April 17, 2012

SandBoxBlogs: Red State "The Texas Budget Compact "

Erick Erickson:
"If Texas Democrats, or even Republicans for that matter, thought they’d have a quieter, gentler Rick Perry on their hands in the wake of his . . . um . . . temporary diversion into Presidential politics, they know better today.

In a speech Monday in Houston, Perry laid out five fundamental conservative principles for the Texas Legislature to follow, essentially throwing down the gauntlet to any legislator — or wanna-be legislator — who thinks they’ll be able to bring a tax and spend mindset to the Texas Capitol building.

Perry’s “Texas Budget Compact” is pretty much bedrock conservative fare: no higher taxes, stricter limits on spending, truth-in-budgeting, cutting of wasteful programs, and maintaining a healthy “Rainy Day” reserve fund. They’re basic enough that it’s hard to imagine any candidate running for office in the reddest state in the union can ignore them without having some serious explaining to do.

Bear in mind, the Texas Legislature, which only meets every other year, doesn’t even convene until January, and primary voters don’t even go to the polls until late May. By seizing control of the narrative this early in the process, Perry has served notice that he continues to be the lead conservative voice in Texas and plans to govern that way.

Democrats, and centrist-thinking Republicans, should bear that in mind....." (Read more? Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Reuters "UPDATE 1-Obama cites potential of billion consumers in the Americas"

Laura MacInnis:
"(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama stressed on Saturday the "great promise" for business growth in the Americas, seeking to play up the economic heft of the region he has paid little attention to in his first three years in office.

In remarks prepared for a meeting of corporate chief executives in Cartagena, Colombia, where he is attending the 33-nation Summit of the Americas, Obama described U.S.-Latin American ties as "one of the world's most dynamic trade relationships."

"With nearly a billion citizens - nearly a billion consumers - among us, there's so much more we can do together," according to excerpts of his speech released by the White House....."
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SandBoxBlogs: The Hill "Mitt Romney's fixer"

Kevin Bogardus:
"Drew Maloney has been the man behind the curtain for some of the biggest names in the Republican Party.

Maloney, CEO of Ogilvy Government Relations, has been heavily involved in both of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s (R) presidential campaigns. Maloney has helped organize the candidate’s trips to Washington to meet with lawmakers and set up fundraising events. He has even done some volunteer phone-banking and door-knocking in Iowa and New Hampshire.

A close colleague at the firm said Maloney is “the head of the ‘congressional complaints department’” for Romney’s campaign.

“That is a very important role because campaigns are very fast-moving and sometimes the invitations and notifications aren’t what members and senators were expecting. Drew manages all that,” said Wayne Berman, chairman of Ogilvy’s lobby shop and a Romney fundraiser, adding that demand for those services will increase now that “Gov. Romney is the presumptive nominee.”

Maloney’s quiet, steady approach to politics and policy has led the former administrative assistant and legislative director for then-House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas) to the top of the lobbying food chain..." (Read more?  Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "State high court to review Aspen ballot-images case"

Aspen Times:
"DENVER — The Colorado Supreme Court has agreed to hear the city of Aspen's motion to appeal September's state Court of Appeals ruling that favored political activist Marilyn Marks' lawsuit challenging the city's denial of her request to view ballot images from the 2009 mayoral race..."
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SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall "Katie Pavlich's 'Fast and Furious' "

David Limbaugh:
"Pavlich exposes how extreme gun control measures have been a top political goal for President Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder and other important leaders within the administration -- and she draws the lines that link this goal directly to the implementation of Fast and Furious. Just as importantly, she shows how the administration has shamelessly tried to obscure those links.

The operation resulted in the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry and the murder or wounding of some 200 Mexican citizens.

In the operation, there was no attempt to track the weapons sold, and some agents who tried to follow the purchasers were told to stand down. Not only that, but our government kept Mexican authorities wholly in the dark about the operation. Allowing these guns to "walk" into Mexico without surveillance and behind the backs of Mexican authorities guaranteed they would end up in the hands of Mexican drug cartels and only be recovered after crimes had been committed, which is exactly what occurred.

As one ATF agent testified to Congress, "you can't allow thousands of guns to go south of the border without an expectation that they are going to be recovered eventually in crimes and people are going to die."...." Read more?  Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Officer sees struggle as partner confronted suspect, trooper on trial testifies"

(Update:  Due to the negative trolls lurking on this one, comments are now blocked)

Paul Shockley:
"“Mr. Lawyer wanted to answer the questions of the prosecution or the jury,” Fenster said, turning over his client for cross examination after only five questions.

Hautzinger’s cross examination is expected to continue this morning. The jury is expected to get the case today.

Lawyer testified Monday he and Firko, “didn’t hit it off real well.” Lawyer said he was taken aback by his superior’s “aggressive” approach to the job.

“I guess they do things differently in the metro area than we do here ... I guess that’s the best way to put it,” Lawyer told the jury.

Lawyer testified that Firko had been recently promoted and was transferred by the State Patrol from Denver and assigned to work with Lawyer, a probationary employee, before the shooting on July 20, 2010.

Firko had been assigned as Lawyer’s field training officer at the time of the incident, according to testimony.

Lawyer had been recently re-hired by the State Patrol following three years of self-employment, preceded by nine years with State Patrol in Grand Junction, and before that, three years with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department.

While subordinate to Firko, Lawyer had more law enforcement experience than the man responsible for his re-training, Hautzinger noted.

Lawyer testified he and Firko were “working together to break down the door,” after Kemp had briefly struggled with Firko. Kemp slammed the door in their faces, telling them to get a warrant....."
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SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Billy Tomb, longtime Aspenite and jail supervisor, dies at 64"

Our hearts and thoughts go out to all who cared for and loved Billy.

William Tomb, a longtime Aspenite and supervisor at the Pitkin County Jail, was found dead in his home in the Twin Ridge subdivision on Monday shortly after noon.

Tomb, who was 64, was remembered by colleagues as a friendly and dedicated worker who encountered tragedy in the past decade.

Tomb was preceded in death by his second wife, Sherry, who succumbed to a rare form of Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2005. In December 2004, a fire badly damaged the couple’s home near Aspen Valley Hospital, forcing them to live elsewhere.

Billy Tomb sued the owner of his temporary home after the person allegedly withheld his security deposit. Aspen attorney Jeff Wertz, who represented Tomb in the suit, said Monday that his former client “was a great friend from the day I met him.

“He really inspired me by how he stood by his wife through that ordeal and never lost his sense of humor,” Wertz said. “He was far too good of a person to have all of that on his shoulders.”...."
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SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily News "Two accused of drug distribution"

Vail Daily News:
"VAIL, Colorado — The Eagle County Sheriff's Office said Monday it arrested two people last week on drug charges.

Tyler James Stripp, 22, of Vail, was arrested April 10 after he allegedly sold cocaine to an undercover sheriff's detective in West Vail.

During a search of Stripp after his arrest, five illegal Oxycodone pills were recovered from his wallet, police said.

Information obtained during Stipp's arrest led detectives to Katherine Elizabeth Fontanese, 21, of Lakewood. Fontanese sold a bottle of illegal Oxycodone pills to an undercover sheriff's detective at a residence in Edwards, police said....." (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: 9 News "Cartels in Colorado: Kingpins sentenced to prison "

Will Ripley:
"GOLDEN - Two high level drug cartel kingpins in Colorado have been sentenced to prison, the First Judicial District Attorney's office announced Monday.

They were among 19 people arrested last year by the West Metro Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Jose Jimenez-Chacon and Conrado Arellano-Casas were each sentenced to 20 years in prison.

An investigation spanning nearly one year discovered their drug trafficking ring was using tour buses from Mexico to smuggle 45,000 pounds of marijuana into the Denver area each year.

The value of the drugs was estimated at $36 million....."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Councilman wants more sponsor money for pro cycling race"

Curtis Wackerle:
"Budgeted sponsorship revenue of $60,000 for this summer’s professional cycling race “seems light,” Aspen City Councilman Derek Johnson said, and organizers should “reach for the stars” in an attempt to offset the public’s cost to hold the two-day event in Aspen.

Johnson’s comments came at a work session Monday when the city’s contract with the USA Pro Cycling Challenge for staging and logistics was discussed.

Aspen will host both a finish and a start on Aug. 22 and 23 for the second annual seven-day stage race that takes some of the world’s best cyclists on a challenging tour of Colorado. Cyclists will come from Gunnison, over Independence Pass and leave via the pass the next morning on their way to Beaver Creek....."
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SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily "Vail Chamber works to rebuild membership"

Scott N. Miller:
"VAIL, Colorado — The group aimed at businesses in Vail is a different-looking organization than it was a few years ago. But supporters say the Vail Chamber & Business Association still has important work to do.

The chamber held its annual meeting Friday in Vail, and amid presentations by town and Vail Resorts officials, association director Rick tenBraak spent some time talking about the group and its goals....."
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Vail is one of those world destination resorts that took the tourism/public dollars/non-profit status problem co-mingling with Chamber of Commerce business conflicts problem; down the road of severing the two from each other a long time ago.

A few years back, they had their own run of scandals in the chamber end and severed off again from the Tourism Bureau aspects.

Now there are multiple factions promoting Vail and multiple factions supporting the business community.

Makes sense, doesn't it?

Maybe it's also the reason Vail Resorts turns $35 million dollar profits and has sales that do not go 'flat'. 

From the
Vail Valley Partnership website:  
"The Vail Valley Partnership, a 501c(6) non-profit organization, has been engaged in the community from the early days of Vail, starting in 1964 as the Vail Resort Association. We've grown over the years to represent the entire Vail Valley and to fit the needs of the business community through our Chamber programs including cost-savings programs, educational events, networking opportunities, advertising programs and cost-savings programs.

The Vail Valley Partnership serves as the regional destination marketing organization for Eagle County, Colorado. Through our Marketing and Sales departments, we work to promote the destination's brand awareness and equity through media relations, group sales, regional advocacy and other communication strategies. We are proud to have been named Colorado's best Destination Marketing Organization by the readers of Colorado Meetings & Events Magazine in early 2011.

Because business and tourism go hand-in-hand, the Vail Valley Partnership also brings to the community a variety of signature programs that elevate the destination's attention to both guests and businesses. Signature Vail Valley Partnership programs include the Platinum Service Program (PSP), Lodging Quality Assurance (LQA), Destination Preservation and the Non-Profit Network. These signature programs are examples of how the Vail Valley Partnership reinforces commitment and dedication to improving the guest experience and adding value to the local business community."

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

SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Mesa County blasts BLM oil shale plan"

Looks like all that heat that GarCo commissioners are taking from their detractors doesn't carry a lot of persuasion with neighboring counties.

They agree with our BOCC when it comes to the issue of oil shale leasing controls.

Mike Wiggins:
"Mesa County commissioners on Monday blistered the Bureau of Land Management’s proposal to slash the amount of land potentially available for oil shale and tar sands development in the Rocky Mountain West, alleging the federal agency is irrationally capitulating to environmental groups and ignoring the input of local governments and other stakeholders....."  (Read more?  Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "Compressor would disrupt serenity of Spring Valley"

So it begins.  With another avatar in commentary prediction looking as though it is coming to pass.

(See related story and public commentary here)

With Doug Evans.  Now living in...Elizabeth, Colorado.

"I am writing to express my great displeasure at discovering that Colorado Mountain College has entered into a lease agreement with SourceGas to build a natural gas compressor plant on Spring Valley Campus in Glenwood Springs. This agreement violates many of the principles that drew me to CMC Spring Valley in 1982....."  (Read more? Click title)

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SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "County renews business center support"

This is very good news.  Randi Lowenthal and her organization are one of those off-shoot 'save the folks' groups that came into being as it became more and more apparent that there are gaping holes in balanced small business representation and services in the Glenwood Springs area.

GarCo commissioners should continue to fund Randi's organization.  After all, at least part of the time isn't it good PR to give some love to those outside of the crony club?

Congratulations to Randi's success! 

John Stroud:   
"RFBRC Executive Director Randi Lowenthal said the original support from local governments served as matching support for a three-year state grant.

“We are looking at ongoing support from Garfield County, and hope to convince you that what we do is worth your support,” Lowenthal said.

The county has been working with a marketing consultant to help define a role for county government in economic development efforts....." (Read more? Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: SandBox Astrology "Rhythm and Flow Part One: "The conduit of Mars" "

Part One:
"Have you ever looked at the end of a piece of electrical wire after it has been sliced?  See all those multi-colored wires inside that sheath of rubber or plastic?

One of the theories in the study of Astrology, is that Mars is a conduit that holds the energy of the (4) personal planets.  Which are the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus.  Acting as the energy force that you use to propel yourself out into the world in all you do (and) representative of how others perceive the energy you release. 

It is the completed soul, or simply the wizened individual who has learned through the school of their own hard knocks that lives in complete balance at all times within the polarity of how we view ourselves and how others view us.

"What we each personally believe, comes forward from our perceptions throughout our lifetime. What we think we see, becomes what we believe. What we actually see, comes from what we perceive."

For the purposes of this brief post we'll summarize as we go.  Astrological theory considers the Sun in a natal chart as being representative of  the physical self and primarily our male energy.  The Moon is considered to be the feeling nature of the individual (not the emotional nature, that is the turf of Venus) and one's feminine and subconscious tendencies.  Mercury represents our ability to communicate with others and how others perceive what we are communicating.  Venus is representative of our emotional and desire natures.  Our inner child that longs and cravings that are instinctual.

When one analyzes their birth chart, simply working through the fascinating similarities to orthodox and more socially acceptable forms of personality and psychological evaluation, you can obtain great insight into what makes you tick in your world and your relationships by melding both worlds.

Those personal energies (Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus) all manifest themselves outwardly within the energy of your Mars.  Have you ever seen, for example, some big and burly guy who comes across sort of scary?  Yet  was a gentle giant when you interacted with him?  It's all in perception.

Let's do somewhat of a hack job on defining the theory of retrograde motion in Astrology.

Those planets in our universe are not perfectly round spheres.  They have canyons, mountains, land mass that is unexplained.  As does Earth, the Luminaries (Sun and Moon). 

They also each have a gravitational pull around our Sun.  Each has its own unique timing, rhythm and flow. 

Remember now, we're doing a quick hack job on the theory of retrogrades.  Basically, the theory comes down to the study of the timing of each planets own individual orbit.  That when the largest land mass meets the closest gravitational pull it can get in its cycle, its orbit slows down.  Once that passage is completed within orbit, the orbit 'speeds up' again.

In Astrological theory, retrograde motion reinforces characteristic of that planet energy that we 'relive' again.  Ever have the feeling like you keep going back over certain things in your life and certain experiences in your relationships?  Well, retrograde motion theory in Astrology has an uncanny tendency to coincide with more orthodox and socially acceptable forms of psych theories.  Such as puberty, mid-life crisis and such.

It takes the Earth just at a year (in human terms) to orbit the Sun.  Takes Mercury a little over a year.  Takes Venus aprx. 1.5 years. Mars aprx. 2 years.

From there, we have  Jupiter at roughly 13 to 14 years to complete orbit around the Sun and Saturn on an aprx. 29 yr. cycle.  Uranus runs roughly 83 to 84 years. Neptune around 171 years or so.  With Pluto at roughly 274 years to fully make one orbit around our Sun.  Of course, the Luminaries stay 'stationary'.

Mercury retrogrades around 3 times per year.  Venus every 1.5 years. Mars every 2 years.  The outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) bounce back and forth in retro rhythms that can sometimes travel over the same points 3 to 5 times in various retro cycles because they move much slower than the inner planets.

Mars just went through retrograde transit in Virgo.  Next time I post, we'll talk in depth on this energy and what Mars retrograde cycles  have accomplished in world history.  Just as law enforcement, first responders and military pay attention to the rhythm of the Full Moon cycle each month; Mars retrograde has seen some of the biggest blood baths in war time and also harvested some of the most lasting peace.  There's that polarity thing again.

Until next time, stop and think about the choices you made for your life in 1998 and up to around 2001.  Then again in 2004, 2005.  Then more recently, from  Spring 2011 through early holidays 2011.  Recognize any patterns and/or choices that you have revisited from end of 2011 through April 14th when Mars was retrograde in Virgo?

Mars retro is an implosion of energy rather than an outward thrust as it normally is when in direct motion.

Whatever you saw in yourself, in the exercise above, likely either went stagnant in a spinning of wheels type of feeling over the past 4 months as Mars prepped and then moved retro into Virgo (or) whatever repressed you and held you down in that pattern you are mulling over, saw the implosion of 'not having to take it anymore' or the courage to move forward without constraints and fear give you the energy to finally break free.

It will take a few weeks to get fully up to speed again in normal ebb and flow for Mars. One will deal with the effects of this last Mars retro cycle until the next retro of Mars. 

"Success is simple. Do what is right, in the right way, at the right time." 

Here's the kicker:

Venus hits her retrograde motion on aprx. May 5th.  Not uncommon but definitely is not a regular occurence for these two energies to co-mingle.

More on the cravings and desires of our emotions in backward motion in my next post." 
A.B.

SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Jimmy Westlake: Saturn and a shower of meteors"

One of our most favorite guys.  Professor Jimmy Westlake.  Down and over on Steamboat Today.

Jimmy Westlake:
"April not only brings snow and rain showers to the mountains of Northwest Colorado, it also brings the annual Lyrid meteor shower. A shower of meteors, or shooting stars, happens whenever the Earth crosses the trail of an old comet that has filled with tiny dust particles. These dust grains hit the Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of up to 30 miles per second, causing them to get so hot they burn up in a streak of light about 60 miles over our heads.

On any given night of the year, a single observer can expect to see five or six meteors per hour of sky watching, but on the night of a meteor shower, that number can rise considerably. This month, on the night of April 21, the Earth will pass through the dusty river left by Comet Thatcher, creating as many as 20 beautiful shooting stars per hour. You can see them in any part of the sky, but you’ll have your best view facing the northeastern sky at about midnight. The meteors will seem to fan out from a point near the bright star Vega in the constellation of Lyra, so they are called Lyrid meteors.

Remember, more meteors are seen after midnight than before midnight, so roll out that warm sleeping bag, kick back in a lounge chair or in the back of a truck, and watch the celestial fireworks April 21....."
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SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Finally …"

Yes, Ullr the Snow God, recently visited Colorado.  Bob Berwyn (gets all photo credit) is thrilled.

Up, down and over on the Summit County Citizens Voice.