March 27, 2012

SandBoxBlogs: Iowa Republican "How the Supreme Court Rules on Obamacare May Impact the General Election"

Craig Robinson:
"Regardless of who the Republican nominee is, the Supreme Court’s decision is likely to have a significant effect on the general election campaign.  In a press conference last week, Iowa Congressman Steve King said, “If the Supreme Court should find this unconstitutional, which I believe is the appropriate decision, … there is more risk that President Obama will be reelected because people will think they are protected from this egregious reach into our freedom.  If the Supreme Court finds it constitutional, then I believe Barack Obama will not be reelected because they will understand that they need to vote him out of office to repeal it.”..."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Tree of Mamre "Word to Conservatives: Do Not Condemn Yourself By What You Approve"

John Scotus:
"If a policeman gets into a fight with a man who is unarmed and shoots and kills him, then in most cases the policeman will be punished quite severely. You simply cannot use lethal force against an unarmed man, even if he is beating you up. Now, many people in many jurisdictions are inclined to give the police a break on this issue, as generally, people in the US are pro-police. However, unless the policeman is able to prove that he honestly thought his life to be in danger or he would suffer great bodily harm, the policeman is in deep kimchi, as my father used to say. In the vast majority of cases, the policeman must have a reasonable belief that the man had a gun or a knife, and was intending to use it, in order to escape blame.

Imagine two men in a bar fight. One man gets the better of the other, and so the other man takes out a gun and shoots and kills him. This usually will result in a manslaughter if not a murder charge. Shooting an unarmed man is simply not done, as you rarely if ever have a reasonable expectation that he will kill you or cause you great bodily harm. Fear of getting beaten up or bruised is not enough to justify homicide. Take your lumps and have someone call an ambulance for you, but don’t draw a gun and expect that you will get off scot-free.

While we must decry the political grandstanding of President Obama and other Democratic rabble rousers, along with any tendency of some towards vigilantism, some conservatives have simply crossed the line on the matter of Trayvon Martin. The facts, as they are widely known, are that George Zimmerman called 911 about someone he thought was suspicious. The 911 operator–representing law enforcement–told him the police would handle it and advised him not to pursue or interact with the man. Zimmerman ignored this order...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall "Obama Headed For Defeat in Pipeline Fight"

Byron York:
"To hear the White House tell it, Barack Obama might be the most pipeline-friendly president ever to occupy the Oval Office.

In advance of Obama's March 22 visit to Cushing, Okla, the White House released a fact sheet detailing the president's support for oil pipeline projects. "The need for pipeline infrastructure is urgent, because rising American oil production is outpacing the capacity of pipelines to deliver oil to refineries," the White House wrote. "It is critical that we make pipeline infrastructure a top priority."

When the president appeared in Cushing, White House image-makers positioned him in front of huge stockpiles of pipe -- tons and tons of pipe. Message: Obama loves pipelines. "Under my administration," the president said, "we've added enough new oil and gas pipeline to encircle the Earth and then some."

But Obama wasn't in Cushing because he has approved so much new pipeline. He was there because he is facing bipartisan opposition, in Congress and across the country, for blocking the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that would bring about 700,000 barrels of oil from Canada to refineries in Texas every day, creating thousands of new jobs in the process. The opposition appears to be growing, and there's good reason to believe Obama will be forced to reverse himself in the next few months.

A new Gallup poll shows that 57 percent of Americans say the government should approve building Keystone. That number includes 81 percent of Republicans, 51 percent of independents and 44 percent (a plurality) of Democrats. The only good news for the White House is that most Americans aren't following the issue very closely, at least not yet...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall/Chuck Norris "Not All Presidential Orders Are Created Equal (Part 1)"

Chuck Norris:
"In his typical duck-'n'-dodge fashion, President Barack Obama spewed his 115th executive order upon the American public on a late Friday afternoon, March 16. Cloaked in one of Obama's candy-coated, grandiloquent titles, the "National Defense Resources Preparedness" executive order set the blogosphere ablaze this past week.


Canada Free Press ran an article titled "Obama Executive Order: Peacetime Martial Law!" An Examiner.com article similarly declared that the order would "nationalize everything" and "allow for a civilian draft." And the Drudge Report ran a story headlined "Martial Law? Obama issues Executive Order: the National Defense Resources Preparedness."

On the other hand, mainstream media minions and others were quick to quell the hysteria as rumor. William A. Jacobson, associate clinical professor at Cornell Law School, warned: "If someone wants to make the argument that this is an expansion of presidential powers, then do so based on actual language. There is enough that Obama actually does wrong without creating claims which do not hold up to scrutiny." (Still, Jacobson offers this disclaimer: "I'm not ruling out the possibility that this is more than it seems, but unless and until someone does more than merely state that martial law is coming, I'll consider this to be routine.")..."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Summit Daily News "Liddick: Obamacare case: An ominous shift"

Morgan Liddick:
"If these arguments prevail, the nature of our government will be altered out of all recognition. The federal government, envisioned by those who created it as a single element in a network of governments; as limited to a few specific activities and constrained by Constitutional limits, will become what the anti-Federalists predicted and feared: a consolidated, national government, without restraint or counter, able to reach into the minutest part of individual citizens' lives to regulate; to demand; to control. State laws on marijuana use? How droll …

Yes, you will have buy a Chevy Volt. The economy and the environment demand it. Yes, you will have to eat broccoli. You have to be healthy, because that effects the economy. No, you can't have heart surgery. You're too old and it's too expensive. Take two aspirin and call us if you live.

Cross your fingers. After 224 years of success, we're about to learn if we're going to throw it all away..."
(Read more? Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Colorado News Agency "Statutory tweak offers a glimpse into the labyrinth of Colorado’s liquor laws"

lol.

Peter Blake:
"...To understand why the pending law is good we have to follow lawmakers on their annual trip through the looking-glass and go galumphing in the unfathomable jabberwocky of Colorado liquor laws...."
(Read more? Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Eagle County Times "County’s GOP – Commits to Support – Your Right to Choose!"

Yowza!! This is hot off the press of the Eagle County Times!  Vote 'em all out over in Eagle County and say YES to these sharp candidates for county commissioner!

by, 'Fans of the Vote':
"Dateline:  Saturday, March 24th 2012 – Eagle County GOP Assembly – Eagle County, Colorado

At Issue:  selecting (among other things) 2 GOP – County Commissioner candidates – for November 2012′s General Election (Click on the photo to enlarge – note how many of these people are busy doing their homework!)

Your Right to Choose?

Yes, all GOP County Commissioner candidates committed to put the question of the REPEAL of the County’s Open Space Tax, back on your BALLOT! – Giving you the Taxpayer and Voter the CHOICE to continue paying that Property Tax or not!

For their part our current three democrat County Commissioners (Jon Stavney (D) – included) have adamantly REFUSED to put that question of CHOICE on your Ballot...." 
(Read more?  See photo?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "FBI actively investigating PitCo sheriff’s office"

"Old cops know that the best performance of their duty is to prove innocence."  (first spoken by avatar 'PB' in commentary in early October, 2010)

“It’s an indictment on this whole community, lifestyle and philosophies,” DiSalvo said. “Corrupt is not the word I would use to describe this office. Enlightened, compassionate and caring is how I would describe it.” (Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo, Aspen Daily March 27, 2012)

That statement by Sheriff DiSalvo is deeply disturbing.  How can it be that someone who has worked in the Pitkin County Sheriff's Dept. for 27 years be so far out of touch with the majority of his communities within his county?

Thank goodness that the DEA, FBI and all other agencies who participated in the drug bust in May of 2011 are looking hard at the community, lifestyle and philosophy of Pitkin County and the City of Aspen.

It's about time.

'Pandora's Box' was the label a few placed on the bust within hours of word getting out on 'how' the bust was executed.  A feeling of shock swept over the folks because to their knowledge no one had ever had the courage to openly stand up to the status quo of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley

Within weeks, word of other big busts all over the Western Slope came to the front of the news.  As the months passed we learned of the presence of Mexican drug cartels and gangs of the most violent origins  actually operating as close as Grand Junction and with presence in El Jebel, Glenwood Springs and the Aspen area.

The early stages of  the courage to speak up against known corruption, intimidation by powerful individuals, oppression, represssion and power abuses within communities running from Aspen through Glenwood Springs was in its mid-strength stages in May 2011.

Within those early months we saw  more voices grow stronger, more citizens thanking the participating agencies.  We saw a very prominent Skico exec literally step down because of his support and personal, ethical and moral standards.  We saw local opinion columnists speak openly with blunt language in a wide range of viewpoints and many of them in favor of change to end the abuses of power and retaliation to others by a few.  We listened to the whispers of folks who felt better because they had sent emails and letters of encouragement, thanks and hopes for the future to DEA Agent Schrant.

When the vile Michael Cleverly and cohorts engaged in alleged federal witness intimidation and tampering against the informant in the busts we even saw for the first time ever; federal law enforcement and outlying agency law enforcement step up and enforce the law.  Something unheard of in this area when it comes to intimidation and bullying.

We've watched federal prosecutors show decisive action that has produced results.  No  fumbling, no power abusing and no coverups.  There has not been one 'Big Money' or socially dominating person receive special treatment at their hands.

Yes, Sheriff Joe.  Thank goodness the community, lifestyle and philosophies of the past are being heavily scrutinized.

It's about time.

Our thanks here on SandBox goes out again to all the agents, agencies, deputies and officers who are participating in the continuing operation.  We now can add our local and state FBI led by Special Agent Robert Gaskamp.

Will they 'get it'?  That elusive 'something' that really is not elusive at all?  Will more 'anonymous father' types keep droppin dimes on the dopeman?  Will the politics of justice in the 9th Judicial District, City of Aspen and a few of our major employers and revenue generators in the Valley finally be deeply looked into?  Will the apathy of a number of our elected officials  along with blind eyes finally be stopped enough to balance out the harm that comes to the folks as the results of that apathy come to pass in their everyday lives?

The answer should be affirmative as all of these problems stem from that core root of systemic and corrosive decay that has run for so very long throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and west I-70 corridor.

Pandora's Box.

Yes, thank goodness we have law enforcement presence.  Stay the course.
(Read the article?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: SkyHi Daily "Rescuers pluck children from icy Colorado River in Hot Sulphur Springs"

Thank you to all agencies who participated in this rescue.  You are appreciated.  

"Three children, ages 6, 7 and 10, were rescued from a precarious ice ledge in the Colorado River in Hot Sulphur Springs on Saturday, according to Grand County emergency personnel.

The incident occurred at about noon near Pioneer Park.

Responding agencies included Grand County EMS, the Grand County Sheriff Office, Granby Fire, and Hot Sulphur Fire.

Grand County EMS transported all three patients to nearest hospital facility. Authorities were not sure whether the children were local or from outside the area...."  (Read more?  Click title)

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Colorado: Front Range wildfires claim one life"

Bob Berwyn:
"SUMMIT COUNTY — It didn’t take any lightning or beetle-killed trees for a spate of dangerous wildfires to break out across the Colorado Front Range, just a few weeks of unusually warm weather and a day of high winds, with a red flag fire warning in effect for large parts of Colorado. Fire news from official sources and from residents is streaming on Twitter at #CoFires.

Aerial video streaming live at Denver’s Channel 9 website.

And one of the fires turned deadly late Monday, as the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed one death in the 3,000-acre Lower North Fork fire zone, where numerous residents have been evacuated. Fire officials also confirmed that several structures have been destroyed by the wind-driven fires, but exactly how many homes were burned is still unclear...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Judge tells landowner to let Encana do its work"

John Colson:
RIFLE, Colorado — A local judge on Monday made it clear that energy company Encana Oil & Gas (USA) has the right to go onto Thomas Thompson's land on Porcupine Creek, despite Thompson's unhappiness about it...."
(Read more. Click title)


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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Survey shows ACRA members supportive of immigration efforts"

Andrew Travers:
"A recent survey by the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) found that more than 71 percent of local business owners support chamber leaders’ efforts to reform immigration.

ACRA Chair Warren Klug has led the local business community’s call for federal legislation that would allow undocumented workers to gain a legal working status.

Such currently illegal workers are considered a driving force of the resort economy, particularly in the hotel, hospitality and restaurant sectors.

Over the last year, Klug has met with state and federal legislators, and a White House official, on the issue. The ACRA board of directors passed a resolution calling for such a reform in July.

The chamber board this month surveyed its members to find if they were aligned with Klug and the board’s political moves to reform immigration, and the results indicate they do.

The survey statement read, “I am supportive of ACRA and its board members’ efforts to advocate for workable and employer-oriented solutions for legalization of undocumented employees.”..."
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"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Vacation renters are the little guys"

Verne Gurholt:
"“Bandit” vacation rentals? When you have one unit to rent, you are defined as a bandit. If you have hundreds, you are not a bandit. The city's goal is unambiguous. Get into bed with the Aspen Skiing Co. and the large operators to eliminate the modestly priced units in town. The city is apparently willing to help crush the little guys. This was successfully done in Telluride.....

......P.S.: When you are in power, you refer to the competition as bandits. It did not work for Gen. Chiang Kai-shek, but it will probably work for the local warlords!..."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Council eases potential limits on Aspen vacation rentals"

How about you?

'Sick of Mick' yet?

You know, he really should have added his own name to the list of contacts he spews off in the comment below.  The next time the topic of term limit extensions asks for your vote; remember Mick Ireland and his desire to be a career Mayor.

Andre Salvail:
"Mayor Mick Ireland kicked off discussion on the item with a warning for the crowd of about 25 people to be civil. Council members, along with Community Development Department staff, were said to be bombarded over the past few weeks with emails on the topic, some of which were decidedly nasty.

“You need to refrain from using pejoratives to describe staff or anybody associated with any position on this,” Ireland said. “That will not be tolerated. If you want to call somebody a communist or a socialist, save it for talk radio, call Rush Limbaugh or whoever takes those kinds of phone calls, and have fun. But it's not appropriate here.”... "  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: SkyHi Daily "Granby resident races ‘one of the toughest sporting events in the world'"

Kristen Lodge:
"How many athletes do you know enter two races in one day?

On Saturday, March 11, Granby resident Jim Howe, 48, raced in the Frisco Nordic Race, then drove to Vail to race the Wilson Cup at 5 p.m. He placed second in the Frisco race - sixth overall.

The following weekend he raced the 90K North Routt Coureur des Bois Nordic race — now called Glide the Divide — one of 100 toughest sport events in the world, according to organizers.

Glide the Divide started in 2005 and Howe has raced every year. Four times he completed the 45K race, and he's a three-time finisher of the 90K distance. The race starts at the Hahn's Peak Ranger Station northwest of Steamboat Springs and continues through Colorado State Park trails at Steamboat Lake State Park and through the Forest Service trails in North Routt and Medicine Bow.

Howe wanted to break five hours at the March 17 race; and he did.

He finished the grueling race in 4 hours and 54 minutes, a personal best - and 2nd in his age group: 40-49...."  (Read more?  Click title)

SandBoxBlogs: SkyHi Daily "SolVista Ski Basin is now called "Ski Granby Ranch""

Tonya Bina:
"SolVista Ski Basin and Headwaters Golf Course will get new names as Granby Ranch endeavors to overhaul its branding.

The ski, golf, bike and real-estate community under the umbrella of “Granby Ranch” has had “confusion in the marketplace” because of its mixture of monikers, according to Granby Ranch Director of Development Kyle Harris.

SolVista Ski Basin is Granby Ranch's ski hill, Headwaters Golf Course is the ranch's golf offering, then there's SolVista Bike Park, the Seven Trails Grille, and fishing on a private stretch of the Fraser River. There's also a Granby Ranch real-estate venture.

“Nobody understands that these amenities are all part and parcel of Granby Ranch. In people's minds, that connection is not there, and any time you have that level of confusion, something is wrong,” Harris said.

With the help of design firm CommArts, Boulder, which is now Stantec, Granby Ranch adopted an updated more unified brand, most of which is launching between now and Memorial Day. The better part of the new exterior wayfinding and on-mountain signs will be “phased in over time as we have the resources to do it,” Harris said.

Names of amenities are being changed to incorporate verbs, such as SolVista Ski Basin will now be called “Ski Granby Ranch,” the Headwaters Golf Course “Golf Granby Ranch,” the bicycle trails “Bike Granby Ranch,” and the fishing access “Fish Granby Ranch.”

The Seven Trails Grille will be renamed “Granby Ranch Grille” by the time it reopens in the late spring, and the real-estate branch of Granby Ranch will be called “Granby Ranch Homes.”

“We had to bite the bullet, we had to make a change,” Harris said. “And a change of this magnitude is not taken lightly.”..."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Jimmy Westlake: My favorite stars: Mizar, Alcor"

Professor Jimmy Westlake is ranked in the top four of 'SandBox Nanny's' most fav  Colorado columnists and contributors.

He weaves tales of intrigue, suspense, war, love, anger and the fury of the Gods and Fates every Tuesday.

And his astrophotography skills?  Amazing

Up and over on Steamboat Today. 

Jimmy Westlake:
"In 1650, when astronomers first aimed their telescopes at the famed Horse and Rider, they were astonished to discover that the Horse itself appeared double. Almost any small telescope will reveal the twin stars of Mizar, called Mizar A and B. Modern astronomers have used sophisticated techniques to discover that each of Mizar’s twin components is again double. This amazing quintuple star system is located about 80 light-years from Earth.

My favorite story concerning the star Alcor comes from Viking mythology, where we find that the constellation of Orion the Hunter was called Orwandil the Giant, and the bright star Rigel represented the giant’s foot. Once, when Orwandil was crying like a baby because his toe was frostbitten, the god Thor grew tired of his whining and snapped off the frozen toe. He then threw it into the northern sky where we can see it today shining right beside Mizar as our little star Alcor...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: A day in the life …"

All credit Bob Berwyn: