Christopher Santorelli:
"Rising GOP star Sen. Marco Rubio (FL) gave an impressive speech on immigration Friday to the Hispanic Leadership Network conference, an event led by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
The Miami Herald reports that Sen. Rubio’s “sweeping” immigration speech took swipes at both Republicans and Democrats for playing politics with an issue so crucial to hispanics, calling for a compassionate approach for dealing with the issue of illegal immigration.
The presumptive top pick for running mate to any of the remaining Republican presidential candidates conquered an early challenge during his remarks, addressing a group of protesters at the event who stood and interrupted Sen. Rubio’s speech...." (Learn more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
January 30, 2012
SandBox Comments: New York Times "A Florida Bush Stays Silent, and to Many, That Says a Lot"
Jeff Zeleny:
"MIAMI — A steady stream of endorsements has been flowing to Mitt Romney, with his campaign promoting Republicans who are giving their blessing to his presidential candidacy. Yet on the eve of the Florida primary, he has been unable to land the biggest catch of all: Jeb Bush.
An unspoken question hovering over the Republican presidential race here is why Mr. Bush, the state’s popular former governor and heir to the nation’s aging political dynasty, has not added his voice to the party establishment’s support for Mr. Romney in his increasingly bitter duel with Newt Gingrich...." (Click title to read more)
SandBox Comments: The Lone Republic "State of the Union: 1000 Days Without a Budget"
Solomon Horn:
"President Obama will be delivering his third State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress tomorrow in which he will unveil his big government economic strategy to pull us out of the current recession.
You might hear a few “Republican policies that got us into this mess in the first place” rabble-rousers and maybe a “do-nothing congress” line or two. He’ll want you to disregard the fact that the Democrats have controlled Congress since 2006 and that his economic policies have failed miserably thus far. He’ll also want you to ignore the fact that it’s been 1000 days since the Democrat-controlled Senate passed a budget, mandated by the Budget and Accounting Act.
Senator Mike Lee highlights the failure of the Democratic leadership in Congress and the White House.
“The inability of the President and Democratic leadership in the Senate to produce and pass a budget for the American people in nearly three years is a stunning failure,” Sen. Lee said. “We have gone 1000 days without a blueprint for America’s priorities, and it has led to more irresponsible spending and record-setting annual deficits. Future generations will pay through higher taxes, greater inflation, and diminished prosperity.”
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"President Obama will be delivering his third State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress tomorrow in which he will unveil his big government economic strategy to pull us out of the current recession.
You might hear a few “Republican policies that got us into this mess in the first place” rabble-rousers and maybe a “do-nothing congress” line or two. He’ll want you to disregard the fact that the Democrats have controlled Congress since 2006 and that his economic policies have failed miserably thus far. He’ll also want you to ignore the fact that it’s been 1000 days since the Democrat-controlled Senate passed a budget, mandated by the Budget and Accounting Act.
Senator Mike Lee highlights the failure of the Democratic leadership in Congress and the White House.
“The inability of the President and Democratic leadership in the Senate to produce and pass a budget for the American people in nearly three years is a stunning failure,” Sen. Lee said. “We have gone 1000 days without a blueprint for America’s priorities, and it has led to more irresponsible spending and record-setting annual deficits. Future generations will pay through higher taxes, greater inflation, and diminished prosperity.”
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Iowa Republican "Dem Operative Pleads Not Guilty to Stealing Schultz’ Identity"
(See related stories and commentary here)
Kevin Hall:
"The former Barack Obama campaign staffer who was arrested for trying to steal the identity of Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz pleaded not guilty to the crime. Zach Edwards of Des Moines entered the written plea on Friday and avoided a preliminary hearing that was scheduled for Monday.
Edwards was arrested on January 20 on the charge of identity theft, an aggravated misdemeanor.
According to a press release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety, “Edwards fraudulently used, or attempted to use, the identity of Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz and/or Secretary Schultz’s brother, Thomas Schultz, with the intent to obtain a benefit, in an alleged scheme to falsely implicate Secretary Schultz in perceived illegal or unethical behavior while in office.”
At the time of the alleged crime and subsequent arrest, Edwards was an employee of Democrat consulting firm Link Strategies. The group has ties to Senator Tom Harkin, Attorney General Tom Miller, former governor Chet Culver, President Obama, and several prominent Democrat officials around the country. Link Strategies fired Edwards shortly after he was arrested...." (Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Kevin Hall:
"The former Barack Obama campaign staffer who was arrested for trying to steal the identity of Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz pleaded not guilty to the crime. Zach Edwards of Des Moines entered the written plea on Friday and avoided a preliminary hearing that was scheduled for Monday.
Edwards was arrested on January 20 on the charge of identity theft, an aggravated misdemeanor.
According to a press release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety, “Edwards fraudulently used, or attempted to use, the identity of Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz and/or Secretary Schultz’s brother, Thomas Schultz, with the intent to obtain a benefit, in an alleged scheme to falsely implicate Secretary Schultz in perceived illegal or unethical behavior while in office.”
At the time of the alleged crime and subsequent arrest, Edwards was an employee of Democrat consulting firm Link Strategies. The group has ties to Senator Tom Harkin, Attorney General Tom Miller, former governor Chet Culver, President Obama, and several prominent Democrat officials around the country. Link Strategies fired Edwards shortly after he was arrested...." (Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Drug defendant, jailed for nearly 10 months, waits for Supreme Court ruling"
Chad Abraham:
"The longest-serving inmate in the Pitkin County Jail inquires daily about the status of his case at the Colorado Supreme Court, his attorney said Thursday.
Andrian Arapu, 26, originally of the Eastern European nation of Moldova, is “doing OK,” said the defendant’s lawyer, John Van Ness of Woody Creek, on Friday. “He’s getting antsy, though.”
Arapu, who has been in jail since his April 6 arrest, remains charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and a lesser count of possession, despite a judge’s suppression in November of pivotal evidence.
Arnold Mordkin, chief deputy district attorney, said at a Nov. 7 hearing that he cannot prosecute Arapu without the evidence, and a ruling like the one a local judge made would usually free a defendant.
But Mordkin in December appealed the ruling by Judge Gail Nichols of the 9th Judicial District to the Colorado Supreme Court. That move automatically stayed all proceedings — such as Nichols potentially approving a motion to dismiss — and the case could remain stalled for months before the high court takes it up. The justices could also decline to hear the appeal, which would automatically uphold Nichols’ ruling..." (Read more? Click title.)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"The longest-serving inmate in the Pitkin County Jail inquires daily about the status of his case at the Colorado Supreme Court, his attorney said Thursday.
Andrian Arapu, 26, originally of the Eastern European nation of Moldova, is “doing OK,” said the defendant’s lawyer, John Van Ness of Woody Creek, on Friday. “He’s getting antsy, though.”
Arapu, who has been in jail since his April 6 arrest, remains charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and a lesser count of possession, despite a judge’s suppression in November of pivotal evidence.
Arnold Mordkin, chief deputy district attorney, said at a Nov. 7 hearing that he cannot prosecute Arapu without the evidence, and a ruling like the one a local judge made would usually free a defendant.
But Mordkin in December appealed the ruling by Judge Gail Nichols of the 9th Judicial District to the Colorado Supreme Court. That move automatically stayed all proceedings — such as Nichols potentially approving a motion to dismiss — and the case could remain stalled for months before the high court takes it up. The justices could also decline to hear the appeal, which would automatically uphold Nichols’ ruling..." (Read more? Click title.)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Craig Daily Press "ACET commander presents 2011 report"
Thank you to the Moffat and Routt County All Crimes Enforcement Team for an outstanding record in 2011.
Joe Moylan:
"“We’ve had a lot of convictions on the other cases and there are investigations from 2011 that are either ongoing or are still in the judicial process,” Cameron said. “However, we have a 100-percent conviction rate for investigations conducted during my first two years with ACET.”
In total, ACET officers seized 372.12 grams of cocaine; 2.8 grams of methamphetamine; and three grams of marijuana with a total estimated street value of $42,807.68.
Although the amount of drugs seized and the estimated street value fluctuates each year depending on where an investigation leads, Cameron said the results from 2011 were on par with 2010.
Additionally, Cameron said the amount of seized drugs can be skewed because officers don’t necessarily need a seizure in order for an investigation to end with a conviction.
“Officers build investigations based on buys, but search warrants aren’t always executed,” Cameron said. “For example, Steckel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute meth during the course of the investigation, so no drugs were actually seized during that particular investigation.”
Of the 29 narcotics investigations, four were for the distribution or possession of cocaine; 13 for the possession or distribution of methamphetamine; three for the distribution of marijuana; two psilocybin investigations — one mushroom grow operation and one for possession; six prescription frauds; and one criminal impersonation investigation.
ACET includes an officer each from the Craig Police Department, Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, Steamboat Springs Police Department and Routt County Sheriff’s Office...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Joe Moylan:
"“We’ve had a lot of convictions on the other cases and there are investigations from 2011 that are either ongoing or are still in the judicial process,” Cameron said. “However, we have a 100-percent conviction rate for investigations conducted during my first two years with ACET.”
In total, ACET officers seized 372.12 grams of cocaine; 2.8 grams of methamphetamine; and three grams of marijuana with a total estimated street value of $42,807.68.
Although the amount of drugs seized and the estimated street value fluctuates each year depending on where an investigation leads, Cameron said the results from 2011 were on par with 2010.
Additionally, Cameron said the amount of seized drugs can be skewed because officers don’t necessarily need a seizure in order for an investigation to end with a conviction.
“Officers build investigations based on buys, but search warrants aren’t always executed,” Cameron said. “For example, Steckel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute meth during the course of the investigation, so no drugs were actually seized during that particular investigation.”
Of the 29 narcotics investigations, four were for the distribution or possession of cocaine; 13 for the possession or distribution of methamphetamine; three for the distribution of marijuana; two psilocybin investigations — one mushroom grow operation and one for possession; six prescription frauds; and one criminal impersonation investigation.
ACET includes an officer each from the Craig Police Department, Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, Steamboat Springs Police Department and Routt County Sheriff’s Office...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "U.S. exports petroleum products, but it still imports petroleum"
Glenn Vawter:
"Do you think the United States is exporting more petroleum than it imports? Nothing could be further from the truth.
Based upon recent press and TV reports, you would be led to believe it is true. Actually, the United States is importing 60 percent of the petroleum it consumes (about 11-million barrels every day), and has not been energy independent since the early 1970s.
What should have been reported is, “The U.S. recently began exporting more petroleum products than it imports.” The word “products” was left out of many of the reports.
What is the difference?..." (Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Do you think the United States is exporting more petroleum than it imports? Nothing could be further from the truth.
Based upon recent press and TV reports, you would be led to believe it is true. Actually, the United States is importing 60 percent of the petroleum it consumes (about 11-million barrels every day), and has not been energy independent since the early 1970s.
What should have been reported is, “The U.S. recently began exporting more petroleum products than it imports.” The word “products” was left out of many of the reports.
What is the difference?..." (Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Eagle County Times "Understand Public School Funding in Colorado – Part II"
'By fans of Paul Harvey' :
"The ECT’s earlier story about Public School Funding in Colorado (Click Here) was 100% accurate – HOWEVER, incomplete.
For the fans of Paul Harvey – here is the rest of the story…."
Remember, as you watch the 501(c)3 Education Foundation of Eagle County, the new school board over at RE-1, the upcoming tussles in the RE-2 school district that blend with all the political turmoil in our Colorado schools, and the major federal changes that are sure to be coming up over the next few years; you need to have strong leaders in place.
Individuals who will not be swayed by pressure from special interests or either side of the political aisle.
Leaders who will stay focused on the job you elected them to do or those you elected previously hired them to do. Whether it takes a very long memory span of details and awareness of subversive agendas, or at times brutal honesty to break through equal strength opposing power; remember that it's your vote and voice that has control over all of it.
How about those fans of Paul Harvey today? Over on the Eagle County Times.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"The ECT’s earlier story about Public School Funding in Colorado (Click Here) was 100% accurate – HOWEVER, incomplete.
For the fans of Paul Harvey – here is the rest of the story…."
Remember, as you watch the 501(c)3 Education Foundation of Eagle County, the new school board over at RE-1, the upcoming tussles in the RE-2 school district that blend with all the political turmoil in our Colorado schools, and the major federal changes that are sure to be coming up over the next few years; you need to have strong leaders in place.
Individuals who will not be swayed by pressure from special interests or either side of the political aisle.
Leaders who will stay focused on the job you elected them to do or those you elected previously hired them to do. Whether it takes a very long memory span of details and awareness of subversive agendas, or at times brutal honesty to break through equal strength opposing power; remember that it's your vote and voice that has control over all of it.
How about those fans of Paul Harvey today? Over on the Eagle County Times.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Eagle County Times "Education Foundation of Eagle County"
'by – what we learned' :
"Some ECT folks attended a recent meeting of one of Eagle County’s newest 501(c)3 non-profits – www.efec.org. (Photo – Amber Prince & Charles Overy)..." (Read more? Click title)
How long has it been now?
Couple of years?
How long has it been that the commmons have been finally starting to speak up in very public ways against the status quo in local politics and government issues through harnessing tools like the power of the blogosphere and social networking?
How long has their rising success been showing in powerful enough ways to make powerful non-profits, major corporate powers, powerful politicians, local governments and law enforcement pay attention to what lies beneath the surface of such entities and those held in positions of trust?
A year or so?
How long has it been since you, the individual voter/follower, realized that a light bulb, an epiphany of sorts, has come on in your way of thinking?
Today? Yesterday? A week ago? A few months ago?
All that matters is that your awareness has been pierced by first whispers, then outspoken voices cutting trails of communication avenues ahead of you. What you do with your awareness is your business and falls into what you're willing to experience when you make your own choices.
Thank you once again goes to the guys and gals over on the Eagle County Times.
Why?
For paying attention to the patterns within the news others make and cutting trail ahead of you.
We wish good luck to the 'Education Foundation of Eagle County'.
May you never forget that as a non-profit you and all who work within your organization are no longer just average citizens but rather persons in a position of trust. That you are held to a higher standard.
As far as the goal you have set for your organization, may you always remember that there are endless possibilities on both sides of the political spectrum that would accomplish true public education reform.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Some ECT folks attended a recent meeting of one of Eagle County’s newest 501(c)3 non-profits – www.efec.org. (Photo – Amber Prince & Charles Overy)..." (Read more? Click title)
How long has it been now?
Couple of years?
How long has it been that the commmons have been finally starting to speak up in very public ways against the status quo in local politics and government issues through harnessing tools like the power of the blogosphere and social networking?
How long has their rising success been showing in powerful enough ways to make powerful non-profits, major corporate powers, powerful politicians, local governments and law enforcement pay attention to what lies beneath the surface of such entities and those held in positions of trust?
A year or so?
How long has it been since you, the individual voter/follower, realized that a light bulb, an epiphany of sorts, has come on in your way of thinking?
Today? Yesterday? A week ago? A few months ago?
All that matters is that your awareness has been pierced by first whispers, then outspoken voices cutting trails of communication avenues ahead of you. What you do with your awareness is your business and falls into what you're willing to experience when you make your own choices.
Thank you once again goes to the guys and gals over on the Eagle County Times.
Why?
For paying attention to the patterns within the news others make and cutting trail ahead of you.
We wish good luck to the 'Education Foundation of Eagle County'.
May you never forget that as a non-profit you and all who work within your organization are no longer just average citizens but rather persons in a position of trust. That you are held to a higher standard.
As far as the goal you have set for your organization, may you always remember that there are endless possibilities on both sides of the political spectrum that would accomplish true public education reform.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "Brent Boyer: What's in a name?"
Brent Boyer:
"Anonymity.
What comes immediately to mind?
Do you think about the ability to post online comments without fear of retribution for expressing honest opinions?
Or do you think about the cowardice of those who aren’t willing to put their real names behind their words?
Granted, those are two very strong reactions to Web anonymity, but they’re also beliefs held by many Steamboat Pilot & Today readers. Few newspaper-related issues elicit as much passion from community members as our online comments, and it’s one we find ourselves revisiting often. And we’re doing it again...."
After all this time (SandBox launched in mid-summer of 2010) followers should be familiar with how we feel about anonymity in posting online commentary. And how we feel about being accountable for content. Things are not always as they appear on the surface to be.
Which is the sole reason we chose the genre of spin.
We're not a news creation or reporting media, we only comment and aggregate what is already out there either in print, voice or buzz. We had a need to do some online tracking of certain news stories that were being given a free pass by corporate media. Stop the quashing of voices speaking up against powerful people in positions of trust who should not have been given a safe haven.
There are many reasons one might choose anonymity when speaking up.
Our point is that any reason for choosing anonymity is worthy of being honored and respected. Protected, if you will.
Where the problem lies in threads of conversation that take a harmful turn is in the lack of human moderation.
Leave privacy alone and do not track personal information. Should a real problem arise, forensic technology and a court order can always find the source of internet information.
Instead, moderate your site and content. It's as simple as pushing the 'turn off' icon on the comments section. (Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Anonymity.
What comes immediately to mind?
Do you think about the ability to post online comments without fear of retribution for expressing honest opinions?
Or do you think about the cowardice of those who aren’t willing to put their real names behind their words?
Granted, those are two very strong reactions to Web anonymity, but they’re also beliefs held by many Steamboat Pilot & Today readers. Few newspaper-related issues elicit as much passion from community members as our online comments, and it’s one we find ourselves revisiting often. And we’re doing it again...."
After all this time (SandBox launched in mid-summer of 2010) followers should be familiar with how we feel about anonymity in posting online commentary. And how we feel about being accountable for content. Things are not always as they appear on the surface to be.
Which is the sole reason we chose the genre of spin.
We're not a news creation or reporting media, we only comment and aggregate what is already out there either in print, voice or buzz. We had a need to do some online tracking of certain news stories that were being given a free pass by corporate media. Stop the quashing of voices speaking up against powerful people in positions of trust who should not have been given a safe haven.
There are many reasons one might choose anonymity when speaking up.
Our point is that any reason for choosing anonymity is worthy of being honored and respected. Protected, if you will.
Where the problem lies in threads of conversation that take a harmful turn is in the lack of human moderation.
Leave privacy alone and do not track personal information. Should a real problem arise, forensic technology and a court order can always find the source of internet information.
Instead, moderate your site and content. It's as simple as pushing the 'turn off' icon on the comments section. (Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Five-peat and a perfect score for Shaun White in superpipe"
Congratulations to Shaun White! Hard to believe how far he has come as SandBox reflects back to his first Winter X Games in Aspen. Seems like only yesterday.
Andrew Travers:
"Shaun White won his fifth consecutive gold medal in the X Games snowboard superpipe competition Sunday night, scoring a perfect 100 on his final run.
White had already sealed his gold medal going into the third run, ahead of the competition with a score of 94. The 25-year-old then turned what could have been a lackadaisical victory lap into a record-breaking run, with the judges awarding him 100 points out 100 possible.
The snowboard icon had six hits on the record effort, including a double-mctwist 1260 and closing with back-to-back double corks — one front-side and one switch-side.
“It just felt perfect,” White said at a post-competition press conference...."
Andrew Travers:
"Shaun White won his fifth consecutive gold medal in the X Games snowboard superpipe competition Sunday night, scoring a perfect 100 on his final run.
White had already sealed his gold medal going into the third run, ahead of the competition with a score of 94. The 25-year-old then turned what could have been a lackadaisical victory lap into a record-breaking run, with the judges awarding him 100 points out 100 possible.
The snowboard icon had six hits on the record effort, including a double-mctwist 1260 and closing with back-to-back double corks — one front-side and one switch-side.
“It just felt perfect,” White said at a post-competition press conference...."
SandBox Comments: Vail Daily "Del Bosco reclaims gold at Winter X"
Michael Applegate:
"ASPEN, Colorado — Last year, American John Teller sped past defending gold medalist Chris Del Bosco, upsetting the former Eagle-Vail resident and preventing the first back-to-back gold in the 14-year history of Winter X men's skiercross.
The first back-to-back never had a chance Sunday afternoon.
Teller failed to qualify for the finals after crashing in his semifinal heat. His absence paved the way for Del Bosco to reclaim his title. In the final, Del Bosco utilized an excellent start to gain the lead and fought hard until the end to win his second career Winter X gold.
“This is my favorite event,” said Del Bosco, who competes for Canada. “Last year, I was close, and I was coming back here thinking that this is a big one on my list. I kind of have been having an up and down season, so to come here and get the gold is pretty special...”
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
"ASPEN, Colorado — Last year, American John Teller sped past defending gold medalist Chris Del Bosco, upsetting the former Eagle-Vail resident and preventing the first back-to-back gold in the 14-year history of Winter X men's skiercross.
The first back-to-back never had a chance Sunday afternoon.
Teller failed to qualify for the finals after crashing in his semifinal heat. His absence paved the way for Del Bosco to reclaim his title. In the final, Del Bosco utilized an excellent start to gain the lead and fought hard until the end to win his second career Winter X gold.
“This is my favorite event,” said Del Bosco, who competes for Canada. “Last year, I was close, and I was coming back here thinking that this is a big one on my list. I kind of have been having an up and down season, so to come here and get the gold is pretty special...”
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
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