In an exclusive, in-depth interview with E! Online’s Giuliana Rancic, “Dancing With the Stars” finalist Bristol Palin talked about running for public office “further down the road,” son Tripp, ex-boyfriend Levi Johnston, her new boyfriend, and being a Maricopa, Ariz. homeowner. (more)
Bristol Palin won’t be matriculating at Arizona State University, but she could be co-hosting a Phoenix, Ariz.-based radio show. (more)
Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, Arizona has been at the center of a roaring controversy for his decision to remove the Catholic status from St. Joseph Hospital in Phoenix. The hospital may no longer refer to itself as a Catholic institution, Mass may not be celebrated there, and the Diocese of Phoenix will not give it any further support. The decision came as a result of an abortion procedure performed at the hospital, and the repeated violations of Catholic moral teaching that the hospital had perpetrated over the years. (more)
The Tea Party Express, a group behind some of the biggest Republican primary upsets this election cycle, has unveiled the locations of its cross country bus tour set to take place in battleground states in the two-weeks leading up to election day in November. (more)
People in Arizona remember a different Jan Brewer from the tough-talking Republican governor at the center of the bitter immigration debate swirling out of her state. If politicians have multiple lives, her previous ones showed a much more personable presence — one pundit called her “delightful.” Not eloquent but engaging, not book-smart but pragmatic, Brewer would often crack jokes in boring committee meetings when she was a state legislator, trading punch lines with another lawmaker who acted as the comedic foil. The exchanges reminded some of scenes with Lucy and Ethel in I Love Lucy more than legislative debate. (more)
Two recent mailers sent by the Ben Quayle campaign contain some curious images and statements by the 33-year-old lawyer and flush-with-cash candidate in Arizona’s crowded 3rd Congressional District primary. (more)
PHOENIX – He’s been at the center of the discussions and controversies surrounding illegal immigration enforcement in Arizona for quite a while. (more)
Donald Trump will once again be presented on NBC this fall as the as an incredibly successful businessman and host of a so-called “reality” show, The Apprentice. (more)
As a dedicated American Muslim activist, I have devoted my life to advocating for reforms against political Islam – the root cause of Islamist terrorism. To that end, I debated Bilal Kaleem, executive director of the Muslim American Society of Boston (MAS) at an April Ford Hall Forum in Boston. I focused on the threat of Islamism (political Islam and shar’iah) to the west, human rights, and freedom. When confronted, Mr. Kaleem feigned ignorance and dismissed the realities of political Islam staying lockstep with his employers. And why wouldn’t he when a coalition of local faith and political leaders continue to blindly give him and his Islamist associates an ideological pass? (more)
Reporting from Washington — Critics of the Obama administration’s decision to sue Arizona over its new law to control illegal immigration accuse the government of overlooking a more obvious target: the dozens of cities that called themselves a “sanctuary” for immigrants. (more)
One if by land two if by seize
Instead of jumping the fence in Arizona, it looks like immigrants are trying to beat the heat by boating to America. Last week Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) reported three separate smuggling attempts by sea. (more)
U.S. Assistant Attorney General Tony West and his team may or may not have a future in constitutional law. But judging from the government’s brief in their suit to enjoin enforcement of S.B. 1070, Arizona’s infamous immigration bill, they might just have a future in comedy. (more)
Reporting from Phoenix —Police officers enforcing a controversial new Arizona immigration law cannot use race to form a suspicion that someone is in the country illegally, but can rely on people’s ability to speak English, their dress and whether they are in an area where illegal immigrants congregate, according to state guidelines released Thursday. (more)
Last week, the Obama administration confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will file a lawsuit to challenge Arizona’s immigration law, SB 1070 before it becomes law in late July. But regardless of its constitutionality, SB 1070 will have bad consequences for Arizona. The majority of this law is about punishing businesses during a slow economy and will unintentionally increase crime. (more)
Gabriela Saucedo Mercer now has fans around the country. Talk radio stars Glenn Beck and Tammy Bruce have spoken about her and the YouTube video in which she stars has received more than a quarter million hits and counting. What did Saucedo-Mercer do to bring herself to national notice? (more)
Arizona Republican Jon Kyl dropped a bombshell on Friday when he told supporters in Phoenix that during a one-on-one meeting on immigration, President Obama said he’s “holding it hostage” — “it” being border security — in exchange for comprehensive reform. But according to the White House, Obama made no such threat. (more)
A video is making the rounds of conservative blogs in which Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) alleges that President Barack Obama told him that the administration will not secure the border unless it is part of comprehensive immigration reform. (more)
This is the kind of week in sports that lawyers love. (more)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Today happens to be Matt’s birthday. You know what he wants? A new ball-gag? The complete discography of RATT? Acceptance from his peers? No. He wants you to ask him a question. Submit it here (more)
Summer is a time for vacation, beaches, relaxation, and MUSIC! The Bonaroo Music and Arts Festival opens today in Manchester, Tennessee and will feature a wide array of artists over the course of four days. This year’s acts include Kings of Leon, Jay Z, Stevie Wonder, Weezer, The Flaming Lips, Regina Spektor, Tokyo Police Club, Kid Cudi, and Local Natives. See the full list here. (more)
