Jeff's Commentary - 9/7 - Governor Brewer's Falling Star

Two weeks ago Governor Jan Brewer was a political superstar on the rise. She appeared on national media outlets almost nightly, talking about the perils of SB1070 and the wows of immigration on Arizona and the country. The Governor was in demand...a celebrity whose presence to speak was star-like. Then a funny thing happened on the road to her Oscar like status...the truth.

Back in June the Governor declared that there were headless bodies out in the Arizona desert. The Wild Wild West was out of control being run over by the coyotes and drug dealers from Mexico coming across the border. Gather the kids and lock the doors and stay awake all night with your guns to protect the family. Only problem is none of this was true.

During the Great Debate of 2010 on September 1st, the Governor started with her famous 16 seconds of silence. Simon and Garfunkel would have been proud.

Then as the debate continued and the Governor was asked about the headless bodies in the desert, she had no response. After the debate, she was caught by reporters again demanding where the heads were, and her answer was “that it was an interesting debate.” Wow. It reminded me of former President George W. Bush in a debate with Senator John Kerry when asked about the Presidency responded with “It’s hard work. It’s hard work.”

Brewer took back her June statement later in the week. The headless bodies were actually in Mexico along the border regions according to her statement. I get that immigration is a big deal in Arizona. While the claims of illegal immigration were misstated or misspoken, that in no way takes away from the issues on securing the borders.

I just wish we could have a discussion without adding all the lies and fabrications to make people scared. I’d like to see our politicians just once talk openly about what really is happening. The politics of fear is a real drag because people buy into the rhetoric.

As to Governor Brewer, a star is only bright when it is not falling from the sky. I don’t think she will be as much in demand on the national talk shows or as a speaker for others running for office. They need the propaganda to at least be somewhat truthful.

And the sixteen seconds of silence? It is said that dead super stars often turn into black holes. As the star dies, it explodes in a huge explosion called a Super Nova. The Super Nova blasts away most of the star. As we get closer to the November election, we’ll see if Jan Brewer remains in her current position or if her remarks on immigration create a Super Nova. The politics of fear will not keep you burning bright, Governor. Let’s talk about what really will heal the state and bring jobs and housing back. Dead headless bodies in the desert don’t make for a healthy economy, but they make good headlines.

Jeff