Book lovers unite at the Tucson Festival of Books, the third-largest book festival in the country, where more than 100,000 people attend to hear over 300 authors and presenters speak on various genres. Aside from the fantastic lineup of speakers, the festival is free, and proceeds from book sales provide $2 million for literacy programs in the Tucson area. In contrast, GOP senators criticized Kevin McCarthy for giving Tucker Carlson 41,000 hours of video footage from the Jan. 6 insurrection. Carlson’s narrative downplayed the seriousness of the insurrection, causing GOP senators to speak out, with Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina calling it “bullshit.” Additionally, McCarthy made Marjorie Taylor Greene Speaker pro tempore for a day, which many criticized given her history of making questionable statements and lack of qualifications. Overall, McCarthy and Greene’s actions have raised questions about the direction of the GOP and their commitment to transparency and responsible leadership.
Tucson Festival of Books: A Haven for Book Lovers
Book lovers unite! The Tucson Festival of Books is the perfect place to be for avid readers and literary enthusiasts. With over 300 authors and presenters coming together to talk about their writings and literature in general, it’s no wonder the festival is the third-largest book festival in the country.
Held annually at the University of Arizona, the festival attracts more than 100,000 people, taking over the university mall and some classrooms while the students are on spring break. There’s something for everyone, with speakers covering a wide range of genres, including young adult, mystery/thrillers, romance, fictional literature, history, sci-fi and fantasy, biographies, current issues, and even culinary.
Aside from the fantastic lineup of speakers and presenters, the festival offers more than just literary enjoyment. With sunshine and low 70-degree temperatures, the festival’s environment adds to the overall experience. But despite the good vibes, it’s worth mentioning that the festival is not the place for furry friends. While true service dogs are welcome, it’s best to leave the rest of the pooches at home where they belong.
The festival is free, and the proceeds from book sales ensure that it stays that way. To date, the festival has provided $2 million for literacy programs in the Tucson area. Attending the festival is not just an enjoyable experience; it also contributes to a good cause.
If you ever find yourself around Tucson in early March, make sure to arrange a day or two to spend at the two-day festival. Trust us; it’s worth the trip.
GOP Senators Criticize Kevin McCarthy’s Jan. 6 Video Footage Release
The Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol remains a controversial topic, with GOP members still divided on how to handle the aftermath. Recently, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy turned over 41,000 hours of video footage from that day to FOX’s Tucker Carlson, a decision that didn’t sit well with GOP senators.
Despite claiming he wanted transparency about what happened at the Capitol, many were left scratching their heads as to why McCarthy gave the footage to Carlson, who is widely considered a propagandist. Carlson’s two-night look at the day’s events painted the insurrectionists as nothing more than sightseers, holding aloft American flags and lingering in the building.
Many were quick to point out that Carlson cherry-picked the footage he showed, leaving out the part where police officers were assaulted and some insurrectionists carried Confederate flags. Even GOP senators joined in the criticism, with Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina saying, “I think it’s bullshit. When you see police officers assaulted, all of that … if you were just a tourist, you should’ve probably lined up at the visitors’ center and came in on an orderly basis.”
The controversy surrounding the Jan. 6 insurrection continues, with the release of the video footage adding fuel to the fire. Time will tell how the GOP will move forward and handle the aftermath of that fateful day.
Kevin McCarthy’s Questionable Actions and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Speaker Pro Tempore Role
Kevin McCarthy’s actions concerning the Jan. 6 insurrection have raised eyebrows, especially his decision to give 41,000 hours of video footage from that day to Tucker Carlson. McCarthy’s motive for the release was to provide transparency, but many were puzzled as to why Carlson was chosen, given his reputation as a propagandist.
Carlson’s two-night take on the insurrection portrayed the insurrectionists as harmless sightseers, ignoring the fact that some carried Confederate flags and police officers were assaulted. GOP senators also criticized Carlson’s narrative, with Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina calling it “bullshit.”
McCarthy then took things a step further by making Marjorie Taylor Greene Speaker pro tempore for a day, essentially giving her the role of acting Speaker of the House. Many were horrified by the move, considering Greene’s history of making questionable statements, such as suggesting that red states should divorce themselves from blue states.
The Advocate highlighted some of Greene’s more outlandish claims, including blaming a California wildfire on a laser controlled by a Jewish banking family with connections to Democrats and suggesting that the Clintons had John F. Kennedy Jr. killed. Greene has also claimed that President Obama is a secret Muslim and that the election of two Muslim women to Congress amounts to a “takeover.”
Greene’s Speaker pro tempore role is controversial, given her lack of qualifications and extremist views. It’s just one more example of the current state of leadership in the House.
Overall, McCarthy and Greene’s actions have raised questions about the direction of the GOP and their commitment to transparency and responsible leadership.
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