14 minute read
OPINION
THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 11, 2022
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Biden speech reveals him as ‘divider’ in chief
BY JD HAYWORTH Tribune Columnist
The first day of September could very well have signaled the last day of meaningful political freedom in the United States. As darkness fell in Philadelphia, Joe Biden stood in front of Independence Hall—the site of our nation’s founding— to deliver a screed that may lead to its ultimate undoing. Certainly the content led to confusion among the White House image makers. The “word merchants” supplied a lofty title, claiming the subject matter was “The Continued Battle for the Soul of the Nation,” but the “optics crew” chose to bathe the national monument in blood-red floodlights. And behind the presidential podium was Joe Biden—not there as the leader of a nation—but instead as the purveyor of political pornography. In less than 25 minutes, Biden perverted our entire political process, adding new venom to his vitriol. Joe ensured his remarks would be “historic” by claiming that millions of everyday Americans who disagree with him politically should now be regarded as a threat to the nation. Three minutes into his speech, Joe barked out his central theme: “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our Republic.” Lest you think the criticism contained in this column is overwrought, understand this distinction: while “extremism” has been the Left’s favorite label for every GOP candidate and cause since Barry Goldwater, Biden broke new ground by failing to separate citizens from his personal political opponents. Had Joe simply said “Donald Trump has misled MAGA Republicans into following an extremism blah-blah-blah,” Biden would be spared the rightful scorn he’s now receiving. We all know that “politics ain’t beanbag,” and that the demonization of opposing candidates—while lamentable—has been so commonplace for so long, that it falls within the bounds of accepted political rhetoric. What is unacceptable is the demonization of all who disagree. Absurdities abound in the aftermath. “The City of Brotherly Love” became the backdrop for a “Declaration of Political Hate.” Joe Biden, who claimed in his inaugural address that he would be a “uniter,” instead revealed his desire to be a “divider.” And the man who serves as our current Commander-in-Chief believes he’s justified to name those who oppose him politically as “domestic enemies.” Undergirding all that was wrong with this “presidential address” was Biden’s fundamental misunderstanding of the type of nation he leads – literally. While he called it a “republic” once, Joe used the word “democracy” 26 times in a speech that ran just under 25 minutes. Biden is scarcely alone in his misuse and overuse of “democracy.” The fact that so many of us regard the term as synonymous with “republic” reflects the triumph of an earlier effort to change our political lexicon…and in so doing, alter our politics. Progressives of both parties deliberately started using the word “democracy” in the early 20th century, implying that majority rule was the guiding light in governing. Benjamin Franklin—present at the creation of our government and an active participant in its founding—viewed democracy with distrust. As Dr. Franklin put it, “Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for lunch.” Nowhere in the Constitution or The Bill of Rights will you find “democracy.” Instead our founders refer to our “republic,” a government based upon the rule of law. In fact, Franklin, when asked about the type of government our founders devised, offered this response: “A republic…if you can keep it.” Franklin was many things – printer, inventor, diplomat, statesman – and his response sounds like a letter of prophecy from a Founding Father to his modern day progeny. Can we keep our republic? History also records that Franklin was our first Postmaster General but the fear is that his clear message to Joe Biden ended up in the “Dead Letter Office.” Say it ain’t so, Joe!
Red Cross volunteer helps map fires, floods
BY LORI BAKER Tribune Guest Writer
American Red Cross volunteer David Enriquez is part of a team that maps and monitors wildfires and flooding in Arizona and New Mexico to help keep Red Cross responders aware of the current incident situation. The team uses geographic information system (GIS) technology to provide vital information about impacted areas. This season, he assisted with 44 wildfires, including the Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon, Black, Tunnel and Pipeline wildfires. He also has helped with disaster response for 15 flooding incidents. During a developing disaster, it’s important to know what’s happening in real time: Where is the incident? Are there evacuations? Where are the necessary trailers? Where should a shelter be located? Where are there power outages? “In order for the Red Cross to provide services in a timely fashion and be good stewards of donor dollars, it is important to have good data and situational awareness,” Enriquez said. “Maps and dashboards can communicate in a quick and effective way so leadership has the necessary information to make decisions.” Enriquez is part of the Red Cross information and planning team and during the past season worked under the direction of Regional Information and Planning Lead Doug Patriquin for the Arizona-New Mexico region. “To be on this team, many of us take mapping classes through the Red Cross to gain the proficiency necessary to work with these maps. That with independent study helps us learn how to use these tools. It is a continuous learning experience,” Enriquez said. Enriquez has taken on a leadership role in GIS mapping development and improvement. “David has been a key player in the situation unit of the information and planning function in the Arizona-New Mexico Region in both steady state and disaster response. This includes his involvement in the Wildfires of Concern process during wildfire season, monitoring other incidents such as the current monsoon season events, and conducting situation awareness briefing for the disaster team,” Patriquin said. For his outstanding volunteer work, Enriquez received the Arizona Geospatial Volunteer of the Year Award in September from the Arizona Geographic Information Council, a governor-appointed board of geospatial professionals. He was recognized for volunteering significant time and geospatial expertise to promote and enhance the use of geospatial technology in Arizona. “I was thrilled to learn about David’s seeBAKER page 31
volunteer efforts with the American Red Cross. His work is truly what the Arizona Geospatial Volunteer of the Year Award is about,” said Deputy State Cartographer Jenna Leveille, who administers the Arizona Geographic Information Council.
“It is meant to recognize and celebrate the unsung heroes volunteering their time, knowledge and expertise to make our world a better place,”
“David’s story is inspirational. I hope that it is a catalyst for others. We are so lucky to have him in Arizona,” she added.
Enriquez, a Tempe resident, became a Red Cross volunteer about 16 months ago. He owned an import car repair shop for 45 years before retiring. His sister, also a Red Cross volunteer, encouraged him to sign up.
“It is an honor and privilege to work with the information and planning team along with all the other incredible and talented Red Cross volunteers,” he added.
Lori Baker is an American Red Cross
communications volunteer.
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BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Executive Editor In yet another sign of the relentless increase in housing prices, the Valley’s top market analyst said the average price of a home listed in Mesa ZIP codes 85213 and 85215 exceeds $1 million, putting it among 28 Valley postal zones with seven-figure list price averages.“If rising house prices scare you, then the best place not to look is the average price for active listings,” the Cromford Report wrote. “Unless you are made of stern stuff, you should look away now.” Cromford Report then proceeded to note that the average home list price in 85213 is $1,039,66 – nearly double the $596,795 average list price in that ZIP code three years ago this month and ranked 27th among the 28 high-dollar ZIP codes. In 85215, the average list price is $1,082,213 – far higher than the March 2019 average list price of $658.118 and placing 23rd among the 28 ZIP codes. Leading that compilation is the Paradise Valley ZIP of 85253, with average list price of $7.2 million while the lowest is the Windsong area of Phoenix with just over $1 million.
That group of what Cromford Report calls “eye-watering numbers” also includes one ZIP code in Ahwatukee and four others in Phoenix, all of Carefree, Wickenburg and Cave Creek; seven in Scottsdale, two in Gilbert, the Gold Canyon ZIP in Apache Junction and one each in South Tempe and Glendale. To understand the significance of that, Cromford provides this stunning fact: Just three years ago, average list prices topping $1 million existed in only seven Valley ZIP codes. Of course, the Cromford Report stresses, Home prices hit $1M average in 2 Mesa ZIPs Fans celebrate spring ball’s return in Mesa
BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer Blue skies and green grass set the perfect tone as Sloan Park’s gates opened to welcome fans back to Spring Training. The only thing missing was the green ivy on the outfield wall but a cactus outside the stadium was fine with fans who shuffled their way through the gates on March 14 – four days before the first game – as the Seventh Inning Stretch blared on the speakers. Officials had opened the stadium’s first base gate to give away free hot dogs and soda to fans after they took pictures on the concourse or in front of the replica of the Wrigley Field marquee sign with their own custom message. With Sloan Park open for a March 14 celebration of the beginning of a shortened Cactus League season, Chicago Cubs fans Charlene and Don Udoni of Illinois took a video to send to family. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)
seeMARKET page 6 seeSPRING BALL page 4
That group of what Cromford Report calls “eye-watering numbers” also includes one ZIP code in Ahwatukee and four others in Phoenix, all of Carefree, Wickenburg and Cave Creek; seven in Scottsdale, two in Gil bert, the Gold Canyon ZIP in Apache Junction and one each in South Tempe and Glendale. To understand the significance of that, Cromford provides this stunning fact: Just three years ago, average list prices topping $1 million existed in only seven Valley ZIP codes. Of course, the Cromford Report stresses, season, Chicago Cubs fans Charlene and Don Udoni of Illinois took a video to send to family.
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Stunning re-done campus awaits Mt. View students
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2 hot Mesa Council races head to wire
BY SCOTT SHUMAKER Tribune Staff Writer Three Mesa City Council seats are up for grabs in Tuesday’s Primary Election but voters will be deciding only two of them. The third race already is resolved as the District 5 seat drew only one candidate, corporate lawyer and former Las Sendas HOA board member Alicia Goforth. The deadline to mail in early ballots has Prepping for his part
passed, but voters can drop off their early ballot at any early voting location, any ballot drop box, or any Election Day voting location by 7 p.m. on Aug. 2. Vote Centers for inperson voting on Election Day are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit elections.maricopa.gov for locations.In the other two districts, two candidates who started the election season looking like underdogs had made the races appear more competitive heading toward the finish. To win outright and avoid a runoff in the Nov. 8 General Election, a candidate must garner at least 50% of the vote plus 1. In District 4, two candidates, college student and disability advocate Nathaniel Ross and former governor’s office staffer Trista Guzman Glover are challenging the incumbent, downtown arts booster and business owner Vice Mayor Jenn Duff.
BY MARK MORAN Tribune Staff Writer There has never been a better time to be in the marching band at Mesa Mountain View High School. Or the choir, or drama, dance, music, or anything else considered Performing Arts, for that matter. The most prominent visible feature of the two-year, $50-million modernization project is a brand-new building at the front of campus that will house Mountain View’s Fine Arts programs. It’s designed to let students’ imaginations flourish, fuel dreams to come alive and for aspirations to become realities for the arts-inclined. Most Mountain View students will get their first look at the renovated campus Wednes-
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Mesa thespians shine in new musical Tre Moore of Mesa is in the final days of rehearsals for his title role in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the latest musical production by Limelight Performing Arts that will bring a host of talented young thespians from throughout the East Valley to the stage at Mesa Arts Center next month. For the story seepage 25. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)
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