👮 Sheriff's Power Play: Nanos Accused of Silencing Opposition
🚔 Badge and Bullying: Allegations in the Sheriff's Office 🎵 Harmony for Heroes: Inside Rockin' for Heroes
Based on the 10/16/24 Wake Up Tucson on KVOI-1030AM.
🙊 Notable quotes from the show
"Pima County, the only county in America where early ballots are late ballots." - Chris DeSimone, criticizing the county's election management
"Chris Nanos is specializing in [election interference]." - Chris DeSimone, accusing the sheriff of intimidating political opponents
"It's about giving thanks to those who selflessly service." - Mike Quinn, describing the purpose of Rockin' for Heroes
"Now they're both Cheech and Chong." - Chris DeSimone, comparing Pima County and City of Tucson governance to comedic characters
"I am fascinated to see, I believe, a packed Madison Square Garden for Donald Trump." - Chris DeSimone, expressing enthusiasm for an upcoming Trump rally
"Commenting on a man's bald head is the equivalent to commenting on a woman's, one woman's breasts and is now considered sexual harassment in the United Kingdom." - Chris DeSimone, discussing a controversial UK court ruling
⏮️ ICYMI: From the Last Show…
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
📻 A radio show talked about grown-up stuff in Tucson. 🗳️ They're worried about voting papers being late. 👮 There's a sheriff who might not be playing fair with people running against him. 🎸 They talked about a big music party to say thanks to firefighters and soldiers. 💰 The people on the radio think the city is spending money in silly ways. 🏠 They're upset about people without homes and drug problems in the city. 🎤 They also talked about big politicians like Trump and Harris. Remember, this is just what some people think - there are always different sides to every story!
🗝️ Takeaways
🗳️ Pima County faces serious election integrity concerns due to late ballot delivery
👮 Sheriff Nanos was accused of using his position to intimidate political opponents
🎸 Rockin' for Heroes event showcases community support for first responders and veterans
💼 Local government criticized for ineffective policies on homelessness and drug issues
📺 Media bias highlighted through discussion of CBS interview editing
🇺🇸 National politics remain a focus, with Trump rallies and Harris's performance discussed
⏬ Jump to the 🦉 Three Sonorans Commentary based on:
📻 What They Discussed
The October 16, 2024, episode of Wake Up Tucson, a conservative radio show hosted by Chris DeSimone with co-host Matt, featured several guests and covered a range of local and national topics. The main guests were
Barney Brenner, a regular contributor offering conservative commentary, and
Mike and Bonnie Quinn, organizers of the Rockin' for Heroes event.
The show, known for its critical stance on local progressive policies and politicians, delved into issues surrounding election integrity, local law enforcement, community events, and national politics.
🗳️ Ballot Brouhaha: Pima County's Election Integrity Crisis
The show started with a scathing critique of the Pima County Recorder's office for delays in ballot delivery. Host Chris DeSimone coined the phrase, "Pima County, the only county in America where early ballots are late ballots," highlighting concerns about potential impacts on voter rights and election integrity. The hosts speculated about the reasons behind the delay and its possible effects on the upcoming election.
DeSimone read out messages from listeners expressing frustration with the ballot situation, including one who checked the ballot tracker and found his ballot was supposedly mailed on October 9th but had not arrived by October 16th. This led to discussions about the erosion of trust in local election processes and the potential for voter disenfranchisement.
👮 Sheriff's Shadow: Allegations of Political Intimidation
Much of the show was dedicated to discussing Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos's alleged actions against his political opponents, particularly Heather Lappin and Aaron Cross. The hosts accused Nanos of using his position to intimidate and hinder his rivals' campaigns, detailing an investigation into Lappin and Cross that they believe is politically motivated.
DeSimone explained that Lappin and Cross were put on administrative leave, requiring them to stay at home from 8 AM to 4 PM, effectively preventing Lappin from campaigning during these hours. The hosts viewed this as a form of election interference, with DeSimone stating, "Chris Nanos is specializing in [election interference]."
The show also discussed allegations that Cross was inappropriately campaigning while in uniform, though the hosts argued that Nanos himself had broken similar rules in the past.
🎸 Rockin' for Heroes: A Community Unites
The show featured an interview with Mike and Bonnie Quinn, organizers of the annual Rockin' for Heroes event. This concert honors first responders, veterans, and active military personnel while raising funds for scholarships and community support initiatives. The Quinns provided details about the upcoming event on November 10th, including the lineup of performers, activities, and the charitable causes benefiting from the event.
A particularly touching aspect discussed was the Jacob Dittinger Memorial Scholarship, named after a young EMT who lost his life in the line of duty. The scholarship's first recipient was highlighted, and her story was connected to a tragic accident involving Officer Adam Buckner, further emphasizing the event's impact on the community.
💼 City Hall Critique: Tucson's Governance Under Fire
Throughout the show, the hosts offered sharp criticism of Tucson and Pima County's governance, particularly regarding budget allocation and policies addressing homelessness and drug-related issues. DeSimone compared the local government to "Cheech and Chong," implying incompetence and mismanagement.
The hosts argued that current progressive policies are ineffective and that local government spending is mismanaged. They expressed frustration with the perceived lack of action on issues like homelessness and drug abuse, suggesting that current policies are exacerbating these problems rather than solving them.
📺 Media Manipulation: The Mike Johnson Interview Controversy
The show dedicated time to discussing media bias, focusing on a recent interview with House Speaker Mike Johnson by CBS News. The hosts praised Johnson for recording and releasing the full, unedited version of the interview, contrasting it with what they perceived as a manipulated edit by CBS.
This segment reflected broader conservative concerns about mainstream media bias and the importance of holding media outlets accountable for their reporting. The hosts advised listeners always to record interviews with journalists to prevent misrepresentation.
🌐 National Stage: Trump's Rally and Harris's Town Hall
While primarily focused on local issues, the show touched on national political figures, particularly Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The hosts expressed enthusiasm for Trump's upcoming rally at Madison Square Garden, with DeSimone stating, "I am fascinated to see, I believe, a packed Madison Square Garden for Donald Trump."
In contrast, they criticized Vice President Kamala Harris's performance in a recent town hall event, suggesting it was heavily scripted and used paid actors as audience members. This commentary aligned with the show's conservative stance on national politics.
⚖️ Follicle Folly: UK's Curious Court Ruling
In a lighter segment, the hosts discussed a recent UK court ruling that classifies comments about male baldness as sexual harassment. They approached the topic with humor while also using it to critique what they perceived as overzealous political correctness.
DeSimone quoted the ruling: "Commenting on a man's bald head is the equivalent to commenting on a woman's, one woman's breasts and is now considered sexual harassment in the United Kingdom."
The hosts then joked about potential legal commercials and comebacks for bald men, using this international news item to entertain their audience while maintaining their conservative perspective.
🦉 Three Sonorans Commentary
🗳️ The Ballot Ballad: A Conservative Flip-Flop
Remember, mi gente, when conservatives were up in arms about early voting and mail-in ballots? They cried voter fraud and insisted on the sanctity of Election Day. Now, in a twist that would make a saguaro straighten, they're outraged that ballots are arriving "only" three weeks early instead of four.
As Chris DeSimone dramatically proclaims, "Pima County is the only county in America where early ballots are late ballots." But let's be honest – these ballots aren't late. They're still early. This manufactured outrage is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to undermine faith in our electoral process. This process has historically been used to disenfranchise our Chicano and African American communities.
The truth is that expanded early voting and mail-in ballots have been a lifeline for working-class families, seniors, and those without reliable transportation – many of whom are people of color. This conservative backpedaling isn't about election integrity; it's about controlling who gets to vote and when.
👮 The Thin Blue Line Gets Thinner
The show's focus on Sheriff Chris Nanos and his alleged intimidation of political opponents is rich with irony. While any abuse of power should be scrutinized, let's not forget the long history of law enforcement being used as a tool of oppression against our communities.
DeSimone accuses Nanos of "specializing in [election interference]," but where was this concern for fairness when sheriffs across the country were actively suppressing Black and Latino votes? The selective outrage is deafening.
Moreover, the glorification of law enforcement through events like "Rockin' for Heroes" glosses over the systemic racism and brutality that continues to plague police departments nationwide. While we can appreciate individual acts of heroism, we cannot ignore the broader context of a system that disproportionately targets and incarcerates people of color.
💼 City Hall Critique: Missing the Forest for the Trees
The hosts' criticism of Tucson's governance on issues like homelessness and drug abuse is a masterclass in missing the point. They bemoan the city's spending without acknowledging the root causes of these issues: systemic poverty, lack of affordable housing, and a failed war on drugs that has decimated communities of color.
When DeSimone compares local government to "Cheech and Chong," he's not just making a bad joke – he's trivializing the complex socio-economic factors that have led to our current crises. These problems weren't created overnight, and they won't be solved by the kind of regressive policies these conservatives typically advocate for.
🌐 The Trump Card: Nationalism Disguised as Populism
The show's enthusiasm for Donald Trump's upcoming rally at Madison Square Garden is a stark reminder of the nationalism that continues to threaten our immigrant communities. DeSimone's excitement about "a packed Madison Square Garden for Donald Trump" ignores the fear and division Trump's rhetoric has sown among our people.
This celebration of Trump's popularity in the heart of New York – a sanctuary city and a beacon for immigrants – is a slap in the face to the diverse communities that make America great. It's a dog whistle to those who would see our culture erased and our families torn apart.
📺 Media Matters: The Real Manipulation
While the hosts cry foul over alleged media bias against conservatives, they conveniently ignore the very real and documented ways in which mainstream media has historically misrepresented and underrepresented Latino, Black, and Indigenous voices. The focus on Mike Johnson's unedited interview with CBS is a distraction from the larger issue of media consolidation and the lack of diverse perspectives in newsrooms nationwide.
🌱 The Path Forward
As we navigate these turbulent political waters, it's crucial that we, as a community, stay vigilant and engaged. We must:
We will continue to fight for expanded voting rights and access, ensuring that every voice is heard, especially those historically silenced.
Demand accountability from law enforcement while working towards community-based solutions to crime and social issues.
Address the root causes of homelessness and drug abuse through compassionate, evidence-based policies that uplift rather than criminalize.
Celebrate our diversity and resist the nationalist rhetoric that seeks to divide us.
Support and create media outlets that truly represent our communities and our stories.
In the words of our ancestors, "La lucha sigue"—the struggle continues. But so do our resilience, unity, and unwavering commitment to justice. Let the conservative voices of Wake Up Tucson serve as a reminder of the work still to be done, and let our response be one of action, compassion, and unyielding progress.
Hasta la victoria siempre, Tucson. The true voice of the people will not be silenced.
If you enjoyed this article, buy us a cup of coffee! We 🤎☕‼️
👯 People Mentioned
Chris DeSimone: Host of Wake Up Tucson, conservative commentator
"Pima County, the only county in America where early ballots are late ballots."
"Chris Nanos is specializing in [election interference]."
"Now they're both Cheech and Chong." (referring to Pima County and City of Tucson governance)
Matt: Co-host/producer of Wake Up Tucson
"So they delay over a quarter of a million ballots going out. Just long enough for a story to come out from the Pima County Sheriff alleging criminal criminal conduct by the Republican challenger."
Barney Brenner: Regular guest, conservative commentator
"Well, there's a bit of imperial empire in the city. Absolutely."
Chris Nanos: Current Pima County Sheriff
Not directly quoted, but accused of using his position to intimidate political opponents
Heather Lappin: Candidate running against Chris Nanos for Pima County Sheriff
Not directly quoted, but portrayed as a victim of political intimidation
Aaron Cross: Associated with Heather Lappin's campaign
Not directly quoted, but also portrayed as a victim of political intimidation
Mike Quinn: Co-organizer of Rockin' for Heroes event
"It's about giving thanks to those who selflessly service."
Bonnie Quinn: Co-organizer of Rockin' for Heroes event
No direct quote, but discussed details of the event
Donald Trump: Former President
Not directly quoted, but mentioned positively regarding upcoming rally
Kamala Harris: Current Vice President
Not directly quoted, but criticized for town hall performance
Mike Johnson: Speaker of the House
Praised for recording and releasing unedited version of CBS interview
Tim Steller: Local journalist
Criticized for perceived bias in reporting
Chuck Huckleberry: Former Pima County Administrator
Mentioned in context of supporting Nanos' actions against political opponents
John Washington: Journalist
Mentioned for reporting on jail conditions under Nanos
Jacob Dittinger: Deceased EMT
Honored by Rockin' for Heroes event with a memorial scholarship
Adam Buckner: Deceased police officer
Mentioned in context of scholarship recipient's story
Terry Stanton: Former candidate for sheriff
Mentioned as victim of Nanos' alleged intimidation tactics
Regina Romero: Likely the Mayor of Tucson
Mentioned critically: "300 old white people jumping up and down for Tim Walls and Regina Romero."
Tim Waltz: Possibly a politician or public figure
Mentioned in same context as Regina Romero
Carly Simon: Singer
Not directly mentioned, but her song "You're So Vain" was played as part of the "Chris Nanos playlist"
🧐 Propaganda AI-nalysis
Wake Up Tucson employs several propaganda techniques:
Name-calling: Using terms like "Cheech and Chong" to describe local government.
Card stacking: Presenting one-sided arguments against progressive policies.
Bandwagon: Implying widespread agreement with their conservative viewpoints.
Plain folks: Positioning themselves as representatives of ordinary citizens.
Testimonial: Using guests like the Quinns to lend credibility to their stance.
Fear mongering: Raising alarm about election integrity and abuse of power.
Repetition: Consistently reiterating criticisms of local officials and policies.
Glittering generalities: Using patriotic themes to associate their views with positive values.
Transfer: Connecting positive feelings about community events to their political views.
Scapegoating: Blaming local officials and progressive policies for community issues.
The show's format reinforces conservative viewpoints and criticizes progressive policies, often using emotional appeals and oversimplifying complex issues.