April 12, 2012

SandBoxBlogs: The Foundry "Obama’s Ten Worst Energy Policies"

Mike Brownfield and Nicolas Loris:
"In his time in office, President Obama has made some seriously bad proposals and decisions on energy policy, and Americans are paying the price, whether it’s in higher energy costs, wasted tax dollars, or in jobs that have been left on the table. For those who aren’t keeping track, we’ve compiled a list of the President’s ten worst energy policies..."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Commentary Magazine "Large Wage Discrepancy in the White House"

Alana Goodman:
"Talk about a perfect follow-up to the story about women losing seven times as many jobs as men since President Obama’s taken office. The Washington Free Beacon’s Andrew Stiles reports on the gender pay gap in the White House:

Female employees in the Obama White House make considerably less than their male colleagues, records show.

According to the 2011 annual report on White House staff, female employees earned a median annual salary of $60,000, which was about 18 percent less than the median salary for male employees ($71,000)...."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Union Leader "Pat Buchanan: The socialist and the social Darwinist"

Pat Buchanan:
"The night of his victories in Maryland, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia, Mitt Romney laid out the ground upon which he will stand to fight his fall battle with Barack Obama.

Obama, said Mitt, seeks “a government-centered society.”

But Mitt would restore an “opportunity society” built on the foundations of freedom and private enterprise.

“Romney spoke in upbeat, elevated and optimistic tones that were steeped in themes of patriotism crafted for a general election,” said The New York Times.

That same day, President Obama went before America's editors to lay out the ground on which he intends to fight....."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times/Melanie Sturm "Icebergs in way of health care reform"

Classic Melanie Sturm.  Up on the Aspen Times.  A very good read.

"Politically diverse commentators agree that the government failed to substantiate the law's constitutionality in oral arguments before the Supreme Court, though some believe that the court must defer to Congress by upholding its law. However, doesn't our system of checks and balances mean the judiciary must declare unconstitutionality when another branch acts unconstitutionally? The Supreme Court struck down President Bush's military tribunals, so why not the health care law?...."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Hot Air Blog "Palin’s PAC reserves space in Tampa during Republican convention"

'Allahpundit' :
"Interesting. I wonder how much space you can get in Tampa for $4,500.
The political action committee for the former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate plunked down $4,500 to reserve space at Channelside Bay Plaza for the big political event.
The expense was listed in required filings submitted Wednesday to the Federal Election Commission.
It’s unclear what, if any, official role Palin will have at the Aug. 27-30 convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Three possibilities, listed here in order of decreasing probability and increasing intrigue. One: Convention-related party. No doubt other PACs will be in town to host them, so why not? It’s good for the brand. Two: Book signing. Does she have a new one coming out? Maybe there’s something in the works and the public doesn’t know it yet. She’s got four and a half months to reveal it and the convention would be a perfect place to sign. Three: Tea-party press conference warning Romney that he’d better govern as a conservative if elected or else the base will have a fee-vah and the only prescription will be primarying him into oblivion. I sure hope someone’s planning to do something like that, if not her. FreedomWorks, maybe? Tea Party Patriots? There’ll be a million journalists in town salivating for a storyline about tensions among Republicans. Might as well use the opportunity to send a message to Mitt...."(Read more?  Click title)


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

SandBoxBlogs: Canada Free Press "What Have Democrats Done To Make Your Life Better?"

After clicking the title and watching the video,  check out the video producer's site at www.black-and-right.com .

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

SandBoxBlogs: KREX News 5 "Top Dispatchers Honored in Grand Junction"

 Danielle Kreutter:"GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- Public safety agencies around Mesa County are honoring the men and women who help the community 24 hours a day.

The Telecommunicator Awards recognized members of the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center for their hard work and dedication to helping save lives and keeping our community safe.

Mary Edris was honored as the Telecommunicator of the Year for 2011. Laura Etcheverry won Supervisor of the Year and Kelly Wilkinson was awarded Communication Training Officer of the Year...."
(Read more?  Click title) 
 
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: SkyHi Daily "Men rescued from ice on Lake Granby"

A special thank you for their service goes out to the Granby and Grand Lake Fire Departments and EMS on this rescue.

Kristen Lodge:
"A woman who lives near Lake Granby called 9-1-1 Saturday afternoon after she saw a man fall through the ice into the lake.

By the time Granby Fire Department arrived to conduct an ice rescue seven minutes later, another man had fallen through and both men had managed to climb back onto the thin ice. A third man in the group did not fall in.

At 3:38 p.m. Granby and Grand Lake Fire departments worked from Sunset Point on the southern tip of Lake Granby with ice rescue gear to help the three men off the ice.

The men, all from Aurora, are Seon Beok Kim, 65, Jin Youn Kang, 78, and Sun Hag Park, 74. They had been fishing on the lake....."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Coloradoan "Fort Collins hits $250,000 defense cap for Jim Broderick"

Robert Allen:
"The city of Fort Collins has ceased paying the legal bills of suspended police Lt. Jim Broderick after his legal team tallied $250,000 toward his defense on felony perjury charges.

“We’ve stopped making payments,” City Manager Darin Atteberry said Wednesday, adding that a plea agreement or guilty verdict will mean Broderick must reimburse the city within 90 days. Broderick has put his home up as collateral.

Broderick has been on paid leave for two years while receiving his full salary of about $102,251 per year, according to city documents the Coloradoan obtained this week through the Colorado Open Records Act...." (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Pueblo Chieftain " Police chief placed on leave "

Tracy Harmon:
McNeill took over the department in December 2009. Canon City Mayor Tony Greer said he and former City Administrator Steve Rabe requested the audit and it was approved by City Council.

"When the audit report came back, there were quite a few allegations that were not very flattering," Greer said. "We now need to have an independent investigation because some of the allegations are pretty serious."

Greer said the allegations included retaliation and coercion that are alleged against "Not only the chief, but also some of the officers."...."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"CANON CITY — Police Chief Duane McNeill was placed on paid administrative leave late Tuesday following the release of an independent audit of the department.

SandBoxBlogs: Durango Herald "Are you exposed on Internet?"

(See related story links here)

Yes, but here lies the rub.

Until law enforcement recognizes that they actually already have enough law in place to enforce what others 'do' to your personal information on the web and that politicians and legislators will spin their wheels until the boots that are on the ground, that are watching the consequences of that ill-intent, push the boundaries to get those perpetrators off-line; there will not be any hope for internet regulation laws that work in the real world.

Paige Blankenbuehler:
"Josh, a 26-year-old Durango resident who asked that only his first name be used, said that he will never create an online profile.

“You never know what information that you share might come back to haunt you in 10 years, or even 20 years,” he said. “To me, sharing information online is like sending it up to this floating island of information, I don’t understand it, and I don’t know the extent of who can access that information even if I think that I’m keeping it private.”

Josh also has concerns about potential employers holding information that they find online against him when he is looking for a job.

On March 30, Facebook said in a public statement that reports of businesses asking potential employees for passwords in order to view private posts and pictures as part of the job-application process were ‘alarming.’

In a survey released by Microsoft Research in 2010, 70 percent of recruiters said they’d rejected applicants based on information they found online.

But before you delete or deactivate your Facebook account, note that the research also identified the opposite: 68 percent of job granters said social-networking profiles contributed to a candidate getting hired.
Josh acknowledged that social media may not always be a negative in the job search, but that didn’t change his mind.

“When I am applying for jobs, that employer should look at my credentials, not my personal life,” he said.
In February, the Obama Administration released a proposed ‘Bill Of Rights’ for online privacy.

The bill’s main purpose is to enable users to easily tell Internet companies with a single click whether they want their online activity tracked.

Josh’s preference is clear.

“I just think that it’s better to be safe than to be sorry,” he said....."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "CBP Officers at Del Rio Port Seize Assault Rifles, Ammo"

(See related videos here and here)

There is a traceable dynamic going on here.

Guns and ammo going out??  Drugs coming in???

How informed is your vote?  When you cast for any politician albeit local (Say NO to Glenwood Springs City Councilman Leo McKinney if he runs again...), state (Say NO to Rep. Jared Polis (D-Boulder) or national (Say YES to anyone BUT Barack Obama...) how informed are you on the dynamic stated above?

Seriously.

Del Rio, Texas – A Ciudad Acuña man is in custody after attempting to smuggle assault rifles and ammunition out of the United States.
 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Del Rio port of entry selected a 1992 GMC pickup truck for inspection as the vehicle was leaving the United States, bound for Mexico. After interviewing the driver and five passengers, CBP officers noticed that several areas of the pickup appeared to have been tampered with, prompting officers to have the vehicle scanned with a non-intrusive imaging system.
 
The scan revealed eight assault rifles and 640 rounds of ammunition hidden throughout the vehicle. The driver, a 23-year-old resident of Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
 
“We are committed to keeping weapons and ammunition from both entering and leaving the country illegally,” said Michael Perez, CBP port director, Del Rio. “Officer training and experience are vital tools in intercepting a variety of prohibited items.”
 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws."

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

SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "CBP Breaks Ground on South Texas Border Intelligence Center"

"Laredo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Deputy Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski and CBP South Texas Commander Robert L. Harris together with Laredo Sector Border Patrol and other federal, state and local officials broke ground today on the South Texas Border Intelligence Center, a facility designed to intensify and integrate intelligence gathering and sharing activity among law enforcement agencies across South Texas.

“Information sharing among law enforcement at the federal, state and local level is essential to effective border security,” said Acting Deputy Commissioner Winkowski. “This new multi-agency facility will integrate intelligence operations among South Texas law enforcement agencies and help drive enforcement operations at all levels to meet and engage emerging threats from transnational criminal organizations and to combat terrorism.”

Housed on the Laredo Sector Border Patrol compound, the two-story modular building will provide 7,000 square feet of work space for up to 20 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to integrate and co-locate intelligence gathering and sharing activities and will operate on a seven-day by 24-hour basis.

Among the participating agencies and components: CBP’s Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, DEA, Texas Department of Public Safety, Webb County Sheriff’s Office and Laredo Police Department.
 
The $3.5 million structure is projected for completion by January 2013. The facility will be CBP-owned but managed by the law enforcement community.
 
Gathering with Deputy Commissioner Winkowski and Commander Harris to break ground on the center were a variety of federal, state and local officials, including CBP’s John R. Stanton, Executive Director, Joint Operations Directorate, Jeffrey Baldwin, Acting Executive Director, Operations, Office of Field Operations, John C. Esquivel, Acting Chief Patrol Agent, Laredo Sector, Eugenio Garza Jr., Director Field Operations, Laredo Field Office, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, Cindy Liendo Espinoza, Mayor Pro Tempore, City of Laredo and Carlos Villarreal, City Manager, City of Laredo among others.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws."

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "ACRA to decide on U.S. Chamber membership during private meeting"

(See related links to story along with public commentary here)

Andrew Travers:
"The board of directors at the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) will go behind closed doors to make its long-awaited decision on its controversial membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

ACRA is expected to take a final vote on the issue during a board retreat on Monday, April 23. The press and public — including chamber members — will not be permitted to attend the 45-minute discussion on the U.S. Chamber or any other portion of the daylong board retreat at The Gant.

Though 49 percent of ACRA’s budget comes from local tax dollars and public funds, the chamber is a nonprofit membership organization, and not legally considered a public body. So, it is not bound by Colorado’s open meetings laws. Those laws require public boards, like county commissions and city councils, to post notices for meetings and abide by strict rules controlling when and why they can exclude the public and press from meetings........

.......Chamber
president Debbie Braun said Wednesday that board members want to speak openly without fear of having their views broadcast publicly through the media, as they make a final decision on this long-simmering and divisive issue.

“We want to have an honest dialogue,” Braun said. “We want to hear from everyone on the board, and we don’t want them to think they might get caught with a pull-out quote in the newspaper.”...." (Read more?  Click title)


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

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "New CMC site found for compressor station"

(See related stories and public commentary here)

You must, as a voter, sit back and let the pride of a job well done roll through your feelings when a few of your votes cast turn out to be excellent choices.

Do you ever wonder, possibly with a sense of helplessness, if your one vote really matters?  So much power out there that just seems to steamroll over the best intentions. 

Here's some proof that you do matter.  That one vote, that one 'purple finger' raised matters.

A very special thank you goes out to our CMC Trustees today.   For proving every single person who voted them in as 'right'.

As far as the issue itself:

It's also very nice, especially for the numerous quashed over the years little guys out here, to have on record some substantiating evidence that there just might be certain "neighbors" and social tier levels in the 81601 community that there is no ability to please unless they hold unilateral controls.  Thank you again, to CMC Trustees for making sure that those individuals had/have the chance to voice their personal viewpoints.

Will they then forever hold their peace when they are overruled?  That is always the question, isn't it?

John Colson:
"At a meeting with the campus faculty and staff on Wednesday, CMC President Stan Jensen tried to assure an audience of about 50 people that he had meant all along to be transparent about the talks with SourceGas.

“On this one, I did not do so well. There is no excuse,” he said.

He invited those present, along with students and neighboring landowners, to a meeting with SourceGas tentatively scheduled for the morning of April 18.

In addition, CMC Vice President Joe Maestas said three students have volunteered to serve on an advisory committee that will participate in future discussions of the issue.

Jensen, in his remarks, spoke favorably of SourceGas' efforts to meet the needs of its gas customers...."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Do the hydro math"

Has it occured to any "Aspenite" yet, that for all technical fact purposes, retired attorney Maurice Emmer is an "outsider"?

Just think.  Seriously.

That every view he has ever written, every blog he has created or contributed to, every organization he has joined, every time he has had (dare we say it in a 'family' forum??)  the cajones to walk in and sit down with the 9th Judicial District D.A. and query exactly 'why' law enforcement hasn't stepped in on some of the valley's abuses that are going on.....is an "outsiders" untainted view of the social, political and public interests plight here in the Roaring Fork Valley?

Hmmmmmmm....says, 'SandBox Nanny'.  Bit  of fodder for thought there.

Maurice Emmer:
"So do you think the city of Aspen will buy Sippy or Gulpy? If the public does not intercede, the city will buy Gulpy. The city should talk to Joe....."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times/John Colson "Garfield County's bread is buttered on the industry side"

What is 'SandBox Nanny's' personal opinion of John Colson?


Let's lay to rest for all time, in the first time (ever) that her very own personal view has ever been expressed without the 'cover' of "shock-jock style" commentating, what she really thinks of John Colson and his chosen line of work.


She could care less what John Colson chooses to do with his time or his career.  Has no personal view one way or the other on any of it. The guy has never bothered to introduce himself, ask for an interview, or for that matter...ask one question or investigate the 'other side of the story' of 'SandBox Nanny'.  Even with that dismal track record revealing his diligence and competency in his chosen field; she really (sincerely) doesn't care anything at all about John Colson's personal choices in his career. Isn't it amazing what factual truths one can learn about big stories when the simplicity of basic facts come out into the light of day?


'SandBox Nanny' does have, in her actor's role as 'SandBox Nanny', one problem with John Colson.  Read up on her natural quirk tendency here.


John Colson is not just an everyday bully that can be dealt with through social darwinism. 


John Colson is a bully who places himself in a position of public trust, that just so happens to be a position that wields a tremendous amount of power to harm and alter the courses of lives. 


In her personal view, John Colson should either stop his behaviors or look for another line of work.  Be an op-ed columnist.  Or be a reporter that adheres to the standards and ethics of journalistic integrity.  It is impossible to be both.  As far as the bully tendencies, those are personal traits that shouldn't be in either the 'columnist' or the 'reporter' portfolio.  Unless, of course, you wish to tackle major social issues through the use of a pseudonym that is strong enough to break through very thick stone walls.  Now...that last one is an idea, isn't it?  Some cases might even find that kind of style to be leadership in nature.  Just think, you could be one of those that wants to be in that role should you alter your course and redirect your energies.

With the above said, let's move on with today's 'SandBox Nanny' post on this latest column by John Colson.  Up on the Aspen Times.

Number of editorial letters written in to various newspapers complaining about Colson's output:
  • 13 tracked since 2009.
Number of public comments raised in protest of Colson's output:
  • Dozens and no less than weekly tracked since 2009.
Businesses dealt near-crippling blows by John Colson's lack of thorough, ethical investigating:
  • 5 (including 2 large corporations) tracked since 2009.
Individuals directly named and hurt in not only unethical ways but near life-crippling ways by John Colson's bullying tactics in his public output:
  • Too many (and too depressing) to count.  SandBox and SafePlace stopped at 11 direct names.
'Collateral damage' to human life directly assisted by John Colson's public output with his pen:
  • 5 people.
Politicians scarred by John Colson's bullish refusal to investigate his work and then write in an unbiased copy:
  • Too many (and too depressing) to count.  SandBox and SafePlace stopped at 4.
And Swift Communications, Colorado Mountain News Media and the Glenwood Springs Post Independent wonder why they garner little to no respect in the community, their awards by their peers has dropped off to nearly non-existing and they cannot turn a profit in their bottom line unless they sell their soul to cronyism.

Hmmmm.....wonder what the 'kids' will have to say out there in public commentary on John Colson's latest 'rant of vengeance' today?  In his column 'Hit and Run'.  Up on the Aspen Times.

Click title.

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

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Global warming: Forest Service researchers examine the role of pathogens in a world that’s heating up"

Again, another good column from Bob Berwyn.  Up and over on the Summit County Citizens Voice.

One of Colorado's most trusted and respected investigative journalists.

With that said, still the dominant tone of 'after the 'fact' ' global warming unleashing what nature inherently holds. 

What, exactly, are the natural predators in the global warming 'crisis' ?  Natural sources of carbon, pathogens, planetary cycles and rhythms?  Come to think of it,  what other natural climate predators are out there that have nothing whatsoever to do with the apathy and negligence of mankind?

Bob Berwyn:
"SUMMIT COUNTY — Forest Service scientists say warmer and drier conditions could lead to more Armillaria root disease in some conifers and hardwoods, as well as more Cytospora canker on aspens and dwarf mistletoe, which poses a high risk under drought conditions.

Under a warmer and wet climate change scenario, sudden oak death and other Phytophthora tree diseases could become more common, as the pathogens reproduce and spread quickly under favorable moist and warm conditions.

The report from the agency’s Pacific Southwest Research Station surveyed existing scientific literature to try and rate potential risks to forests under different climate change scenarios, looking specifically at eight diseases that affect forests in the Western United States and Canada.

The results suggest that climate change will affect forest health, but there is still some uncertainty about the degree of climate change and how it will affect pathogen biology, the potential direct impacts to host species and the interactions between the pathogen, host, and climate.

“Tree diseases shape our forests,” says Susan Frankel, the report’s project leader and a PSW plant pathologist.  ”This assessment explains fundamental relationships between trees diseases and climate that will help people determine how local conditions may influence tree survival.”...." (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Get those mallets ready"

Bummer....if Ullr is really on the way this weekend.

One of the most looked forward to by Coloradans all over the state sports.  Right here in Glenwood Springs this Saturday.  Bless the Irish for starting it all!

Jeff Casperson:
"Eccentric, mallet-wielding cyclists will be out en masse on the grass at Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs this Saturday.

And they want you to join them.

Local cycling collective Stomparillaz, which stages various spoke-related events throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, is putting on the Colorado Cup grass bike polo tournament. Matches will run all day long, from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Bike polo is what you'd imagine it to be. Think traditional polo, but replace the horses with bicycles.

Atop a heavy dose of local teams, the tournament will feature squads from Fort Collins, Denver and Durango. New teams are welcome to sign up, too, and there will be limited bikes and mallets available to use.

The Stomparillaz have held a number of tournaments in the area in recent years, and the group is looking to boost the history-rich sport's profile locally.

“It's been around for a long, long time,” said Steve Novy, who's not only organizing the tournament but is also playing in it. “It started in Ireland, right around the turn of the century — the late 1800s. Locally, it's grown in popularity very slowly. It's not the type of sport that's appealing to everyone.”..." 
(Read more?  Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Colorado weather: Return of Ullr?"

Good grief!!!!!

Talk about 'eye of the storm'....

(Photo credit:  IPS Meteostar satellite via SCCV.  Click title for story)

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Around the reservoir"

(See.....we figured Berwyn was simply having some technical issues yesterday....welcome back today...)

All Credit:  Bob Berwyn
"SUMMIT COUNTY — I headed over to the beach along Dillon Dam Road for a morning walk and, what do you know — the ice is mostly melted away from that side of reservoir. Feeling curious, and trying to avoid dealing with some WordPress issues, I decided to venture a little farther than I usually do to check the status of the ice closer to the Dam itself, and since I was already across the Dam in Dillon, what the heck, why not check out the Snake River Arm. From there it was an easy decision to head over Swan Mountain Road to complete the roundtrip. All images taken with an iPhone and filtered with Instagram.

I spent quite a bit of time thinking about photographer Brad Odekirk during this short circuit around the reservoir, wondering what he would have thought of instant mobile photography … I think he would’ve enjoyed working with the iPhone....." (Read more?  Click title)