Highlighting news and images in Arizona—via tweets.
By Mike Saucier @MikeTheSauce
It’s been a big couple of weeks for the biggest of Arizona issues: guns and immigration. Nothing has been settled but with both issues there are signs of hope on the horizon, with real solutions being offered up and discussed. Another hot-button issue, medical marijuana, is making headlines too. If those remaining in the camp of “No, Never” on the use of medical marijuana still hold that position after reading Laurie Roberts’s column on P.1 of the Republic on Sunday, well, I’m not sure they’ll ever be convinced.
Roberts explored the plight of former U.S. Attorney Mel McDonald, a Ronald Reagan appointee who led the war on drugs in Arizona in the 1980s and who supports medical marijuana because it’s the only thing that brings his son, who suffered a serious brain injury resulting from a car accident when he was 15, a measure of peace.
Poll numbers reflect that the public agrees with McDonald: there is nothing wrong letting medical marijuana help the afflicted deal with pain.
PR heavyweight Jason Rose tweeted: ”New #arizona summit group poll shows likely voter support for #medicalmarijuana at 55-39. Big uptick since ’10 vote. Affirms PPP poll”
That’s a pretty solid showing. Why any Republican wants to continue to pick fights with those wanting relief from cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and chronic pain is mystifying.
Turning to immigration reform, a proposal was put forth by President Obama.
The Republic’s immigration reporter Daniel Gonzalez tweeted from the speech: “Phoenix mayor Greg Stanton is here: this is huge. We need an Immig system that advances our economy.”
State Sen. Anna Tovar tweeted a photo and the following on President Obama’s immigration speech: “#POTUS shares an important message with me for Arizona. #immigrationreform”
Ann Wallack, former Maricopa County Democratic Party chair and owner of Runner’s Den: “i hope the media is persistent in asking R’s what more they want done at the border before they’ll accept comp immigration reform.”
Conservatarian Breitbart activist Shane Wikfors of AZ: “It has been my experience that faith-driven conservatives unconditionally care far more about immigrants than the left #immigrationtable”
GUNS GUNS GUNS
Another week, another round of gun tragedies and back-and-forth on what to do about gun violence. There was a tragic shooting unfolding in Phoenix as Mark Kelly testified to Congress about gun safety.
Gabrielle Giffords: “the breadth and complexity of gun violence is great-but it is not an excuse for inaction.” @shuttlecdrkelly
Abbie Fink of HMA Public Relations: “I am saddened to hear a life-long friend was killed in today’s shooting in Phx. Senseless.”
Sheriff Joe Arpaio: I am issuing all my deputies semi-auto weapons to combat the violence. Read more @ http://mcso.org
ALL ARIAS ALL THE TIME
The Jodi Arias trial just got a lot more exciting she takes the stand this week in her own defense.
Nancy Grace, host of “television’s only justice themed/interview/debate show,” tweeted: “If #JodiArias were my daughter, I’d sleep with the door locked, a bullet-proof vest, and a collar around my neck”
EIGHT FOR BASEBALL
D-Backs spokesman Josh Rawitch sent out a welcome and timely reminder tweet: “8: Days until pitchers and catchers report. Also, number of wins last season by @BMcCarthy32 w/ a 3.24 ERA in just 18 starts.”
D-Backs pitcher Charles Brewer is watching some tennis these days: “Hey @MariaSharapova and @vika7, I’m trying my best to watch your tennis matches…but these moaning noises gotta go.”
One response from them could have been: We will stop as soon as you stop spitting and making certain uniform adjustments with great frequency.
GOVERNOR AND RECEIVER
The producer of the 12 News morning show in Phoenix, Stacey Roberts tweeted this image: “Right now @LarryFitzgerald is flying back to AZ with @GovBrewer#UnlikelyPair”
COLOR AND ARIZONA SKY
Rosanne Benavides tweeted this image: “Rainbow in NE Phoenix this afternoon.”
And former ESPN SportsCenter anchor and studio host Cindy Brunson (now an Arizona resident): “I’m not the only one who thought a hot air balloon ride was a good idea today.”
TWEET TROUBLE FOR MCCAIN
U.S. Sen. John McCain, known for his “Bomb, Bomb Iran” joke during his presidential campaign, seems to still have a thing for off-color jokes about Iran. Arizona’s senior senator tweeted: “So Ahmadinejad wants to be first Iranian in space – wasn’t he just there last week? “Iran launches monkey into space” http://news.yahoo.com/iran-launches-monkey-space-showing-missile-progress-003037176.html …”
After critics weighed in, McCain tweeted: “Re: Iran space tweet – lighten up folks, can’t everyone take a joke?”
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM GETS PINK ENDORSEMENT
Singer/star Pink was in town and she really dug the Children’s Museum, tweeting:
“The Children’s Museum in Pheonix is amazing. Just FYI”
She then went on to correct her spelling. Of course, Mayor Greg Stanton was thrilled to have such a great institution lauded by Pink, who has 13 million followers on Twitter. Stanton copied Pink’s tweet, adding: “Raising my Glass to this tweet. Thx P!nk”
BIG PLUG FOR BACKYARD
Mesa Mayor Scott Smith was wowed in this tweet: “Backyard Taco blows away all other taco shops in the Valley. Worth the drive to Mesa!”
LAST WORD
State Sen. Al Melvin on the gays-in-the-Boy Scouts issue: “#azright Hopefully, the Boy Scouts of America won’t change their policy of not allowing gays in the scout and leadership ranks of the BSA.”
Me: And you all will end up on the wrong side of history.
SEE SOMETHING? SAY SOMETHING
So, you think a tweet is funny, clever or over-the-top? Nominate it for inclusion in TwitterZona. Do it by email at msaucier@gmail.com or Tweet @MikeTheSauce.
