December 3, 2011

SandBox Comments: Commentary Magazine/Contentions "Obama’s Claim About His Presidency and Israel: Delusional or Cynically Misleading?"

Peter Wehner:

"President Obama’s claim that “this administration has done more in terms of the security of the state of Israel than any previous administration” is not simply wrong; it is fantastically wrong. It isn’t simply that many presidents – including Truman, Reagan, and George W. Bush – were rightly considered to be far greater friends of Israel than the current occupant of the White House. It is that few presidents, and perhaps no president, has been as instinctively and operationally hostile to Israel as Obama (for more, see Jonathan’s comprehensive post here:)..."

Every American that stands with Israel should be outraged at Barack Obama's claims about his presidency and relationship with Israel. 

Lots of good op-eds on the subject but Wehner rises above today.

(Read more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Paul Nitze "Where the living is easy and conversation is hard"

"So far, so typical. If “The Descendants” goes somewhere deeper, and I think it does, it's because Payne is able to link personal character to national culture. In the film's early minutes, he has Clooney tell the audience that just because Hawaii looks like paradise, it doesn't mean Hawaiians get a pass on human nature. As exotic as it looks, Hawaii is transformed into the American main street circa 2011...."
(Paul Nitze)

Well done by Paul Nitze.  Up on the Aspen Times.

(Read more?  You should.  Click title.  Comment to discuss)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "City Council tables MEAN contract for further discussion"

'SandBox Nanny' rarely watches council meetings anymore.  She gets so much feedback from y'all that there really isn't much of a need to.  What she does do, when you are heated up about a topic is wait for the convenience of the video posting and the (fantastic, thank you so much camera guy!!) now broken out into segments live feed.  That way, she can just go see for herself what the fuss is all about.

The inserted feedback below is a mix of your feedback.  She's sat through way too many deep coma inducing sessions from old council on the battle over 'clean and green' energy in Glenwood Springs.

Email in if she's misread your emailed remarks.  Comment ability is blocked on this post.                         

John Stroud (and local comments (summarized in bold):

"...Glenwood Springs has the opportunity to develop unique energy resources such as geothermal, hydroelectric, coal-seam combustion and biomass, said former city councilman Russ Arensman....."

'Yes, it certainly does.  How long have we been at that research into all that now?  A decade or more? Where are we at, Russ?  Good thing the folks didn't rush out turn off all public utilities thinking they were going to go green for good.  Another good thing is all the folks out here who got tired of waiting and are working on biomass, geothermal and compressed natural gas because they got free of you guys and the endless talk with little to no action.'

“For you to take action that commits this city to a largely coal generation infrastructure system for the next 30 years, it's just not smart,” he said....."

'Well, that's pretty much the pot calling the kettle black.   Wonder if you guys are ever even going to read the MEAN terms and contract??  If you did, you would see that it's locked in to what can be negotiated and what cannot.  Also locked in to the fact that the folks are free to do whatever they want with clean and green alternatives.  The thing you guys can't seem to grasp is that nobody is going to pay the way for you to do that, especially MEAN.  You have to be self-sufficient.  But then most of you are lib's so we just can't wait around for you to become informed on how to not rely on government.' 

"....However, terms of the proposed “Schedule M” contract are not negotiable, Glenwood Springs Public Works Director Robin Millyard said.

The contract limits local power generation to 768 kilowatts for MEAN participants within the Xcel Energy/Public Service Company of Colorado control area, which includes Glenwood Springs and Aspen. That represents roughly 2 percent of MEAN's peak load for the area, Millyard said.

“That amount is limited under the terms of the contract,” he said. “But, there is a mechanism to advance any request we want beyond that, whether it's renewable or traditional generation.....”

'Helloooo....you group of former council people we voted out....see?  We already have the freedom to do what you want.  But MEAN is never going to pay for it like you want.'

“I agree with most of the sentiments expressed tonight,” Councilman Stephen Bershenyi said of the concerns about the ability for local generation.

“But the one thing that's missing in that is how we manage the delivery of that power,” he said. “We don't have the expertise to do that, but our MEAN partnership gives us that....”

'There's that pesky self-sufficiency and can't have it all ways on a free taxpayer ride thing again.'

".....That partnership also gives the city greater influence in promoting renewable energy resource development on a broader scale, he said, noting that MEAN's current energy portfolio includes 30 percent renewables.

“We also have a responsibility to provide energy at a reasonable, fair price,” Bershenyi said...."

'yep.  We stroke you for the millionth time on getting us the percentage we are at now and it looks like MEAN is already giving us room to grow.  Almost double where we are now and that's pretty good in our view.  Thank you very much, now will you please come back one more time and then let it all rest?' 

"....Councilman Mike Gamba said it's a question of flexibility versus cost. “Do we maintain absolute flexibility to be able to provide locally generated power, as opposed to cheaper power?..."

'boy...we sure like that new Councilman Gamba.  He even does the political two-step stroking real good.  All politics are local politics.'

(Read the article?  Click title.  Comment ability is blocked on this post)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Pueblo Chieftain "Pacheco moves into city "

Pueblo City Councilman Chris Nicoll has launched a website for folks in the shadows down in the Pueblo area.

Smart politicians know that there are a couple of demographics in Colorado that one never, ever blows off.

One of them is Pueblo and the Pueblo Chieftain.

Another is Craig and the Craig Daily Press.

Still yet another is Grand Junction and the Daily Sentinel.

Up north is the Greeley Tribune and Weld County.

The folks in Pueblo are sharp avatars in commentary and they post all over the place while using the Chieftain's hub as home base. 

Smart politicians listen to them.

Chris Nicoll is such a guy and his opening himself to all access including unorthodox is a very, very smart political move.  It is also a compassionate one because things are pretty rough for the folks in Pueblo.

Hit hard with the economic ills Colorado has, they've also street-scrap fought their way back from a fairly corrupt police department that is now rapidly rising back to shining star status.  They've been hit hard in that process by hard crime victimizing them.  Having the "mother of all wars" between prosecutors and defenders in their judicial district has not helped anything.

The folks in Pueblo are trying to rise up out of  some hard hitting years and they're coming back strong.

One of the individuals still square in their sights is Pueblo City Manager Jerry Pacheco.

(Read the article?  Click title.  Comment to discuss)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Pueblo Chieftain "DA, court deal with lawyer's outburst "

How far does the reach of one community's politics go?

In the case of the 10th Judicial District, statewide.

DA Bill Thiebaut and Pueblo Commissioner Jeff Chostner are in a heated and rapidly turning into a bloodbath race for District Attorney in the 10th.

Thiebaut is also the Democrat that's been taking no prisoners in the statewide congressional redistricting battle.  He's  brutally outspoken, cutthroat in his politics, far, far left in the political world and obvious to us as holding high political ambitions.

Pueblo is located in the third congressional district which is 'our' district over here in Pitkin and Garfield counties.  We all share Congressman Scott Tipton (R-Cortez).

Thiebaut, as District Attorney, started off as a very bright star for the democrats.  His tenure as D.A. in the 10th has grown to be one of the most criticized and scrutinized in the state.  Any news print, blog post statewide or radio interview holds a great deal of uncertainty that he will win against Chostner.  The race at this point, has already reached deep personal attacking and brutal exchanges.

With still a year to go before the 10th Judicial District will have peace again.

Thiebaut, in our view, is an interesting guy to try and figure out.  On one hand, he seems to have no care or concern for the integrity of how he and his staff appear to the public.  On the other hand, he seems to err on the side of caution such as in his latest decision to appoint a special prosecutor to stave off any concerns of potential mistrial.  The battle between Thiebaut, his staff and defense attorneys is epic with few to no cases running smoothly.

A fact that Republicans are all over him on as he helps lead the way in the congressional redistricting battles.

"The mother of all wars" is a saying launched by the Koch brothers a few months back.

The reference was to the Presidential election in November 2012.

We disagree.

"The mother of all wars" started some time ago and its battlefield of choice is every local political arena in the nation.

(Read the article?  Click title.  Comment to discuss)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent " County cautious but interested in Silt economic development plans"

They are not "cautious".

They're stunned.

What does our beloved Silt Mayor say?

“I plead guilty to shortsightedness,” said Silt Mayor Dave Moore." 

lol.

Lordy, lordy...here we go!  Now they've done it. 

If there's anything that gets Silt revved up it's waving a red flag challenge in front of them.

Go, Dave!

(whisper...whisper...Silt's the 'folks in the shadows' capital of the world....whisper...whisper...takes a lot of guts to ignore that fact...whisper...whisper...doesn't John Martin have an election year coming?....whisper...whisper...best he be thinking about that now....we really want a grocery store....whisper...whisper....hooah.)

(Read all about this stunning development in the never ending quest to make Silt Happen? Click title.  Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Public offered some ice time at new Grand Junction rink"

Richie Ann Ashcraft:

"The Grand Valley Skating Center will begin limited public skate times this weekend for people interested in learning more about what the new rink has to offer.

The outdoor rink at 1130 N. Third St. has been open to league hockey and learn-to-skate members since Nov. 19.

“It’s been a huge success so far, especially for our learn-to-skate classes,” said Curt Maki, executive director for Ice Skating Inc., the nonprofit organization that runs the rink.

Interest in public skate times has been high, said Ken Walter, president of Ice Skating Inc...."

When Grand Junction was putting together the concept of an outdoor ice rink, locals in the 81601 tourism and attractions marketing district sent out the cry for what a terrific idea that is.

The case they presented in commentary through numerous regional hubs and forums was that in Glenwood Springs we would not be as constrained as Junction because we already have an indoor ice rink over at the Community Center that serves sporting venues.

The ideas were terrific. 

Two Rivers Park could handle an outdoor venue for the general public.  Think Rockefeller Center in NY.

Tastefully done, well lit with seasonal ability.  Up on the I-70 side so that it would be visible to passing traffic year-round.  Lots of parking and space for events, even if the city and county ever get off the dime and implement even a few of the suggestions for improving Two Rivers Park into revenue generating venues.

And here's the funny thing.

The whole thing could be paid for with lottery proceeds that fund Parks and Rec.

How did the sitting council at the time meet the concept?  With a yawn.  How did our local newspaper  keep the voices raised and heard?  They didn't.  Instead, they blocked voices and prevented the sharing of dialog.

What a shame that locals now have another reason to head west.

Besides minor league baseball they can now afford to take the family ice-skating in a beautiful outdoor venue.

(Learn more?  Click title.  Comment to discuss)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Summit Daily News "Summit Up 12-3-11: Where it's colder'n a Norse god in brass undies"

Sigh....so it begins.

There is nothing worse than a bunch of Coloradans facing a cold temperature winter with not as much snow as they like.

Summit Up:
"Good morning and welcome to Summit Up, the world's only daily column that's a little annoyed about Ullr right now. Did you hear he visited Denver (cough! gasp! ugh!) the other day and didn't bother to pop by Summit County? Instead, we just got a visit from Vespawicz, the Norse god of freezing-ass cold. Riding on a pair of gi-normous polar bears, Vespawicz wears an iron jock and has 3-foot icicles hanging off his ears. With his breath, he can turn hot magma into rocks, and from his second home in Blue River, he has a radio show named Brass Bra devoted exclusively to talking about ways to describe cold. Let's have a listen:

"Vespawicz here from the frozen land of Blue River, with another frigid installment of Brass Bra. Well, it's colder'n a well-digger's ass out there today, very parky indeed. Reminds me of that time I visited my relative Ugg up in Saskatchewan. Man, if there's one thing that's cold it's the toilet seat in an igloo!"

(lol.  Read more?  Are you really sure?  Well then, click title.  Comment to discuss)