Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 6

-mm SATURDAY, 7.30.201 1 THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC Arizona's Centennial V-li Ifc. Jfc- 0PINI0NS.AZCENTRAL.COM THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC Founded in 1890 A Gannett newspaper Incorporating The Phoenix Gazette Online: OpiniOnS EUGENE C. PULLI AM 1889-1975 Publisher, 1946-1975 JOHN ZIDICH CEO and Publisher JolurrmTand editorial goto Editorials represent the opinion of the newspaper, whose Editorial Board consists of: John Zidich, Joanna Allhands, Steve Benson, Phil Boas, Jennifer Dokes, opinions.azcentral.com. Cindy Hernandez, Kathleen Ingley, Robert Leger, Randy Lovely, Doug MacEachern, Laura McBride, Robert Robb, Linda Valdez and Ken Western THE ISSUE: INDEPENDENT COMMISSION'S ROCKY START REDISTRICTING MUST GET ON TRACK 'N Yt 1 LJ' CAM, I trict strung along the Colorado River. The mayors of Bullhead City, Kingman and Lake Havasu got together in proposing legislative districts.

Mapping software and other technology give average people an unprecedented opportunity to explore and present proposals. With meetings streamed live and then archived, the commission is making strides in providing more public access than has ever been available before. Some of the most vocal critics, and also some of the most self-interested, are lobbying to dismantle the commission and put redistricting back in the basement of the Legislature. It's hard to imagine voters would go along, unless the process goes into complete meltdown. The commission is the best tool we've been able to create for a tough, messy job.

We're counting on its members to make it work. 2000. The commission two Democrats, two Republicans and one independent is designed to minimize the influence of self-interested politics and make the process public. But the commission's early meetings included hours of closed-door sessions. That's because it initially used the state procurement process to choose attorneys and a mapping consultant.

Unfortunately, that system is designed to protect the confidentiality of bidders (hence the executive sessions), not provide public access. The commission needs to bolster public confidence by steering away from executive sessions. Commissioners must also make a special effort to avoid any appearance of improperly communicating among one another outside of meeting. Appearance counts. Chairman Colleen Coyle Mathis must make an extra effort to demonstrate Redisricting got off to a rocky start in Arizona.

The once-a-decade job of drawing congressional and legislative districts is bound to be contentious. But the process has been way too bumpy, way too early. With tight deadlines, the Arizona Independent Redisricting Commission must get on the right course, and quickly. The public needs to step up and focus on the real job: creating districts that are competitive, pull together "communities of interest" and meet legal requirements for minority representation. Redisricting used to be a cozy game in the bowels of the Legislature, where lawmakers drew district lines to protect their own turf.

Voters changed the system, establishing the Arizona Independent Redisricting Commission, through an initiative in her husband's work on Democratic campaigns (conspiracy theorists seized on her failure to list his occupation in her commission application) to her deciding vote in choosing a mapping consultant with close ties to the Democratic Party. In the midst of this overheated atmosphere, Attorney General Tom Home announced that his office had opened an investigation into reports of possible violations of open-meeting and procurement laws. It's an appropriate move, given the questions. But he needs to move swiftly, without grandstanding as a Republican. The commission has moved into a heavy schedule of public meetings around the state.

And there's a promising shift. The public is focusing on the real task. People are explaining their communities and suggesting boundaries. In Yuma, a group proposed a congressional dis The panel's Colleen Coyle Mathis must make an extra effort to show she truly is an independent. her autonomy as the independent on the commission.

Critics, most loudly from "tea party" groups, are trying to paint her as a closet Democrat for a variety of reasons, from LETTERS TO THE EDITOR BENSON'S CORNER THIS WEEK'S WINNER Quit putting spotlight on Brock Ss "yaws -i-sy vr With the federal government on the brink of default, with Republicans and Democrats fighting over the solution, we noticed a distinct change in tone from our letter writers. There was less partisan venting than last week and more letters filled with wrath for both parties. The issue brought in 151 letters. The haboob hubbub continued in force, with 1 7 letters. And guns were the third biggest issue with 1 0.

For the week, we got a total of 370 letters. NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 388 couple of boobs." Jerry Svendsen, Glendale "I don't CARE what you call them. Just get me outta here Bobbi Vogelsang, Mesa WINNER "Honey, make sure my obituary says, 'Dust Jon Swearengen, Peoria OTHER FINALISTS "You say my voice sounds gravelly?" Honey, you better call the pool guy Sherri Blixt, Rio Verde now! Frank Miranda, Mesa "Ha! All this state needs is another If you're so concerned about Fulton Brock being in the spotlight, turn off the spotlight! needs to exit spotlight," Editorial, Wednesday). It is bad enough that the media pretend to believe that a naughty private life equals bad job performance. There are instances where it doesn't remember Eliot Spitzer? Now politicians who have family members with past misdeeds should step down, too? Of course we love to read about this stuff when it first breaks, it is salacious, but we don't need to hear about it 100 times.

Move on if you're so concerned. Susan Oldridge, Peoria Don't demonize political opponents I am always surprised when I discuss politics with my mother, which is often. We seldom agree, but when we do, it is such a relief! We argue heatedly but are always civil. We seldom come to a unified agreement. We both care passionately for our country and its future, but we disagree on the means and the leadership to carry it forward.

It really discourages me, because I can't villainize my opposition. The opposition is my mother! I love her dearly. I just want to emphasize the fact that many of us passionately care about our country, even if we don't agree on policy. Please, don't demonize your opponent. Let's try and learn from each other.

I think some of the best ideas come from bipartisan committees. Teri K. Wright, Phoenix GOP, keep distance from Pearce recall If you wonder how low Russell Pearce has sunk in his efforts to retain his Senate seat and presidency just check the following from the strong arm of the Republican Party and co-governor Chuck Coughlin, who polished up his brass knuckles and threatened to kneecap any Republican who dared run against Pearce. "Politics is a team sport," Coughlin told the Arizona Guardian. "And we're going to find out which team you're on." This comes on the heels of the governor, herself, soliciting funds to support Pearce.

The recall involves the citizens of Legislative District 18, and any Republican or Democrat should be free to seek that office without threats from the governor's henchman or the governor herself. Responsible Republicans should reject these threats and make it clear to Coughlin and Brewer to stay out of the election. Ronald Pies, Tempe Gallardo another arrogant politician An observation regarding Steve Gallardo's My Turn column gun antics call for ethics probe," Monday): Mr. Gallardo seems to be very concerned that Ms. Lori Klein broke the law by bringing a firearm into his workplace.

He flatly stated that "the law is the law" and she should be punished. If the "law is the law," I submit that he is also a lawbreaker by refusing to acknowledge or do anything about the thousands of illegal immigrants who have invaded our country and drained our resources. Illegal means illegal anytime, and not when we selectively choose. He is a good example of another in a long line of arrogant politicians who follow what laws they see fit when they see fit. It's the old saw "Do as I say, not as I do," huh, Steve? Hal Wyatt, Mesa THIS WEEK'S CARTOON: WRITE THE CAPTION If Republic editors choose your entry as the winner, it will be published the following Saturday in the paper.

Klein gun-pointing episode insane In Sen. Steve Gallardo's My Turn column gun antics call for ethics probe," Opinions, Monday) he says Sen. Lori Klein's pointing of a loaded weapon at a reporter calls for an ethics probe. I disagree. This does not rise to the level of an ethics inquiry.

Sen. Gallardo, however, is correct when he claims that if the average citizen went to work and pointed a loaded weapon at someone, chances are they would be fired and arrested. Lori Klein is no average citizen, however, she is an elected member of the Arizona Senate. No arrest, no ethics probe. However, a psychiatric evaluation may be in order for Sen.

Lori Klein, because pointing a loaded gun at a reporter certainly is insane. Bob Haran, Glendale Midwest heat a message from above? The oppressive and record-breaking temperatures in the Midwest truly are astounding. Yet I haven't heard anything from those who would usually be preaching about these drastic high-temperature abnormalities being a message from the Almighty. Isn't it strange that Middle America, the red states, the American mecca of conservatism, horn of the climate-change disbelievers, is experiencing what scientists have been predicting? Or is it a message from above to clean up the air and stop killing the planet? Will we ever know? Robert Lake, Buckeye "TP I Friday's poll results QUESTION: With what's happening in Washington, are you tempted to register independent? Yes, 60 percent. No, 38 percent.

Hard to say, 2 percent. Total votes: 1,468. How to enter E-mail your captions for the talk Winners will get a print of the cartoon hand-signed by editorial car- bubbles to captionsarizona republic.com. Be sure to include your toonist Steve Benson. name and city.

You may submit up to five captions per week. Deadline for submitting captions is 5 p.m. Wednesday. REPUBLIC MEDIA JOHN MISNER Chuf ()pnitmK Officer I (antral Manaittr, Kl'SX PHIL BOAS Editor of the EdtUmal fanes NICOLE CARROLL Executive Editor BROOKE CHRISTOFFERSON Vtct President, Market and liusmess l)evefapment MIKE COLEMAN Vue fn stditit, Ikgitoi Malta JON HELD Exeivtiiv Vice I'rt wient Lhwf Emattaai Officer GENE D'ADAMO Vice hradml, Omnnumly ktlatums GASPER GENOVESE Vice lYemlml, ITCIO BOB KOTWASINSKI Vice Ifrsulent, I'mducUim JACK SAUNDERS Vice Pnsulrnt. Qmilatum MIKE SPECTOR Vice 'resident.

Human Resources The Arizona Republic VOL. 122, NO. 73 (ISSN 0892-871 1) (USPS 030-920) Published daily by Phoenix Newspapers Inc. 200 E. Van Buren Phoenix, A2 85004 or P.O.

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