🔥 Oro Valley Mayoral Candidate DeSimone Declares Tucson a "Crime-Infested Crap Hole" Under Mayor Romero
Conservative host ranks Tucson's mayor against fictional villains while celebrating GOP congressman's "war pimps" comment
Based on the Wake Up Live with Chris DeSimone for 3/7/25.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
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🌟 Chris DeSimone hosts a radio show 🎙️ in Tucson where he talks about local issues 🌆 and interviews interesting people 👥. This week, he had special guests from Westward Look Resort 🏨 who talked about their delicious food 🍽️, especially their $25 prime rib dinner 🍖 on Sundays. The most exciting part was when a former Hollywood stuntman 🎬 named Bunker de France came on with movie expert Mark Van Buren 🎥 to talk about the best Western cowboy movies 🤠 ever made. Bunker worked in movies for 30 years and even met famous actor Paul Newman! 🌟 They explained why movies about cowboys and the Wild West are special because they show beautiful desert landscapes 🏜️ like we have in Arizona and tell stories about freedom and adventure 🌈 that people all around the world 🌍 love to watch.
🗝️ Takeaways
🔊 Chris DeSimone continues his conservative commentary on Tucson politics, comparing Mayor Romero unfavorably to fictional characters and celebrating Republican critiques of Ukraine funding.
🍽️ Westward Look Resort has revitalized its dining program with $25 Prime Rib Sundays, bourbon events, and concert series under new leadership from GM John Alt and F&B Director Rich Lopez.
🤠 Former Hollywood stuntman Bunker de France and film critic Mark Van Buren agreed "The Searchers" is the greatest Western film ever made, with its perfect storytelling and symbolic imagery.
🌵 Western films resonate globally because they represent American dreams of freedom, reinvention, and possibility – explaining why even Japanese and German tourists seek Western experiences in Arizona.
🎥 Western film archetypes have influenced countless other genres, from Star Wars (Han Solo as a space cowboy) to science fiction films like Outland (described as "High Noon in space").
🏜️ Tucson's landscapes served as backdrops for numerous classic Westerns, creating an enduring connection between the city's identity and its cinematic representation.
The DeSiMoan Zone: Tucson Talk Radio's Conservative Cowboy Rides Again
In this week's installment of "Wake Up Live with Chris DeSimone," listeners were treated to a veritable smorgasbord of political pontification, resort revelations, and cinematic cow-versation. Broadcasting from the Live the Dream Media Network, DeSimone's three-hour talkfest alternated between conservative commentary that would make Tucker Carlson blush and genuinely fascinating discussions with local resort representatives and film aficionados.
The Political Lasso: DeSimone's Desert Diatribes
Before diving into guest interviews, host Chris DeSimone served up his usual platter of political perspectives with the subtlety of a bull in Tucson's historic El Charro.
"This town is a lonely town, not the only town like this town," played in the background as DeSimone launched into his assessment of Tucson as a "crime-infested crap hole down there, run by possibly the worst mayor in America."
Ah yes, nothing says "objective journalism" quite like comparing your city's democratically elected leader to fictional villains and calling your community a "crap hole." Such nuance! Such depth!
In his signature move, DeSimone shared results from his Facebook poll comparing Mayor Regina Romero unfavorably against fictional mayors including "the dude from JAWS," Mayor Quimby from "The Simpsons," and the Penguin from "Batman Returns."
"So believe it or not, I think on Wastebook and other places I put it, I know you guys are going to be in shock. Mayor Romero is leading the dude from JAWS, Mayor Quimby from the Simpsons and the Penguin. Just to let everyone know. So we got that going for us," DeSimone declared triumphantly.
Because comparing a Latina mayor to cartoon villains is totally normal political discourse and not at all revealing of deeper biases, right?
DeSimone highlighted a segment featuring Republican Congressman Tim Burchett from Tennessee sparring with CNN's Jake Tapper over Ukraine funding. The host praised Burchett's colorful "dadgummit" responses and his characterization of military contractors as "war pimps," seemingly delighted by the congressman's dismissal of continued support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.
"I mean, who knew I was going to say, I didn't know I was going to say prostitution that many times yesterday, talking about one of the reasons why Hi-Fi closed down in downtown Tucson. But here I am hearing Tim Burchett with that dadgummitt. We're not going to give the money to the war pimps, are we? Let me war pimps. It's magical," DeSimone gushed.
Because nothing says "America First" quite like abandoning allies facing invasion and dismissing international security concerns as mere profiteering!
Between political jabs, DeSimone expressed support for Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, noting he "has a lot of work to do to reverse the damage of that freak Fauci." For those who might have forgotten, the Great Barrington Declaration was the controversial document advocating for allowing COVID-19 to spread naturally among lower-risk populations while supposedly protecting the vulnerable – a strategy most public health experts criticized as both impractical and dangerous.
Yes, because the guy whose pandemic plan was essentially "let it rip through the population" is definitely who we want heading our nation's premier medical research institution. What could possibly go wrong?
Food Friday: Westward Look's Culinary Renaissance
Just when listeners might have been ready to reach for the antacid, the segment brightened considerably with the arrival of John Alt (General Manager) and Rich Lopez (Food & Beverage Director) from Westward Look Resort. These engaging hospitality professionals discussed their culinary program and upcoming events with genuine enthusiasm that proved infectiously entertaining.
With both executives having joined the resort about two years ago, they've been working diligently to revitalize the property's dining options and create experiences worthy of the resort's stunning views.
"The Sonoran rooftop, honestly, there's only one better view of the city," Alt shared. "Our view is 360 view, so you can see Picacho Peak from one side and Miranda the whole basin. You can see the Tucson basin downtown. You can see the other side of the Catalinas, it's just amazing."
Among their successful initiatives:
A popular $25 Prime Rib Night every Sunday from 4-9pm
$10 inspired bourbon cocktails on Wednesdays
Quarterly concert series events
An upcoming High West Bourbon Dinner on March 22nd
The bourbon dinner will feature High West's signature spirits, including the Noble Share (their rye aged in extra-añejo tequila barrels). Lopez explained the bourbon's fascinating origin story: "David Perkins was a biochemist, and he took a trip to Kentucky, likes bourbon, went to the distilleries, and ended up saying, you know what, this is similar to what I do as a professional, and I don't want to do this anymore. So he talked to his wife, they moved to Park City, Utah..."
DeSimone interjected: "So they changed from napalm to bourbon."
"Yeah, to bourbon," Lopez laughed. "You know, for the heat!"
From weapons of war to warming spirits – now that's a career pivot I can raise a glass to!
Chef Angel Sotelo, formerly of Hacienda del Sol, has crafted a menu featuring a cowboy steak, arancini rice balls, and a decadent chocolate dome dessert that had the hosts salivating on air.
In a first for the show, DeSimone used their new "food cam" to showcase breakfast burritos provided by the resort guests. The quesadilla breakfast burrito appeared to be DeSimone's favorite, garnished with both red and green salsa "Christmas style."
"This is why I take my nap at 11:30," Lopez joked after the breakfast burrito showcase, acknowledging the food coma-inducing power of their culinary creations.
Saddle Up, Partners: The Great Western Film Showdown
The true heart of the program emerged when Mark Van Buren (the show's regular movie reviewer) and Bunker de France (a former Hollywood stuntman with over 30 years of experience) settled in for a spirited discussion about Western films. Their genuine passion and expertise created a fascinating dialogue that transcended the show's earlier political posturing.
De France offered captivating insights into his Hollywood beginnings, describing how he walked into a casting call for "The Outrage" with Paul Newman and boldly declared himself an actor despite having no experience.
"I go walking in and I walk in. You remember the old building? It was a long haul to a big lobby... I walk up to the desk. I said, excuse me. Can you tell me where I can find Mr. Earl Jones? He says, yeah, right up there on the line. Just go upstairs right there. So I walk up. There's a line of about 20 cowboys waiting to see him. I'm just a dumb old country boy. I walk past everybody. I walk up to him and there's this guy sitting behind the desk about five foot seven. He's wearing a loud sport coat like Damon Runyon with a pork pie hat, big glasses, and that's Earl Jones."
With the confidence only a "dumb old country boy" could muster, de France introduced himself: "Mr. Jones, my name is Steve DeFrance. I'm an actor and I want to work for you."
That chance encounter launched a three-decade career as a stuntman on numerous Western productions.
The pair explored why Westerns remain America's most enduring film genre with remarkable eloquence and insight. As de France put it: "The Western is a genre that describes why people are the way they are as well as who they would like to be."
He noted that while the actual "Wild West" era only lasted about 30 years (1865-1895), its mythology continues to resonate globally: "Western has manifested in a sense that it's a dream. It's what we dream it would be for us."
In an era where settler colonialism narratives are being rightfully questioned, it's fascinating how the Western's cultural power persists precisely because it mythologizes a problematic period of American expansion and conquest.
Their exploration of why the Western genre resonates worldwide proved particularly insightful. De France shared how international tourists flock to experience Western adventures: "When we were doing High Chaparral and you could, from the ranch house set, you could see the parking lot. And you see two big buses pull in and you knew it was the Japanese. You've got one bus. It was either English or German."
DeSimone added that a German tour operator had modified his offices in Germany to look like an Old West town façade, bringing a bit of the American frontier fantasy to Europe.
Their top Western films included:
Both men's #1 pick: "The Searchers" (John Ford, 1956)
De France praised Ford's ability to tell stories visually, especially the final scene where John Wayne's character stands framed in a doorway: "Ford was a master of symbolism. The part of the symbolism there is that if he comes through the door into the house, he's coming into the family, the modern world. He's coming into a wholeness. And he turns away from it. He goes back into the world he knows."
Van Buren's selections:
"The Magnificent Seven" (1960): "It's absolutely incredible that they're able to put this together and make such a great movie."
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969): "I just think it's just a great story... Butch is the idea guy and Sundance has the skills."
"Johnny Guitar" (1954): "This almost blows up what typical westerns are because typical westerns are usually all about the main characters of men. In this one, the main character is a woman and played by Joan Crawford."
"The Professionals" (1966): "There's this one scene where this one guy's talking to Bert Lancaster and he says, 'To die for money is foolish.' And Lancaster says, 'To die for a woman is even more foolish. Any woman.'"
"Valdez Is Coming" (1971): "[Lancaster] kidnaps the leader's wife and he goes up into the hills and they come after him... this guy was an old buffalo hunter and the Calvary man and he could take guys out from a thousand yards."
De France's selections:
The John Ford Cavalry Trilogy ("Fort Apache," "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," "Rio Grande"): "Those three movies, they set the standard... Any cavalry movie made before or even the ones made before are compared to them."
"The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948): "The storytelling is so perfect. They took B. Traven's novel and that casting was perfect."
"The Oxbow Incident" (1943): Another film exploring justice and mob mentality.
"Riders of the Purple Sage" (based on Zane Grey's novel): "Zane Gray is probably my all-time favorite western writer because he could, he wrote scenery."
The irony that many of these classic Westerns, which celebrate American individualism and conquest, were directed by a man born to Irish immigrant parents (John Ford) is not lost on this writer. Immigration narratives and "frontier spirit" have always been intertwined in our national mythology, something today's anti-immigrant conservatives seem to conveniently forget.
Both cinephiles agreed that the Western genre's power comes from its ability to serve as a backdrop for exploring American identity, freedom, and moral choices. De France observed that the Western archetype has influenced everything from "Star Wars" (Han Solo as a space cowboy) to "Outland" (described as "High Noon in space").
"Nothing was East but water, nothing West but wilderness," de France poetically described the American frontier mindset. "It's always been that dream of being able to go someplace, be something to start over."
Riding Off Into the Sunset: Reflections and Hope
As the show wrapped up, the guests exchanged final thoughts on why Westerns continue to captivate audiences. De France noted that the genre speaks to the American spirit of reinvention and possibility, while Van Buren emphasized how well-crafted Western films create memorable scenes that become "pieces of dreams" in viewers' minds.
Jimmy Stewart's observation about cinema, shared by de France, offers a fitting conclusion: "People don't remember the movie. They remember scenes, pieces of dreams."
Despite the show's occasional political meanderings into troubling territory, the genuine passion and expertise displayed by guests like Bunker de France and the Westward Look team remind us why local media matters. Behind the partisan posturing, there are real people with fascinating stories to tell and valuable insights to share.
For those passionate about film history, Tucson's Western heritage continues to be celebrated through organizations like the Empire Ranch Foundation, where de France remains actively involved. "The first Saturday in April, we have our trail ride," he mentioned. "So if you're interested, look up the Empire Ranch, you'll go to events and it'll tell you all you need to know."
Whether you're drawn to Tucson for its cinematic vistas that inspired countless Western directors, its culinary innovations showcased by places like Westward Look, or even its contentious political landscape, our desert community continues to offer diverse experiences worth exploring and stories worth telling.
In a media landscape increasingly dominated by national voices and algorithmic content, local conversations – even challenging ones – help maintain our sense of place and community identity. By engaging with local perspectives, supporting local businesses like Westward Look, and participating in cultural preservation efforts like those at Empire Ranch, we contribute to a richer, more nuanced understanding of our shared home.
Questions to Ponder
What makes Tucson's landscapes so compelling as settings for Western narratives? Is it the physical beauty, the cultural history, or something more intangible about our relationship with the desert?
How can we honor the cinematic heritage of our region while also acknowledging the more complex and often painful histories of Native American displacement, Mexican-American relations, and frontier justice that real-life "Western" expansion entailed?
Share your thoughts in the comments below – your perspective adds another valuable chapter to our ongoing community conversation.
Quotes:
"This town is a crime-infested crap hole down there. Run by possibly the worst mayor in America." - Chris DeSimone describing Tucson and Mayor Regina Romero
"We're not going to give the money to the war pimps, are we?" - Chris DeSimone, celebrating Congressman Tim Burchett's characterization of defense contractors profiting from Ukraine aid
"The Western is a genre that describes why people are the way they are as well as who they would like to be." - Bunker de France on the cultural significance of Western films
"Ford was a master of symbolism. The part of the symbolism there is that if he comes through the door into the house, he's coming into the family, the modern world...And he turns away from it. He goes back into the world he knows." - Bunker de France analyzing the famous final scene in "The Searchers"
"People don't remember the movie. They remember scenes, pieces of dreams." - Bunker de France quoting Jimmy Stewart on what makes films memorable
"I blame [Blazing Saddles] for killing Westerns." - Bunker de France on Mel Brooks' Western parody, which he felt undermined the genre
"The cowboy is still here. He's changed. And he's not, you know, we portray the cowboy as this knight in shining armor. But then you look at the movies and have to, or more than half the people in the movie are bad guys and they're cowboys." - Bunker de France on the evolution of cowboys in America
People Mentioned and Memorable Quotes:
Chris DeSimone - Host of "Wake Up Live" on Live the Dream Media Network
"This town is a crime-infested crap hole down there. Run by possibly the worst mayor in America."
Regina Romero - Mayor of Tucson
DeSimone ranked her unfavorably against fictional characters like "the dude from JAWS," Mayor Quimby, and the Penguin
Tim Burchett - Republican Congressman from Tennessee
Characterized military contractors supporting Ukraine as "war pimps"
Used the phrase "dad gummit" multiple times during CNN interview
Jake Tapper - CNN host who interviewed Burchett
"I think people are dying because Russia attacked Ukraine."
Jay Bhattacharya - Stanford professor, co-author of Great Barrington Declaration
DeSimone: "Has a lot of work to do to reverse the damage of that freak Fauci."
John Alt - General Manager, Westward Look Resort
"The Sonoran rooftop, honestly, there's only one better view of the city."
Rich Lopez - Food & Beverage Director, Westward Look Resort
"This is why I take my nap at 11:30." (After showcasing breakfast burritos)
Bunker de France (Steve DeFrance) - Former Hollywood stuntman for 30+ years
"I spent over 30 years as a professional stuntman and made a good living following on my head. Fortunately, it was the safest part of my body to follow."
"The Western is a genre that describes why people are the way they are as well as who they would like to be."
Mark Van Buren - Film critic and regular contributor to DeSimone's show
Selected "The Searchers" as the greatest Western film of all time, matching de France's pick
John Ford - Director of numerous classic Westerns including "The Searchers"
De France: "Ford was a master of symbolism."
John Wayne - Iconic Western actor
De France defending Wayne's acting ability: "The man, he was a master at not acting."
