Arizona Governor Jan Brewer makes secret visit to Afghanistan … Could Jan be a candidate for U.S. President in 2016?

Captain Rick: Arizona Governor Jan Brewer made an unannounced trip to military bases in Afghanistan this week as she visited with service members from Arizona and flew around the war-torn nation in helicopters with guns hanging out the windows. Details of the trip were kept under wraps for security reasons as she quietly left the state over the weekend. During the trip, Brewer flew by helicopter from the southern city of Kandahar to other bases in the country and ate meals at two military camps. More than 400 National Guard members from Arizona are serving in Afghanistan.

So, what is this all about? Officially, its just a trip financed by the U.S. Department of Defense. Back in 2007, then Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano made a similar unannounced trip to Iraq and Afghanistan. Soon after, Napolitano abandoned her position as Arizona Governor to become President Obama’s Secretary of Homeland Security. Then Arizona Secretary of State, Jan Brewer became the Governor of Arizona. Brewer wasted no time leading the crusade for SB1070, Americas toughest illegal immigration law. She backed it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld its core measure. Jan Brewer is undisputedly recognized as America’s toughest Governor. During my lifetime of living in seven states, there is only one Governor that stands out in my mind as being the greatest Governor I have ever known. That Governor is Jan Brewer, Governor of the Great State of Arizona. I have no idea if Jan will run for president in 2016 … but if she does, she will have my support. In my opinion, Jan would be a President Americans and the world would be proud of.   

U.K. Tesco gives up of U.S. grocery business . . puts Fresh & Easy up for sale

Captain Rick: The Fresh & Easy store chain has been put up for sale by U.K. retail giant Tesco, admitting defeat in an attempt to take on U.S. supermarket chains in the southwest like Fry’s, Albertsons, Safeway and Wal-Mart.

Tesco launched Fresh & Easy in California in 2007. A short time later several stores opened in Arizona. I visited one in Gilbert as soon as it opened. My first reaction was … “The prices are high. The selection is poor. The atmosphere is cold. I don’t give this chain much time before it goes under”. To my surprise, Fresh & Easy lasted five years, but I never spend a dollar there. I think Tesco underestimated the strong faithfulness that southwestern grocery shoppers have for their stores, especially here in Arizona where Fry’s is king. It has been my favorite grocery store for over 15 years. Fry’s, a subsidiary of Kroger, is neat, clean, modern with a warm and welcome feel. The selection is great. The prices are also, especially if you use your VIP card. Fry’s specials always beat out Wal-mart. The first Wednesday of the month is Senior Citizen day at Fry’s. It’s the day I stock up for the month at a great 10% discount. Fry’s rewards it’s customers with credits to save up to $2 per gallon of gas at Fry’s gas stations.

My ‘word to the wise’ for those who want to open a grocery chain in the U.S. southwest, especially Arizona … learn the ‘lay of the land’ first. This is the desert. It’s a warm place with lots of warm people who cherish our favorites. It will take a mountain to change our minds from the places we faithfully shop.

Fresh & Easy’s woes have added to the problems Tesco faces in the U.K and other international markets. Third-quarter sales at stores open a year or more fell company-wide by 1.3%, as depressed consumer spending in the U.K. and Europe outweighed an improvement in Asia. Tesco’s share of the U.K. market is also declining.