You may have heard that state Rep. Daniel Patterson (D-Tucson) was removed from his seat on the House Committee on Military Affairs and Public Safety earlier this month.
Well, we at Tucson Weekly TV have tracked down the video for your viewing pleasure, so you can see first-hand the terse March 17 exchange between Patterson and Sen. Russell Pierce. The two were discussing SB 1027, a pilot program which would install small seismic sensors to detect illegal border crossers.
As an aside, if a Joe Biden gaffe can sell T-shirts, than these gems from the video can too:
“You’re not the chairman here. I am.” – Rep. Jerry Weiers
“We’ve had a lot of problems with the applications of this so-called ‘technology.'” Rep. Patterson
“You just step up to the mike and make things up.” – Rep. Patterson
“I’m going to explain my vote. And I probably shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself.” – Rep. Weiers
“I’m not impugning anyone!” – Rep. Patterson
This article appears in Mar 25-31, 2010.
Patterson needs to go – period. He has proven in the past that he is incapable of cooperating with others – he is nasty and arrogant and has caused untold harm – however as they say – a picture is worth a thousand words. This man does not belong in our state legislature with the very important issues of the community at stake nor does he deserve the trust of the people – he belongs on the street with the other hothead gang mentality.
After watching this video I just read the article in the Arizona Daily Star, by Howard Fisch on what happened – then I read the absurd comments that Patterson had his wife and friends post on the AZ Star – all attempts to shift the focus off his behavior by bringing up issues – childish attempts at best to distract from his complete inability to behave in any manner befitting the office he was sadly elected to.
All the boo hoos about these individuals going to write the chariman, etc. are pathetic – Patterson’s complete and utter disregard for a lack of decorum should not be tolerated. He rightly lost his seat and it should not, under any circumstances, be re-instated. He is an embarrasment to himself – look how he storms out of the door – like a child in a temper tanturm. Absolutely absurd behavior.
Quite frankly, this man is nothing more than an a-hole. Now, we of LD 29 have a representative who has NO committee. Furthermore, it is impossible to comprehend how any General could defend him – this is not how a General behaves – nor how he becomes a General. Patterson has recieved his just desserts. He needs to be recalled so that we can get someone in there to represent us.
that was tame compared to congress, watch some of the witness examination by McCain. If you follow the aggregate compilation of what Pierce states and did fact checks, you can understand the point Patterson was trying make, also to save taxpayers some money. It is understandable after dealing with this day in and day out you get a little fed up w/ Pierce, too.
Mr. Patterson,
The removal of you from your seat was not “overkill” nor was any sort of “jab at Tucson from Maricipa Cty – based majority leadership” as you stated in your response. This statement is just another pathetic lame excuse for your behavior and to shift the focus off yourself and onto them for having to be put in the position to deal with an rude, arrogant, foul tempered man!
The Maricopa Cty based leadership did not cause you to behave the way you did – so stop the childish blame game. For crying out loud – act like a man for once in your life! Instead of the petulant, angry child that you have continually exhibited.
The reason you have absolutely no respect in the legislature and the reason you have been marginalized is no ones doing but your OWN!
You said if you have a ‘do over’ you would handle it differently – but then you go own to continue to shift the focus & on a political party! The demeaning and condescending way you spoke to a colleague and then to the commitee chair illustrates tht you need to seek anger management – pronto! One fully expected you to start pummeling people as your next act that day. This was NOT just an isolated incident but one that finally landed you on your ass in the street.
This behavior has cost you dearly in the past in relationships with people – and it will continue to do so in the future unless you decide to grow up and act responsibly regardless of the situation at hand.
Rep.Patterson ! Don’t let them push you around ! I praise you ! Your the champion for the people. Its okay to fight back !