May 1, 2012

SandBoxBlogs: Human Events "Nebraska Senate primary a war within GOP"

John Gizzi:
"On May 15, Nebraska Republicans will conclude one of those classic clashes in their U.S. Senate primary that one reads a lot about these days -- between tea party-backed outsiders and the Republican “establishment.”  Such clashes, the punditocracy warns, will lead to lasting intraparty scars and, possibly, a resulting Democratic win in the fall.

But the good news in the Cornhusker State is that it doesn’t matter how hard-fought the primary between State Treasurer Don Stenberg and State Attorney General Jon Bruning is or how incendiary it gets in the next two weeks.  Polls show either Republican front-runner in the four-candidate primary handily winning the open Senate seat over the certain Democratic nominee, former Sen. (1988-2000) Bob Kerrey -- who has lived and voted in New York for many years before returning to Nebraska earlier this year to launch his political comeback.

The seat being relinquished by Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson is considered one of two certain to flip to the Republican column this fall and help the GOP turn the current Democratic advantage of 53-to-47 seats into a Republican majority.  The other seat considered likely to change hands is that of retiring Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Hot Air Blog "Video: It’s going to be a long summer, isn’t it?"

Ed Morrissey:
"The Washington Post headlines its story about Team Obama’s new campaign ad with “Obama goes negative on Mitt Romney’s wealth with ‘Swiss Bank Account’.”  A better headline would have been, “Got desperation?”  The ad itself is not unexpected, and hits all of the class-warfare buttons one imagines..."

SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall/Chuck Norris "How Romney and Our Republic Can Win (Part 1)"

Chuck Norris:
"Enough talk. The idea is this, and it is not my idea but the action of President Abraham Lincoln.

A book that highlights Lincoln's brilliant action is titled "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln," by Doris Kearns Goodwin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and presidential historian. In addition to topping charts and receiving scholarly acclaim, the book itself is political genius and outlines the crucial strategy needed not only to rally the present GOP base but also to win the White House and save our republic. (I also wrote about this unifying strategy in a former column, "The 8th Miracle To Save America," which can be read at http://www.creators.com/opinion/chuck-norris/the-8th-miracle-to-save-america.html.)
Goodwin's prize-winning treatise details how Lincoln brought together his candidate rivals by appointing them to key positions in his administration when he became president.

Let me re-highlight a few critical points from Goodwin's book review in The New York Times:

"The party in the 1860's was a coalition of politicians who only a few years earlier had been Whigs (Lincoln, Seward, Bates), Democrats (Blair, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles and Vice President Hannibal Hamlin), Free Soilers (Chase), or had flirted with the short-lived anti-immigrant American Party, or Know Nothings (Cameron and Bates). In addition, several cabinet members personally disliked each other: Blair and Chase, Seward and Welles, Chase and Seward, Blair and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, who replaced Cameron in January 1862. Lincoln's 'political genius' enabled him to herd these political cats and keep them driving toward ultimate victory.

"How did he do it? Goodwin deals with this question better than any other writer. Part of the answer lay in Lincoln's steadfastness of purpose, which inspired subordinates to overcome their petty rivalries. Part of it lay in his superb sense of timing and his sensitivity to the pulse of public opinion as he moved to bring along a divided people to the support of 'a new birth of freedom.' And part of it lay in Lincoln's ability to rise above personal slights, his talent for getting along with men of clashing ideologies and personalities who could not get along with each other."

Whether you agree with Lincoln or not, his team of rivals worked, propelled his leadership and ultimately unified the country.

Isn't our divided country again ripe for a new "team of rivals," made up of past presidential candidates and other vetted, qualified and esteemed national leaders, rather than merely a dynamic duo fighting the Obama campaign machine?

Lincoln recognized the wisdom of Jesus when it came to collective success: "A house divided against itself cannot stand."

The question is this: Will Romney?

Next week, I will not only elaborate more on this concept of a team of rivals and the people I believe should be a part of it but also share the inspiring dream Gena had, which we both hope comes true."

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

SandBoxBlogs: The Hill "Tuesday Profile: Holtz-Eakin champions conservatism by the numbers"

Sam Baker:
"Douglas Holtz-Eakin learned a clear lesson as the top domestic policy adviser to John McCain’s 2008 campaign: The policy world needed to do things differently.

Holtz-Eakin, a former Congressional Budget Office director, brought a wealth of policy knowledge to the McCain camp. At a low point in the primaries, when many pundits had left the campaign for dead, he worked on a series of detailed policy papers designed to help McCain get a second look from conservatives....."  (Read more?  Click title)


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

SandBoxBlogs: Red State "Norman Ornstein to the Press Corps: Stop Covering the GOP Fairly to Stop Their Success "

Erick Erickson:
"It is a soft form of the liberal fascism about which I’ve been warning. The GOP must be painted as extremist by the press, their point of view must be painted as fringe, and they must be shut up because they are too damn successful.”  (Norman Ornstein)

"Norman Ornstein is the in house pet liberal at the American Enterprise Institute who they let out of his cage once in a while to lament the free market, conservatives, and the like. I’m not sure why groups like the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute ever allow their supposed scholars to team up with the Brookings Institute, but whenever they do it results in intellectual underwear stains for both organizations.

In today’s quasi-bipartisan inane ramblings, Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute and Thomas Mann of the Brookings Institute want the Washington Press Corps to know the GOP is extremist, destroying the country, and they should all stop paying attention to the GOP or treating them with balance.
Nothing says marginal extremism like holding the US House, most statehouses, most governorships, and a plurality of national party ID....."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "How long must 
Syrians wait? "

Richard Cohen:
"The United States seems to have two plans to deal with what is fast becoming a civil war in Syria. Plan A calls for the full implementation of the U.N. cease-fire and the complete cooperation of Bashar al-Assad, a dictator who would, at the risk of his very life, give up some power to the opposition. Plan B, on the other hand, envisions a military response through air power. For that to be implemented, Plan A must fail and more Syrians must die.

Just how many more Syrians must die no one can say. But it seems pretty clear that the toll — now in excess of 9,000 — must mount before the U.S., NATO and maybe the Turks and the Saudis will move to bring the slaughter to a halt. Bloomberg News reports that “more than 500 people” have been killed since the start of the cease-fire on April 12. This cease-fire is more fire than cease.

Few people in Washington have much faith in the U.N. plan, advanced by former Secretary-general Kofi Annan. He has been doing what he has been trained to do — go through the motions of peacemaking. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but there is a protocol to these things that has to be honored. Yet as each ticket is punched, more people die. ...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "CBP Officers In Southern Arizona Arrest Agua Prieta Man For Smuggling Pot"



"Douglas, Ariz. — A 40-year-old male resident of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico was arrested Saturday for attempting to smuggle more than 265 pounds of marijuana through the Douglas port of  entry.
 
Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Tucson Field Office referred the man for a secondary inspection of his Dodge van when he attempted to enter the United States. After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs, officers located 194 packages of marijuana throughout the vehicle, worth nearly $133,000.
 
The drugs and vehicle were processed for seizure. The subject was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
 
Individuals arrested may be charged by complaint, the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity, which raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
 
The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Customs and Border Protection tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.
 
All CBP assets in Arizona were realigned under a unified command structure in February 2011. Joint Field Command – Arizona unifies the Tucson and Yuma Border Patrol Sectors and Air Branches, as well as the Tucson Field Office, to enhance border security, commercial enforcement and trade facilitation missions to meet Arizona’s unique challenges.

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.

SandBoxBlogs: KKCO 11 News "An incredible story of Adversity, Hope, and Survival"

Rob Hughes:
"The Monument Inn is one of the places Troy stayed. He didn't know where he would sleep next, or where his next meal would come from; but with positive mentors and a belief in himself, he's graduating high school and joining the Marine Corps."

"Our kids have seen some tremendously difficult times, and are really persevering regardless," says Cathy Haller, Prevention Services Coordinator with School District 51. Haller works with students like Troy.

"They're in school every day; they have wonderful attendance; they really know that education is their way out," says Haller. Haller says homeless teens aren't bad people. "Our teens are out of the home because it's not safe to be there, or they're throwaways, they've been kicked out by families," she says. Yet sometimes they have no choice. "It's not about easy money, it's about survival," says Haller.
People in the community will take advantage of them. "I sleep in a park and risk some kind of violence or at I at least have a roof over my head and food to eat, in exchange for drugs or sex," explains Haller.

But Troy chose to be an amazing success story, not a statistic. His advice for others in his shoes. "Look for help; because it's really hard to try and do it by yourself. The only reason I made it this far was because there was help," says Troy...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Pueblo Chieftain "1 year on from OBL raid, no answers from Pakistan"

ZARAR KHAN and CHRIS BRUMMITT:
"ABBOTTABAD, Pakistan (AP) — One year since U.S. commandos flew into this Pakistani army town and killed Osama bin Laden, Islamabad has failed to answer tough questions over whether its security forces were protecting the world's most wanted terrorist.

Partly as a result, fallout from the raid still poisons relations between Washington and Pakistan, where anti-American sentiment, support for Islamist extremism and anger at the violation of sovereignty in the operation can be summed up by a Twitter hashtag doing the rounds: 02MayBlackDay.

The Pakistani government initially welcomed the raid that killed bin Laden in his three-story compound, but within hours the mood changed as it became clear that Pakistan's army was cut out of the operation. Any discussions over how bin Laden managed to stay undetected in Pakistan were drowned out in anger at what the army portrayed as a treacherous act by a supposed ally.

That bin Laden was living with his family near Pakistan's version of West Point — not in a cave in the mountains as many had guessed — raised eyebrows in the West. The Pakistani army was already accused of playing both sides in the campaign against militancy, providing some support against al-Qaida but keeping the Afghan Taliban as strategic allies.

A week after the raid, President Barack Obama said bin Laden had a "support network" in Pakistan and the country must investigate how he evaded capture.

Pakistan responded by announcing the formation of a committee to investigate bin Laden's presence in Pakistan as well as the circumstances surrounding the U.S. raid..." (Read more? Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Craig Daily Press "Parks and Wildlife puts down bear sighted in Craig"

Read the story behind these photos?   (Credit Craig Daily)
Click title.




SandBoxBlogs: Kidderminster Shuttle "Son of murder accused harassed by internet stranger"

  • (Read the heart of the problem in this current story posted today and related stories with public commentary here and here.)
Today's story out of the UK is one that 'SandBox Nanny' was unaware of until the 'Google Alert' popped up in her inbox this morning. 

I am not sure whether to feel outrage, just anger or hopeless sadness on behalf of Marcus Bebb-Jones' family, including his son with Sabrina Bebb-Jones,  Daniel.

Judge Petre's gag, if there is not one, should be placed immediately on everything to do with Bebb-Jones.   If only for the sake of the family but more rightly for the sake of a fair trial on both sides of the table.

That action would be like a sparrow trying to travel a hurricane, thanks to the viral linking, baiting and press releasing done for (obviously) years now to both sides of the justice table. 

But, it would at least be an effort on the part of the 9th Judicial District to gain control for both sides of Sabrina Bebb-Jones' family.  

With that said, if the only thing that can be done for the sake of everyone, but especially Daniel Bebb-Jones as he watches himself  and his father he loves once again  viral blasted all over the internet, is to block comment ability on this one post, then that is now so.

  • Note disclaimer here: "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. )"
Jennifer Meierhans:
"THE teenage son of a Kidderminster man awaiting trial for murder in America suffered years of internet torture at the hands of an obsessive stranger, who called himself the Crime Doctor.

Daniel Bebb-Jones, 18, watched at Kidderminster Magistrates Court today, as Peter Gordon, 28, of East Lothian, admitted harassment through anonymous emails.

Daniel’s father, Marcus Bebb-Jones, 49, is currently in Colorado, charged with the murder of his wife - Daniel’s mother, Sabrina Bebb-Jones.

Daniel was brought up in Kidderminster by his grandmother, from the age of three and was told his mother had died in a car crash.

Between 2008 and 2011, Daniel received 27 emails with titles including “Your dad is a scumbag”, “Murder accused could face death penalty” and “Marcus beaten to a pulp in jail”. They were sent under names such as George Orwell and the Crime Doctor.

Daniel, who was just 14 when the offences began, also received emails from his father’s address, seemingly admitting to and apologising for his mother’s murder. Gordon admitted hacking into Marcus Bebb-Jones’ email account and writing the messages. Magistrates saw a sample of the emails, some of which used sexually graphic and offensive language.

“I was shocked and upset - I didn’t believe it,” said Daniel in a statement read by Claire Linehan prosecuting. He said he felt he could not get away from the harassment and withdrew from social networking and internet activity.

“He is the scumbag - not my dad,” he added, “He is the one causing all the misery and upset and I hate him for it.”

A statement from Daniel’s grandmother, Pamela Weaver, detailed the emotional and physical stress the harassment had caused her: “How dare he be the judge, jury and executioner,” she said.

Defending, Mike Rainford said Gordon befriended Marcus Bebb-Jones on the internet. “It is quite clear that Mr Gordon looked upon him as some sort of mentor, some sort of father figure and opened up to him over a period of time,” he said, as his client burst into tears.

“It later came to Peter’s attention that there was an investigation under way by US authorities in relation to Marcus Bebb-Jones...according to his mother [Gordon] is obsessed with ‘the truth’ and took it upon himself, quite wrongly, to send emails to Daniel.....”  
(Read more?  Believe it or not, there is more.  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Denver Post/Breaking News "Colorado lab tech blames boss for mistakes on DUI blood sample tests"

Felissa Cordona:
"A state toxicology lab tech fired for mistakes made on DUI blood samples is fighting to keep his job and blaming the supervisor who signed off on his work.

The state is retesting 1,700 driving-under-the-influence blood samples after Mitchell Fox-Rivera failed to follow standard operating procedures in the lab, which resulted in incorrect readings, according to an e-mail written by his supervisor that was obtained by The Denver Post.

Defense lawyers and DUI defendants who had bloodwork processed through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's lab are challenging the tests in court.

In an e-mail to The Post, Fox-Rivera says he was a recent college graduate and a relatively new employee and that a review of his lab data was supposed to be overseen by supervisor Cynthia Silva Burbach...."
(Read more? Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "San Luis CBP Officers Arrest Murder Suspect"

"San Luis, Ariz. — A 20-year-old California man with an outstanding arrest warrant for attempted murder/obstructing justice out of Riverside County, Calif., was arrested Friday by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.
 
Officers at the San Luis Port referred the driver and passenger of a Dodge truck for a secondary inspection when the two applied for entry into the United States. When officers ran a routine records check, they discovered the warrant and arrested the passenger, identified as Jose Alfredo Rodriguez of Riverside. The San Luis Police Department was contacted and took custody of Rodriguez for extradition. The driver was released without further incident.
 
The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within CBP tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.

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: In These Times "In Aspen, Privileged Class Pits Immigrant Workers Against Environment"

What happens when you put controversy, problems, issues, concerns and questions behind closed doors and let only a few control the outcome?

Same thing as what happens when you censor, ban and quash the human voice and spirit.

The 800 lb. gorilla in the room gains tons more weight and your "secret" becomes the worst kept secret in the land.

Funny how that works. 

How many more media outlets listening in to all news chatter is it going to take to get the folks transparency issues in all regional counties dealt with properly?

Good take on the 'other side of paradise' by Kari Lyderson.  Somewhere out there on the very popular and well followed publication 'In These Times'.

Kari Lyderson:
"The Slums of Aspen details the controversy over a proposed immigration detention facility in the town of Glenwood Springs 40 miles east of Aspen, a relatively more affordable area where many immigrant workers live. (In Glenwood Springs the median home value is a still pricey $400,000, compared to $4.3 million in Aspen.)

The debate over the detention center highlighted the fact that many ski resorts employ large numbers of young European, Australian and New Zealand immigrants who come on work visas but frequently overstay them – becoming "undocumented" like their Latino counterparts. Yet they draw little scrutiny or antipathy from native residents or government officials, and resorts often highlight their internationalism by listing European and Australian/ Kiwi employees’ home country on their name tags....."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Summit Daily News "Summit's building scene could be on the mend"

Kathryn Corazzelli:
"“The general consensus is that building is up this year, but I think if you look at the nature of the business, a lot of it is production homes (like the Valley Brook development),” said Craig Campbell, general contractor at J&E Development in Breckenridge.

The custom home market still seems to be lagging a little, he said.

“From my perspective, the availability of financing is an issue,” Campbell said. “Over the last three years, I have not had one bank-loan customer.”

The shift is a dramatic one considering that before, nearly all of his clients had a bank loan. Now, it's all people who pay in cash.

“I've sensed a dramatic shift in the marketplace,” Campbell said....." (Read more? Click title)

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


SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "News in brief"

Hey, how about the local Democrats?

What do they think this is?  A tea party?  An occupy the spotlight?  A revolution for independence?

Arab spring, maybe.

Lordy, lordy.  The Aspen Dem's/liberals/moderates/?  are taking on the media.

Suggestion?  Tweet it in a live stream so that everyone can participate without those pesky ink barrels being able to identify them in a 'media line up'.....

Aspen Daily News staff:
"A panel regarding Aspen’s unique media environment..(lol..."unique"...(sbn))  on Wednesday kicks off an off-season discussion series produced by the Aspen Democracy Initiative.

Aspen Daily News managing editor Curtis Wackerle, Aspen Times editor Ryan Slabaugh and Aspen Public Radio reporter Luke Runyon will take part in a panel discussion moderated by Steven Wickes of the Aspen Community Foundation. The event is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. at BB’s Kitchen, 525 E. Cooper Ave. in Aspen.

Panelists will share their insights on the local media, discuss how they develop stories and how they approach covering local politics and policy. They also will take questions from the audience.

Wednesday’s discussion, titled “The News Media in Aspen,” is the first in the Democracy Dialogues series that will take place each Wednesday in May at BB’s.

Future topics include “Building Schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan” with Silbi Stainton of the Marshal Direct Fund, May 9; “The Business of Environmental Policy” with Auden Schendler and Matt Hamilton of the Aspen Skiing Co., May 16; “What the Heck is a SuperPac” with Reagan White House counsel Peter Wallison, May 23; “Happy Hour with Sen. Gail Schwartz,” state senator for the Aspen region, wraps up the series on May 30......"  (Read more?  Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Powderhorn saw bump in business in 2011-12"

Congratulations to Andy Daly and company!  Well done.  It pays to be bolder.  We're looking forward to seeing what you have up your sleeves in the years to come.

Mike Wiggins:
"As most Colorado ski areas sloshed through a tough season of historically low snow levels, Powderhorn Mountain Resort received a boost in business this winter and is working to secure funding to enhance both winter and summer activities.

That was the positive report issued by Andy Daly, a member of Powderhorn’s new ownership group looking to build upon a series of upgrades it made upon acquiring the resort last August.

“The last two or three owners, their focus has been on real estate. Our team has a passion for skiing,” Daly told Mesa County commissioners Monday during a segment of their meeting when business owners are invited to share the status of their industry with the board.

Daly, one of four managing partners along with Ken, Tom and John Gart, told commissioners Powderhorn’s total skier days grew 7 percent during the 2011–12 season over the previous year. That bucked the statewide trend of a 7 percent decline, according to Colorado Ski Country USA.

Coming off that strong showing, Powderhorn has turned its focus to enhancing what it has to offer in the next year or so. The resort has received a Colorado Housing and Finance Authority grant and is contemplating other ways to obtain financing to expanding its snowmaking capabilities and upgrade its lifts....."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "BREAKING NEWS: X Games to remain in Aspen through 2014"

Hooray!!!

Curtis Wackerle:
"ESPN and the Winter X Games have signed on for two more years in Aspen.

Officials with the television network announced Tuesday morning that Aspen will continue to be part of an expanded X Games lineup. Beginning in 2013, the action sports extravaganza will also host events in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil; Barcelona, Spain; and Munich, Germany. Existing X Games franchises in Los Angeles and Tignes, France will also stay put.

Tuesday's announcement, keeping the winter's largest event in town through 2014, marks the fourth time ESPN and Aspen Skiing Co. officials have extended the games' stay in Aspen since they first came to Buttermilk in 2002. The last contract, from 2009, expired after this year's event with no extension announcement, leaving many to speculate that the Winter X Games would be leaving Aspen, perhaps for Whistler, British Columbia, which had put in a bid to host the games.

“ESPN is thrilled to extend its relationship with Aspen Skiing Co., the city of Aspen, Pitkin County and town of Snowmass Village for two more years,” Scott Guglielmino, senior vice president of programming and X Games, said in a press release. “After 11 fantastic years of world-class competition and progression in Aspen, we’re delighted to move into the new phase of X Games growth towards a global youth and lifestyle brand with one of our most long-term and valued relationships.”...."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Op-Ed: Global warming denial a dangerous course"

*Bob Berwyn:  Editor’s note: This op-ed was written in response to letters to the editor in the Summit Daily News, published in Frisco, Colorado. The newspaper frequently publishes letters by Hertzberg that are full of scientific inaccuracies and misleading statements.

By Howard Hallman and Brad Piehl
"Sunday April 22 was Earth Day. The Summit Daily celebrated by printing a full page feature spread about climate change denier Marty Hertzberg. Marty has anointed himself as a climate change expert, but in fact he spent much of this career doing mine safety work for the coal industry. Given his background and apparent lack of research experience it is hard to see him as a fair minded credible expert on global warming.

Much of what Marty states as fact is naïve and untrue. The earth’s temperature has increased dramatically over the past 50 years, by all reasonable accounts the direct result of rapid population growth and a significant increase in carbon dioxide emissions into Earth’s atmosphere.

Contrary to Marty’s assertion, small increases in any number of substances including carbon dioxide and fluorocarbon derivatives do have a large and long-term impact on weather. In fact, that’s how cloud seeding works; a relatively tiny quantity of substance is blown into the air triggering the formation of ice crystals and subsequent snowfall.

The global warming controversy in the United States is not really a public policy discussion; rather it is one more political straw man for those who seek to generate hate and divide us....."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Jimmy Westlake: May’s magnificent ring eclipse"

Jimmy Westlake, all credit for story and photo: 
"Get ready, because here it comes.

Not since May 10, 1994, has a central eclipse of the sun been seen from the 48 contiguous United States. It has been a long eclipse drought, but come May 20, folks living in the southwestern U.S. will have a ringside seat for a spectacular annular eclipse of the sun. This eclipse is an annular, or ring eclipse, because the moon will be a little too far from Earth in its elliptical orbit to completely cover the sun. Instead, a thin annulus — or ring — of sunlight will surround the moon when it is centered on the solar disk...." 
(Read more?  Click title)


SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Water!"

All credit:  Bob Berwyn. (Click title.)