I was getting in my car and thinking how funny it was that “Showgirls”* was now “ChiChis” Then I noticed they were even flying the Mexican flag, so I decided to get a picture for blogging purposes.

As I brought the roofline into my viewfinder, I saw they also had an American flag – lower than all the other flags (a clear violation) and in tatters. Shameful.

BTW: As I was snapping my pics (with a cameraphone, sorry for the quality) one of the dancers on her smoke break seemed to get annoyed and soon a gigantic mountain of a bouncer came out and both started walking toward me. I didn’t bother to stick around long enough to find out what they wanted

* I’m not sure about the previous name, it was something like Showgirls, nothing too creative, nothing too offensive.

As you may be aware (especially if you are in Phoenix) we had a wild, vicious hail storm last week. Homes in the Valley lost windows, skylights, roofs, air conditioners… Cars appear to have been set upon by a hammer wielding crackpot (I think I heard that at least one dealership had only 10-15 cars undamaged on their lot of hundreds)

A young man rang the bell at my office today. When I went to the door he started in with, “I’m with Omega, we’re out of Chandler. I’m in the neighborhood working with some of your neighbors doing some installation…” [note: my office is in a house] I asked, “What are you selling?” He tried, “Well, if you come out here I can show you”

Really, I don’t need to come outside for you to tell me what your product is. Finally he admitted they were replacing windshields. I said, “So you are here looking for people who’ll fall for your plan to scam insurance companies. Not interested”

I closed the door and went back to work.

About 45 minutes later someone rang the bell twice, then banged on the door – the way you would if you were being chased by a man in a leather mask with a chain saw. I go to the door and it is a different guy, same scam. “I’ve just been talking to your neighbor, Dave. Do you know Dave? We’re here in the neighborhood…blah blah”

I tell him I’m not interested, but he is unconvinced, the remainder of the conversation goes something like this.

“If you just come out here I’ll show you”
“There is no damage to my windshield”
“It isn’t just windshields, it’s all safety equipment, mirrors…”
“So you can bill people’s insurance. You are part of a scam.”
“No, the insurance company sends us out, your insurance company sent us out”
“Really, who is my insurance company?”
“Well, we’re working with all of them”
At this point he rifles through his stack of orders and starts reading off insurance company names
“But you said my insurance company sent you. Why would my insurance company send you?”
“Well we are here because the insurance companies sent us to deal with the damage your neighbors had from the hail, so we are talking to other people”
“You are looking for people that you can convince to give you their insurance info so you can bill them for repairs that aren’t needed. That is fraud. I’m not interested”
“If you were to call your insurance company, they would send somebody out. They might call us to come out”
“No, they would not call Omega. I am not interested”
“Is this your car? If you come out we can look at the damage…”
“If I had any damage, I’d have called my insurance company. I had no damage to my car, so I didn’t’
“But if you’d just come…”
“Look. I HAD NO HAIL DAMAGE TO MY CAR. If there is damage now, it happened while it was in a covered space since you guys have been in the neighborhood”
“Well, you are making it sound like…I’m not gonna stay here and listen…”
“I told you several times I wasn’t interested. You chose to continue to badger me, that was your choice”

Closed the door, went back to work.

Then, when I was leaving, another Omega salesman came up to me. “Is this your car? I’m in the neighborhood to help people like you with their hail damage”

I saw at least three more of their vermin knocking on doors as I drove down the block. It was like watching a bunch of cockroaches scurrying through a pantry. Ugh.

I decided to look them up when I got home – turns out Omega Glass is every bit the pond scum I thought they were.
UPDATE: Here’s another Omega Glass review

I hope they didn’t hook many people yesterday…

The telling part starts about 3:08. This was one of Obama’s very clear, “Let me be clear” moments. Here he is, telling the SEIU that their agenda is his agenda, that he consults with their leadership before he makes a move on his core issues.

The reason I bring this to your attention now, here in Arizona, is simple. The SEIU are thugs, you know that, but they are thugs that have chosen Arizona as a target for boycott.

They are also thugs who have made contributions to the Democrat candidates in Arizona races. Democrat candidates who are doing all they can to pretend they aren’t actually Democrats, don’t actually support Obama, Pelosi & Reid. (e.g. Harry Mitchell, Jon Hulburd)

If those candidates wanted to show they really are a new breed, not a leftie, not as beholden to the liberal special interest groups, they could and should give that tainted money back.

Remember in November: A vote for the Democrat candidate is a vote for Obama, a vote for Pelosi, a vote for SEIU interference, a vote for further government encroachment in your life.

The GOP is far from perfect, but what they are is willing and able to take back the House (and Senate?) from the Left and repeal Obamacare, defeat Cap & Trade, extend the Bush tax cuts, and encourage business to create more jobs. I’ve never been a “straight ticket only” gal, but this year the numbers are close and one Republican vote can literally decide which direction this country takes.

UPDATE: ExJon shows us what is behind the moderate masks currently being worn by Democrat incumbents

Possibly Related Posts:

1. One Thing The Dems All Agree On
2. Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Dem?
3. Losers Law in #AZsen Race

It isn’t rocket science; if you can’t figure out something this simple, perhaps you shouldn’t be driving at all.

I don’t have a problem with this particular building, at least not in a “there shouldn’t be a Mosque there” way. I do have a problem with the building in the “it’s a big, ugly, pink building in the middle of a small neighborhood” way. Seriously, that is an ugly building.

This poor guy bought a house in a reasonably quiet neighborhood, next to other houses. Now he has that next to his driveway. I can’t imagine that his resale value has been improved.

There was previously a community center across the street to the north of this location. A small, unassuming building that was only recognizable by a small sign and a crescent ornament on the roof. I have no idea what this new larger center means to the neighborhood. It has not yet opened, so I don’t know if the traffic patterns will be affected or if there will be noise issues.

In other words, my displeasure with this building is the same displeasure I would have with any business or organization who put something large and ugly and commercial in a neighborhood where I have an investment.

Of course, this isn’t painfully close to a site where thousands of innocent people, Americans and others, were killed in the name of Allah, though they were not just Christians and Jews, but Muslims, Atheists, Buddhists and others. Were that to be the case, my feelings about this particular building would be much, much different.

Possibly Related Posts:

1. Peachy
2. Jesus Saves

CD3 is getting downright silly. Here I was, jealous that you had several good candidates compared to our district, then a circus broke out. {shakes head}

Do I get to choose who gets shot out of the canon?

Possibly Related Posts:

1. Quote of the Day – Enlightenment Edition
2. Quote of the Day – Self Determination Edition
3. Quote of the Day – Ideology Edition

So, I began to do some research and I liked what I saw.

To address the complaints:

Daddy is buying him a seat Really, that’s what you are going to go with? There is just no way you are going to convince me that being from a successful family is an automatic negative. The kid didn’t grow up to be Paris Hilton, after all. The fact that his wealthy family has Conservative bona fides, and chooses to support him, makes him a viable candidate for me. The fact that their Conservative friends also see promise in his candidacy is a good thing. Frankly, hearing Pamela Gorman beat that horse over and over is what turned me off about her. I just wanted to tell her to put on her big girl panties and get back to HER campaign.

He’s a carpetbagger It must be hard to make that charge stick about someone whose family has lived here for generations. Hardly akin to Hilary going to NYC. Considering his father’s career, it isn’t surprising Ben spent his childhood elsewhere. Considering his career, it isn’t surprising Ben spent his young adulthood elsewhere – I find it encouraging that he chose to explore the USA, and understandable that he decided on Arizona Even in their own attacks, his opponents say he started at Snell & Wilmer – in ARIZONA – in 2006. I don’t know if that date is correct, but if it is they are refuting their own cause. Four years is hardly a lifetime, but it certainly isn’t “moving to Arizona so his daddy can buy him a seat” territory, either.

He has no political experience Again, you will have a hard time, especially in this political climate, making that into a negative. I prefer someone who hasn’t been involved in politics, who hasn’t spent his life greasing the wheels and planning for his foray into D.C. I see no part of the job of Congressman or Senator that would require (or even benefit from) a history in other offices. Other than, of course, the connections and backdoor deal making – the very things that have gotten us to the precarious place we find ourselves. No, I do not want, and we do not need, a career politician. We need someone with solid, consistent values. We need someone with brains and a grasp of logic. We need someone who will get the job done. Quayle seemed to fit those criteria just fine.

I already wrote a bit about the rented kids (ludicrous) and charges of racism (desperate). The rented kids meme caused many people around the web to opine that he isn’t right for the job … because he doesn’t have children. I find that offensive on many levels, but suffice it to say that claiming a man has a deficiency because he hasn’t yet fathered a child is patently absurd.

Overall, other than his penchant for saying “Look,…” a bit too much, he seemed like a perfectly reasonable choice out of a handful in the CD3 race worth supporting.

But then, The Dirty detail. An accusation that Quayle was involved in the creation & some early ‘writing’ on the lascivious website.

Here is what I would like to have heard:

No, I absolutely was not involved with TheDirty.com. I knew Hooman Karamian (aka Nik Richie) casually and so introduced him to the IP attorneys at my office. I have not had any reason to give the website, or Karamian, a second thought since then. I don’t know why he has chosen to make this accusation, clearly he has gotten bad advice. Perhaps he is simply attempting to gain some publicity for his business venture at the expense of a previous acquaintance.

Or, perhaps this:

Several years ago, an acquaintance approached me with an idea for a joke website for the amusement of our friends. I was initially involved; with the creation and with postings. I soon saw the direction of the site, and it’s reach, were beyond my comfort level. I ended my association with the site, though I did introduce Hooman Karamian to the IP attorneys at my firm when he expressed an interest in incorporating. There has been no reason for me to have given the website, or Karamian, a second thought since then. I don’t know why he has chosen to make this accusation, clearly he has gotten bad advice. Perhaps he is simply attempting to gain some publicity for his business venture at the expense of a previous acquaintance.

What we got instead has been a series of non-denial denials. And by series, I mean a changing story. Three different versions have made it to press … so far. Apparently he has been trying to gauge what exactly will come out before he decides what to deny, which is a sure way to end up contradicting yourself* In the last denial, via 12 News, Brahm Resnick does mention that Karamian threatened Quayle with a “s***storm”. Had Quayle given us the full story immediately, he could have not only kept the storm at bay, but gained goodwill for his honesty – and for being the victim of a blackmail threat.

I can handle a Congressman who used to be a frat boy. I could even handle a Congressman who used to be a stupid frat boy, though it is hard to accept it having happened in the last 5 years.

What I can’t handle is a Congressman whose first reaction is to equivocate – and perhaps flat-out lie – when confronted with a misstep from his past. We’ve seen that enough from our elected officials.

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t try to game the press?

UPDATE: Had to leave this comment over on Facebook after reading this story

I knew Rose was behind the reveal – and the timing. The dude is the lowest form of slime. The only thing that keeps him out of Gloria Allred territory is his willingness to stay behind the camera…for now.

Quayle needs to own his own mistakes, but there was no doubt who was behind them being made public. Rose’s connection to TheDirty.com makes it even more clear.

I can’t imagine ever voting for a Jason Rose represented candidate – anyone who would hire him has seriously impaired judgment

* Andrew Breitbart has perfected the trickling reveal, forcing his targets (like ACORN) to repeatedly change their stories as they find more info coming out. Anyone – politician, business, celebrity – should assume the entire story, with proof, is coming and simply own it. You look a whole lot less like a weenie.

Wanted to get this posted early for once

We’re skipping the candidate visit this month to leave time for discussing the 8/24 primary vote.

Tell us who you like & why

August 21, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Rosie McCaffrey’s Irish Pub
906 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ

Again, if you are on Facebook, RSVP here

Possibly Related Posts:

1. Reminder – AZ Bloggers August Lunch
2. More Bloggers, More Beer
3. Conservative AZ Bloggers Meet Up

Twitter list of all candidates in the CD3 GOP primary.

CRUMP, SAM
Endorsements: Fred Thompson, Russel Pearce*, Arizona Right to Life*
Endorsing: JD Hayworth
Previous Work Experience: Politics [. . .]
Twitter: @Sam_Crump

GORMAN, PAMELA
Endorsements: Russell Pearce*, Arizona Right to Life*, Minutemen PAC [. . .]
Previous Work Experience: Sales, Politics [. . .]
Twitter: @PamelaGorman

HULL, LEANN
Endorsements:
Previous Work Experience: Construction Management [. . .]
Twitter: @Leann4Congress

MOAK, STEVE
Endorsements: [. . .]
Previous Work Experience: Business, Entrepreneurship [. . .]
Twitter: @SteveMoak

MORRIS, PAULINA
Endorsements: AZ Republic, Former Sec of Transportation Mary Peters, Phoenix Sergeants and Lieutenants, Professional Firefighters of Arizona, Grant Woods [. . .]
Previous Work Experience: Law, Politics [. . .]
Twitter: @PaulinaCongress

PARKER, VERNON B.
Endorsements: Sheriff Joe Arpaio [. . .]
Previous Work Experience: Law, Politics [. . .]
Twitter: @Parkerin2010

QUAYLE, BEN
Endorsements: Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife, Speaker Kirk Adams, Indiana Congressman Mike Pence, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, Hugh Hewitt
Previous Work Experience: Law, Business [. . .]
Twitter: @BQuayle

WARING, JIM
Endorsements: Arizona Right to Life*, John McCain
Previous Work Experience: Politics [. . .]
Twitter: @Waring4Congress

WINKLER, ED
Endorsements:
Previous Work Experience: Business, Politics [. . .]
Twitter: @WinklerCongress

* More than one candidate cites the same endorsement

Possibly Related Posts:

1. Welcome to Arizona
2. Considering My Options
3. Teachers Take Kids on a Protest Trip to Arizona

Mainly, the memory of a copper reproduction we had in our house. I think it was about 2 feet tall(?) with a little wire ladder leaning on the side, and a tiny little roofer with a hammer at work on top. In my recollection (which may be skewed and open to correction by my family members), my father’s company did the roofing during the reconstruction. The gorgeous model was given in appreciation…I think.

Anyway, I do clearly remember being fascinated by that metal dollhouse, with which I was not supposed to play. But I did. Because it was just so cool.

I’ve often wondered what happened to that thing…