January 24, 2012

SandBox Comments: Townhall "15 Questions The Mainstream Media Would Ask Barack Obama If He Were A Republican"

John Hawkins:

"During the practically endless series of Republican debates, we have heard almost every question imaginable asked to Republican candidates – if by every question imaginable, you mean horribly slanted, often irrelevant questions designed to make them look bad and help Obama. We've heard questions about contraceptives, religion, Newt's angry ex-wife, Gardasil, etc., etc., etc. So, what would happen if the mainstream media treated Barack Obama the exact same way that they treat Republicans? The questions might sound a little something like this.

1) Numerous Mexican citizens and an American citizen have been killed with weapons knowingly provided to criminals by our own government during Operation Fast and Furious. If Eric Holder was aware that was going on, do you think he should step down as Attorney General? Were you aware that was going on and if so, shouldn’t you resign?

2) In 2010 you said Solyndra, which gave your campaign a lot of money, was "leading the way toward a brighter and more prosperous future." Today, Solyndra is bankrupt and the taxpayers lost $500 million on loans that your administration was well aware might never be paid off when you made them. What do you say to people who say this is evidence of corruption in your administration?..."


(Learn more?  Click title. Comment to discuss) 

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor "A sheriff’s gratitude"

"Editor:

Some people say the best way to test a service or product is to use it.

Unfortunately, last Thursday night Marcy and I had the opportunity to test the service of public safety in Pitkin County. A defective furnace filled the upstairs of the house with smoke. Marcy called 911 and within minutes the Aspen Police Department, the Aspen Volunteer Fire Department and Aspen Ambulance responded to our home.

For over 30 years I have seen these people at work. However, it’s different when your life, home and property is at risk.

I’ve always known how competent and professional all of our public safety agencies are. This time I got to test the product as a customer.

I am more confident than ever this community has very dedicated, prepared professionals serving us. We want to say thank you to all of our public safety professionals.

(Marcy DiSalvo and sheriff Joe DiSalvo, Aspen)

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor "Policing at its best"

"One of the wonderful things about Aspen is the extraordinary helpfulness of the local police. I found myself on a Sunday night with a door I could not open for a house guest who was in need of their asthma medication. 

 Locksmiths were closed and not knowing where else to turn, I went to the local police, and they were fabulous in helping solve my problem. 


Thank you. We are lucky to have a police department that protects us and helps us.

Appreciatively,

Julia Hansen and Michael Silverstone, Aspen"

SandBox Comments: Pueblo Chieftain "Meth dealer suspect found with 12 guns "

" Pueblo man was arrested on suspicion of distribution of methamphetamine and possession of weapons by a previous offender after a cleaning woman at a local motel found him passed out on a bed with two guns.

According to an arrest affidavit by Detective Mark Bravo, Christopher Lee Kirby, 30, was found unconscious Sunday in a room at the Motel 6, 4103 N. Elizabeth St..."

(Learn more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Brooke Mueller’s first court appearance postponed again"

"...A judge on Friday agreed to continue the first court appearance for Los Angeles resident Brooke Mueller, the second time her case has been postponed since she was arrested on a felony cocaine distribution charge in Aspen on Dec. 3.

Mueller’s Aspen attorney, Richard Cummins, on Jan. 17 submitted the continuation motion. The 34-year-old is in rehab and withdrawing from the program in order to attend a court hearing, which had been scheduled for Monday, “could be detrimental to her progress,” the motion says.

Mueller was arrested on the Hyman Avenue mall after police found her at a nightclub while investigating a report that Mueller punched another woman during a concert at the Belly Up Aspen.

During her arrest, police allegedly found 4 to 5 grams of cocaine on her.

Aspen chief prosecutor Arnold Mordkin has not said what led him to charge Mueller with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. But factors such as the quantity or if the defendant tells police that it wasn’t theirs but for friends can lead to such a criminal count, he said in December...."
(Aspen Daily)

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SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Motion denied to suppress 
evidence in cocaine case"

Chad Abraham:

"A judge on Monday denied a motion to suppress evidence, including 14 grams of cocaine that police allegedly found strewn in the middle of a downtown street in 2010, in the case of a Snowmass Village man charged with distributing the drug.

But Judge Gail Nichols of Pitkin County District Court, after a nearly two-hour hearing, said she needed time to review a transcript of a recording taken by a police car video camera before ruling on whether the arrest of Justin Gordon, 33, by Aspen police officer Rick Magnuson was lawful.

Gordon was originally arrested for his alleged role in a bar brawl in October 2010, and was later charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and a bail-bond violation, both of which are felonies...."

SandBox Comments: Colorado News Agency "Support goes viral for pol’s bid to ban photo-cops"

"...Colorado motorists overwhelmingly want an end to cameras used to snag red-light runners and speeders—judging by the feedback to a state lawmaker who is trying to ban the devices and sought the public’s input on the issue.

Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley, sponsor of Senate Bill 50, said he wanted to get people’s views on the issue, and he said the response now has gone viral.  Renfroe said he is getting emails at least every 15 minutes from folks saying they support his bill.

“I can’t tell you how many people come up to me and tell their stories about the cameras,” said Renfroe.

 “The e-mails I am getting in droves are all in favor of doing away with the cameras.”

City governments are saying it’s about safety, says Renfroe,  but the Weld County lawmaker begs to differ.

He says it’s really about generating revenue for local coffers.

“It’s not about safety,” said Renfroe. “It’s just ridiculous to go with cameras and ‘Big Brother’ looking for money.”

Yet, Rep. Randy Fischer, D-Fort Collins, says the proposal interferes with decisions best left to local communities...."
(Debi Brazzale)

(Read more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Concealed guns without permit bill fails in Colorado"

Ivan Moreno:

"DENVER — A proposal to let Colorado residents carry concealed weapons without a permit failed Monday over concerns that it would make it easier for criminals and the mentally ill to have guns in public places.

A Senate committee rejected the bill on a 3-2 party-line vote, with Democrats voting against it. It's the second year in a row the proposal has failed, but identical legislation is still running in the Republican-controlled House...."


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SandBox Comments: Eagle County Times "Update – Cordillera Golf Course Litigation"

'Paul Drake':

"Is the Wilhelm Family Partnership guilty of “Contempt of Court”?

That’s what District Court Judge Fred Gannett wants to know – and has recently ruled/scheduled a hearing for (Monday, April 11th 2012) at 9:00 AM in his Courtroom to determine just that  (Click Here).
Named defendants in the Contempt of Court hearing are – WFP principals – David Wilhelm and son Patrick Wilhelm.

Contempt?  Earlier Judge Gannett issued a (TRO) Temporary Restraining Order against the WFP (Click Here) – that defined what Golf Course Membership dues collected in 2011 could be spent on.  Now a hearing is set to determine (among other things) if membership dues were used to pay a law firm (after the TRO was issued) to sue the Cordillera Transition Corporation and individual CTC members.

The “legal monkey” seems to be on the back of the WFP principals – since they will have to convince Judge Gannett of why they shouldn’t be held in Contempt at the scheduled April 11th hearing.

Meanwhile….

On or about January 16th, 2012 the WFP issued a settlement proposal to the opposing party (Golf Club Members).  These members insisted that settlement discussions are premature – on the grounds that the WFP has not responded in writing to the questions in the Interrogatories that were served to them.

Further…at an earlier date District Court Judge Fred Gannett elevated this case against the WFP to “class action status” (Click Here).

Also alleged in this case – is the financial due date (June 2012) for the WFP to pay back the entire ~$12.7 Million dollar loan the WFP has with local Alpine Bank...."

(Learn more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "Jackson County rescue: Tyler Lundstedt, 24, killed in avalanche

Scott Franz:

"Routt County Search and Rescue team member Darrel Levingston said conditions in the primary search area were dangerous and avalanche prone Sunday. That continued to be the case Monday. Jim Dustin, editor of the Jackson County Star in Walden, reported that there was more than 4 feet of snow in parts of the search area and that rescue helicopters saw evidence of several avalanches during the rescue operation Monday.

Levingston said those conditions made it harder for rescue crews to locate the men.
“We and the Jackson County search crews saturated the primary search area, and it was extremely dangerous terrain,” Levingston said Sunday night as the last of the rescue crews were exiting the search area.

He said searchers who returned from the first day of the rescue operation reported wind gusts of up to 30 mph and a temperature of about 15 degrees. Buffalo Pass received significant snowfall Saturday and Sunday from a weekend storm...." (Read more?  It's an amazing rescue.  Click title. Comment to discuss)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "A free America can resist tyranny"

Local resident Betty Scranton is one of those that is known as a beautiful conservative woman.

It's a widely known fact that conservatives have exceptional ladies in their midst.

Betty's blessed with something else conservative gals are widely known for.  Courage.  She bravely tackles the hard-leaning left  that usually dominate the Post Independent and does so nearly every week. 

We're glad you're 'bouyed by Melanie Sturm' this week, Betty.  Keep up the good work.

"Buoyed by Melanie Sturm's Jan. 19 column in The Aspen Times, “Free-enterprise critics are intellectually challenged,” this local tea party organizer decided to join in her courageous charge by challenging the left's frenzied, irrational focus on the ills of America's free market system...."
(Betty Scranton)

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SandBox Comments; Aspen Times/Letter to the Editor "Big Aspen gov't"

My goodness, says 'SandBox Nanny'.  And now Jerry Epstein.  Giving a little jib-jab to Mayor Mick.

Over on the Aspen Times.

(Read what Jerry has to say?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Garfield County restates goals in new manager search"

At least there is the word "restates" in the header.

The recent giant expose' of the GarCo BOCC by local media seems to now be complete.

See related story here.

In addition to repeating, for the sake of front page and viral link bait marketing of their output  by Swift Communications and  their GSPI, what our BOCC had already publicly stated  in casual output regarding their county manager requirements; stealth reporters with unlimited ink supplies have also milked a second viral ready article from Mr. Stroud today on the 'subterfuge' of our BOCC:

"Garfield commissioners commit to more openness in county government"

There is one bit of true news in all this.

After literally years now of complaints, the county is finally updating the audio recording equipment that records all of their meetings for public access.


Thanks, GarCo commissioners!

(Read the articles?  Click title and link within post.  In the interest of a maintaining some kind of level field, now that folks are finally getting one; comment ability is blocked  on this one.  SandBox Commentators.  We spin, their spin, so you will stay thinking on your own.)

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

SandBox Comments: Eagle County Times "School Board – Update – January, 23rd 2012"

Hey!  ECT guys!

Love the new look.

Really like the expanding out into the somewhat dark side of news aggregation and guest writers. Welcome.

Can hardly wait to see you move "at the Speed of Thought" through that realm.  Sort of feels to 'Nanny' like the old Tonto and Kemo Sabe debate:

"Tonto: Kemo Sabe! What you do?
TLR: I think Silver can make it, Tonto. Can't you, old boy?"

We KNOW the ECT guys can make it.

Another terrific (and a lot more hard work to put out) op-ed piece from that very special lady, Marty Lich.

Over on the Eagle County Times.

(Learn more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Summit Daily News/Morgan Liddick "Our sad education stats"

 Morgan Liddick:

“No longer is it acceptable to hide poor performance. No longer is it acceptable to keep results from parents …” Unless you are Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, who seems to have no problem with either.

Some might recognize the quote as part of President George W. Bush's statement on signing the “No Child Left Behind” act, in effect for 10 years. A revamped version of the act should have been approved by Congress last year, but partisan bickering held it up. Now that an election looms, there are two chances for meaningful action to monitor and improve our educational systems: slim and none...."


One of the plus side traits of Newt Gingrich is that he's a masterful strategist.  Give Newt a bargaining chip and fodder for the stump that will shine on his personal cause and you just might get what you want out of that chip.

In the cause for education reform, Colorado conservatives  lean pretty strongly  to eliminating any federal involvement and returning all things public education back to Colorado.

They're all waiting around to see if Newt gets enough traction to win the nomination.  If he does, count on it that at least conservative Coloradans are going to be looking for ways to fire up Newt on the education front.

Great column from one of the most respected opinion columnists in Colorado.  Morgan Liddick.  Over and up on the Summit Daily News.

(Read more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Maroon Bells fee legitimate"

SandBox sends out a thank you to 3rd Congressional District Congressman Scott Tipton (R-Colorado)  for once again stepping into the middle of a controversy in our district and lending his leadership to overseeing a resolution.

In this case, it was the inflamed hyperbole of  Mike Kenealy, recreation special uses coordinator for the White River National Forest that originally spun the story with the help of liberal media.  It's good to hear Kenealy now acknowledge that the Forest Service's ability to regulate traffic in the Maroon Creek Valley and charge the fee was never in jeopardy from the review.

Tipton listens, usually quietly and in unobtrusive ways.  He then acts.  Instead of sending out a presser and calling for a photo op like Polis, Udall and Bennett; Tipton simply gets the job done.  In this case, if he had not called for a review, the flamers would have dominated the press and upset folks would have likely waited a lot longer for resolution to their concerns.

Coloradans appreciate that.  Good to see another issue is resolved and everyone can move forward. 

Provided the liberal Colorado media let us.

(Read more?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "2012: The Year of the Dragon is here"

Eileen Wacker:

"SUMMIT COUNTY — While some pessimists are expecting the world to end this year, nearly half the world’s population is looking ahead by celebrating the Year of the Dragon starting Jan. 23, considered one of the most fortuitous signs in the 12-year Asian zodiac cycle.

The dragon is the only sign in the Asian zodiac that is mystical; the others are all real animals — the rat, dog, pig, horse, tiger, snake, monkey, rabbit, ox, chicken and sheep.

Asian dragons are benevolent, charismatic and powerful. They are known for their sincerity and trusting natures. They are often free spirits who are passionate, creative and self-centered. In China, Japan and Korea, throughout time many believed the emperors descended from dragons.

Based on these beliefs, many predict 2012 will be a dynamic, innovative year, when individuals are encouraged to make bold moves and leave humble behind. Across Asia, artificial insemination has been on the rise since May, as parents seek to give birth to children this year. In Taiwan, a 20 percent increase in births is expected. In Korea and China, people are planning weddings and having babies.

Supposedly, people born under the sign of the dragon are the luckiest and wealthiest  and everyone wants in on the dragon’s legendary rewards...."

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SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "Jimmy Westlake: The sweet influences of the Pleiades"

— High overhead as darkness falls on cold January evenings is a tiny cluster of stars that is often mistaken for the Little Dipper.

Although it does have a dipper shape, with a tiny little bowl and a tiny little handle, its real name is the Pleiades star cluster. It is the 45th object in Charles Messier’s famous catalog of comet look-alikes (M45), and is popularly known as the Seven Sisters. In Japan, it is called the Subaru. A likeness of the Pleiades star cluster adorns every Subaru car out there on the road.
A person with average vision should have no difficulty in seeing the six brightest stars in the Pleiades and a bit of careful searching should reveal a seventh faint star, as well. A person with exceptional eyesight might make out as many as eight, nine or even 10 stars with their unaided eye. How many can you see?..."
(Jimmy Westlake)

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SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Solar storm sweeps toward Earth"

'SandBox Nanny' knew if she waited that Bob Berwyn would have the best coverage (and photos) of the infrequent solar storm that is "sweeping toward earth".

A solar flare and coronal mass ejection on the sun are likely to trigger a geomagnetic storm on Earth beginning Tuesday morning. PHOTO COURTESY NASA SOLAR DYNAMICS OBSERVATORY.  (Read the article?  Click title. Comment to discuss)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."