Weekly Wide Web

Can We Trust Local GOP With Internet?

n 2011, I don't think it's too much to ask for elected officials to have some understanding of how the Internet works. It would seemingly help if the people commissioned with trying to bring 21st-century employment opportunities to Tucson (instead of Southern Arizona just becoming a great place for call centers) had some sort of savvy with their own branding. Instead, largely we're getting a bunch of candidates who can't get their own online branding right.

While Democrats aren't exactly perfect in their strategies on that front, two Republicans are seemingly having a hard time figuring out the rules of the Internet. Tyler Vogt spammed half of the city of Tucson on Friday, July 22, commandeering a number of city e-mail lists to send out a pitch for donations to his campaign. Maybe he made some money, but the move was terrible form. No one likes spam, even if it was spam Vogt was technically legally able to send.

If you see one of Jennifer Rawson's campaign signs around town (she's unopposed in the Republican primary, so it'll be November before you can actually cast a vote for her), you'll notice a QR code, a form of barcode. Scan it and it takes you to her website. However, her site is still largely incomplete, with a number of blank pages. It's hard to imagine that she's going to bring jobs to town (her main issue) if she can't even get that right.


The week on The Range

We wished the best for our friends laid off at the Arizona Daily Star, wondered if the signs are there that Tucson's daily paper is in big trouble, and counted the stories in the paper actually by local reporters; scolded Tyler Vogt for his e-mail strategy; remembered Gabe Zimmerman with some members of Congress; let you know that the Park Place Borders would be closing; and tried to figure out why Josh Brodesky hates the Unisource building.

We covered a strange prayer at a NASCAR event; talked to a Tucsonan walking across the country; talked to KFMA about hot dogs and crime; asked local bars to not add online cameras; went to Poptail Hour; wrapped up a busy week in Tucson food; looked at a cute kangaroo; watched people fight in the rain; enjoyed some a cappella Euro-house; tried to figure out why some Republicans believe President Obama won't get into heaven; thanked the Loft for bringing the Tribe Called Quest documentary to town; congratulated Miss August; and updated you on the poodle that was helped through your donations.

We remembered Amy Winehouse through a few of her great performances; looked at the rap debut of Bob Dylan's grandson; went to see Flor de Muertos at the Rialto; watched some new clips of Beavis and Butt-head; said goodbye to Andrew Ling; mourned Ultimate Spider-Man; wished Lollapalooza a happy birthday; watched employees of an Indian Pizza Hut get down; gave Hollywood some terrible ideas for prequels; took inspiration from Friday Night Lights' Coach Taylor; cringed while listening to the new Rebecca Black song; looked at a lot of local art and some photos of Mars; wondered how exactly you measure an anus; did the Truffle Shuffle; ate bacon with Ron Swanson (in spirit); and congratulated ourselves for winning some awards.


Comment of the week

"No time to read this. I have a Mensa meeting in 5 minutes." —TucsonWeekly.com commenter "Cranky Cowboy" is apparently too smart to be bothered to look at a naked Tucsonan in print ("Congratulations, Tucson! Playboy's Miss August Walks Among You!," The Range, July 18).

Best of WWW

So far, as part of our Talking Comics series with Arnie and Eric from Heroes and Villains, they've largely discussed what's happening with mainstream comics and that world is somewhat dark, with heroes dying, Wonder Woman castrating European men, pathos and whatnot. This week, they discuss a strange comic in which Adam West is the star. Not Adam West playing the character of Batman, but the actual Adam West in comic-book form existing in a meta-narrative.

Also, we sent one of our interns to record the entertainment excitement of karaoke at the Best Western on Stone Avenue. Unfortunately, she didn't bother to record any of her numbers in front of the silent orchestra, so we'll have to find some other way to humiliate her before the summer is over.