October 1, 2011

SandBox Comments: The Atlantic/Mickey Edwards "How to Turn Republicans and Democrats Into Americans"

"Angry and frustrated, American voters went to the polls in November 2010 to “take back” their country. Just as they had done in 2008. And 2006. And repeatedly for decades, whether it was Republicans or Democrats from whom they were taking the country back. No matter who was put in charge, things didn’t get better. They won’t this time, either; spending levels may go down, taxes may go up, budgets will change, but American government will go on the way it has, not as a collective enterprise but as a battle between warring tribes..."
(Mickey Edwards)


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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Craig Daily Press "Dinosaur officials: Casino could help revitalize economy"

It's big, big news.

That the Utes may build a casino in Dinosaur, Colorado.

Did you know that Johnny Boyd recently wrote an opinion column up on The Snowmass Sun, talking up the long-held view of locals that gaming should be brought into the area?

Have you been listening to the multitudes of downvalley locals who've talked up, for years now, bringing gaming in to Glenwood Springs and Rifle?

No?

Ah, then you might be 'one of those' in the deaf, dumb and blind elite category of social classes in our area.

What SandBox hears the peeps just sayin, is that the concept is a bit like the current wrestling with his conscience that Glenwood City Councilman Ted Edmonds has going on.

Over whether or not to fall hook, line and sinker for the way the city finance department is trying to sell 'no ability to ever change' the way government money is handled.

The peeps  seem to have this notion that we could make a casino or gaming venue 'look' like anything we want. 

That the citizenry and our elected leaders are in charge of getting as creative as we want to be. 

By gosh, by golly, the thing could end up looking as classy as the Little Nell. 

Maybe it could even be strictly regulated to keep out the 'riff-raff'.

Heck, the peeps are even sayin that they would consider a 'ban on locals' if it meant the same blue-bloods with a lot of dough that frequent Monte Carlo would come and drop some change at the tables.

Anything goes! 

The folks like the idea of increasing Colorado gaming revenues into a very high dollar cash cow that would pay for our kids public education, 'doing something' with I-70 congestion, road and bridge needs, etc. etc. etc. and leaving them with their hard-earned money in their own pockets.

Just say YES!!

To Dinosaur, Colorado becoming a gaming mecca.

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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "The Aspen lifestyle a perplexing dilemma"

"Dear Editor:

I find it ironic, and disingenuous, to open a local paper..."
(Jim Markalunas, Aspen)


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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News/Lorenzo Semple "Follow the yellow brick road"

"Colorado means colorful, and that it is. The colors are peaking right now, and all this week. They say that the Aspen tree grove is the largest living organism in the world. If you drink a heady brew of quantum bio-physics you could imagine that we are all connected and part of that organism.

This time of year things start to slow. The temperatures drop, and the grasses lay fallow, trees, plants and shrubs start to go dormant. Hanging flower baskets start to look haggard. Flies that were once near impossible to swat are now like sitting ducks. It seems like our bio-rhythms and metabolisms start to slow as well. Your inner caveman calls out to gather supplies for winter — like new skis — and your body tells you to start storing fat.

The shrub oaks and berry bushes here are so vibrant, and such an important part of our local ecosystem. I saw a squirrel with so many acorns in its mouth it looked like the great Dizzy Gillespie. That’s what locals start to do this time of year — stock up for winter, get your squirrel on...."
(Lorenzo Semple)

(Be sure to read all of Semple's terrific column,  Click title)

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "ZG: Aspen on the little screen, surprises on big screen"

That Aspen icon, larger in life than any other Aspen icon, is actually someone/some thing that locals have a difficult time remembering exactly who or what 'ZG' is.

If you talk to 'downvalley' folks, 'ZG' represents just about everything 'Aspen'.

Depending on who you talk to 'upvalley', 'ZG' is everything  the old Aspenites would fight to the death to stand alongside (or) that 'ZG' is the 'best license plate letters' to have on your car because it means you're 'a local'.  Some say 'ZG' is a political statement.

What no one disputes, is that 'ZG' brings up a reminder of Aspen.

SandBox Nanny, upon encountering a pointed and somewhat  mocking comment, allegedly from 'ZG' him/her self when she posted a piece on 'downvalley'  folks' opinion of 'ZG' encountering the joys of jury duty; decided to let the 'downvalley' avatars in commentary 'give 'ol 'ZG' (whatever it means) a little insight into how they really feel about the symbolism of 'ZG'. 

Before getting bumped by hotter topics, that post and commentary was the most popular post on SandBox for a number of months.

How good it was, to see the 'real' 'ZG' come out from his/her secluded hideaway.  Rumored to be a hidden lair, located on the backside of a remote mountain somewhere.  And once again share his/her/it's unique insight into all things that touch Aspen and The Valley.

Today, SandBox Nanny is appreciative of these unique views of, 'ZG':

"..Filmgoers were required to leave their cell phones at check-in and were sworn to secrecy by signing a waiver promising not to reveal what they were about to watch. Aspen’s not a town where secrets are easily kept, and locals’ opinions flow like wine. Not only is the secret out ..."

"Is all this a sign? Or should we keep the faith in Kyle Orton?..."
(Aspen Daily News)

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