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Tucson, Arizona. Anyone paying attention to the press and local politics knows that Arizona Daily Star reporter Daniel Scarpinato is not a big Giffords fan. I have no particular issue with Daniel and have praised some of his political pieces, but make no mistake, count on Daniel to shed light on our Congresswoman in a less than flattering angle when given the opportunity.

Whether it’s the August 2006 ad watch that caused a ruckus or misquoting her as saying she never left Phoenix while in the state legislature (right), for reasons unknown, he can hardly be considered neutral on this particular subject. He wrote an article yesterday painting Giffords’ mailing of postcards and questionnaires to constituents, a common practice, in a less than flattering light, suggesting such activity might be "free publicity."

Jim Kolbe regularly sent out questionnaires and other literature. I remember receiving them and filling them out. I considered it part of his job. If I’m not mistaken, I’ve received material from McCain. I have no complaints about either. I do not recall any articles in the paper suggesting Kolbe was using them for "free publicity."

(Congressman Ed Pastor) The practice of franking goes back to the 1700’s and was recognized as a way for elected officials to communicate with the people they represent. Was the practice abused in the past? Absolutely. Apparently a congressman used a franking tag to send his horse to Nebraska. As a result of past hanky panky, heated criticism led to strict standards and approval by a commission overseeing and approving all mailings, and their quantities are rather severely limited (three a year, I think). More information than you could want is at the link.

(Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords) Frankly, I think Daniel is off on this one, making a story out of a non-story. The dollars involved are trivial (less than $100 grand). Lord Cheney sucks this from the country in two minutes to pay his pals in Iraq, and that’s before we get into the billions we funnel to big pharmaceutical, big oil, and big HMO.But, like the August ad watch, Daniel has tossed sparks into the blogosphere, so we have Kelly at AZ 8th and Thinkright and a bonehead at another blog going all foam mouthed. Whatever.

I like most of the articles Daniel writes and read them regularly, but when it comes to Congresswoman Giffords, take what he writes with a grain of salt, and when the blogs itching to Giffonate launch their salvos, do a reality check.

She spent a modest amount to communicate with the people she represents. Do your own research. It's a non-story.