Tag: Arizona

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Hillary Clinton Leading By 5 Points In Arizona

A new poll by the Arizona Republic, Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy and Cronkite News, shows Democrat Hillary Clinton leading in the traditionally red state of Arizona by 5 points.

According to the survey, Clinton is currently at 43% support of the state’s likely voters as Republican Donald Trump trails at 38%.

Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson and Green Party nominee Jill Stein continue in single digits receiving 7% and 4%, respectively.

In case you’re wondering why Hillary is doing so well in a state that should be Trump territory, take a look at this recent poll of Latino voters and keep in mind Arizona’s large Hispanic population.

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Arizona Republic Responds To Death Threats From Trump Supporters Over Clinton Endorsement

Mi-Ai Parrish

The president of the Arizona Republic,Mi-Ai Parrish, responds to the death threats – yes, you read that correctly – the paper and it’s reporters received after endorsing a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time in the paper’s history.

As someone who has spent a career in the business of words, it’s unusual to find myself speechless.

Yet, there I was, a little more than two weeks ago.

What is the correct response, really, to this?

YOU’RE DEAD. WATCH YOUR BACK.

WE WILL BURN YOU DOWN.

YOU SHOULD BE PUT IN FRONT OF A FIRING SQUAD AS A TRAITOR.

How did I come to be hearing these threats?

More than a year ago, The Republic’s editorial board began taking a stand against the actions and positioning of Donald Trump. In piece after piece, we made it clear that his principles weren’t conservative. They were bad for the party, bad for Arizona, dangerous for America.

But in its more than 125 years, The Republic had never endorsed a Democrat for president. So, over the many months of the campaign, we found ourselves with this question: Endorse no one, or endorse a Democrat for the first time in our history?

We made our choice soberly. We knew it would be unpopular with many people. We knew that, although we had clearly stated our objections to Trump, it would be a big deal for a conservative editorial board in a conservative state to break ranks from the party.

We chose patriotism over party. We endorsed the Democrat.

And then the reaction started pouring in. Threats against our business. Threats against our people.

So, what is the response?

What is the correct response to any of the vile threats against me? What is the correct response to the more disturbing actions and words directed against so many others?

I’ve thought about those responses a lot. Today, I offer you a few.

If you’d like to see the kind of political discourse Donald Trump has helped create, I really encourage you to read the entire op-ed.

I’ll be looking for Donald Trump to denounce these threats.

#ThisIsTrumpNation

(h/t JoeMyGod)

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Arizona Republic Backs Hillary Clinton – 1st Democratic Endorsement In 126 Year History

For the first time in it’s 126 year history, the Arizona Republic – the largest newspaper in red state Arizona – has endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton for president.

In an election year filled with hyperbole, it really can’t be underlined enough what stunning news this is.

Near the opening of the article, the editorial board states twice that a Democratic endorsement has never occurred before. They repeat the word, “never.”

Along the way, the editors point to Clinton’s calm voice and mature demeanor; her wide-ranging knowledge of foreign policy; her long history of standing for gender equality; and her support for comprehensive immigration reform.

Here’s just a few excerpts:

The challenges the United States faces domestically and internationally demand a steady hand, a cool head and the ability to think carefully before acting.

Hillary Clinton understands this. Donald Trump does not.

Clinton has the temperament and experience to be president. Donald Trump does not.

Clinton knows how to compromise and to lead with intelligence, decorum and perspective. She has a record of public service as First Lady, senator and secretary of state.

She has withstood decades of scrutiny so intense it would wither most politicians. The vehemence of some of the anti-Clinton attacks strains credulity.

Trump hasn’t even let the American people scrutinize his tax returns, which could help the nation judge his claims of business acumen.

[snip]

She does not casually say things that embolden our adversaries and frighten our allies. Her approach to governance is mature, confident and rational.

That cannot be said of her opponent.

Clinton retains her composure under pressure. She’s tough. She doesn’t back down.

Trump responds to criticism with the petulance of verbal spit wads.

That’s beneath our national dignity.

When the president of the United States speaks, the world expects substance. Not a blistering tweet.

[snip]

In a nation with an increasingly diverse population, Trump offers a recipe for permanent civil discord.

In a global economy, he offers protectionism and a false promise to bring back jobs that no longer exist.

America needs to look ahead and build a new era of prosperity for the working class.

This is Hillary Clinton’s opportunity. She can reach out to those who feel left behind. She can make it clear that America sees them and will address their concerns.

She can move us beyond rancor and incivility.

The Arizona Republic endorses Hillary Clinton for president.

According to RealClearPolitics poll averages, Donald Trump only leads by 2.2% in Arizona.

I encourage you to read the full op-ed here.

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Arizona Pastor Steven Anderson Doubles Down On ‘Execute The Gays To Cure AIDS’ Hate Speech

Arizona Baptist pastor Steven Anderson — who called for the mass execution of gays in a recent sermon in order to have an “AIDS-free world by Christmas” — doubled down on his virulently anti-gay stance in this interview with Arizona television anchor Mark Curtis.

“What you have to understand is that the Bible commands that certain people be put to death. Not by me, not by Christians — it’s obviously not my job or the job of any Christian to go out and kill anybody — and I’ve never taught anything like that. But rather, that the government’s job is to punish criminals and to execute those who committed capital crimes. And according to the Bible, homosexuality is a capital crime. And I didn’t write the Bible.”

The interview was due to the reaction from Anderson’s November 30th sermon where he said this:

“It was right there in the Bible all along — and they’re out spending billions of dollars in research and testing. It’s curable — right there. Because if you executed the homos like God recommends, you wouldn’t have all this AIDS running rampant,” he added. “It wouldn’t be totally AIDS-free, but we’d be like 90-some percent AIDS-free by Christmas if we follow this.”

Note: Anderson’s Faithful Word Baptist Church has been certified as an anti-LGBT hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

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Arizona Will Not Appeal Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

In a letter to all county clerks, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne issued instructions to immediately grant marriage licenses to all same-sex couples who apply.

Happy dance time!!!
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Arizona Same-Sex Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional

Based on the 9th Circuit Court’s decision which struck down same-sex marriage bans in Nevada and Idaho, U.S. District Court Judge John Sedwick has ruled Arizona’s similar ban is unconstitutional.

In his ruling, Sedwick refused to grant a stay of his opinion, meaning the decision goes into effect immediately.

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Arizona: Campaign Ad Features Lesbian Couple

New campaign ad from Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, who is running for Secretary of State.

Featured in the ad are Melanie Puskar-Blakely and Tonya Blakely recounting how Goddard’s opponent, Sen. Michele Reagan, supported the anti-gay SB 1062 which would have legalized discrimination against the LGBT community in Arizona.

Thankfully, the bill was vetoed by Gov. Brewer.

Very rare – but welcome – to see a lesbian couple head up a campaign ad.

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Arizona man wins right to be listed as “surviving spouse” in narrow same-sex marriage case

Fred McQuire (L) and George Martinez (R) exchange marriage vows in California

Today, a judge in Phoenix, Arizona, ruled in favor of plaintiff Fred McQuire’s request to be listed on the death certificate of his recently deceased husband George Martinez.

Arizona state law does not recognize same-sex marriage and as such would not list McQuire as Martinez’s husband on the death certificate.

U.S. District Judge John Sedwick’s ruling will allow McQuire the right to apply for Social Security and veterans death benefits.

The state had argued against McQuire claim based on the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, but Judge Sedwick wrote that McQuire faced irreparable harm on the basis of the loss of his dignity and status while he was the midst of his grief.

From Lambda Legal via press release:

An accurate death certificate is necessary for a surviving spouse to settle their loved one’s affairs, as well as to collect veterans, social security and other benefits generally available to surviving spouses.

“I’m ecstatic and so grateful that my marriage to George is recognized. My birthday is next week and this is the best birthday present I could have ever hoped for. This is the highest honor that we could offer George and his memory—he would be so proud. Even though this ruling is for George and me, I hope this is going to help other families, too. No one else should have to deal with the pain and humiliation of not being able to take care of something as simple and sensitive as a death certificate for their spouse,” said Lambda Legal client Fred McQuire.

Read the ruling here.

UPDATE: via Twitter

(source)

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An Arizona Love Story

Fred McQuire and George Martinez, both veterans of the US armed forces, were married in California this past July after 45 years together.

In recent years, both Fred and George battled life-threatening illnesses.

Sadly, George passed away on August 28, 2014 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

The state of Arizona, where they lived together, does not recognize their marriage, and wants to issue a death certificate that will read “never married.”

Tomorrow, Lambda Legal will ask the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona to order the State of Arizona to provide an accurate death certificate.

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Guns don’t kill people, 9 year old girls do

A gun instructor has been shot and killed by a nine year old girl who was getting a lesson on how to use an Uzi.

Charles Vacca, 39, of Lake Havasu City was shot Monday morning, airlifted to a medical center in Las Vegas and pronounced dead shortly before 9 p.m., the sheriff’s office said.

Vacca was working at the Bullets and Burgers outdoor range in White Hills, about 60 miles southeast of Las Vegas, when the accident occurred. The girl and her parents were at the range while on vacation, a sheriff’s spokeswoman told the Los Angeles Times.

He was standing next to the girl, instructing her how to use the Uzi, when she pulled the gun’s trigger and the recoil sent the weapon over her head, causing him to be shot, the sheriff’s office said.

“This is a rarity for something like this to happen,” the spokeswoman said.

You have to be 18 to join the armed forces; you have to be 21 to drink in most states; you have to be 16 to drive a car legally in most states; but with no regulation whatsoever, you can hand an Uzi to a 9 year old girl?

FYI – Bullets and Burgers hosts children’s birthday parties.

Because, what could possibly go wrong?