💣🌍 Morrill Act Legacy: How the University of Arizona Upholds the American Empire
🪖 Veterans Day Insights: The UA’s Military Programs Unveiled
Based on the 11/11-12/24 on KVOI-1030AM.
🙊 Notable quotes from the show
"We have over 6,000 military-connected students at the University of Arizona, roughly 10%." - Blaze Smith, Director of the VETS and ROTC programs, providing context on the scale of the university's military-affiliated student population.
"Working with the military to look at the schedule of our commercial flight schedule, they work in between that so everybody can coexist peacefully." - Danette Bewley, President and CEO of the Tucson Airport Authority, acknowledging the logistical challenges of the airport's partnership with the Air National Guard.
⏮️ ICYMI: From the Last Show…
🤝 Bridging the Divide: Hispanic Chamber Leader Finds Optimism in Bipartisan Cooperation
Based on the 10/30/24 Jump In Tucson Show on KVOI-1030AM.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
At the University of Arizona, lots of students are connected to the military, and some programs help them find jobs or go back to school after serving. The airport in Tucson works with the military, too, so planes can take off without running into each other, but this raises some important questions. Scientists at the university study how seasons change to help understand climate problems. Some people worry that these military ties might hide some serious issues and affect how we treat land and local communities. 🌍✈️🎓
🗝️ Takeaways
🎓 Over 6,000 military-connected students at the UA contribute to a significant part of the student body.
🛬 The Tucson Airport Authority is balancing commercial flights with military operations while promoting local travel.
🌱 Phenology research at the UA sheds light on climate change and aims to engage the community.
⚖️ The discussion highlights the university's deep connections to the military-industrial complex, raising questions about accountability.
📻 What They Discussed
This episode of the "Jump In Tucson" radio show's "Engagement Hour" segment aired on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
The host, Ted Maxwell, welcomed several guests to discuss various topics related to the University of Arizona, the Tucson Airport Authority, and community engagement.
🪖 Veterans Day and University of Arizona's ROTC and VETS Programs
The show started with discussing Veterans Day and the University of Arizona's ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) and VETS (Veterans Education and Transition Services) programs.
Blaze Smith, the Director of these programs, explained their importance in supporting students who are veterans or aspiring military officers. He highlighted the services provided, such as helping veterans transition back to civilian life and training future military leaders.
Smith noted the significance of these programs, stating, "We have over 6,000 military-connected students at the University of Arizona, roughly 10%." He also emphasized the dedication of the ROTC students, saying, "They are living a double life as students and up-and-coming military leaders."
The discussion touched on the history of the ROTC program at the University of Arizona, which has been training officers for the U.S. Armed Forces since the late 1800s. Smith also mentioned the accolades the VETS program has received, including being ranked 4th nationally in the Military Times Best for Vets survey.
🗺️ Phonology and the USA National Phonology Network
Next, Teresa Crimmins, Associate Professor of Phonology and Director of the USA National Phonology Network at the University of Arizona, discussed her work in phenology—the study of seasonal changes in plants and animals.
She shared her personal journey into this field, stating, "I was born and raised in San Diego, California. San Diego is a military town. And my dad was a naval aviator at NAS Miramar."
Crimmins explained the concept of phenology, noting that it "is the study of when stuff happens seasonally in plants and animals." She highlighted the importance of this research, especially in understanding the impacts of climate change on the natural world.
Crimmins encouraged the listeners to participate in the USA National Phonology Network's citizen science program, saying, "I want to bring that invitation to others so that they too might rediscover that simple, it's such a simple way to kind of feel better."
🛫 Tucson Airport Authority and Developments at Tucson International Airport
The primary guest of the show was Danette Bewley, the President and CEO of the Tucson Airport Authority, which oversees Tucson International Airport (TIA) and Ryan Airfield. Bewley discussed the various developments and challenges at the airports, including the ongoing airfield safety enhancement project, efforts to attract new airlines and expand service, and the importance of the community supporting their local airport.
Bewley emphasized the need for passengers to "Fly Tucson" and use TIA whenever possible, as the data on search and booking patterns is closely monitored by airlines when deciding on new routes and services.
As she explained, "The airlines look at the data very carefully, and we also share the data with the airlines and our perspective of what's happening in our local region so that we can add some color to the conversation and maybe convince them to put an aircraft or a flight in the Tucson market instead of another market."
Regarding the airport's unique partnership with the Arizona Air National Guard, Bewley acknowledged the logistical challenges, stating, "Working with the military to look at the schedule of our commercial flight schedule, they work in between that so everybody can coexist peacefully."
However, she also highlighted the benefits of this collaboration, saying, "I love the military, so I was very interested in, you know, helping and forged some really positive relationships with the team at the Air National Guard."
Throughout the discussion, the guests shared personal anecdotes and insights that added depth to the topics covered. The show aimed to engage the local community and encourage participation in various initiatives and organizations contributing to the Tucson region.
👯 People Mentioned
Blaze Smith, Director of the VETS and ROTC programs at the University of Arizona
"We have over 6,000 military-connected students at the University of Arizona, roughly 10%."
Danette Bewley, President and CEO of the Tucson Airport Authority
"Working with the military to look at the schedule of our commercial flight schedule, they work in between that so everybody can coexist peacefully."
🧐 Propaganda AI-nalysis
The "Jump In Tucson" radio show, particularly the "Engagement Hour" segment, presented a heavily biased and uncritical view of the University of Arizona's involvement with the military-industrial complex. The hosts and guests repeatedly emphasized the importance and pride associated with the ROTC program and the airport's partnership with the Air National Guard, without acknowledging the deeply problematic history and ongoing issues related to settler colonialism and environmental justice.
The show's format, which prioritized personal anecdotes and feel-good narratives over a comprehensive, nuanced analysis, served to legitimize and normalize the university's military ties. By framing these issues as matters of community engagement and economic development, the show effectively obscured the more complex and troubling realities at play.
Overall, the "Jump In Tucson" episode can be seen as a prime example of propaganda, using selective information, emotive language, and a lack of critical perspective to present a sanitized and favorable portrayal of the university's actions. This type of coverage perpetuates the erasure of indigenous struggles and the continued prioritization of the military-industrial complex over the wellbeing of the local community.