March 29, 2012

SandBoxBlogs: Red State "Liberals, conservatives, values and how we perceive each other "

Bill S. Diary:
"Another day, another book I need to buy and hopefully read some day.  In the March 21st NYT, Nicholas Kristof reviews a new book:  ”The Righteous Mind”.  In it, author Jonathan Haidt discusses some original research that investigates some key values held by conservatives and liberals – and how these two groups perceive each other on these values.  I have long been interested in why Republicans and Democrats believe as they do, and this type of research on values zeroes in on this question.

A couple of key observations emerge.  First, the author points out how both conservatives and liberals adhere to values that are formed around a moral code, but conservatives follow some additional core values that liberals do not...." (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Legal Insurrection "Zero "

William A. Jacobson:
"It’s easy to find unanimous votes in favor of various bills and resolutions in the House of Representatives, but unanimously against?

Let me know if this is truly historic, or just profoundly embarrassing for Obama:
President Obama’s budget was defeated 414-0 in the House late Wednesday, in a vote Republicans arranged to try to embarrass him and shelve his plan for the rest of the year.

The vote came as the House worked its way through its own fiscal year 2013 budget proposal, written by Budget Committee Chairman Paul D. Ryan. Republicans wrote an amendment that contained Mr. Obama’s budget and offered it on the floor, daring Democrats to back the plan, which calls for major tax increases and yet still adds trillions of dollars to the deficit over the next decade.
Not even Nancy Pelosi voted for it.

It doesn’t look promising in the Senate, either, which last year unanimously defeated Obama’s budget, 97-0."

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

SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall "Real American Energy Could Create Real American Jobs'

Joe 'The Plumber' Wurzelbacher:
"President Obama supports job creation, economic growth and revenue generation – except when he doesn’t.

Official announcements from his Labor Department reported that the nation’s February unemployment rate is still 8.3 percent. That’s a decent decline from previous months. But the reality is far worse.

Most of that job growth was in business and professional services, and half was temporary. Millions of Americans are working part-time or multiple low-wage jobs to make ends meet. Overall, 23.5 million are out of work or underemployed.

Factor all that in, and the real unemployment rate is 14.9%, according to University of Maryland economist Peter Morici. Worse, many of the 8.3% jobs are government workers (police officers, fire fighters, teachers and bureaucrats), paid for with “stimulus” and other tax revenues taken or borrowed from hard working private sector companies and employees, and their children and grandchildren.

Making matters still worse, regular gasoline prices have hit $4 in numerous cities – compared to a national average of $1.61 on December 31, 2008, three weeks before President Obama took office.

Thankfully, we could reduce these intolerable numbers dramatically, if President Obama would just stop currying favor with environmental extremists, and start supporting energy policies that benefit all Americans – policies that use real American energy to create real American jobs.

The answer to our job shortage, energy shortage, and soaring gasoline prices is the same. Extract more oil and natural gas from deposits under our land and offshore areas. Bring more oil to the U.S. from Canada via the Keystone XL pipeline...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "FBI offers no info to PitCo on sheriff’s office investigation"

See related stories and public commentary at the following links:
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/03/sandboxblogs-aspen-daily-news-fbi.html
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/152488
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/03/sandboxblogs-aspen-times-pitkin-county_28.html

Carolyn Sackariason:
"Pitkin County’s top official on Wednesday got shot down by the FBI in his quest to find out if the federal agency is investigating the local government, as part of a probe into the sheriff’s office.

County manager Jon Peacock, acting on the request of Pitkin County Commissioner Michael Owsley, attempted to confirm whether the government is the target of an investigation......

......Peacock said he wasn’t surprised by the FBI’s response, but in a small town such as Aspen, different dynamics are at play and the community, including its elected officials, want transparency.

If in fact the county government is part of the FBI’s investigation, Peacock said he and the organization plan to cooperate.

“Our position is that if there are any questions, we’re there,” he said. “We need to be transparent. ... There’s nothing to hide here.

“Right now there’s nothing to cooperate on.”......

........“I don’t think there’s anything there,” Peacock said. “Joe and I have a good working relationship.”

DiSalvo also on Wednesday briefed some employees in the sheriff’s office on what he knows about the investigation, although he has not had any contact with the FBI. He said his staff understood the situation and did not appear concerned.

“Everyone pretty much got it,” he said. ......"  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Dept of Defense "Face of Defense: Homegrown Hero Receives Purple Heart"

Marine Corps Cpl. James Clark:
"LUMBERTON, N.C., March 29, 2012 – A grove of dark green slacks ending in immaculately shined dress shoes stands at rigid attention. Vibrant dress jackets adorned with a collection of medals and ribbons add a dash of color, like budding apples in an orchard. Each right shoulder bears a patch, modest in color and unassuming, which reads “JROTC.”

The Junior ROTC cadets – students at Lumberton High School here, stood in their campus auditorium. Their eyes rose toward a uniformed figure on stage, but he was not a student, although he once was. He wore the same outfit as the students during that time – until he graduated, and months later, donned the uniform of a United States Marine.

Matt Ellis, a former sergeant in the Marine Corps, received his second Purple Heart in a ceremony at his old high school for injuries he suffered in an improvised explosive device strike during his second deployment in 2009 and 2010, where he served in Marjah, Afghanistan. Ellis graduated from Lumberton High School in 2007.

“I wanted the military experience, and it’s helped me a lot in life,” said Ellis, who attributes much of his drive to enlist to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. “I was in my seventh grade science class when it happened, and at that moment I decided I wanted to go into the military. I graduated a year early from high school and joined at 17. I wanted to go to combat, and the Marines were the first to fight.”

Years later, when Ellis first was injured during operations to clear the Taliban-held city of Marjah, he was faced with what some would view as a difficult choice: to return home to receive further treatment for his wounds or return to his unit and tough it out. Ellis chose the latter.

“It’s just something Marines do,” said Ellis. “We had a five-man truck team, and I was the vehicle commander. One man missing can slow down the battle tempo, and it’s just one of those things where you feel you need to be there with your boys. If something happens, you don’t want to feel it was because you got hurt.”

Ellis, who now serves as a deputy sheriff for Hoke County, said he views his military time and now, his civil service time, not as a means to an end, but rather as a gratifying experience in and of itself.

“I wanted to find another way to continue serving,” he said. “I felt that law enforcement would be a good window to transfer over. I felt I could physically do it, and therefore felt it was something I should do.”
William Brown, a former lance corporal who served alongside Ellis during their deployment to Marjah and was with Ellis through both of his injuries, commented on Ellis’ selfless nature.

“[He] provided a great service to his country, and now he’s [home] and he’s still providing service, now to his county,” said Brown, who has been friends with Ellis since they graduated from boot camp in 2007 and were both assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.

“He’s continuing that legacy of honor, courage and commitment,” Brown continued. “I think it speaks for his character. He got blown up twice, yet he still wants to serve others. It shows what kind of person he is, what kind of man he is. People should strive to be like him.”

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

SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Bill would alter landscape of Colorado’s drug policy"

Charles Ashby:
"Despite objections from district attorneys and law enforcement officials, a Senate committee approved a bill Wednesday to lower sentences for drug-possession crimes and give drug abusers treatment instead.

The idea behind SB163 is to prevent future crimes by people who become addicted to drugs and to save the state money in having to incarcerate them, its supporters say.

The measure would do that by lowering possession-only drug charges from felonies to misdemeanors, but requiring those convicted of such charges to get treatment for their addiction.

The bill is unusual in that it has supporters from both parties, and it is sponsored by two Republicans and two Democrats. A coalition of other supporters range from the American Civil Liberties Union, the Colorado Libertarian Party and the Independence Institute, a Golden-based free-market think tank...."
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"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Haymaker employees rescue elk from icy pond'

"Rick Marchewka, an irrigation technician, was inspecting the course when he noticed the elk struggling in the pond.

Within minutes, the golf course’s maintenance crew, which has been busy working to get the course ready for summer, responded to the pond along with wildlife managers from the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife.

The group of five to eight people used a rope and a four-inch wide strap to pull the struggling animal from the icy pond. The process had to be repeated a second and third time after the frightened animal ran back onto the ice and fell through the ice a second and third time.

The rescuers were not deterred by the failed rescue efforts. The third time, they pulled the elk farther onto the shore, and the elk retreated into a nearby sand trap where it stood shivering.

The rescuers decided to leave the animal alone and hoped it would retreat to a safer location once they left the area.

Justin Pollock, district wildlife manager for the Division of Parks and Wildlife, said it’s not common for elk to fall through ice. He had high hopes for the animal’s recovery but admitted that a stressful incident can have a devastating impact on elk.

“It happens,” Pollock said. “It’s hard on the animal. She looked pretty good, especially standing, which is a good sign.”

Pollock said the Division of Parks and Wildlife planned to keep an eye out for her during the next few days.

“She was treading water about 8 feet off the side of the bank. … She couldn’t have got out herself, no way,” Haymaker employee and rescuer Dave Morter said. “It’s a good feeling. I hope she makes it, but that can be a pretty traumatic experience for an animal.”...(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily News "Moreau gets life plus 80 years"

Lauren Glendenning:
"EAGLE — Richard “Rossi” Moreau showed no remorse in the courtroom Wednesday as his victims spoke of the damage he caused. He sat expressionless as District Judge R. Thomas Moorhead chastised him for his lies and then sentenced him to life without parole plus 80 years.

For the first time throughout more than two years of hearings and a two-week trial earlier this month in which he was convicted of first-degree murder plus seven other felonies, Moreau spoke to the court, but his words did nothing to help clear his name or apologize to his victims.

Rather than take the opportunity to show remorse, Moreau, who was dressed in an orange Eagle County jail jumpsuit and was shackled at the ankles, chose to say that it wouldn't do any good...."
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"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Pueblo Chieftain "New claims cast Trayvon Martin as the aggressor"

Before reading this update on the Trayvon Martin story, stop in up on the Aspen Times and take a dip into the poisoned hate rhetoric of Andy Stone.

Unfortunately, it looks like we are not going to be as fortunate as we are with John Colson and his very similar vitriol up on the Times today.  Colson's now linked to a 'read full e-content link'. (whisper...whisper...they must be trying to match the bang-up success of their new commenting system of forced linking to FB...whisper...whisper...you know...the new system that nobody will touch....whisper...whisper...)   Oh, for the sake of being as fortunate with Andy Stone and his average output of spewed venom. Alas, no such luck.

Curt Anderson and Mike Schneider:
" (AP) — A slain Florida teenager and the neighborhood watch captain who shot and killed him exchanged words before the teen punched him in the nose and began banging the man's head on the ground, according to the watch captain's account of the confrontation that led to the shooting....."
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"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Construction numbers down from last year"

Curtis Wackerle:
"Building permit activity in Aspen is down from last year at this time, but up from the recession’s low point in 2010.

The total value of all building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical permits submitted to the city through March 19 is $26.5 million, according to a city report. That’s 76 percent lower than last year’s total through March 19 of $86.2 million.

Last year’s numbers, however, were bolstered by two major projects that had submitted building permits by this time: the Aspen Valley Hospital expansion and the St. Regis remodel.

This year’s numbers are still 330 percent higher than 2010’s figure through mid-March of $7.8 million. In 2009, construction permitting to date was at $30 million.

“We’re hanging in there with the numbers,” said Stephen Kanipe, Aspen’s chief building official. “We are not withering.”

Kanipe added that the workload in the building department has justified making a part-time plans examiner full time.

The numbers are still below pre-recession levels, when the department was backed up and admittedly was taking too long to process many large permits. In 2008 through mid-March, $89.1 million in construction permits had been submitted, while 2007’s total was $118.3 million...."
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"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Carbondale deed-restriction changes on hold"

Why do the folks fuss so much over so-called 'affordable housing', 'employee housing' and other deed restricted development?

You would think they would be happy, grateful for the ability to rent or purchase a home.

Think again.

In a certain number, deed restricted homes make sense.  But, in order to make such a system work there has to be jobs that go along with them.  When big chunks of these so-called employee housing units are bought up by an employer like the Aspen Ski Corp and then the creative uses of J-1 and H2B Visas are used by that same employer to pump in temporary immigrant workers; there is nothing of worth for the local and legal citizen. 

On another note, think of how much power there is for a developer in being able to literally hold hostage the real estate market by working in sync with politicians to control moratoriums on building and deed restricted developments.  If it was the Federal Reserve or Wall Street (or even the hallowed halls of Congress) we would be shouting out those dark words:  "Insider Trading!!!!"

Think about that much power and control over the lives of the folks. 

Will BoneDale Trustees continue the sham, the farce of 'deed restricted' building?

Hmmmm....maybe that depends on who they elect to office shortly.  If you are for common sense, then for sure forget about voting for Bill Lamont (you remember him...the old Judy Haptonstall crony and recent loud voice for pro-VCR).

John Colson:
"CARBONDALE, Colorado — The town's trustees are worried that changes proposed for the rules at one affordable housing complex, Keator Grove, might spell disaster for other such projects or for the town's overall affordable housing guidelines.

So the board of trustees will sit down at a work session in May to review the relevant town codes and other documents, before turning back to the Keator Grove situation.

“I need more time to make sure there's no unintended consequences,” said Trustee Frosty Merriott at the board meeting on Tuesday.

At that meeting, the trustees reviewed the latest request from the Aspen Skiing Co. and individual owners of homes in Keator Grove, seeking changes to the deed restrictions governing resale of certain homes and townhomes in the project.

The Skiing Co. owns 16 of the 52 units in the complex, and has formed a sort of partnership with individual homeowners. Together, they are hoping to eliminate price caps for resale of some units.

The price caps limit the yearly appreciation in the prices of homes, as a way of keeping the units affordable. But when prices plummet due to the economy, the caps are seen as a threat to the owners' equity.

Homes that three years ago sold for $450,000, for example, might today sell for half that amount, according to Skiing Co. attorney Dave Myler and Keator Grove homeowners...."
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"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Midvalley real estate sales surge"

The big question is who is doing the buying.  It sure isn't the folks because they're still feeling deep financial pain in this valley.  See related story and public commentary here.


Scott Condon:
"BASALT — The good news in the midvalley real estate market is the incredible amount of sales that already have occurred in 2012. The bad news is that the furious pace has been spurred by foreclosures and short sales, according to real estate agents.

“The midvalley is just on fire right now. It's almost a feeding frenzy,” said Ted Borchelt, a real estate agent in Basalt with Aspen Snowmass Sotheby's International Realty.

The residential market for property priced under $350,000 is incredibly active. There were 25 sales completed in 2012 through mid-March in that price range in the Basalt and Carbondale area, according to research by Borchelt and Garret Brandt, another real estate agent in Borchelt's office. That compares with 11 closings during the same period in 2011 and just three in 2010.

In addition, there are 46 residences prices under $350,000 under contract, according to Brandt's research. That compares with eight in 2011 and four in 2010.

Activity is also ahead of pace in the $350,001-to-$550,000 price range. Fourteen properties have sold this year through mid-March compared with 11 in the same period in both 2011 and 2010.

The midvalley has been a buyer's market since the recession struck in late 2008. Given how severely the recession hit and how far prices fell, it will take time for a recovery to occur, Borchelt said. He is cautiously optimistic that could change this summer if current trends continue..."
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"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandboxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Shell shares oil exploration plans at meeting in Hayden"

Is there some kind of pattern to the news that SandBox aggregates daily?

Yes, there is.

Is there some kind of method of posting..some kind of organization to how that news is posted each day?

Yes, there is.

Every region, every community has its own pulse, its own rhythm and vibe.  Human beings gravitate to where they feel the most comfortable and set up their homes, lives and general sense of personal wellness.

Yet, they all must interact with each other on local, state, regional, national and world levels.

Is there a community over in Saudi Arabia that is worried about the effects of fracking where the health of their family is concerned?  Is there a city or town in the USA that has similar concerns that their sworn duty officials are not there when the folks need them?

Yes, there is.

Is it all some giant conspiracy to quash the little guy and glorify the " 1% " ?

Not a chance.

One of the concepts of SandBoxBlogs is to show the patterns that exist in our part of the world.  When 'SandBox Nanny' (and sometimes guest moderators...you didn't know that, did you now...see...you should never assume anything...) posts each day, she usually starts off with human interest then goes to a round robin of environment, municipal and county governments, development/tourism/revenue, crime/justice/courts and then wraps it up with state, national and world politics and news.

Yes, there is a pattern that is very, very interesting to follow when you stop in on SandBox Commentators.

In this story, imagine a world over in Hayden where big oil and gas (and) a class act type of casino thrived.  Now, if just pushing up the Yampa airport to be able to accommodate jumbo planes was enough to get the Crown Family and Aspen Ski Corp to reach out to Steamboat Springs for a partnership package earlier this past season; imagine how anxious the Skico is going to get over that news of major prosperity just a few miles down the road from Steamboat Springs.

And when Aspen is anxious...we're all anxious.

Scott Franz:
" — On Tuesday night, Shell Oil’s Matt Holman shared in Hayden his company’s exploration plans for Northwest Colorado.

With the help of hors d’oeuvres, 11 employees and a large map of Routt and Moffat counties, Holman, Shell’s exploration project manager for the area, spent much of the evening telling more than 150 people at the Haven Community Center exactly how, when and where his company plans to drill this year for the sweet crude oil nestled in the Niobrara Shale formation.

“It’s really all about being transparent,” Holman said about his company’s open house while throngs of people spoke with his exploration team that included transportation, logistics, environmental and regulatory managers and landmen. “If I have business in front of the community, like at a county commissioners’ meeting, that’s a bad time to do community engagement like this because at that point, everything is formal.

There’s a process, and we’re all bound to do what we’ve come there to do. But if I can talk to the landowners beforehand, and I can tell the commissioners that they support me, I become a good neighbor. That’s really what I want to be.” ...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Dawn"

All credit Bob Berwyn: