April 24, 2012

SandBoxBlogs: Canada Free Press "If I wanted America to fail"

SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall/Chuck Norris "Soros and Obama vs. Sheriff Joe Arpaio"

Chuck Norris:
"...Of course, if you mention the term sheriff at the moment, most thoughts go racing to Arizona and Maricopa County's 20-year sheriff, Joe Arpaio, and his plight with the feds and fight against illegal immigration.

Regardless of the fact that there are a plethora of amazing sheriffs across the country doing incredible work subduing lawbreakers and keeping their counties clean of mischief, the mainstream media, or MSM, are working double time with the federal government to make sure that when you think of sheriffs, the picture painted in your mind is one of runaway renegades -- badged outlaws on the loose.

Despite how you feel about Sheriff Joe's personal conduct, government suspicions or the severity of criminal discipline, there is no doubt that the feds' entanglements into his affairs are a massive overreach of local and state laws and jurisdictions. It is pathetic that President Barack Obama, as well as the entire left-wing progressive establishment, is in a multimillion-dollar smear campaign to discredit and take down Sheriff Joe, as the sheriff's own re-election website proclaims, because he has "led the fight in Arizona against illegal immigration."

Rush Limbaugh was right in recently calling out the MSM's bias against Sheriff Joe in that not a single left-wing news source has reported that the sheriff has received repeated online death threats by an avid Obama supporter. But a year ago, when then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot by a madman, the MSM were quick to incriminate any right-wing sources, including polemical innuendoes on former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's and Limbaugh's websites, for contributing to the killing spree on that dark, tragic Arizona day.

My question is this: If there isn't any credence to the left-wing's demonizing and entrapment of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, then why would billionaire progressive George Soros spend millions of dollars on anti-Arpaio campaigns and pledge millions more to defeat the toughest U.S. sheriff's re-election?..."
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"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: KWES News West 9 "Mexico pres front-runner opposes legalizing drugs"

Now, Pena Nieto has SandBox support for election to the office of Presidente'.

Remind yourself of some of current Mexican Presidente' Felipe Calderon's beliefs, consequences and policies:

http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2011/10/sandbox-comments-cns-news-mexican.html

http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/01/sandbox-comments-intellectual.html

http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/04/sandboxblogs-hot-air-blog-why-shouldnt.html


KATHERINE CORCORAN:
"MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico's presidential front-runner opposes legalizing drugs, saying in an interview Monday that the idea is too "simplistic" to fight narcotics trafficking in the violence-plagued country.

Enrique Pena Nieto said allowing the use of so-called soft drugs would only open the door to abusing harder substances.

"So far no one has convinced me that this is the solution," he said in an interview with The Associated Press. "It seems to be the answer for those who don't see another way to reduce violence. But I favor a debate and evaluating the arguments people are making about the subject in different parts of the world."

Pena Nieto, who as governor of Mexico's most populous state was considered a pragmatist focusing on public works, said he would focus as president on reducing violence over fighting drug cartels.

The 45-year-old candidate for the Institutional Revolutionary Party said he would strengthen police, create a single state police force and fight money-laundering - the same methods as President Felipe Calderon, whose conservative National Action Party is trailing Pena Nieto heading toward the July 1 national elections.
Pena Nieto couldn't name one major distinction between his security strategy and Calderon's, saying only that the government's offensive against organized crime hasn't produced the necessary results. More than 47,500 people have died in drug-related violence since Calderon launched his attack upon taking office in December 2006.

"I would be about results," Pena Nieto said. "We have to look at the policies and make some adjustments in the objectives."

He added that he would at least start out following the Merida Initiative, the U.S. plan that has dedicated more than $1 billion in equipment and training to Mexico to fight organized crime....."
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"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Right Scoop "ZoNation: Ted Nugent gets a visit from the Secret Service. So when will the Secret Service visit Eminem?"

I try to stay away from watching the worst of hate rhetoric in politics.  All these news articles and videos, tweets and comments that are out there.  The music videos, pundits..it just seems to never end and I can see nothing positive in any of it.

Once in awhile, when something happens that triggers a rash of violent speech, there arises out of the cess pool a story that helps, in my view, to get  the point across that there is a serious imbalance out there in how the media reports factual content.

The Rush Limbaugh and Sandra Fluke contention was one such story. 

Expertly stood up to by Rush and mirrored back to the left. 

When one keeps a score card, just for the sake of verifying 'which side' is really the majority antagonizer; one finds the answer is the liberal side.  Especially with the obstructions provided to  them against the conservative side through the use of mainstream media.

Next up in the volatile content arena in the race to the White House 2012; is  rocker Ted Nugent.  An icon to those of us who graduated high school in the 1970's, Nugent has found himself once again in hot water because of his outspoken tendency to 'tell it like it is'. 

Earning himself a visit from the Secret Service recently, the resulting outrage throughout the nation (actually turning global from the looks of things, Nugent is truly an icon) has finally wound up to the point that 'SandBox Nanny' has been waiting for. 

"What about Eminem?  When are the feds going to come down on the 'music-terror' pumped out by rocker Eminem?" 

Sounds like the battle cry of conservative (and many liberal women as well) women over not receiving their 'phone call from the President' like Sandra Fluke received, doesn't it?  From the looks of things out there at this time, Nugent's fans are doing as expert of a job as Rush and Newt have as they've taken on the biased media this election season.

You will need to click title on over to Scoop's site in order to watch the ZoNation video.  I do not want it embed here on SandBox.  It is troubling content but keen in its accurate perceptions.

A must watch.

Scoop:
"Ted Nugent, the Motor City Madman, engaged in hyperbole when discussing President Obama. Eminem and Common said some horrible things about President Bush. So why did the Nuge get a visit from the Secret Service, but not Eminem or Common? Hear what Zo thinks as he explains the double standard that allows liberals to engage in aggressive speech, but not conservatives....." (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall "Something Rotten in the State"

Pat Buchanan:
"With the number of Secret Service members and agents caught up in the partying-with-prostitutes scandal in Cartagena now at a dozen, and six already gone, how much wider and deeper does this go?


No one can take pleasure in seeing Secret Service agents -- whose deserved reputation is that they will "take a bullet" for the president, his family and all whom they protect -- shamed and disgraced.

Yet one would have to be naive to believe this was some isolated incident. No sooner was the first day's work done in Cartagena than 20 hookers were trooping into the hotel rooms of SS agents, supervisors and members of the military advance team.

And Sen. Charles Grassley asks a relevant question.

As the Secret Service travel and work in close contact with the White House Advance Office and White House Communications Agency, was the Obama staff oblivious to this misconduct? If they were aware of it, did no one report it to the White House chief of staff?

Hostile intelligence services often use "honey traps" to ensnare U.S. diplomats and journalists. Thus this hookers-and-agents scandal is no laughing matter.

And it hit just as we learned that the General Services Administration, purchasing agent for the U.S. government, shelled out $823,000 on a party for 300 employees at a casino-spa in Las Vegas, where the hired entertainment included a mind reader, a clown and a $75,000 bicycle-building exercise.

Jeff Neeley, the GSA western regional commissioner, invoked the Fifth Amendment rather than testify to Congress about what is now being investigated as criminal misconduct.

President Obama's appointee to head GSA, Martha Johnson, has resigned.

Infinitely larger in terms of the tax dollars looted or lost is the Solyndra scandal, where a green technology company favored by the White House went belly up after receiving an endorsement visit from Obama and an astonishing half-billion dollars in federal loan guarantees.

These events all point to a culture of entitlement born of a belief that now that the Democratic Party, the Party of Government, is again running the government, we can "let the good times roll" once more....."
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"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Colorado to revamp wildfire response"

Bob Berwyn:
"SUMMIT COUNTY —Scrambling to beef up the state’s response capability at the start of what could be a long, hot fire season, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said Monday he’ll ask the State Legislature to shake up the agencies charged with responding to public safety emergencies.

Based on the recommendations of a review panel, Hickenlooper said he’ll propose legislation that would put the Division of Emergency Management and wildfire resources at the Colorado State Forest Service under the authority of the Colorado Department of Public Safety.

“So often we see turf battles … we didn’t see that … pretty much everyone came to the table and said what is the best thing we can do for the state of Colorado,” Hickenlooper said at a press conference announcing the planned changes.

An initial review of the Lower North Fork Fire found no blame with state agencies, but questions about the management of the emergency response surfaced in the wake of the fire.

Referring to the potential for a dangerous wildfire season, Hickenlooper said the changes could take effect by early summer, with current structures in place until then, along with a “heightened sense of what kind of response we might need,” he said.

The first review board looked at the prescribed fire managed by the Colorado Forest Service that escaped and triggered the destructive Lower North Fork Fire. That review resulted in some specific recommendations for updating prescribed fire policies and management.

The second review team was charged with developing written recommendations to enhance and define accountability and responsibility for firefighting activities by the State of Colorado.

“We need one central point of accountability and responsibility when it comes to state actions in fighting wildfires in Colorado,” Hickenlooper said. “These suggested changes will enhance coordination among all state agencies involved in emergency situations and result in a single point of command when dispatching resources and personnel.”...." (Read more? Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: KREX News 5 "Governor Hickenlooper Congratulates Mesa County"

A special thank you goes out again to Sheriff Stan Hilkey and the Mesa County Sheriff's Dept. for participating in this new training and implementing what you learn into day-to-day law enforcement.

(See related story and public comments here)

Jordan Sherman:
"GRAND JUNCTION, COLO.-Mesa County Commissioners shared a letter from Governor Hickenlooper Monday morning at their county commissioner meeting.

The letter, dated March 30, congratulated Mesa County for being selected in the Evidence-Based Decision Making in Local Justice Systems pilot program........."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Will district attorney Martin Beeson’s candidacy end up in court?"

Mid-morning update:
A 'sort of' thank you goes out to "Beeson Anonymous #41" for the email tip and personal request to post the following update:

Local attorney Sherry Caloia has entered the race against Martin Beeson for the 9th Judicial District Attorney seat.  Caloia was instrumental in getting Beeson petition eligible and elected in his coup over Colleen Truden roughly eight years ago.  Information confirmed  on Sec of State website.

Good luck to both candidates.
____________________________________________________
(See related story here and disclaimer below)

This...is the reason we wait for the higher standard in investigative reporting that comes off the Aspen Daily News.  We do it for the subject content and people.  For the communities that are affected by the report.  We do it so that there is less spin and greater trust.

Comment ability is now open on the news of DA Beeson's candidacy being highly likely challenged and placed before state courts to decide legitimacy.

Thank you to Carolyn Sackariason.  Up on the Aspen Daily News. 

"Ninth Judicial District Attorney Martin Beeson appears to be eligible to run for re-election, based on an opinion from the Colorado Attorney General’s office, but his candidacy could end up in the courts.......

.........Once he is certified, opponents have five days to challenge his place on the ballot in Denver district court.

Tom Silverman, a defense attorney in Glenwood Springs who is a former deputy DA, municipal judge and prosecutor, has considered challenging Beeson’s eligibility but has made no decisions. He added that he expects it will be challenged in court by someone.

Silverman argues that there is no legal precedent regarding the attorney general’s opinion.

“The attorney general opinion is not binding on any court,” Silverman wrote in an email. “It also was not written for this situation, it dealt with appointed DAs and has never been accepted by any court.”

Silverman added that as a conservative, Beeson would typically take a position that courts should strictly construe the law. The state constitution in this case says the top prosecutor is not eligible to hold the office, he said.

“Strict construction is not convenient so Beeson is going with ‘judicial legislation,’ or ‘legislating from the bench,’ hoping the court will say that the two-term limitation strictly stated is not what the constitutional amendment means. ... His first elected term of three years should not count because it wasn’t four years,” Silverman wrote. “That construction is nowhere in the amendment.”...." (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."


Disclaimer:
"Now that DA Beeson has thrown his hat in the ring for district attorney in the 9th, please take note that there will be no special treatment given to any news press surrounding his race. His articles, if they are SandBox worthy or chosen in the daily agg run-up; will be put up just like anyone else in a political race. What SandBox Commentators will continue to do, is heavily moderate his articles. We are the only news media that provides the courtesy of moderating commentary from the general public on 9th Judicial District and Mr. Beeson's articles. )"

SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily "Civil lawsuit related to Vail Four Seasons construction wraps up Friday"

The criminal acts of tortuous interference and unjust enrichment are all too often casually brushed aside by prosecutors and law enforcement as 'civil criminal' acts.  In so many cases in the elite, custom construction world; there couldn't be anything further from  the truth.

Project after project, no matter what the scale, sees owners, developers and investors clawing over each other in order to add one more dollar to their own personal bottom lines.  The builders, trades, vendors, professionals and workers in their path are discarded as collateral damage.  No matter that their businesses, lives, relationships are often destroyed; their characters, reputations and confidence are often shattered as well.

There is nothing worse than pure, unadulterated greed in an owner or developer.  With the exception of those rare breeds that also combine ego, power and often brute political force on top of their greed lust.

The plans on Four Seasons weighed a combined total of nearly 300 lbs.  It took, for something as detailed and all encompassing as painting and wall coverings both interior and exterior; nearly four months to do full takeoffs on.  And that was for nearly every trade as well and counts as the 'free' time one puts in just to bid the job.

The Four Seasons project was troubled with changing hands from day one.  When Layton stepped in, those who were experienced enough in that kind of rodeo arena knew they could trust that their backs were looked after and many returned to the table to enter bid vetting.

Here's to the men and women of Layton Construction.  You are of stellar character.  Your loyalty, your courage to stay the course and your unwavering support of the difference between right and wrong is unsurpassed in the Colorado resort construction scene.  You are welcome in Colorado anytime.

May you not only prevail and finally get your paychecks on Friday.

May you also be vindicated.

Randy Wyrick:
"EAGLE — After almost a year, this week lawyers will stop dancing the Four Seasons fandango.

The most expensive and extensive case in Eagle County history is expected to end Friday. Like most civil disputes, this one's about money — lots and lots of money. It's a story about great big numbers and a great big hotel, although the hotel itself — The Four Seasons Vail — has nothing to do with the lawsuits related to its construction.......

.........“Layton had hundreds of people and millions of dollars invested. Did it occur to you that they were also at risk?” asked Holt.

Layton says the designers and architects were responsible for changes and, therefore, the cost overruns. Layton made changes without her permission, Baek said.

“It is demoralizing and of great concern to everyone working on the job to have to finance the work we are performing for your benefit,” Layton's attorneys wrote......

.........As for Judge Gannett, who likens the Four Seasons case to James Joyce's “Ulysses” — large and panoramic — he calls it “a very complex epic.”

He's paying close attention to each of the millions of details. He must. Tens of millions of dollars could potentially change hands based on his decision...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Resort ready to show off new look"

Mike Wiggins:
"Gateway Canyons Resort is preparing to lift the curtain on portions of a $20 million renovation just as the weather begins to warm and the busy tourist season appears on the horizon.

The highlights include the refurbishing and rebranding of the Dolores River Inn as the Kayenta Lodge, the introduction of a mobile kitchen that will operate out of a remodeled trailer and the conversion of the resort’s gas station into a landscaped, covered entrance to the 225-acre property. The new lodge and mobile kitchen are expected to open May 1.

The project is the first launched under new management company Noble House Hotels and Resorts, although Allison Grassetti, the resort’s director of sales and marketing, said the construction, along with a recent expansion in programs, is tied more to resort founder John Hendricks’ desire to connect guests with the area’s history and maintain a broad public appeal....."  (Read more? Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today " Jimmy Westlake: The Crow and the Cup"

"There’s a single Greek legend that links all three of these constellations together. In it, Corvus is the beloved pet bird of the sun god Apollo, whose day job was driving the fiery chariot of the sun across the sky. One hot summer day, Apollo grew very thirsty and sent his beautiful white-feathered bird Corvus to fetch a drink of water from a nearby well. The bird flew off with the best of intentions, carrying Apollo’s cup, but along the way to the well, Corvus was distracted by a fig tree and stopped to eat his fill of the sweet fruit. Realizing that he had tarried too long and that his master would be angry, Corvus concocted an alibi. He scooped up a scrawny little water snake in his beak, and flew back to Apollo with the empty cup, explaining that the water snake had prevented him from reaching the well. Apollo was furious at this feeble lie and cursed the bird so severely that his white feathers turned jet black. He then tossed all three — the Crow the Cup and the Water Snake — into the sky and transformed them into stars. There, Corvus the Crow suffers eternal thirst as Hydra the Water Snake prevents him from drinking any water from the Crater the Cup.

Jimmy Westlake teaches astronomy and physics at Colorado Mountain College’s Alpine Campus. Check out his website at http://www.jwestlake.com./..."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Landscape studies"

All credit:  Bob Berwyn