💰 FEMA Funds Fiasco: Wake Up Tucson Claims Disaster Money Diverted to Immigrants
💰 FEMA Funds Fiasco: Wake Up Tucson Claims Disaster Money Diverted to Immigrants
🏙️ South Tucson Shake-Up: Mayor Launches Recall Effort Against 'Corrupt' Council Members 🗳️ Democracy in Action or Political Ploy? Unpacking South Tucson's Recall Drama
Based on the 10/4/24 Wake Up Tucson on KVOI-1030AM.
🙊 Notable quotes from the show
"You can't go door to door when the doors aren't there anymore." - John Holden, caller from Tennessee, describing Hurricane Helene's devastation
"After surveying the damage, Biden said those in the storm zone, a phrase that bewildered him for a second, right? Our quote, very happy unquote." - Chris DeSimone, criticizing President Biden's response to the hurricane
"You know when I see now when I see a 70-year-old woman wearing a short uh jean skirt and cowboy boots okay and a push-up brawl" - Bruce Ash, making an ageist and sexist comment
"So let's take it home to Pima County, Adelita Grijalva, Rex Scott, Heinz, and Sylvia Lee, all excited that they got to spend a hundred million plus. All right. Of FEMA dollars, that's the FEMA dollars to enable a half million people to blow through this country." - Chris DeSimone, suggesting FEMA funds are being misused for immigration
"After much personal concern, research thought, and deliberation. I have decided to take this step because I'm deeply troubled about the direction of south Tucson" - Mayor Paul Diaz, on filing recall applications against council members
⏮️ ICYMI: From the Last Show…
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
🎙️ On a radio show, people talked about a big 🌪️ storm that hurt many people, and how the 👨👩👧👦 government is trying to help. The hosts didn't think the president 🧓 was doing a good job. They also talked about 💰 money problems in their city and said some 😕 not-so-nice things about older 👵 ladies. They complained about how the government spends 💰 money on helping people from other countries. The show made some people 😠 angry because of the mean things they said.
🗝️ Takeaways
🌪️ Hurricane Helene's devastation used to criticize the government's response
💰 Hosts suggest FEMA funds misused for immigration support
🏛️ Local politics in South Tucson reveal tensions and allegations of corruption
🗣️ Casual sexism and ageism present in hosts' comments
🚗 Transportation issues in Tucson highlighted as an upcoming topic
📺 Conservative bias evident in discussion of national and local issues
Jump to the 🦉 Three Sonorans Commentary based on:
📻 What They Discussed
The Wake Up Tucson Show, a conservative radio program hosted by Chris DeSimone and Bruce Ash, aired on October 4, 2024. The show featured a mix of local and national topics, focusing on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and local political issues.
While the program included guests from Vero's Italian Bakery, Vito Senior and Vito Junior, to discuss Italian-American culture, it also touched on more contentious political subjects. Various callers contributed to discussions throughout the show, particularly regarding the hurricane relief efforts and government response.
🌪️ Hurricane Helene: Devastation and Political Fallout
The show dedicated significant airtime to discussing Hurricane Helene's impact and criticizing the federal government's response. A caller named John Holden from Tennessee provided a firsthand account of the devastation:
"One little thing he is kind of misplaced amongst all the other things he's lost in his brain there that you can't go door to door when the doors aren't there anymore. We've, I mean, we're talking literally, you know, 20 miles from us over into North Carolina, where they've had towns completely washed off the map."
The hosts used this testimony to launch into a critique of the Biden administration's disaster handling. They focused on President Biden's apparent confusion during his visit to the affected area, with Chris DeSimone commenting:
"After surveying the damage, Biden said those in the storm zone, a phrase that bewildered him for a second, right? Our quote, very happy unquote. Yeah, they're very happy and are getting everything they need."
This discussion framed the disaster response in political terms, with the hosts suggesting that media coverage would have been more critical if a Republican were in office.
💰 FEMA Funding and Government Spending Criticism
The conversation about Hurricane Helene led to broader criticism of government spending, particularly regarding FEMA funds and their allocation. The hosts expressed frustration with what they perceived as a misallocation of federal funds, especially about immigration issues.
Chris DeSimone made a controversial statement linking FEMA spending to immigration:
"So let's take it home to Pima County, Adelita Grijalva, Rex Scott, Hines, and Sylvia Lee, all excited that they got to spend a hundred million plus. All right. Of FEMA dollars, that's the FEMA dollars to enable a half million people to blow through this country."
This comment reflects a common conservative talking point that suggests government spending on social programs or immigration support comes at the expense of other necessary expenditures, such as disaster relief.
🏙️ Pima County Politics and Spending
The hosts touched on Pima County's local politics, particularly government spending.
They criticized local officials for their allocation of funds, implying that money was being spent on supporting undocumented immigrants rather than on other pressing local needs.
This discussion tied into broader conservative narratives about government waste and immigration policy.
🏛️ South Tucson Political Drama
The show also discussed recent developments in South Tucson politics, focusing on Mayor Paul Diaz's decision to file recall applications against three council members. The hosts read from a news report detailing Diaz's allegations of unethical conduct and election law violations.
Diaz was quoted as saying:
"After much personal concern, research, thought and deliberation. I have decided to take this step because I'm deeply troubled about the direction of south Tucson and I'm not willing to stand by and do nothing when I see a blatant violation of election laws and unethical behavior by our election, elected officials."
The hosts used this local political drama to comment on broader themes of government accountability and corruption, seemingly supporting Diaz's actions as a necessary step to address alleged misconduct in local government.
🦉 Three Sonorans Commentary
Wake Up Tucson: A Symphony of Conservative Dogwhistles and Missed Opportunities
Tucson's airwaves recently carried a troubling broadcast that demands our attention and critique.
The Wake Up Tucson Show, hosted by Chris DeSimone and Bruce Ash, is a stark reminder of the regressive attitudes plaguing our political discourse and hindering progress toward a more just and equitable society.
Hurricane Helene: Natural Disaster Meets Political Opportunism
As our brothers and sisters in the Southeast reel from the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, the hosts of Wake Up Tucson chose to weaponize their suffering for political gain. Rather than focusing on the urgent needs of affected communities or discussing the role of climate change in intensifying such disasters, DeSimone and Ash used the tragedy as a platform to launch partisan attacks against the Biden administration.
A caller named John Holden provided a harrowing account of the destruction:
"One little thing he is kind of misplaced amongst all the other things he's lost in his brain there that you can't go door to door when the doors aren't there anymore. We've, I mean, we're talking literally, you know, 20 miles from us over into North Carolina, where they've had towns completely washed off the map."
Instead of using this testimony to rally support for relief efforts or discuss climate resilience strategies, the hosts pivoted to mocking President Biden's apparent verbal stumble during his visit to the affected areas. This callous approach not only trivializes the suffering of hurricane victims but also distracts from the urgent need for climate action and disaster preparedness.
FEMA Funding and the Immigrant Scapegoat
In a particularly egregious moment, host Chris DeSimone attempted to draw a connection between FEMA funding and immigration:
"So let's take it home to Pima County, Adelita Grijalva, Rex Scott, Heinz, Dr. Sylvia Lee, all excited that they got to spend a hundred million plus. All right. Of FEMA dollars, that's the FEMA dollars to enable a half million people to blow through this country."
This statement is a textbook example of the right-wing tactic of scapegoating immigrants for society's ills. By suggesting that disaster relief funds are being diverted to support undocumented immigrants, DeSimone perpetuates harmful myths about immigration while simultaneously undermining support for crucial disaster relief efforts.
As progressive Latinos, we must loudly reject this false dichotomy. Our communities know firsthand the vital contributions of immigrants to our economy and culture. Moreover, we understand that climate change and natural disasters affect all of us, regardless of immigration status. The attempt to pit disaster victims against immigrants is not just morally bankrupt—it's a dangerous distraction from the real issues at hand.
The Specter of Sexism and Ageism
Perhaps the most personally offensive segment of the show was Bruce Ash's commentary on older women's appearances:
"You know when I see a 70-year-old woman wearing a short uh jean skirt and cowboy boots okay and a push-up bra…"
This statement is a nauseating cocktail of sexism and ageism that has no place in modern discourse. It reflects a worldview that reduces women to their physical appearance and suggests that older women should be invisible or conform to restrictive societal expectations.
As a community that values the wisdom and contributions of our elders, particularly our abuelas and tías who have fought tirelessly for our rights and cultural preservation, we must denounce such attitudes vehemently. Women of all ages can express themselves through their clothing choices without fear of ridicule or judgment, especially from men in positions of media influence.
The Road Forward: From Critique to Action
As we dissect and critique shows like Wake Up Tucson, we mustn't lose sight of the bigger picture. These broadcasts are symptoms of deeper societal issues—the lingering effects of colonialism, systemic racism, and entrenched power structures that continue to marginalize our communities.
Our response must be multifaceted:
1. Demand Better Media: We must pressure local media outlets to provide more diverse and inclusive programming that reflects the actual makeup of our communities.
2. Support Progressive Voices: We must amplify and support media outlets and personalities that provide a counternarrative to the conservative dogma espoused by shows like Wake Up Tucson.
3. Engage in Community Education: We need to double down on efforts to educate our communities about the intersections of climate change, immigration, gender equality, and local politics.
4. Political Participation: Encouraging greater political engagement and representation from our communities is essential to shifting the narrative and enacting real change.
5. Build Coalitions: We must forge alliances with marginalized groups and progressive organizations to create a united front against regressive ideologies.
While shows like Wake Up Tucson may seem like relics of a bygone era, they remain important reminders of the work still ahead. As progressive Latinos, we are responsible for challenging these narratives, offering alternatives, and continuing the fight for a more just, equitable, and inclusive society. Our ancestors' struggles and sacrifices demand nothing less.
¡La lucha sigue! The struggle continues!
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👯 People Mentioned
Chris DeSimone: Host of Wake Up Tucson, conservative commentator
Bruce Ash: Co-host of Wake Up Tucson, conservative commentator
John Holden: Caller from Tennessee, discussed Hurricane Helene's impact
President Joe Biden: Criticized for his response to Hurricane Helene
Mayor Paul Diaz: Mayor of South Tucson, filing recall applications against council members
Vito Senior and Vito Junior: Owners of Vero's Italian Bakery (mentioned but not relevant to main political discussion)
Sergio and Ted Maxwell: Mentioned as upcoming guests to discuss transportation issues
Alejandro Mayorkas: Secretary of Homeland Security, mentioned in context of disaster funding
Adelita Grijalva, Rex Scott, Hines, Sylvia Lee: Local officials mentioned in context of FEMA funding criticism
🧐 Propaganda AI-nalysis
The Wake Up Tucson Show employs several propaganda techniques:
Emotional manipulation: Uses emotive language when discussing Hurricane Helene's impact to stir up anger towards the government response.
Scapegoating: Blames government officials, particularly those in the Biden administration, for various issues without considering broader contexts.
Simplification: Reduces complex issues like disaster response and government spending to simplistic criticisms.
Bandwagon: Presents views as common sense, implying the audience should naturally agree.
Card stacking: Presents selective information that supports their viewpoints while omitting contradictory evidence.
Name-calling: Uses subtle derogatory language to describe political opponents.
Plain folks: Uses colloquial language to appear relatable to their audience.
Testimonial: Uses personal anecdotes (like the caller from Tennessee) to support arguments.
This analysis reveals a clear conservative bias in the show's content and presentation, potentially reinforcing pre-existing beliefs among listeners without encouraging critical thinking or presenting diverse perspectives.
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