it just is. It has to be because people have a right to their health concerns. Others, the ones who can, will just move away.
There is too much at stake and we have too much work we need to do together. Let’s agree to disagree and get back to work. In the words of Senator McCain, a man with whom I disagree on just about everything except immigration reform, just because you have a political disagreement with someone doesn’t mean they have evil motives, it usually just means you both honestly believe different things. I’ve found us a new place to meet and a willing business partner at AGM on Ft. Lowell near Dodge. Soon, with their help, we’ll find a dumpster space and an event space where we can all party down dude, forget the past, let bygones be bygones and just move on. Let’s roll.
In the interests of full disclosure I have another personal investment in this argument. A few days ago I had to take my friend to the hospital. (see my blog at http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=62…) . He had a tumor radiating out from the area just above his right ear where he puts his cell phone. There are many other similar instances, but they’re just anecdotes, nothing you should have to worry about.
CONTACT:
Dennis Williams
1323 W. Hualpai Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85745-2051
520-429-0347
dennishwilliams@gmail.com
Member of the El Rio Neighborhood Associaton and also
of the Cabrini Neighborhood Association.
Director of Casa Goofy International (see our website, Facebook
page, WWOOFUSA profile (in the attachment) Blogger, Tumbler etc.) a
program under Artfare, a 501c3.
Re: “Targeting Protection”
Thank you ic69hunter. Too often we hunters ignore or dismiss the attacks of the anti-hunting zealots as meaningless and ignorant and don't fight back. However, their words and actions may have consequences especially when they reach a largely uninformed public. Many of their well-intended actions to protect certain species can have unintended adverse consequences. Case in point is the issue of wolves. Wolves have no serious natural predators. Consequently, when afforded endangered species status they have re-populated quickly and now pose a threat to native species like big horn sheep and elk as well as livestock and humans in some western states.
One earlier poster refers to the International Wildlife Museum as the dead life museum. Using that logic to describe the museum, one could say the same about the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Unlike live animal zoos like Reid Park and the Desert Museum, facilities like the IWM allow people, especially families with children, to get a close-up view of the animals and even touch them where allowed to gain a hands on understanding of the animals' natural features. And unlike zoos, natural history museums like IWM don't hold live animals in captivity.
Re: “Targeting Protection”
Kieran Suckling of the Center for Biological Diversity is one of the two most evil persons in AZ. He and his ilk feel that the ends justify the means even if it means lying and falsifying data. They need to be sued out of existence.
The other person that shares the most evil label along with him is Cathy Herrod of the Focus on the Family.
I am ashamed that both call Arizona home.
And Don_Coyote, that was a very excellent post.
Re: “Targeting Protection”
In the interest of full disclosure let me first state that I am a hunter and a very proud member of Safari Club International. Now a quote from the greatest conservationist in American history:
"In a civilized and cultivated country wild animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen. The excellent people who protest against all hunting, and consider sportsmen as enemies of wild life, are ignorant of the fact that in reality the genuine sportsman is by all odds the most important factor in keeping the larger and more valuable wild creatures from total extermination."
President Theodore Roosevelt, 1905
Tim Vanderpool's "editorial" on the International Wildlife Museum and Safari Club International is a complete embodiment of the ignorance President Roosevelt observed in his early 20th Century statement. Vanderpool states in a post above that he was unable to interview the director and deputy director of the museum to get their perspective but I doubt seriously anything they would have said could have changed his mind or altered his blatantly biased and inaccurate attack piece in any meaningful way. The poster adocus accurately addresses above the massive investment that hunters make for the benefit of wildlife and habitat conservation each year just in the U.S. But hunters also contribute significantly to the conservation of many species around the world, particularly Africa. Here's a link to the recent article featured in the New York Times written by Alexander N. Songorwa, Director of Wildlife for the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/18/opinion/…
In terms of bias by omission, Vanderpool neglected to state that the WWF (yes, the World Wildlife Fund) and 42 countries including Canada where polar bear hunting is a matter of survival for native Inuit populations, joined Safari Club at the recent CITES conference in Bangkok in defeating a ban on international polar bear trade. Below is a link to a recent article in National Geographic which accurately portrays the real threats to polar bears:
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/20…
There are many other inaccuracies, errors and omissions in the article but hopefully I've made the point that legal hunting is in fact a protector of wildlife just as President Roosevelt made that point over a century ago. The International Wildlife Museum is dedicated to science-based sustainable use conservation and, to that end, serves an important mission in the Tucson community.
Re: “Coverage in Cabrini”
I have an electrical engineer friend who says "ATT puts in a 4G cell tower" then get out and geat away from it. That is professional speaking!
Re: “Minty Fresh”
I really appreciate "The Tucson Weekly" coming out to watch our show! Thank you, to our supporters, as well!!! Burlesque truly is a sparkly celebration of all types of sensuality, sizes, and beauty. All of our dancers embody confidence, sexiness, and theatrics with handmade costumes and unique choreography. I hope you can all make it out sometime to see us. We perform at The Mint each Saturday night and in various other venues around town; feel free to like us on Facebook for information on our shows. XOXO - Ida
Re: “Minty Fresh”
I agree that the writing on this article is pretty bad. I have seen Don't Blink Burlesque many times now at The Mint and all of the dancers are so beautiful and entertaining (and natural). The audience is mostly women and couples, so to assume folks go to get a "big boner," is a little ridiculous...and anatomically impossible for all the ladies in the audience. The shows are so much fun and the costumes are elaborate. Each act is like a little theater production but for adult eyes only. They involve the audience in acts, too which was a blast to watch! I wish the reviewer had done more to research burlesque before coming to the show or writing the article. It is clear she doesn't know much about the art form, and these have been the best burlesque dancers I've seen in town. I am happy that she enjoyed herself and was entertained, but I wish she would have done a better job portraying the show!
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Re: “Under the Gun”
I sent the message below to our not-very-responsive junior senator and got a totally-off-the-point stock answer.
Senator Flake:
I fail to understand your 'logic': expand the list of those prohibited from possessing firearms because of mental illness BUT do not expand the use of the list of prohibited persons. If I understand you, you'd like a comprehensive list and have it continue to be used only by registered dealers, thereby letting prohibited persons buy from private sources, at gun shows, etc., as is the case right now for an estimate 40% of all gun sales. I'd really appreciate an explanation of your reasoning in this regard.
Thank you.
His reply didn't even acknowledge the point of my message. It just reiterated his totally unsatisfactory position.