Get a Human on the Phone

Check out this cool website full of great tips and short-cuts that can be used on a daily basis...that will save you money!

Anyone who's wasted an hour on the phone sitting on hold or dialing through labyrinth automated menus will appreciate the gethuman database, a simple but comprehensive list of major companies' customer-service phone numbers and the steps to take to get a real human on the phone. Press 0 and kiss that on-hold Muzak good-bye.

The Political Compass

The familiar labels of "right" and "left" or "liberal" and "conservative" might be too simplistic for our times. The Political Compass offers an alternative, giving you a short questionnaire before placing you on a political grid that includes politicians and famous thinkers for reference.

Take Note: Multi-paged test that takes 5-7 minutes to complete.

How did you score?

Quote of the Day

"Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it and, above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light." -- Joseph Pulitzer

My Sister, Her Husband, and Beautiful Little Girl

Just an update of pictures of my sister's family for all of those who have continued to keep them in prayer after the passing of Precious Baby Boy. Thank you for sharing your love, faith, and tears. Many blessings to you all!

New Illegal Immigration Website

Check out this new extremely informative website, then pass on the link to your family and friends.

The Illegal Immigration Journal was started by Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas in order to provide a comprehensive resource where the public, law enforcement and political leaders can find updated news and information on illegal immigration.

48th Legislature House Committee Assignments & Meeting Times

Appropriations
Wednesday 1:30 p.m.
Russell Pearce, Chair
Trish Groe, Vice-Chair
Kirk Adams
Andy Biggs
Judy Burges
Chad Campbell
Cloves Campbell
John Kavanagh
Phil Lopes
Linda Lopez
David Lujan
Lucy Mason
Nancy McLain
Rick Murphy
Pete Rios
David Schapira
Jerry Weiers

Sub-Approps:
Health & Welfare
Monday 9:00 a.m.
Rick Murphy, Chair
Chad Campbell
Trish Groe
Linda Lopez
Jerry Weiers

Sub-Approps:
Transportation & Criminal Justice
Monday 9:00 a.m.
Judy Burges, Chair
Andy Biggs
Cloves Campbell
John Kavanagh
Pete Rios

Sub-Approps:
Education & Natural Resources
Monday 9:00 a.m.
Nancy McLain, Chair
Kirk Adams
David Lujan
Lucy Mason
David Schapira

Commerce
Wednesday 9:00 a.m.
Michele Reagan, Chair
Rich Crandall, Vice-Chair
Kirk Adams
Olivia Cajero Bedford
Mark Desimone
Adam Driggs
Bill Konopnicki
John McComish
Robert Meza
Ben Miranda

Counties, Municipalities & Military Affairs
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
John Nelson, Chair
Jerry Weiers, Vice-Chair
Manuel Alvarez
Olivia Cajero Bedford
Adam Driggs
Lucy Mason
Marian McClure
Russell Pearce
Tom Prezelski
Albert Tom

Education (K-12)
Wednesday 9:00 a.m.
Mark Anderson, Chair
Andy Tobin, Vice-Chair
Doug Clark
Sam Crump
Eddie Farnsworth
Pete Hershberger
David Lujan
Lena Saradnik
David Schapira
Jackie Thrasher

Environment
Wednesday 1:30 p.m.
Ray Barnes, Chair
Bob Robson, Vice-Chair
Ed Ableser
Mark Anderson
Sam Crump
Martha Garcia
Barbara McGuire
Michele Reagan
Andy Tobin
Theresa Ulmer

Financial Institutions & Insurance
Monday, 1:30 p.m.
Bill Konopnicki, Chair
Kirk Adams, Vice-Chair
Manuel Alvarez
Eddie Farnsworth
John McComish
Nancy McLain
Robert Meza
Ben Miranda
Bob Stump
Albert Tom

Government
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
Kirk Adams, Chair
Tom Boone, Vice-Chair
Ray Barnes
Rich Crandall
Mark Desimone
Steve Farley
Martha Garcia
Warde Nichols
Lena Saradnik
Jim Weiers

Health
Wednesday 9:00 a.m.
Bob Stump, Chair
Rick Murphy, Vice-Chair
Nancy Barto
David Bradley
Jennifer Burns
Martha Garcia
Trish Groe
Phil Lopes
Linda Lopez
Lucy Mason

Higher Education
Tuesday 1:30 p.m.
Jennifer Burns, Chair
Nancy McLain, Vice-Chair
Ed Ableser
Mark Anderson
Nancy Barto
Chad Campbell
Doug Clark
Eddie Farnsworth
Pete Rios
Robert Meza

Homeland Security & Property Rights
Monday 1:30 p.m.
Warde Nichols, Chair
Doug Clark, Vice-Chair
Ray Barnes
Nancy Barto
Tom Boone
Cloves Campbell
Steve Gallardo
Tom Prezelski
Krysten Sinema
Jerry Weiers

Human Services
Thursday 9:00 a.m.
Pete Hershberger, Chair
Nancy Barto, Vice-Chair
Manuel Alvarez
Mark Anderson
David Bradley
Judy Burges
Mark Desimone
Barbara McGuire
Rick Murphy
AndyTobin

Judiciary
Thursday 9:00 a.m.
Eddie Farnsworth, Chair
Adam Driggs, Vice-Chair
Kirk Adams
Rich Crandall
Steve Gallardo
Ann Kirkpatrick
Bill Konopnicki
David Lujan
Krysten Sinema
Steve Yarbrough

Natural Resources & Public Safety
Wednesday 9:00 a.m.
Jerry Weiers, Chair
Judy Burges, Vice-Chair
Ray Barnes
Andy Biggs
John Kavanagh
Barbara McGuire
John Nelson
Lynne Pancrazi
Krysten Sinema
Theresa Ulmer

Public Institutions & Retirement
Monday 1:30 p.m.
Marian McClure, Chair
Sam Crump, Vice-Chair
David Bradley
Judy Burges
Pete Hershberger
John Kavanagh
Lynne Pancrazi
Lena Saradnik
Jackie Thrasher
Andy Tobin

Rules
Tuesday 10:00 a.m.
Bob Robson, Chair
Nancy Barto, Vice-Chair
Tom Boone
Jack Brown
Ann Kirkpatrick
John McComish
Ben Miranda
Linda Lopez
Michele Reagan
Jim Weiers

Transportation
Thursday 9:00 a.m.
Andy Biggs, Chair
Marian McClure, Vice-Chair
Ed Ableser
Sam Crump
Steve Farley
Nancy McLain
Tom Prezelski
Bob Stump
Jackie Thrasher
Jerry Weiers

Water & Agriculture
Thursday 9:00 a.m.
Lucy Mason, Chair
John Kavanagh, Vice-Chair
Albert Tom
Jack Brown
Jennifer Burns
Doug Clark
Trish Groe
Lynne Pancrazi
John Nelson
Teresa Ulmer

Ways & Means
Monday 1:30 p.m.
Steven Yarbrough, Chair
Rick Murphy, Vice-Chair
Andy Biggs
Jack Brown
Olivia Cajero Bedford
Rich Crandall
Adam Driggs
Steve Farley
Ann Kirkpatrick
Michele Reagan

Groe New Committee Assignments

Appropriations, Vice-Chair
Sub-Approps:Health & Welfare
Water & Agriculture*
Health

*Earlier this month I was assigned to Transportation. Although interested in this subject I questioned Leadership of the decision to not re-assign Rep. McLain to this committee as she served well on the committee for the last two years. She has a strong, knowledge-based foundation from which the district benefits and it did not make sense that she not continue to serve in this capacity, unless she requested off the committee. After finding out this was not the case, I lobbied for her to be re-assigned, Leadership agreed and switched her to Transportation and me to Water & Agriculture. Makes sense, right?

9/11 Memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza

East Valley Tribune weighs in on controversial September 11th Memorial. What are your thoughts on the partial list of phrases below?

*VIANA OF PHOENIX STARTED "MARINE MOMS"

*ARIZONA INTERFAITH MOVEMENT PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING & RESPECT

*"FEAR OF FOREIGNERS"

*"FOREIGN-BORN AMERICANS AFRAID"

*PATRIOTS SQUARE RALLY "STANDING WITH MUSLIMS AGAINST TERRORISM"

*FEELING OF INVINCIBILITY LOST

*"MUST BOMB BACK"

*"YOU DON'T WIN BATTLES OF TERRORISM WITH MORE BATTLES"

*PEOPLE OF YUMA PLANTED TREES

*DUG 8 HOURS ONLY FOUND ONE HELMET STRAP

*WE STAND IN 100-DEGREE HEAT TO GIVE BLOOD

*GRACE OF PHOENIX MADE KIDS GIGGLE AGAIN

*VIOLENT ACTS LEADING U.S. TO WAR, 05-07-1915, 12-07-41, 08-04-64 & 09-11-01

*06-03-02 CONGRESS QUESTIONS WHY CIA & FBI DIDN'T PREVENT ATTACKS

*STEVE OF SCOTTSDALE WROTE SONGS FOR BROTHER, ROBBY

*11-YEAR-OLD SOLD T-SHIRTS TO BUILD MEMORIAL IN GOODYEAR

*MIDDLE EAST VIOLENCE MOTIVATES ATTACKS IN U.S.

*ERRONEOUS U.S. AIR STRIKE KILLS 46 URUZGAN CIVILIANS

*AVTAR SINGH CHEIRA, A SIKH, SHOT IN PHOENIX

*PATRICIA, FLAGSTAFF PSYCHOLOGIST, COUNSELED NYC VICTIMS & RESCUE WORKERS

*GWEN OF TUCSON ASSIGNED TO RED CROSS IN VA

For further information regarding the monstrosity, I mean memorial, visit http://arizonahonors911.com/

Or' the River & Through the Woods to Grandmother's House..

We go!

F and I returned last night from a too short visit to Illinois to visit my Grandmother for the first time since the passing of my Grandfather last May. Balmy weather (mid-50's) and sunshine eased the mood of touch-down into Milwaukee, a place more associated with the long-term illness and emergency hospitalizations, usually during the bitter winters than beer (Many people associate Milwaukee with beer, as it was once the home to four of the world's largest breweries and was the number one beer producing city in the world for many years) the Brewers, or Bucks.

My uncle is teaching my Grandmother to use the computer and she is now a frequent visitor to the blogs of my siblings...mine not so much, due to the majority political content. (This one's for you, Gram!)

The days were short but jam-packed full of food, family and fellowship. Over Honey-Baked Ham, Dijon-Crusted Slow Roasted Pork Tenderloin, and Tender Beef Pot Roast F & I basked in the company of my Gram, the Uncle and His Tender-Hearted Wife, and three of my favorite Aunts. My only regret is that we forgot to drop by the local ice cream shop for a seasonal eggnog shake!

Next time, F says "when the weather warms" our visit will be longer. Think we can get a budget signed and end session in 120 days? I have my motivation!

I love you Gram! Make those appointments, use the puffer, and know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers!