Public Theatre

"It's the way hicks do politics," she says.

On a recent Thursday night, the multipurpose room of the Paradise Valley Community Center is filled to capacity. About 100 people are listening as Chris Wilson, a chemical engineer originally from the Bronx, urges them to send guest editorials to local newspapers. She also encourages them to call up editors, particularly at the Arizona Republic, to complain about "unbalanced" coverage.

That causes several people to cast furtive glances at the back of the room, where Republic reporter Kerry Fehr-Snyder is taking careful notes.

Near the door, Steve Brittle is waiting to go to the podium. He's asked if he spots any spies in the audience. Brittle takes a long, slow look around the room.

"Not tonight, anyway," he says.