Sen. @JeffFlake: "Well, we saw earlier this week in Helsinki what was a truly an Orwellian moment."

Full video here: https://t.co/Jk5rOpnh1i pic.twitter.com/lCD0WmTw3I

— CSPAN (@cspan) July 19, 2018

Talking Points Memo notes Sen. Jeff Flake's criticism of President Donald Trump today on the Senate floor as he unsuccessfully tried to get his fellow Republicans to sign onto a resolution in support of law enforcement agencies:

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) dramatically called President Donald Trump’s press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin “Orwellian” on Thursday, in an effort to pass a non-binding Senate resolution that’s little more than a pat on the back for law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and which was ultimately blocked.

“We saw earlier this week in Helsinki what was truly an Orwellian moment,” he said from the Senate floor. “What we saw earlier this week in Helsinki is what happens when you wage war on objective reality for nearly two solid years, calling real things fake and fake things real, as if conditioning others to embrace the same confusion.”

After congratulating the Justice Department and intelligence community for their work, the three-page resolution “calls upon relevant committees of the Senate to exercise congressional oversight, including prompt hearings and the release of relevant notes and information” on Trump and Putin’s Helsinki meeting, and “calls for the immediate and full implementation of mandatory sanctions provided for in the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act,” which Trump signed into law after overwhelming congressional support last year. (Read the full resolution below.)

“Ultimately,” Flake continued, “you’re rendered unable to tell the difference between the two and are at critical times seemingly rendered incapable of thinking clearly, your mind a hash of conspiracy theory and fragments of old talking points deployed in response to a question no one even asked. Ultimately you fail to summon reality in the face of a despot in defense of your country.”

He added later: “When the American government offers an onslaught on unreality, it puts the whole world at risk. That is the lesson of Helsinki. That is the dose of reality that hit hard. We have indulged myths and fabrications, pretended that it wasn’t so bad and our indulgence got us the capitulation in Helsinki.”

Over the next week-and-a-half, The Loft Cinema is freeing you of your parental obligations (if only for an hour or two). What’s better than watching some of the best children’s movies on the big screen? The fact that they’re all free! The Loft Kids Fest kicks off on Friday, July 20, with a Himmel Park party at 6 p.m. that includes an 8 p.m. screening of Trolls. After that, the daily action moves to The Loft. Check out: Home (July 21); How to Train Your Dragon 2 (July 22); Walking with Dinosaurs (July 23); Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes (July 24); The Neverending Story (July 25); The Last Unicorn (July 26); Looney Tunes shorts (July 27); Spirited Away (July 28); and 2017’s Beauty and the Beast (July 29). Screenings start at 10 a.m. every morning, with a second 11 a.m. screening on weekends only. Loft Cinema, 3233 East Speedway Boulevard.

Note: This is my own personal pick, not an endorsement from the Tucson Weekly.

A month ago, my position on the gubernatorial campaign boiled down to a simple slogan: "Democrat For Governor." Whichever Democrat could beat Ducey, that's who I wanted to run in the general. The differences between the three candidates, Steve Farley, Kelly Fryer and David Garcia, are minor compared to the Grand Canyon-sized chasm separating them from the current governor. Ducey has to go. I wanted to back the winner. It was that simple.

I've been watching to see if one of the candidates stumbled on the primary campaign trail. Anyone who was caught flat footed and started hemming, hawing and back-pedaling during the primary would run into serious trouble when they were hit by the tsunami of money and negative campaigning in the general. I haven't seen any serious stumbles from any of them. Democrats have three smart candidates who understand the issues facing Arizona and have remained consistent in their messaging.

Unfortunately, Kelly Fryer isn't a viable candidate, mainly because she's a newcomer. Ramping up from zero to governor in one campaign is nearly impossible, especially when the other candidates already have political identities. I hope to see more of Fryer in the future. She's a leader with a strong voice and relevant experience.

Both Garcia and Farley have a good shot at beating Ducey in November, especially given today's unpredictable political climate at the state and national levels, and both have the makings of a good governor. I pick David Garcia as the stronger of the two.

David Garcia is a much improved candidate from when he ran for Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2014. Four years ago, he was new to the campaign trail and hadn't found his footing. This time, he's far stronger. He looks comfortable in his own skin and sounds confident in his message. He exudes a positive energy, enjoying himself at the same time he's deeply serious about what he's doing. That makes him an attractive candidate.

Wild Strawberries. Continuing their Bergman centennial, The Loft is screening the Swedish master’s second great film. Wild Strawberries is part psychological drama, part road movie, part surrealism. It examines the memories, dreams, hopes and fears of an aging professor as he drives through the country with a rotating cast of characters. Since its debut in 1957, only a small group of films have so masterfully captured the abstract horror and humor of the human mind (Tarkovsky’s The Mirror and Lynch’s Mulholland Drive among them). 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 19. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Regular admission prices. Details here.

Four Peaks Beer Dinner. Upgrade your barbecue dinner with brews from Four Peaks Brewing Co. Brother John’s is hosting a pairing dinner that offers a broad sampling of the local beer and their signature barbecue. For more menu information, RSVP and call 520-867-6787 for reservations. 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 19. 1801 N. Stone Ave. Details here.

The Resiliency of Hopi Culture: 500 Years of Planting. There’s something about photographs taken or curated by a member of a community, rather than from the outside looking in, that gives pictures a certain power. This exhibit at the Arizona State Museum, guest curated by Hopi farmer, photographer and UA PhD candidate in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment Michael Kotuwa Johnson, is a perfect example. This series of photographs illustrates traditional Hopi farming practices and the values they’re based on. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday through June 29, 2019. Arizona State Museum, 1013 E. University Blvd. $5 adults and free for museum members, anyone 17 and under and UA faculty, staff and students with a Cat Card. Details here.

Arizona Biennial 2018 at the Tucson Museum of Art. Artwork from all over the state was juried into this exhibition by guest juror Rebecca R. Hart, curator of modern and contemporary art at the Denver Art Museum. Works by dozens of artists, in dozens of mediums, will be on display in the James J. and Louse R. Glasser Galleries, the Chann Gallery and the Green Gallery. After all, you can’t spell “Tucson, Arizona” without “art.” On display through Sunday, Sept. 16 at the Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. $12 adults, $10 seniors 65+, $7 college students with ID and youth 13-17, free for kids 12 and under, veterans and museum members. Details here.

Summer Artisan Showcase. Downtown clothing store Laura Tanzer Atelier is hosting an opportunity to meet Arizona artists, learn about their passions and buy some completely unique merchandise. Quiana Nwagbara is the daughter half of a Scottsdale mother-daughter business designing and creating African-inspired handbags and accessories out of mud cloth and leather. And Sam Patania is a third generation silversmith jeweler from Tucson. Both will be around to share stories and handcrafted goods, so bring your ears for listening and your money for spending. 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 19. Laura Tanzer Atelier, 410 N. Toole Ave. Details here.

Krav Maga/Self Defense Basics Class. It’s a mad, mad world out there, so it’s never a bad idea to beef up your self-defense skills (or even to start building them from scratch). If you head over to Tucson’s Rising Phoenix Fitness and Defense, you can learn the basics of self-defense in a quick introductory lesson, then try out what you learned in a 45-minute hands-on class. You’ll meet lots of talented people who practice Krav Maga, the military self-defense system that uses techniques from boxing, wrestling, judo, karate and other techniques. Your first class is totally free, and after that, it’s only $35 to Krav Maga again. Or, if you’re really into it, you can get a monthly membership, and the class will be included. 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 19 (and every Thursday through the end of the year). Tucson’s Rising Phoenix Fitness and Defense, 1548 S. Euclid, suite B. Details here.

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Drop-in Hula Class. If you’ve had the Lilo and Stitch soundtrack on repeat ever since it came out (and who hasn’t?), then it’s about time you learned how to dance along. Those little dashboard hula dancers make it look so easy! It’s time to find whether that’s at all true. Movement Culture is hosting a chance for people of all ages to learn the basics of hula, what they describe as a “low-impact workout.” And hey, we can’t think of a more fun or interesting way to get a workout in than to give hula a shot. Get your head in the game, and get your hips in a hula skirt. (Actually, probably just wear workout clothes. And bring water!) 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 19. Movement Culture, 435 E. Ninth St. $10, cash only. Details here.

Events compiled by Emily Dieckman, Dylan Reynolds, BS Eliot, Ava Garcia and Jeff Gardner.

Another Fourth Avenue bummer: Ordinary Bike Shop, a regular contender in Best of Tucson™, is shuttering its doors. From the bike store's Facebook page:

I want to thank the Tucson community for the opportunity to serve your bicycle needs over the past 24 years. I am beyond grateful to personally have served the downtown/4th Ave area for more than a decade, and will cherish the experiences and relationships made along the way.

It is my duty, with a heavy heart, to announce Ordinary Bike Shop will be closing its physical retail location next week, and will lock the doors at 6pm on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

Until then, my staff and I will still be happy to repair your bike, answer any questions, give bike advice, and will have discounts on all remaining inventory until our last day. Feel free to come by during business hours, or shoot an email to [email protected].

Sincerely,
David and the OBS Crew

*Deposits and gift cards will be eligible for refund (excluding any promotional cards, raffle prizes, etc).

*Any special orders will be cancelled, unless previously arranged.

*Any repairs left past 7/26/18 will be held for 10 days.

*ALL SALES FINAL.

In this week's episode of The Lineup: KFMA's Boy Wonder and Tucson Weekly executive editor Jim Nintzel talk about ways to have fun in Tucson this week. Tune in and make your plans accordingly!

You know that JD Souther show we've been mentioning in print and online? Tomorrow night's performance has been postponed "due to illness and inability to travel," per Team Rialto. It's rescheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18. 

Much like their native Catalonia, indie rock band Mourn are anxious to break free. Whether it's from the binds of record deals, societal constraints or typical song structures, with their newest album, Sorpresa Familia, Mourn breaks free and revels in the noisy catharsis.

Difficulties with their previous label and youthful woes synthesize into some wonderfully anxious indie rock. Mourn sings about tearing off your flesh and becoming a skeleton, lying about everything being fine, and so on. The angular, post-punk guitars aren’t repetitive to the point of annoyance, however. Mourn takes their time to enjoy the atmospheric beauty of transitional tracks before diving back into aggressive punk anthems. But their anger never gets in the way of technical playing or diverse song structures.

Catch Mourn playing at the Valley Bar. 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 26. $12 - 14. 16+.

Carla: Daniel Caesar Freudian
I recently discovered Daniel Caesar, a Canadian R&B singer with an amazing, hypnotizing deep voice. The whole album flows perfectly, its quiet vibe is pleasant. Lately, I've been paying extra attention to songwriters that write in a honest way. People that you can really tell they're writing from their heart, people that open themselves to you. That while they do it, in a way, they discover themselves more. This album brings me exactly that: honesty, peace and deep sounds.


Leia: Berri Txarrak Jaio. Musika. Hil
Berri Txarrak is my favorite band since 2016, I think. And "Jaio. Music. Hil" is for me their best album. Every single song is a hit and I think that this album resumes how the band is and how they work together.


Jazz: Chris Bell I am the Cosmos

This album is so emotionally intense and honest. I like the way it makes me feel when I listen to it.  Musically it is very interesting. It keeps your brain active because of all the details and structures. Also, the melodies are very beautiful.


Antonio: Engine Down Demure

This album shows a great level of instrumental technicality. I think it is a hugely underrated album even in the underground scene. It has a beautiful and great vibe of pain and affliction.

House GOP leaders are voting today on a resolution to support Immigration Customs Enforcement.

This comes after 28-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won the Democratic primary in New York's 14 congressional district, defeating the long-time incumbent. During her campaign, Ocasio-Cortez called for the abolishment of ICE, which was formed in 2002, following 9/11.

The GOP first toyed with holding a vote on a Democrat-introduced bill to abolish ICE, in a move that hardly seemed like a friendly gesture to give a Democratic bill some floor time. Whatever Democrats in the House and Congress think of ICE, Republican leaders know calling for the agency's abolishment could be a risky political move. But before a vote on the Democratic bill, they changed course.

The Hill writes:

Instead, the House will vote Wednesday on a resolution — authored by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) — to support ICE, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters on Monday.

“What I found so interesting is the Democrats introduced a bill to abolish
ICE ... we give them an opportunity, and they say they don’t want to
vote for it,” said McCarthy, who controls which bills come to the House
floor.

The California Republican said Thursday he intended to bring the abolish ICE bill to the floor in an attempt to force vulnerable Democrats to take a difficult vote. GOP leaders thought Democrats in swing districts would be reluctant to criticize the federal agency responsible for fighting human and drug trafficking and border enforcement.

But Democrats responded by vowing to vote “no” and dismissed it as an election year show vote.

A story on the front page of the Star.

AP Exclusive: Billionaires fuel US charter schools movement

Be still my heart!

Last week I wrote a post about the amount of money the Walton Family Foundation — the Walmart fortune — has poured into charter schools, with a promise of a billion dollars total between 2015 and 2020. The AP story looked beyond the Walton Foundation. It began with a Bill Gates connection I didn't know about. Washington state is one of the last states to resist the charter school movement. Gates put millions into creating a charter school law, then funded the Washington State Charter Schools Association. When the courts ruled the law unconstitutional, Gates spent more money to keep six charters open while they fight to reinstate the law.

Along with charter supporters like Gates and the Waltons, the article mentions the Dell computer family and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg. The Billionaire Boys Club stretches much farther than that. A recent example. In the California gubernatorial primary, Netflix founder Reed Hastings plowed $7 million into the candidacy of ex-Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a big charter school supporter. He did it under the cover of a group named Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018, which put more than $13 million into the campaign, almost all of it from a few rich donors. Villaraigosa lost in spite of the funding.

In my earlier post, I wrote that the charter presence in Arizona and around the country would be much smaller if it weren't for the billions of private dollars spent on their behalf. Sometimes it's spent openly, but often it's done by stealth. A favorite method is the use of dozens of pro-charter astroturf groups, supposedly grassroots organizations, with impressive websites and an office address. Often they claim to represent specific groups, like African Americans or Hispanics, to give the impression of a groundswell of support. The actual organization can be a small office with one employee or even a post office box. But in advertising and public relations, perception is everything.