💥 Tucson Radio Host Decries Lack of Consequences for Deadly DUI Incident
Democratic Candidate's Tragic Death Highlights Concerns over Weakening Law Enforcement
Based on the 11/18/24 Wake Up Tucson on KVOI-1030AM.
🙊 Notable quotes from the show
"If this is the burdens on you as a community of the city and the county that has a place in the world where with legalized pot and drugs flowing all over the place that you guys willingly gutted the cops over a 20-year period because you voted on budgets over the last 20 years that had less cops in it. That's just the way it is. So there's no consequences for bad driving at all." - Dr. JoAnn di Filippo, commenting on the lack of consequences for dangerous driving
"If the Democrat party that controls the county and the city doesn't take this as you want to signpost of more misery coming your way is poor John McLean getting, you know, I'm sure that, you know, he's going on for his Saturday bike ride and he gets run over by this a-hole." - Chris DeSimone, criticizing Democrats over the John McLean tragedy
"I can't, you know what? They just do a cut and paste every single month. So I guess the one thing you can say about the sheriff is he is consistent. He is consistently over every single month." - Dr. JoAnn di Filippo, expressing frustration over the county's budget issues
"I would love to see us be able to charge our municipalities, our county for every bathroom that they allow where the homeless are urinating and defecating and drug using in those bathrooms." - Dr. JoAnn di Filippo, commenting on Proposition 312 and the treatment of the homeless
"Let's do a full investigation on the recorders. And while we're at it, throw the elections office in there too. I would. Because one piggybacks on the other." - Dr. JoAnn di Filippo, calling for investigations into the county's election processes
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
🤯 The radio hosts on "Wake Up Tucson" said some really dumb and mean things! They blamed Democrats for a sad accident, even though that doesn't make sense. They made fun of homeless people and immigrants, and they want to charge people more money to ride the bus, even though the bus helps a lot of people get around. The hosts also got mad about new laws that will punish people who hurt kids and try to cross the border illegally. Instead of trying to help everyone in the community, the hosts just want to push their own conservative agenda, no matter who it hurts. That's not fair or right!
🗝️ Takeaways
👮♀️ Concerns over weakening law enforcement and lack of consequences for dangerous driving in Pima County, as exemplified by the tragic death of Democratic candidate John McLean.
💰 Pima County aggressively pursues new revenue sources, including transportation fees, hotel taxes, and utility surcharges, to fund the controversial "free crime bus" program.
📊 Tensions between conservative radio hosts and liberal media outlets like Saturday Night Live, as seen in the Peanuts Revenge racing team discussion and its parody.
🗳️ Controversy surrounding voter-approved ballot measures in Arizona, including increased border security, tougher crime penalties, and the potential impacts on Pima County's Democratic leadership.
🏛️ Speculation around Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher's contract renegotiation, with concerns over potential salary increases and pension spikes under the current Democratic majority on the Board of Supervisors.
🔍 Calls for independent investigations into the actions of Pima County Recorder Cissarist Kelly and the county's elections office, amid concerns over the processing of early ballots and other irregularities.
⏬ Jump to the 🦉 Three Sonorans Commentary based on:
📻 What They Discussed
The "Wake Up Tucson" show, recorded on Monday, November 18, 2024, is a long-running conservative talk radio program that delves into local and national issues.
The regular host, Chris DeSimone, is joined by fill-in co-host Greg Garinger, while frequent guest Dr. JoAnn di Filippo provides in-depth analysis. Former Pima GOP chair Bill Beard also calls in to share his expertise on election-related matters.
The hosts and guests engage in a wide-ranging discussion covering topics from the support ticket lifecycle and user retention data visualization to the aftermath of the recent elections and Pima County's efforts to fund its "free crime bus" program.
🚨 The John McLean Tragedy and Concerns Over Weakening Law Enforcement
The hosts and guests express deep concern over the tragic death of Democratic candidate John McLean, who was allegedly killed by a driver under the influence of substances.
DeSimone argues that "there's no consequences for bad driving at all" and that the situation represents a "signpost of more misery coming your way" for the community.
Dr. di Filippo shares similar sentiments, stating, "If this is the burdens on you as a community of the city and the county that has a place in the world where with legalized pot and drugs flowing all over the place that you guys willingly gutted the cops over a 20 year period because you voted on budgets over the last 20 years that had fewer cops in it. That's just the way it is. So there's no consequences for bad driving at all. Very few. But you have to kill somebody first. Right. That's your consequence."
This isn’t a true statement in bold from the host, despite the dozens of traffic tickets that our former Republican Attorney General and current State Superintendent Tom Horne, but we digress…
The hosts and guests discuss potential factors that may have contributed to the incident, including issues with prosecution and sentencing and the general weakening of law enforcement in Pima County.
DeSimone expresses concern that "if the Democrat party that controls the county and the city doesn't take this as you want to signpost of more misery coming your way is poor John McLean getting, you know, I'm sure that, you know, he's going on for his Saturday bike ride and he gets run over by this a-hole."
💰 Pima County's Efforts to Fund the "Free Crime Bus"
The conversation shifts to Pima County's plans to fund the "free crime bus" program, which has been controversial.
Assistant City Manager Christina Swallow has provided a memo outlining eight options the city is considering to raise additional revenue, including a transportation utility fee, special taxing districts, impact fees, and increases to the rental car tax and hotel/motel surcharge.
DeSimone and di Filippo criticize these proposals, with DeSimone describing them as "the old crime tax" and questioning their effectiveness and fairness.
Di Filippo expresses her frustration, saying, "I can't, you know what? They do a cut-and-paste every single month. So, I guess the one thing you can say about the sheriff is he is consistent. He is consistently over every single month."
She further questions the need for additional funding, stating, "Why do we need an attorney now? I thought this was already a done deal." Di Filippo also suggests that the county should investigate the actions of the Pima County Recorder, Cissarist Kelly, regarding processing early ballots and other election-related activities.
🗳️ Ballot Measures and the Post-Election Landscape
The discussion delves into the recent ballot measures approved by Arizona voters, including Prop 311 (providing a death benefit for fallen first responders), Prop 312 (allowing property tax refunds for lack of enforcement of certain laws), Prop 313 (increasing penalties for child sex trafficking), and Prop 314 (the "Secure the Border Act").
Di Filippo analyzes the implications of these measures, noting that Prop 312, which allows property owners to apply for tax refunds if their city or town is not enforcing laws related to illegal camping, loitering, and public urination/defecation, "is the nightmare."
She questions the impact on the community, stating, "I would love to see us be able to charge our municipalities, our county for every bathroom that they allow where the homeless are urinating and defecating and drug using in those bathrooms."
The guests also discuss concerns regarding the Heather Lapin-Chris Nanos sheriff's race and the potential for an independent investigation into Pima County Recorder Cesares Kelly's actions.
Di Filippo suggests, "Let's do a full investigation on the recorders. And while we're at it, throw the elections office in there too. I would. Because one piggybacks on the other."
🏛️ Jan Lesher's Contract Negotiations and Pima County Administration
The transcript also covers the upcoming Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting, where they will discuss County Administrator Jan Lesher's employment contract.
The hosts and di Filippo speculate on the potential for a salary increase or contract modification and the broader implications for the county's administration under the current Democratic majority.
Di Filippo believes that "Jan wants to get the heck out of Dodge. Okay. Except the problem is Dodge is not ready to let go yet." She suggests that the board may try to "increase her salary" or "do a modified contract" to retain Lesher despite the potential for a "pension spike."
🦉 Three Sonorans Commentary
Tucson Residents Outraged by Conservative Radio Hosts' Callous Disregard for Community Struggles
We are deeply troubled by the disturbing rhetoric and harmful narratives that emerged from the "Wake Up Tucson" radio program. The hosts and guests displayed a shocking disregard for the struggles faced by our city's most vulnerable communities, shamelessly using a tragic death to score political points against Democrats.
The fatal accident involving Democratic candidate John McLean was immediately seized upon as an opportunity to launch into a tirade against the "weakening of law enforcement" and the supposed lack of consequences for reckless driving. This simplistic narrative conveniently ignores the well-documented issues of systemic racism, over-policing, and the disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on marginalized communities.
The hosts' callous dismissal of the hardships the unhoused population faces is particularly appalling. When discussing Proposition 312, which would allow property owners to seek tax refunds for the lack of enforcement of laws related to homelessness, di Filippo sarcastically suggested, "if you have no problem with it, then let's go ahead and direct the homeless to your property where you can allow them to urinate and defecate."
This dehumanizing rhetoric is indicative of a profound disconnect from the lived experiences of those struggling with poverty, addiction, and mental health challenges.
Moreover, the conservative radio personalities' eagerness to embrace the draconian measures of the "Secure the Border Act" (Proposition 314) demonstrates a troubling disregard for the rights and dignity of immigrant communities.
As the incoming Homeland Security Secretary Tom Homan threatens to "come for" undocumented immigrants, the hosts gleefully anticipate a crackdown, dismissing the very real fear and suffering experienced by families torn apart by such heavy-handed tactics.
The discussion surrounding the county's efforts to fund its "free crime bus" program is equally disturbing. Instead of acknowledging the essential role of public transportation in providing mobility and access to underserved neighborhoods, the hosts resort to derogatory language, labeling it the "free crime bus."
Their proposal to institute a fee-based pass system would undoubtedly create additional barriers for low-income individuals and further marginalize the very communities that rely on this service the most.
Even the hosts' glee over the passage of Proposition 313, which imposes harsher penalties for child sex trafficking, betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the complex social and economic factors that drive this abhorrent practice. By simplistically framing it as a "win" for law enforcement, they overlook the need for comprehensive, trauma-informed interventions that address the root causes and support survivors.
All this while supporting Matt Gaetz for Attorney General…
Amidst these troubling discussions, the hosts' eagerness to engage in partisan mudslinging and scapegoating is particularly disheartening. Their dismissive attitudes toward the concerns of Pima County's Recorder and the ongoing investigations into the integrity of the electoral process reflect a disturbing disregard for the principles of democracy and the right of all citizens to have their voices heard.
I sincerely hope that my fellow Tucsonans will join me in denouncing these harmful narratives and instead embrace a vision of our city that prioritizes the people's needs, celebrates diversity, and works towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
