Daniel Horowitz:
"It’s another week in Washington, and it’s yet another bailout. This time, taxpayers will be tapped for another $41 billion to subsidize the healthcare retirement benefits of postal workers – benefits that are quite scarce in the private sector.
Democrats have a serious problem with creative destruction and advancements in technology. For self-described progressives, they are quite regressive when it comes to efficiency in markets and use of technology. They exhibit nostalgia for 14th century energy technology and 20th century banking technology. Hence, they don’t care too much for market progression. In concerted drives to hold back the tide of technology, they are quick to offer a helping hand to a dying industry. One such industry is the mail delivery.
It’s no secret that the United States Postal Service is on its way out. The transition to electronic communication, in conjunction with the success of private mail carriers, has dramatically reduced the demand for their service. Consequently, they no longer generate enough revenue to function as a self-sufficient entity, particularly when it comes to paying employee retirement benefits. In recent years, the USPS has patched the annual losses with borrowed money from the Treasury. However, it is now in such dire straits that it’s expected to hit the $15 billion borrowing cap later this year. It needs extra taxpayer cash to fill in the gaps.
If the USPS were a private entity, it would trim its workforce and operations to the amount of revenue they can produce until they are eventually forced to go out of business. That’s how creative destruction and supply and demand work in the real world. That is not how it works in Washington...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
March 26, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall/Bob Beauprez "A Teacher Saving Lots of Lives"
Bob Beauprez:
"It is a common cliché; "You changed my life." But, how many people really do?
Tom Tillapaugh not only changes lives; he literally saves them. Lots of them.
In 1985 Tom was led by his faith to begin an education ministry in Denver for the most seriously at risk, often forgotten, kids in society. He launched the Denver StreetSchool on East Colfax with the financial help of a business man and three kids in desperate need of help.
His model is built on four principles:
1. Small schools – typically only 50-60 kids
2. Small Classes – limit of 10
3. Strong interlocking relationships – adults willing to be "extremely inconvenienced"
4. A Christian School – Jesus "gives hope and purpose to even want to try."
Tom says the schools are run like an intensive care ward in a hospital. We need "adults who will pour themselves into these kids," he says. Saving and changing lives requires "sacrificial intervention into the lives of these kids by loving, caring adults to the point of extreme inconvenience."
What's that mean? "Doing something during the work day is not sacrificial, that's your job – what are you doing with the kid at 10:00 at night?" Tom asks. And, he walks the talk. Tom had to identify the body of a murdered student because he was considered next-of-kin. He held another as she died with AIDS. Tom and his wife routinely open their home to needy kids. As many as seven students – and their babies – have lived with Tom and his wife at one time...." (Read more? Click title)
"It is a common cliché; "You changed my life." But, how many people really do?
Tom Tillapaugh not only changes lives; he literally saves them. Lots of them.
In 1985 Tom was led by his faith to begin an education ministry in Denver for the most seriously at risk, often forgotten, kids in society. He launched the Denver StreetSchool on East Colfax with the financial help of a business man and three kids in desperate need of help.
His model is built on four principles:
1. Small schools – typically only 50-60 kids
2. Small Classes – limit of 10
3. Strong interlocking relationships – adults willing to be "extremely inconvenienced"
4. A Christian School – Jesus "gives hope and purpose to even want to try."
Tom says the schools are run like an intensive care ward in a hospital. We need "adults who will pour themselves into these kids," he says. Saving and changing lives requires "sacrificial intervention into the lives of these kids by loving, caring adults to the point of extreme inconvenience."
What's that mean? "Doing something during the work day is not sacrificial, that's your job – what are you doing with the kid at 10:00 at night?" Tom asks. And, he walks the talk. Tom had to identify the body of a murdered student because he was considered next-of-kin. He held another as she died with AIDS. Tom and his wife routinely open their home to needy kids. As many as seven students – and their babies – have lived with Tom and his wife at one time...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Hot Air Blog "Obama to Medvedev: I’ll totally cave on missile defense in my second term if Putin will give me “space”"
Ed Morrissey:
"Ah, open microphones at photo ops. Is there anything they can’t expose? And is there any lesson about them that Barack Obama can learn? Five months after reporters picked up a conversation in which Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy disparaged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamim Netanyahu, Obama forgot to check the microphones yet again in a conversation with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev. This time, however, the microphones picked up the sound of Obama begging for some political help from Vladimir Putin — in order to gain the “flexibility” to cave on missile defense..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Ah, open microphones at photo ops. Is there anything they can’t expose? And is there any lesson about them that Barack Obama can learn? Five months after reporters picked up a conversation in which Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy disparaged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamim Netanyahu, Obama forgot to check the microphones yet again in a conversation with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev. This time, however, the microphones picked up the sound of Obama begging for some political help from Vladimir Putin — in order to gain the “flexibility” to cave on missile defense..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall "In Obama Campaign Video, It's Not Morning in America"
Michael Barone:
"President Barack Obama's 17-minute video, "The Road We've Traveled," gives us an idea of how he wants to frame the issues in the fall election.
The first thing you notice about the video is that the atmosphere is dark, wintry, minor key. You see but don't hear the election night crowd in Grant Park, and then the video switches to graphics about the economic meltdown that followed the financial crisis of 2008.
There are gloomy scenes throughout. Obama's economic advisers arrive in a bleak Chicago after a snowstorm. The president is shown in the Oval Office through a window at night.
The visuals are oddly antique for a president who promised hope and change. When narrator Tom Hanks talks of the "middle class," we see downscale neighborhoods with houses built in the 1910s or 1920s. When he talks about economic recovery, we see an early 1950s Ford coming off the assembly line.
Hanks strikes another historical note. "Not since the days of Franklin Roosevelt has so much fallen on the shoulders of one president." Well, Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan might disagree, but one gets the idea.
If America is not standing tall, it's because Obama started off nearly 6 feet under.
We hear a lot about the burdens of office and the loneliness of presidential decision-making. The same point was made in 30- and 60-second ads run by Jimmy Carter's re-election campaign in 1980.
Those spots featured only Carter and the narrator speaking. The 17-minute video has time for testimony from Joe Biden, Bill Clinton and, briefly, Michelle Obama.
The resemblance to the Carter ads is ominous, seeing as Carter lost 51- 41 percent in November. Americans want to think well of their presidents, but sometimes they decide they've had enough...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"President Barack Obama's 17-minute video, "The Road We've Traveled," gives us an idea of how he wants to frame the issues in the fall election.
The first thing you notice about the video is that the atmosphere is dark, wintry, minor key. You see but don't hear the election night crowd in Grant Park, and then the video switches to graphics about the economic meltdown that followed the financial crisis of 2008.
There are gloomy scenes throughout. Obama's economic advisers arrive in a bleak Chicago after a snowstorm. The president is shown in the Oval Office through a window at night.
The visuals are oddly antique for a president who promised hope and change. When narrator Tom Hanks talks of the "middle class," we see downscale neighborhoods with houses built in the 1910s or 1920s. When he talks about economic recovery, we see an early 1950s Ford coming off the assembly line.
Hanks strikes another historical note. "Not since the days of Franklin Roosevelt has so much fallen on the shoulders of one president." Well, Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan might disagree, but one gets the idea.
If America is not standing tall, it's because Obama started off nearly 6 feet under.
We hear a lot about the burdens of office and the loneliness of presidential decision-making. The same point was made in 30- and 60-second ads run by Jimmy Carter's re-election campaign in 1980.
Those spots featured only Carter and the narrator speaking. The 17-minute video has time for testimony from Joe Biden, Bill Clinton and, briefly, Michelle Obama.
The resemblance to the Carter ads is ominous, seeing as Carter lost 51- 41 percent in November. Americans want to think well of their presidents, but sometimes they decide they've had enough...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall "Taxing Death"
Jeff Carter:
"Doesn’t the government get enough during your lifetime? I understand the initial sentiment behind the death tax. It was put in place to try and stop dynasties from forming. Advocates looked at generational wealth in Europe and wanted each generation to be put at the same starting line.
But, trying to be “fair” never works. The Koch brothers kids will always have advantages over mine. The great thing about the US is it doesn’t matter. My kids can be just as successful as the Koch kids if they create something.
Did the creator of Spanx come from a silver spoon background? No. She went to Florida State and was the daughter of an artist and lawyer.
The problem is, you will never put anyone at the same starting line with anyone else. That’s why the Constitution and Bill of Rights read as they do. Every human has “inalienable rights”. It doesn’t mean Sam and Joe start the human race with exactly the same amount of assets. Life isn’t a board game.
States are beginning to understand this. Citizens are leaving their state to avoid the tax. The other problem they are having is as one generation dies, the next is being forced to liquidate productive businesses to pay the death tax. This hurts local economies...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Doesn’t the government get enough during your lifetime? I understand the initial sentiment behind the death tax. It was put in place to try and stop dynasties from forming. Advocates looked at generational wealth in Europe and wanted each generation to be put at the same starting line.
But, trying to be “fair” never works. The Koch brothers kids will always have advantages over mine. The great thing about the US is it doesn’t matter. My kids can be just as successful as the Koch kids if they create something.
Did the creator of Spanx come from a silver spoon background? No. She went to Florida State and was the daughter of an artist and lawyer.
The problem is, you will never put anyone at the same starting line with anyone else. That’s why the Constitution and Bill of Rights read as they do. Every human has “inalienable rights”. It doesn’t mean Sam and Joe start the human race with exactly the same amount of assets. Life isn’t a board game.
States are beginning to understand this. Citizens are leaving their state to avoid the tax. The other problem they are having is as one generation dies, the next is being forced to liquidate productive businesses to pay the death tax. This hurts local economies...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: KREX News 5 "Secret Ballots Prohibited "
Danielle Kreutter:
"DENVER- The measure that would prohibit state and local public government bodies from using secret ballots is now law.
Supporters of the new law say it will help transparency of decision making across the state. This law will work with the current open meetings law to ensure secret ballots are not being made...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"DENVER- The measure that would prohibit state and local public government bodies from using secret ballots is now law.
Supporters of the new law say it will help transparency of decision making across the state. This law will work with the current open meetings law to ensure secret ballots are not being made...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Silt to consider raises for mayor, trustees tonight" (sub) "‘Emergency' ordinance could mean new pay rate to be effective next month"
In what appears to be still yet another stunningly brilliant covert operation; Super-Investigative journalist John Colson scores another headline on the 'shady' public leaders in Silt, Colorado.
Silt is the local Tea Party capital and home to the most popular local mayor in the history of Garfield County, Dave Moore.
Locals are familiar with the everyday sight of Colson and his old pickup parked alongside I-70 as he daily stakes out the comings and goings of Moore and company.
Rumor has it that Silt banned Colson from entering the city limits at the same time they allegedly ran local troublemaker 'bethatesantero' out of town.
Since then, the long morning commute for downvalley construction workers is broken by CB chatter 'when they pass Colson' they are 1/3 of the way to Aspen.
If we are to believe this incredibly astute reporting this morning, the Town of Silt is 'guilty' of encouraging residents to run for public office!
Do we dare to hope for one of Mayor Daves' succinctly worded Letters to the Editor over the next few days explaining this incredible news?
Stay tuned!
John Colson:
"SILT, Colorado — The Board of Trustees tonight will be talking about a proposed ordinance giving a pay raise to newly elected trustees, and to a new mayor when one is elected.
The trustees voted on March 12 to direct town attorney Lee Leavenworth to draw up an ordinance raising trustee salaries from the current rate of $100 per meeting attended to a flat rate of $400 per month.
For the mayor, the new pay rate is to be $600 per month, up from the present rate of $200 per meeting attended.
The board typically meets for two regular meetings a month, on the second and fourth Monday of the month.
The new pay rate could take effect immediately after the April 3 municipal election if adopted as an emergency ordinance, according to a memo from Leavenworth.
Leavenworth drew up an emergency version of the ordinance for tonight's meeting, as well as a regular ordinance that would not take effect until after the municipal election in 2014.
He could not be reached for comment on Friday afternoon.......(OMG!!!....whisper..whisper..)
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Silt is the local Tea Party capital and home to the most popular local mayor in the history of Garfield County, Dave Moore.
Locals are familiar with the everyday sight of Colson and his old pickup parked alongside I-70 as he daily stakes out the comings and goings of Moore and company.
Rumor has it that Silt banned Colson from entering the city limits at the same time they allegedly ran local troublemaker 'bethatesantero' out of town.
Since then, the long morning commute for downvalley construction workers is broken by CB chatter 'when they pass Colson' they are 1/3 of the way to Aspen.
If we are to believe this incredibly astute reporting this morning, the Town of Silt is 'guilty' of encouraging residents to run for public office!
Do we dare to hope for one of Mayor Daves' succinctly worded Letters to the Editor over the next few days explaining this incredible news?
Stay tuned!
John Colson:
"SILT, Colorado — The Board of Trustees tonight will be talking about a proposed ordinance giving a pay raise to newly elected trustees, and to a new mayor when one is elected.
The trustees voted on March 12 to direct town attorney Lee Leavenworth to draw up an ordinance raising trustee salaries from the current rate of $100 per meeting attended to a flat rate of $400 per month.
For the mayor, the new pay rate is to be $600 per month, up from the present rate of $200 per meeting attended.
The board typically meets for two regular meetings a month, on the second and fourth Monday of the month.
The new pay rate could take effect immediately after the April 3 municipal election if adopted as an emergency ordinance, according to a memo from Leavenworth.
Leavenworth drew up an emergency version of the ordinance for tonight's meeting, as well as a regular ordinance that would not take effect until after the municipal election in 2014.
He could not be reached for comment on Friday afternoon.......(OMG!!!....whisper..whisper..)
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Botox treatment nets CU $30M in royalties"
BOULDER — The University of Colorado has received a $30 million payout for a Botox treatment one of its faculty members invented in the late 1990s....
.....Schmidt does not get a cut because he is no longer with the university. CU’s Anschutz Medical Campus hosted the Botox research." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
.....Schmidt does not get a cut because he is no longer with the university. CU’s Anschutz Medical Campus hosted the Botox research." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Craig Daily Press "Craig resident nabs four trail riding awards"
Joe Moylan:
"Craig resident Ken Wolgram and his horse, Awesomes Fire N Ice, were the first team in North American Trail Ride Conference history to win all four of the organization’s national awards. Above is an excerpt of the interview with Wolgram in which he explains each award and what the accomplishment means to him and his family and friends..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Craig resident Ken Wolgram and his horse, Awesomes Fire N Ice, were the first team in North American Trail Ride Conference history to win all four of the organization’s national awards. Above is an excerpt of the interview with Wolgram in which he explains each award and what the accomplishment means to him and his family and friends..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: KREX News 5 "BLM Approves $300,000 for Wild Horse Rangelands"
Cori Coffin:
"Bureau of Land Management officials approved nearly $300,000 for 12 projects aimed at improving western rangeland.
The areas officials are focusing on are lands where wild horses and burros roam...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Bureau of Land Management officials approved nearly $300,000 for 12 projects aimed at improving western rangeland.
The areas officials are focusing on are lands where wild horses and burros roam...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily News "Six-pack of songs"
Alan Sculley:
"The a cappella group Straight No Chaser has returned with new music in the form of “Six Pack: Vol. II.”
As the “Volume II” suggests, it follows a 2008 EP called “Six Pack,” which, like the new release, included six songs. And while Straight No Chaser vocalist Randy Stine said a full-length CD would have been nice, a busy schedule caused the group to think in terms of a “Six Pack” sequel.
“We haven't had a whole lot of time just to sit down and record another full-length album. We're constantly hearing from fans, ‘When's another one coming out?'” Stine said in a recent phone interview. “We wanted to get something out there new for the fans after they had been so patiently waiting.”
So the solution was to go the “Six Pack” route, which Stine said ended up working well. And to the group's surprise, “Six Pack: Vol. II” turned out to also mirror the first “Six Pack” EP in a couple of ways...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"The a cappella group Straight No Chaser has returned with new music in the form of “Six Pack: Vol. II.”
As the “Volume II” suggests, it follows a 2008 EP called “Six Pack,” which, like the new release, included six songs. And while Straight No Chaser vocalist Randy Stine said a full-length CD would have been nice, a busy schedule caused the group to think in terms of a “Six Pack” sequel.
“We haven't had a whole lot of time just to sit down and record another full-length album. We're constantly hearing from fans, ‘When's another one coming out?'” Stine said in a recent phone interview. “We wanted to get something out there new for the fans after they had been so patiently waiting.”
So the solution was to go the “Six Pack” route, which Stine said ended up working well. And to the group's surprise, “Six Pack: Vol. II” turned out to also mirror the first “Six Pack” EP in a couple of ways...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Roadside attractions"
Berwyn's headline reminds me of two of our local (long term) controversies.
Why we have spent literally billions of dollars since the Roaring Fork Transit Authority inception to literally run near empty busses from Rifle to Aspen 365 days per year and roughly 16 hours per day. Multiple empty or near empty busses. Yet we still keep sinking more money in and lowering our ethical standards by enforcing eminent domain.
All the while a brilliant tourism draw concept (a permanent one not one of our usual gimmicks or discount packages) that holds the folks idea of major overhaul of Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs including state of the art educational center to teach geothermal, wetlands, avalanches and all the other unique wonders we hold; and then off-shooting roadside attraction nature centers and interactive education all the way from Glenwood Springs to the top of Independence Pass. Tie in with the similar concept being done on the West Elk Loop on Hwy. 133.
Existing roadside attractions. Win win.
All credit Bob Berwyn:
Why we have spent literally billions of dollars since the Roaring Fork Transit Authority inception to literally run near empty busses from Rifle to Aspen 365 days per year and roughly 16 hours per day. Multiple empty or near empty busses. Yet we still keep sinking more money in and lowering our ethical standards by enforcing eminent domain.
All the while a brilliant tourism draw concept (a permanent one not one of our usual gimmicks or discount packages) that holds the folks idea of major overhaul of Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs including state of the art educational center to teach geothermal, wetlands, avalanches and all the other unique wonders we hold; and then off-shooting roadside attraction nature centers and interactive education all the way from Glenwood Springs to the top of Independence Pass. Tie in with the similar concept being done on the West Elk Loop on Hwy. 133.
Existing roadside attractions. Win win.
All credit Bob Berwyn:
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