Charlie Leonard:
"An extraordinary “real-time e-book” was published this week.
According to the publishers, "Obama's Last Stand" follows the president's reelection campaign of President Barack Obama as it struggles to find the winning formula in a political landscape that has changed dramatically since his history-making victory in 2008.”
The book was written by a senior writer for Politico, an online news publication that's dedicated exclusively to politics and elections. It's also widely respected by Democrats and Republicans alike.
Like several insider campaign books that have been written before, the writers of “Obama's Last Stand” gained extraordinary access to the people running the president's re-election campaign. What makes this book so unique, however, is that it was published before, rather than after, Election Day.
What's more, the writers themselves seem genuinely surprised at how willing the president's men and women were to tell them, for publication, exactly what the president has said in private about his record, his opponent and the tenor of his campaign.
Most of the news coverage of the book in the last 48 hours has focused on a number of excerpts in the book where the president goes on rants with his aides about how much he personally dislikes Mitt Romney.
But the one passage that really got my attention was early on when the president was letting off steam with several of his aides about what troubles him most should he fail to be re-elected...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Showing posts with label aspen times. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aspen times. Show all posts
August 26, 2012
June 19, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Grob rises above the rest"
Darryl Grob will be the best Pitkin County Commissioner we have ever had.
Just imagine a world where a PitCo commissioner uses practical, common sense reasoning and thorough research before making a decision. A construction oriented thought process that uses logic and problem solving skills on behalf of the highest good of getting resolution and forward movement for all.
Gosh, we might end up leaving behind the crazy displays of politics and ego. Such as the "Great Castle Creek Guardrail Conspiracy" of Rachel Richards.
Go, Grob! Just vote Grob.
Willard Clapper:
"Dear Editor:
It is truly rare to see a group of concerned citizens running for any office with the character and integrity manifested by the four men running for Pitkin County commissioner this year! I say that with a real sense of knowing as I have watched a large number of these elections and they typically do not offer the slate of capable candidates that this election does.
I could cast my vote for any one of them but firmly believe that Darryl Grob would be the best choice for county commissioner from the lot. I first met Darryl shortly after he arrived in Aspen as he joined the Aspen Volunteer Fire Department. He rapidly became a superior firefighter, a captain and ultimately the Fire Department's first and only paid fire chief.
At that time it was essential that we hired someone from within to oversee the huge task of building four new fire stations and retrofitting our entire fleet of firefighting apparatus. Darryl fit the bill perfectly and completed those tasks with amazing proficiency — come by and visit our Hopkins Avenue station to see the legacy of his work.
Darryl is the kind of commissioner that I feel fits the bill for Pitkin County, as well. He is meticulous with his attention to detail. He is a tireless worker who will never be unprepared for any meeting, any decision nor any discussion on the street or in the chambers. He is relentless in his research, leaving nothing germane to the issue unattended....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
Just imagine a world where a PitCo commissioner uses practical, common sense reasoning and thorough research before making a decision. A construction oriented thought process that uses logic and problem solving skills on behalf of the highest good of getting resolution and forward movement for all.
Gosh, we might end up leaving behind the crazy displays of politics and ego. Such as the "Great Castle Creek Guardrail Conspiracy" of Rachel Richards.
Go, Grob! Just vote Grob.
Willard Clapper:
"Dear Editor:
It is truly rare to see a group of concerned citizens running for any office with the character and integrity manifested by the four men running for Pitkin County commissioner this year! I say that with a real sense of knowing as I have watched a large number of these elections and they typically do not offer the slate of capable candidates that this election does.
I could cast my vote for any one of them but firmly believe that Darryl Grob would be the best choice for county commissioner from the lot. I first met Darryl shortly after he arrived in Aspen as he joined the Aspen Volunteer Fire Department. He rapidly became a superior firefighter, a captain and ultimately the Fire Department's first and only paid fire chief.
At that time it was essential that we hired someone from within to oversee the huge task of building four new fire stations and retrofitting our entire fleet of firefighting apparatus. Darryl fit the bill perfectly and completed those tasks with amazing proficiency — come by and visit our Hopkins Avenue station to see the legacy of his work.
Darryl is the kind of commissioner that I feel fits the bill for Pitkin County, as well. He is meticulous with his attention to detail. He is a tireless worker who will never be unprepared for any meeting, any decision nor any discussion on the street or in the chambers. He is relentless in his research, leaving nothing germane to the issue unattended....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
June 8, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Scott Walker — Wisconsin's true progressive"
Melanie Sturm:
"....Though these reforms were modest, the unions and their allies reacted ferociously, like a mama bear defending her cub. They captured national attention with protests, runaway state senators, legal challenges and state senator recall elections. Despite their efforts, they couldn't overcome the will of the people — to keep the reforms.
That's because Walker's reforms are succeeding: The budget has a $150 million surplus, property taxes are lower, the unemployment rate is 6.8 percent (the lowest since 2008 and well below the national average), the private sector created 26,000 jobs in 2011, and savings realized by school districts have preserved jobs and educational programming. Most encouraging, according to a Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce survey in May, 73 percent of employers predicted moderate to good business growth and more than half plan to expand operations within two years — the highest rate in a decade.
No wonder one-third of union members voted for Walker, according to exit polls. Seeing union policies drain government finances, endanger vital government services and undermine their own jobs and benefits, why would union members want to pay their dues? Now that they have the option not to, tens of thousands have opted out. Perhaps this is the best outcome of all, for civil society is healthier when government employees believe they're on the same side as taxpayers.
As C.S. Lewis said, “We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”
Though it's too late for Edwards, other self-proclaimed “progressives” must Think Again — good policy makes great politics..." (Read more? Click title)
"....Though these reforms were modest, the unions and their allies reacted ferociously, like a mama bear defending her cub. They captured national attention with protests, runaway state senators, legal challenges and state senator recall elections. Despite their efforts, they couldn't overcome the will of the people — to keep the reforms.
That's because Walker's reforms are succeeding: The budget has a $150 million surplus, property taxes are lower, the unemployment rate is 6.8 percent (the lowest since 2008 and well below the national average), the private sector created 26,000 jobs in 2011, and savings realized by school districts have preserved jobs and educational programming. Most encouraging, according to a Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce survey in May, 73 percent of employers predicted moderate to good business growth and more than half plan to expand operations within two years — the highest rate in a decade.
No wonder one-third of union members voted for Walker, according to exit polls. Seeing union policies drain government finances, endanger vital government services and undermine their own jobs and benefits, why would union members want to pay their dues? Now that they have the option not to, tens of thousands have opted out. Perhaps this is the best outcome of all, for civil society is healthier when government employees believe they're on the same side as taxpayers.
As C.S. Lewis said, “We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”
Though it's too late for Edwards, other self-proclaimed “progressives” must Think Again — good policy makes great politics..." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Garfield County sets deadline for medical marijuana regs"
Nelson Harvey:
"GLENWOOD SPRINGS — The Garfield Board of County Commissioners has set itself a June 18 deadline to approve land use regulations for medical marijuana growers in the county.
The commissioners are required to approve zoning rules before July 1, when a two-year countywide moratorium on medical grow facilities expires. The commissioners enacted the moratorium in 2010, and let voters weigh in on three medical marijuana related questions in November of that year.
Voters approved allowing medical marijuana growers in unincorporated areas of the county, but rejected dispensaries and manufacturing of marijuana infused products.
Although Commissioners Tom Jankovsky and John Martin seemed ready to move forward with regulations at their Monday meeting, Commissioner Mike Samson expressed reservations.
Jankovsky said he had seen medical marijuana start to “trickle down” and become available to local young people.
“I share Mr. Jankovsky's concerns about the youth of this county very much, and I have grave concerns,” said Samson.
Commissioners considered several questions about where grow facilities should be permitted to locate, including their proximity to local schools, parks and places of worship. They also discussed whether to allow grow facilities in parts of the county zoned “rural,” and whether grow facilities in Garfield County would be permitted to sell their products through dispensaries in other counties...."
(Read more? Click title)
"GLENWOOD SPRINGS — The Garfield Board of County Commissioners has set itself a June 18 deadline to approve land use regulations for medical marijuana growers in the county.
The commissioners are required to approve zoning rules before July 1, when a two-year countywide moratorium on medical grow facilities expires. The commissioners enacted the moratorium in 2010, and let voters weigh in on three medical marijuana related questions in November of that year.
Voters approved allowing medical marijuana growers in unincorporated areas of the county, but rejected dispensaries and manufacturing of marijuana infused products.
Although Commissioners Tom Jankovsky and John Martin seemed ready to move forward with regulations at their Monday meeting, Commissioner Mike Samson expressed reservations.
Jankovsky said he had seen medical marijuana start to “trickle down” and become available to local young people.
“I share Mr. Jankovsky's concerns about the youth of this county very much, and I have grave concerns,” said Samson.
Commissioners considered several questions about where grow facilities should be permitted to locate, including their proximity to local schools, parks and places of worship. They also discussed whether to allow grow facilities in parts of the county zoned “rural,” and whether grow facilities in Garfield County would be permitted to sell their products through dispensaries in other counties...."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Rents to jump 13.5 percent at El Jebel trailer park"
Scott Condon:
"EL JEBEL — Rents at one of the largest free-market housing complexes in the Roaring Fork Valley will jump by 13.5 percent in August.
Crawford Properties LLC informed tenants at its El Jebel Mobile Home Park last week that it will raise the trailer-space base rent from $550 to $625 per month. It will affect 289 trailers and roughly 2,100 residents, according to Robert Hubbell, CEO of the Crawford family business.
The increase comes at a time when many residents of the blue-collar neighborhood are already struggling to make ends meet, according to a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity. Notice of the rent increases was delivered to the tenants of the mobile homes clustered along El Jebel Road and JW Drive on May 30. The tenant said the rent increase has been a hot topic among neighbors ever since.
“People are just frantic,” the tenant said. “They're saying, ‘We're barely making it.'”...."
(Read more? Click title)
"EL JEBEL — Rents at one of the largest free-market housing complexes in the Roaring Fork Valley will jump by 13.5 percent in August.
Crawford Properties LLC informed tenants at its El Jebel Mobile Home Park last week that it will raise the trailer-space base rent from $550 to $625 per month. It will affect 289 trailers and roughly 2,100 residents, according to Robert Hubbell, CEO of the Crawford family business.
The increase comes at a time when many residents of the blue-collar neighborhood are already struggling to make ends meet, according to a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity. Notice of the rent increases was delivered to the tenants of the mobile homes clustered along El Jebel Road and JW Drive on May 30. The tenant said the rent increase has been a hot topic among neighbors ever since.
“People are just frantic,” the tenant said. “They're saying, ‘We're barely making it.'”...."
(Read more? Click title)
May 31, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Charlie Leonard: Show Germany the way, Obama"
Charlie Leonard:
"On Tuesday, it was reported that the Obama administration sent one of its top Treasury officials to Europe to tell government officials there that they need to take decisive actions now to solve their fiscal problems or risk causing another global economic crisis.
In a statement announcing the trip, the Treasury Department said the U.S. official “will meet with senior government officials in each country to discuss their plans for achieving economic stability and growth in Europe.” No additional details were provided.
Can you imagine how those talks are going?
“President Obama asked me to tell you that he really thinks the time has come for several of your countries to get control of your fiscal situation and to adopt policies that can help get your economies growing again.”
After seeing the constant threat of government defaults in Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy, one can only imagine what a welcome relief Obama's advice to European officials must be this week.
Can't you just picture a profoundly grateful Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, saying to herself: “Fiscal stability and pro-growth policies — now why couldn't I have thought of that?”
Imagine, also, how profoundly embarrassed Germany must now be at having gone through a decade of painful reforms, including raising its retirement age, reducing unemployment benefits, lowering its deficits and easing hiring and wage restrictions in order to achieve its current prosperity. It seems all of that could have been avoided if Germany had just followed Obama's advice to pursue “growth and economic stability.”
This kind of extraordinary insight — from such a unique individual as Barack Obama — seems like the kind of advice from which others could benefit as well.
For instance, the president might consider sending one of his emissaries to the New York Yankees to advise the bullpen to improve their pitching if they want to have a chance at the playoffs. Or he could counsel the management of Kodak to adapt its products and services better to the digital age in order to escape bankruptcy. He could even urge contestants on “Survivor” and “Dancing With the Stars” to avoid being voted off their shows if they want to win their respective competitions....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"On Tuesday, it was reported that the Obama administration sent one of its top Treasury officials to Europe to tell government officials there that they need to take decisive actions now to solve their fiscal problems or risk causing another global economic crisis.
In a statement announcing the trip, the Treasury Department said the U.S. official “will meet with senior government officials in each country to discuss their plans for achieving economic stability and growth in Europe.” No additional details were provided.
Can you imagine how those talks are going?
“President Obama asked me to tell you that he really thinks the time has come for several of your countries to get control of your fiscal situation and to adopt policies that can help get your economies growing again.”
After seeing the constant threat of government defaults in Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy, one can only imagine what a welcome relief Obama's advice to European officials must be this week.
Can't you just picture a profoundly grateful Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, saying to herself: “Fiscal stability and pro-growth policies — now why couldn't I have thought of that?”
Imagine, also, how profoundly embarrassed Germany must now be at having gone through a decade of painful reforms, including raising its retirement age, reducing unemployment benefits, lowering its deficits and easing hiring and wage restrictions in order to achieve its current prosperity. It seems all of that could have been avoided if Germany had just followed Obama's advice to pursue “growth and economic stability.”
This kind of extraordinary insight — from such a unique individual as Barack Obama — seems like the kind of advice from which others could benefit as well.
For instance, the president might consider sending one of his emissaries to the New York Yankees to advise the bullpen to improve their pitching if they want to have a chance at the playoffs. Or he could counsel the management of Kodak to adapt its products and services better to the digital age in order to escape bankruptcy. He could even urge contestants on “Survivor” and “Dancing With the Stars” to avoid being voted off their shows if they want to win their respective competitions....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 28, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "The path back to nature"
Paul Anderson:
"....According to a new book, “2052: A Global Forecast for the Next Forty Years,” the trend toward megacities and unbridled resource extraction will make wild places fewer and competition for them greater.
“Don't teach your children to love the wilderness,” concludes author Jorgen Randers. “By teaching children to love the untouched wilderness, you are teaching them to love what will be increasingly hard to find. Much better then to rear a new generation that find peace, calm and satisfaction in the bustling life of the megacity — with never-ending music piped into their ears.”
As dismaying as this sounds, the historic precedent exists. Two centuries ago, few could foresee the end of the frontier, the buffalo, the passenger pigeon. Did I do a disservice by connecting Tait to a deep affection for the natural world?
I console myself by reasoning that the path of humanity is difficult to plot — that forecasts are often wrong. Perhaps this dim prediction will push the culture in the opposite direction. Perhaps love of life, the “biophilia” Tait has learned, will lead us on the path back to our natural heritage.
Author Larry McMurtry at the beginning of “Lonesome Dove” writes: “All America lies at the end of the wilderness road, and our past is not a dead past, but still lives in us. Our forefathers had civilization inside themselves, the wild outside. We live in the civilization they created, but within us the wilderness still lingers. What they dreamed, we live, and what they lived, we dream.”
Wild nature should be more than a dream. It's up to us parents to make sure that our children can awaken to natural wonder in the real world...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"....According to a new book, “2052: A Global Forecast for the Next Forty Years,” the trend toward megacities and unbridled resource extraction will make wild places fewer and competition for them greater.
“Don't teach your children to love the wilderness,” concludes author Jorgen Randers. “By teaching children to love the untouched wilderness, you are teaching them to love what will be increasingly hard to find. Much better then to rear a new generation that find peace, calm and satisfaction in the bustling life of the megacity — with never-ending music piped into their ears.”
As dismaying as this sounds, the historic precedent exists. Two centuries ago, few could foresee the end of the frontier, the buffalo, the passenger pigeon. Did I do a disservice by connecting Tait to a deep affection for the natural world?
I console myself by reasoning that the path of humanity is difficult to plot — that forecasts are often wrong. Perhaps this dim prediction will push the culture in the opposite direction. Perhaps love of life, the “biophilia” Tait has learned, will lead us on the path back to our natural heritage.
Author Larry McMurtry at the beginning of “Lonesome Dove” writes: “All America lies at the end of the wilderness road, and our past is not a dead past, but still lives in us. Our forefathers had civilization inside themselves, the wild outside. We live in the civilization they created, but within us the wilderness still lingers. What they dreamed, we live, and what they lived, we dream.”
Wild nature should be more than a dream. It's up to us parents to make sure that our children can awaken to natural wonder in the real world...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 26, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Out for themselves"
Terrific column this week from Tony Vagneur. Up on the Aspen Times.
Tony Vagneur:
"Speaking of papers, a recent story indicated that there was a big flap earlier in the year up around Radar Road in Skyline Park (formerly the Droste property) about some people ignoring closed signs to take a preseason gander at the flora and fauna.
Apparently, one of those receiving a ticket for violating the closure was some developer who felt a certain sense of entitlement about his egregiousness, based on the proximity of his house to the area and some real or imagined beneficence he'd granted to Pitkin County Open Space and Trails in its acquisition of the property. Never mind that his exercise of a perceived sense of privilege might have caused a cow elk to abort her calf or created other havoc in the local herd. To top it off, no sooner had an official trail ranger engaged the developer in a conversation about the seriousness of the transgression, the image of a mountain biker appeared from the closed area, adding insult to the entire illiterate escapade.
You can rest assured that no contingent of aggrieved elk, distressed that their once-private calving grounds are now being disrespected by people who should know better, will petition the powers that be for relief. That must come from those among us who sometimes fail to acknowledge personal responsibility....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Tony Vagneur:
"Speaking of papers, a recent story indicated that there was a big flap earlier in the year up around Radar Road in Skyline Park (formerly the Droste property) about some people ignoring closed signs to take a preseason gander at the flora and fauna.
Apparently, one of those receiving a ticket for violating the closure was some developer who felt a certain sense of entitlement about his egregiousness, based on the proximity of his house to the area and some real or imagined beneficence he'd granted to Pitkin County Open Space and Trails in its acquisition of the property. Never mind that his exercise of a perceived sense of privilege might have caused a cow elk to abort her calf or created other havoc in the local herd. To top it off, no sooner had an official trail ranger engaged the developer in a conversation about the seriousness of the transgression, the image of a mountain biker appeared from the closed area, adding insult to the entire illiterate escapade.
You can rest assured that no contingent of aggrieved elk, distressed that their once-private calving grounds are now being disrespected by people who should know better, will petition the powers that be for relief. That must come from those among us who sometimes fail to acknowledge personal responsibility....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "On the fly: Offseason delight"
Kirk Webb:
"BASALT — As of late, anglers have been few and far between on the normally bustling Fryingpan River. Believe it or not, May is the second slowest month of the year in terms of fishing pressure.
As hard as it to believe, there are more fishermen spread out along the river in December and January than there are in May. Don't let this fact fool you, though, as the fishing is pretty incredible right now. I can personally attest to that.
While driving along the 14-mile length of river between downtown Basalt and Ruedi Reservoir recently, I counted only 10 anglers, half of whom were strung out in the Toilet Bowl near the dam. With water flows hovering around 100 cubic feet per second, the fishing opportunities for anglers are supurb. Wading is easy and safe at these levels and the dry fly fishing has been sensational.
Good midge and blue-wing olive hatches are the norm along the river from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Generally speaking, look for fish to focus on midges during the first half of that time frame while the back half of that period is more blue-wing olive-oriented. With the low and clear water, dry-fly fishers will still want to utilize light tippets of 7x fluorocarbon. Even when nymph fishing, I still prefer to use 6x tippets to attach my first fly and 7x tippet to connect my dropper or second fly.
When dry-fly fishing on the Fryingpan, you'll want to cast downstream to the rising fish. This will allow the fish to see your fly first, instead of fly line, leader, tippet and then your fly. This trick especially comes into play when working over smart or pressured fish. The heaviest hatches have been taking place along the middle and upper river, from mile markers 8 to 12....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"BASALT — As of late, anglers have been few and far between on the normally bustling Fryingpan River. Believe it or not, May is the second slowest month of the year in terms of fishing pressure.
As hard as it to believe, there are more fishermen spread out along the river in December and January than there are in May. Don't let this fact fool you, though, as the fishing is pretty incredible right now. I can personally attest to that.
While driving along the 14-mile length of river between downtown Basalt and Ruedi Reservoir recently, I counted only 10 anglers, half of whom were strung out in the Toilet Bowl near the dam. With water flows hovering around 100 cubic feet per second, the fishing opportunities for anglers are supurb. Wading is easy and safe at these levels and the dry fly fishing has been sensational.
Good midge and blue-wing olive hatches are the norm along the river from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Generally speaking, look for fish to focus on midges during the first half of that time frame while the back half of that period is more blue-wing olive-oriented. With the low and clear water, dry-fly fishers will still want to utilize light tippets of 7x fluorocarbon. Even when nymph fishing, I still prefer to use 6x tippets to attach my first fly and 7x tippet to connect my dropper or second fly.
When dry-fly fishing on the Fryingpan, you'll want to cast downstream to the rising fish. This will allow the fish to see your fly first, instead of fly line, leader, tippet and then your fly. This trick especially comes into play when working over smart or pressured fish. The heaviest hatches have been taking place along the middle and upper river, from mile markers 8 to 12....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 25, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Does the county love Mary Jane?"
'FCL' here:
How about that arrrogance up in Aspen? Thinking they can do anything they want with any drugs and the DEA will not come get them.
How's that working for PitCo and the City of Aspen?
Aspen Times Editorial:
"instead of deciding to leave each licensing case up to them. As Rachel Richards pointed out, the county's industry then would become politicized. The medical marijuana industry helps a lot of people in the community, and the last thing it needs is to fall victim to a highly charged atmosphere and petty public controversies —the sort that media entities and political opportunists love to get their hands on.
While we are confident that most commissioners will follow the direction the board set for itself earlier this week, we also might suggest that the county go no further than to issue licenses for a fee and pursue commonality with only what state law mandates. Some unincorporated communities in Pitkin County have expressed an interest in banning such businesses, whether dispensaries or grow houses or both, a move that would serve to pit villages and neighbors against one another — politicizing the process and further dividing the county.
The commissioners should officially approve this simple step of administrative control on licensing before July 1 and then turn away from the prospect of special zoning areas or village-by-village control of business locations. Current zoning allows for commercial and agricultural businesses, and the
marijuana-healing industry deserves the rights afforded to other U.S. small businesses.
Residents countywide should be of one mind on the issue and set another great local example for the rest of humankind. Bob Marley said it best: Let's get together and feel all right....."
(Read more/ Click title)
How about that arrrogance up in Aspen? Thinking they can do anything they want with any drugs and the DEA will not come get them.
How's that working for PitCo and the City of Aspen?
Aspen Times Editorial:
"instead of deciding to leave each licensing case up to them. As Rachel Richards pointed out, the county's industry then would become politicized. The medical marijuana industry helps a lot of people in the community, and the last thing it needs is to fall victim to a highly charged atmosphere and petty public controversies —the sort that media entities and political opportunists love to get their hands on.
While we are confident that most commissioners will follow the direction the board set for itself earlier this week, we also might suggest that the county go no further than to issue licenses for a fee and pursue commonality with only what state law mandates. Some unincorporated communities in Pitkin County have expressed an interest in banning such businesses, whether dispensaries or grow houses or both, a move that would serve to pit villages and neighbors against one another — politicizing the process and further dividing the county.
The commissioners should officially approve this simple step of administrative control on licensing before July 1 and then turn away from the prospect of special zoning areas or village-by-village control of business locations. Current zoning allows for commercial and agricultural businesses, and the
marijuana-healing industry deserves the rights afforded to other U.S. small businesses.
Residents countywide should be of one mind on the issue and set another great local example for the rest of humankind. Bob Marley said it best: Let's get together and feel all right....."
(Read more/ Click title)
May 20, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Immigration laws are there for a reason"
Kathy Buettner:
"I write in response to a May 11 Glenwood Springs Post Independent article, “Basalt woman fights on two fronts to stay in U.S.”
Might I remind legal U.S. citizens as well as the millions of illegal immigrants in this county that Norma Galindo Gonzales lived in this country for 14 years illegally before she “borrowed” someone else's identification to obtain a state ID card.
Call it what you want to relieve your guilty conscience, but I call it “stealing.” She stole from our government and U.S. citizens the privilege of living in this country all those years — and since then as well.
I have been unemployed for a year now and have been diligently seeking work and am tired of reading help-wanted ads in the papers that prefer bilingual applicants and even go so far as to offer a $5,000 bonus for such applicants. Many of these people are getting the jobs I am qualified for and have ample experience doing.
On a recent visit to the closing-day sale at Kmart in Glenwood Springs, a saleswoman could not speak English and completely ignored my attempt to ask her for assistance as she waited on Spanish-speaking individuals instead. There is no excuse for this. This is America, folks. If I were applying for a job in Mexico, I would be more than happy to learn to read and write Spanish.
My grandfather came here from Italy as a very young man in the early 1900s. He went to school to learn the English language and went through the legal process of becoming a U.S. citizen....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"I write in response to a May 11 Glenwood Springs Post Independent article, “Basalt woman fights on two fronts to stay in U.S.”
Might I remind legal U.S. citizens as well as the millions of illegal immigrants in this county that Norma Galindo Gonzales lived in this country for 14 years illegally before she “borrowed” someone else's identification to obtain a state ID card.
Call it what you want to relieve your guilty conscience, but I call it “stealing.” She stole from our government and U.S. citizens the privilege of living in this country all those years — and since then as well.
I have been unemployed for a year now and have been diligently seeking work and am tired of reading help-wanted ads in the papers that prefer bilingual applicants and even go so far as to offer a $5,000 bonus for such applicants. Many of these people are getting the jobs I am qualified for and have ample experience doing.
On a recent visit to the closing-day sale at Kmart in Glenwood Springs, a saleswoman could not speak English and completely ignored my attempt to ask her for assistance as she waited on Spanish-speaking individuals instead. There is no excuse for this. This is America, folks. If I were applying for a job in Mexico, I would be more than happy to learn to read and write Spanish.
My grandfather came here from Italy as a very young man in the early 1900s. He went to school to learn the English language and went through the legal process of becoming a U.S. citizen....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 19, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Ruth Whyte's Aspen legacy"
lol.
Tony Vagneur:
"It's one of those stories that never got properly told, and it happened so long ago that not many would care — except for the fact that it involved recently deceased Ruth Whyte, multileveled philanthropist to Aspen.
Who the hell was Ruth Whyte, you ask? If you have to ask, you're still a starry-eyed newcomer with a lot to learn about our town. She was the ultimate volunteer, as evidenced by her election as volunteer of the year for the Aspen Ski Club (she was almost a lifetime unpaid secretary there); she received the highly coveted Greg Mace award for volunteerism, was inducted into the 1996 Aspen Hall of Fame, and during nearly a half-century of promoting Aspen, her smiling mug can be spied in almost every official photograph having to do with the Aspen Ski Club, Wintersköl or the World Cup.
Ruth's first visit to Aspen was in 1952, and before the week was over, she was involved with the ski club, helping organize the national championships being held on the mountain. When Ruth finally came to town for good, she was a fresh-faced graduate of the University of Colorado, hired as the Aspen School District's physical education teacher. Breaking ground as the first woman to hold that job since anyone could remember, the challenges were perceived as steep, but Ruth was an athletic woman with a no-B.S. attitude toward her first job out of college.
That, of course, did not change the fact that several smart-assed elementary kids, including yours truly, put her to the test every time we had class. Clearly, I remember one occasion when, pushed to the limit, she threatened me with some horrible disciplinary action, to which I replied, “You can't do that: My dad is president of the school board.” Fury erupted from her quarter, and only by the quickness of youth was I able to outrun what surely would have been justifiable homicide...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Tony Vagneur:
"It's one of those stories that never got properly told, and it happened so long ago that not many would care — except for the fact that it involved recently deceased Ruth Whyte, multileveled philanthropist to Aspen.
Who the hell was Ruth Whyte, you ask? If you have to ask, you're still a starry-eyed newcomer with a lot to learn about our town. She was the ultimate volunteer, as evidenced by her election as volunteer of the year for the Aspen Ski Club (she was almost a lifetime unpaid secretary there); she received the highly coveted Greg Mace award for volunteerism, was inducted into the 1996 Aspen Hall of Fame, and during nearly a half-century of promoting Aspen, her smiling mug can be spied in almost every official photograph having to do with the Aspen Ski Club, Wintersköl or the World Cup.
Ruth's first visit to Aspen was in 1952, and before the week was over, she was involved with the ski club, helping organize the national championships being held on the mountain. When Ruth finally came to town for good, she was a fresh-faced graduate of the University of Colorado, hired as the Aspen School District's physical education teacher. Breaking ground as the first woman to hold that job since anyone could remember, the challenges were perceived as steep, but Ruth was an athletic woman with a no-B.S. attitude toward her first job out of college.
That, of course, did not change the fact that several smart-assed elementary kids, including yours truly, put her to the test every time we had class. Clearly, I remember one occasion when, pushed to the limit, she threatened me with some horrible disciplinary action, to which I replied, “You can't do that: My dad is president of the school board.” Fury erupted from her quarter, and only by the quickness of youth was I able to outrun what surely would have been justifiable homicide...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "No Little Nell for Snowmass Base Village?"
Really?.....that "Related then lost the whole project to foreclosure in the wake of the financial crisis.???
Sure about the red herring of "The Great Recession" being responsible for Pat Smith and Related Cos "losing" the "whole project"?
A forensic investigation of all the money, not just the surface money and surface players to back up that synopsis might not be a bad idea before locking it into yellow ink.
Brent Gardner-Smith:
"SNOWMASS VILLAGE — When Related Companies put Base Village under contract recently, the package of assets did not include the right to brand and operate a hotel as The Little Nell Snowmass.
“The license agreement was terminated in late 2010,” said Jeff Hanle, spokesman for Aspen Skiing Co.
Skico owns and operates The Little Nell hotel at the base of Aspen Mountain and owns the rights to the brand.
The Little Nell in Aspen is one of only three hotels at ski areas in the west that carry both a five-star and a five-diamond rating, along with the Stein Erickson Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah, and the Four Seasons in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The stars are awarded by Forbes and the diamonds by AAA, the American Automobile Association.
In 2007, Skico executives were planning on operating The Little Nell Snowmass as a five-star, five-diamond hotel and licensing the Little Nell name to another operator in Jackson Hole.
Today, the Jackson Hole deal is well off the table, and it is unclear whether a Little Nell Snowmass deal will be revived.
“We remain committed to and engaged in Snowmass and look forward to seeing Base Village and the entire resort realize its full potential,” Hanle said. “However, at this time, it is premature to comment on any potential involvement of Aspen Skiing Co.”
After buying Base Village from Skico and Intrawest for $169 million in 2007, with the Little Nell Snowmass deal in place, Related then lost the whole project to foreclosure in the wake of the financial crisis.
The four European banks that now own the asset have reached a deal to sell it back to Related for an as-yet undisclosed price. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Sure about the red herring of "The Great Recession" being responsible for Pat Smith and Related Cos "losing" the "whole project"?
A forensic investigation of all the money, not just the surface money and surface players to back up that synopsis might not be a bad idea before locking it into yellow ink.
Brent Gardner-Smith:
"SNOWMASS VILLAGE — When Related Companies put Base Village under contract recently, the package of assets did not include the right to brand and operate a hotel as The Little Nell Snowmass.
“The license agreement was terminated in late 2010,” said Jeff Hanle, spokesman for Aspen Skiing Co.
Skico owns and operates The Little Nell hotel at the base of Aspen Mountain and owns the rights to the brand.
The Little Nell in Aspen is one of only three hotels at ski areas in the west that carry both a five-star and a five-diamond rating, along with the Stein Erickson Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah, and the Four Seasons in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The stars are awarded by Forbes and the diamonds by AAA, the American Automobile Association.
In 2007, Skico executives were planning on operating The Little Nell Snowmass as a five-star, five-diamond hotel and licensing the Little Nell name to another operator in Jackson Hole.
Today, the Jackson Hole deal is well off the table, and it is unclear whether a Little Nell Snowmass deal will be revived.
“We remain committed to and engaged in Snowmass and look forward to seeing Base Village and the entire resort realize its full potential,” Hanle said. “However, at this time, it is premature to comment on any potential involvement of Aspen Skiing Co.”
After buying Base Village from Skico and Intrawest for $169 million in 2007, with the Little Nell Snowmass deal in place, Related then lost the whole project to foreclosure in the wake of the financial crisis.
The four European banks that now own the asset have reached a deal to sell it back to Related for an as-yet undisclosed price. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "No John Denver peak — for now"
Oh thank you, Lord.
Mount Sopris is not going to be named the "Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr" peak.
Andre SalVail:
"ASPEN — Those who were worried about the possibility of one of Mount Sopris' peaks being named after John Denver no longer need to fret.
That's because the organizer of the initiative, J.P. McDaniel, of Littleton, apparently never sent her petition and application to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names, according to the federal entity's administrator.
“I talked to her last year and haven't heard from her since,” said Lou Yost, the board's executive secretary. “The last time I talked with her, she said she was working on it and that she didn't realized it was going to cause such a ruckus. She left the impression that we were going to hear from her in the near future.”
McDaniel has not returned messages left on her cellphone by The Aspen Times this week. In July 2011, she was preparing to send an application to the board, along with nearly 3,000 names on a petition in support of naming the eastern, unnamed peak after Denver. In fact, she told the Times in one interview that the packet would be sent by the first week of August 2011....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Mount Sopris is not going to be named the "Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr" peak.
Andre SalVail:
"ASPEN — Those who were worried about the possibility of one of Mount Sopris' peaks being named after John Denver no longer need to fret.
That's because the organizer of the initiative, J.P. McDaniel, of Littleton, apparently never sent her petition and application to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names, according to the federal entity's administrator.
“I talked to her last year and haven't heard from her since,” said Lou Yost, the board's executive secretary. “The last time I talked with her, she said she was working on it and that she didn't realized it was going to cause such a ruckus. She left the impression that we were going to hear from her in the near future.”
McDaniel has not returned messages left on her cellphone by The Aspen Times this week. In July 2011, she was preparing to send an application to the board, along with nearly 3,000 names on a petition in support of naming the eastern, unnamed peak after Denver. In fact, she told the Times in one interview that the packet would be sent by the first week of August 2011....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 17, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Their freedom is your freedom"
Wonderful op-ed column out of Maurice Emmer today. Up on the Aspen Times.
"Do you understand federal election finance law? If so, you are ahead of most Americans. You are ahead of most news readers and commentators, and you are way ahead of President Obama. (See his distortion of the Citizens United decision in his January 2010 State of the Union address.)
Why is this relevant almost 30 months later? Because this year's important elections will be enlivened by outraged and mostly misinformed criticisms of big-money spending on political speech. However one feels about it, one ought to be informed about what the rules really are and why before deciding what should or shouldn't — or indeed can and cannot — be done about such spending.
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided cases dealing with campaign finance for more than 45 years, since Congress started passing restrictions on contributions and spending in the 1970s. The problem with the restrictions was that spreading a political message requires money, so limits on contributions and spending are limits on political speech. Courts analogize the level of political spending to the size of a person's megaphone (or loudspeaker). The First Amendment proclaims that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech.” This prohibits limits on the size of the megaphone. A law that limits contributions or spending does limit the size of the megaphone, abridging the freedom of speech.
Given the fundamental importance of free political speech, the Supreme Court has struck down many campaign finance and spending-law restrictions that it found abridged the freedom of political speech....."
(Read more? You should. Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Do you understand federal election finance law? If so, you are ahead of most Americans. You are ahead of most news readers and commentators, and you are way ahead of President Obama. (See his distortion of the Citizens United decision in his January 2010 State of the Union address.)
Why is this relevant almost 30 months later? Because this year's important elections will be enlivened by outraged and mostly misinformed criticisms of big-money spending on political speech. However one feels about it, one ought to be informed about what the rules really are and why before deciding what should or shouldn't — or indeed can and cannot — be done about such spending.
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided cases dealing with campaign finance for more than 45 years, since Congress started passing restrictions on contributions and spending in the 1970s. The problem with the restrictions was that spreading a political message requires money, so limits on contributions and spending are limits on political speech. Courts analogize the level of political spending to the size of a person's megaphone (or loudspeaker). The First Amendment proclaims that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech.” This prohibits limits on the size of the megaphone. A law that limits contributions or spending does limit the size of the megaphone, abridging the freedom of speech.
Given the fundamental importance of free political speech, the Supreme Court has struck down many campaign finance and spending-law restrictions that it found abridged the freedom of political speech....."
(Read more? You should. Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 16, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Crystal one of 'most endangered' rivers"
Scott Condon:
"REDSTONE — A national environmental organization named the Crystal River one of 2012's most endangered rivers in America on Tuesday because of the threat of dams and diversions.
American Rivers ranked the Crystal as the eighth most endangered river in the country for 2012. Its status as one of the last and largest free-flowing rivers in Colorado is in peril, according to Matt Rice, Colorado conservation director for American Rivers.
The Colorado River District and West Divide Conservancy District hold conditional water rights that could be used to build the 4,000-acre-foot Placita Reservoir; a similar-size reservoir on Yank Creek, a tributary of the Crystal River; and a water diversion on Avalanche Creek, the largest tributary of the river. The Placita Reservoir would be about four miles upstream from Redstone....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"REDSTONE — A national environmental organization named the Crystal River one of 2012's most endangered rivers in America on Tuesday because of the threat of dams and diversions.
American Rivers ranked the Crystal as the eighth most endangered river in the country for 2012. Its status as one of the last and largest free-flowing rivers in Colorado is in peril, according to Matt Rice, Colorado conservation director for American Rivers.
The Colorado River District and West Divide Conservancy District hold conditional water rights that could be used to build the 4,000-acre-foot Placita Reservoir; a similar-size reservoir on Yank Creek, a tributary of the Crystal River; and a water diversion on Avalanche Creek, the largest tributary of the river. The Placita Reservoir would be about four miles upstream from Redstone....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 14, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Time to occupy ourselves"
Paul Anderson:
"A cynic remarked that the Occupy Wall Street movement only wants the 99 percent to become the 1 percent. If that were so, they would be occupying the White House with pitchforks and flaming torches instead of city parks with tents and placards.
The occupiers' revolution is nuanced by their quest not to destroy the corporate-political infrastructure but to temper the greed and selfishness of Wall Street by spreading egalitarian virtues through peaceful cultural evolution.
Never mind that capitalism is antithetical to the idea or that human nature seems hardwired for scarcity and entitlement. And while spreading the wealth is a great idea, the 99 percent also should realize that they too must pony up for the Third World's share, not just the 1 percent. They might feel impoverished, but they're still richer than most.
I'm all for the viral spread of fairness, but I wonder if the disenfranchised 99 percent is compromising its message through social media. Marshall McLuhan warned about this in 1967 — “The medium is the message.”
Social media are incredibly popular and supposedly breathing new life into civic and political participation. Perhaps one day they will even stitch together a deep human connection instead of spamming the world with minutiae.
To my thinking, a different kind of revolution is needed before social networks rise above the superfluities of chat to take on real significance.
Rather than Occupy Wall Street, dissenters first ought to Occupy Ourselves. Inner resources should be developed before social networking can propel us into the new realms of altruism the 99 percent stridently endorses......" (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"A cynic remarked that the Occupy Wall Street movement only wants the 99 percent to become the 1 percent. If that were so, they would be occupying the White House with pitchforks and flaming torches instead of city parks with tents and placards.
The occupiers' revolution is nuanced by their quest not to destroy the corporate-political infrastructure but to temper the greed and selfishness of Wall Street by spreading egalitarian virtues through peaceful cultural evolution.
Never mind that capitalism is antithetical to the idea or that human nature seems hardwired for scarcity and entitlement. And while spreading the wealth is a great idea, the 99 percent also should realize that they too must pony up for the Third World's share, not just the 1 percent. They might feel impoverished, but they're still richer than most.
I'm all for the viral spread of fairness, but I wonder if the disenfranchised 99 percent is compromising its message through social media. Marshall McLuhan warned about this in 1967 — “The medium is the message.”
Social media are incredibly popular and supposedly breathing new life into civic and political participation. Perhaps one day they will even stitch together a deep human connection instead of spamming the world with minutiae.
To my thinking, a different kind of revolution is needed before social networks rise above the superfluities of chat to take on real significance.
Rather than Occupy Wall Street, dissenters first ought to Occupy Ourselves. Inner resources should be developed before social networking can propel us into the new realms of altruism the 99 percent stridently endorses......" (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 12, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "On the fly: The meaning of fishing"
Kirk Webb:
"BASALT — The fishing throughout the valley has been pretty incredible lately.
The Rocky Mountain Regional Championship for Fly Fishing Team USA was held in Basalt last weekend. Huge numbers of fish were put up on the board and tallied — so much so that most anglers cannot even fathom catching fish at such a ferocious pace. It just goes to show that good anglers succeed in a wide variety of conditions, habitats and water types as anglers competed on the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork rivers as well as on Ruedi Reservoir......" (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"BASALT — The fishing throughout the valley has been pretty incredible lately.
The Rocky Mountain Regional Championship for Fly Fishing Team USA was held in Basalt last weekend. Huge numbers of fish were put up on the board and tallied — so much so that most anglers cannot even fathom catching fish at such a ferocious pace. It just goes to show that good anglers succeed in a wide variety of conditions, habitats and water types as anglers competed on the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork rivers as well as on Ruedi Reservoir......" (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 10, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Take a common-sense approach toward energy"
(Read one of Sturm's 'local's fav' columns on the green industry here)
Melanie Sturm:
".....After “investing” $110 billion since 2009, the sector is littered with taxpayer-backed, bankrupt companies like Solyndra, Beacon Power and Ener1, all of which paid bonuses before going under. Reuters reported last month that “the wind industry … has shed 10,000 jobs since 2009 even as the energy capacity of wind farms has nearly doubled” … while the demonized “oil and gas industry added 75,000 jobs.”
The truth is that industries that aren't economically viable don't create real jobs, and those that are viable don't need subsidies. Plagued by competitive disadvantages like sun and wind intermittence, and expensive land, capital, transmission and backup capacity, these technologies are uncompetitive small-market players and remain subsidy-dependent.
Despite receiving 53.5 percent of federal financial support for the electric-power sector, wind and solar supply only 4 percent of U.S. power at a cost 100 to 300 percent more than conventional sources, according to the Energy Information Administration. A University of Wyoming study noted that because green policies increase prices, the “economic benefits derived from building renewable energy facilities in the short run are more than offset by losses in economic output and employment,” thus hurting the poorest and most vulnerable.
Additionally, given renewables' green patina, many don't appreciate their adverse environmental impacts beyond the eyesore, noise, water usage and wildlife destruction. Called “energy sprawl” by the Nature Conservancy, renewable energies require vastly more land while producing significantly less energy than conventional energy. Most disconcerting, their incurable intermittence requires utilities to rely on conventional power to cycle up when there's no wind or sun and power down when there is, thus diminishing carbon-reduction advantages...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Melanie Sturm:
".....After “investing” $110 billion since 2009, the sector is littered with taxpayer-backed, bankrupt companies like Solyndra, Beacon Power and Ener1, all of which paid bonuses before going under. Reuters reported last month that “the wind industry … has shed 10,000 jobs since 2009 even as the energy capacity of wind farms has nearly doubled” … while the demonized “oil and gas industry added 75,000 jobs.”
The truth is that industries that aren't economically viable don't create real jobs, and those that are viable don't need subsidies. Plagued by competitive disadvantages like sun and wind intermittence, and expensive land, capital, transmission and backup capacity, these technologies are uncompetitive small-market players and remain subsidy-dependent.
Despite receiving 53.5 percent of federal financial support for the electric-power sector, wind and solar supply only 4 percent of U.S. power at a cost 100 to 300 percent more than conventional sources, according to the Energy Information Administration. A University of Wyoming study noted that because green policies increase prices, the “economic benefits derived from building renewable energy facilities in the short run are more than offset by losses in economic output and employment,” thus hurting the poorest and most vulnerable.
Additionally, given renewables' green patina, many don't appreciate their adverse environmental impacts beyond the eyesore, noise, water usage and wildlife destruction. Called “energy sprawl” by the Nature Conservancy, renewable energies require vastly more land while producing significantly less energy than conventional energy. Most disconcerting, their incurable intermittence requires utilities to rely on conventional power to cycle up when there's no wind or sun and power down when there is, thus diminishing carbon-reduction advantages...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 7, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Change is in the air"
It's because of the 'Red Ant'.
Seriously.
That somewhat infamous 'Aspen Blogger' aka the 'Red Ant is the catalyst of the new dawn for conservatives in the Roaring Fork Valley.
A 'new age' where conservative commentary and opinion is not only freely and widely expressed but also receiving higher popularity rankings than any liberal talking head in the area.
Sparking tweets that zip around the world, fellow conservative bloggers and writers, conservative activism and those previously elusive conservatives in the closet coming out in full force through every available medium they can get their hands on.
There truly is strength in numbers and 'change is in the air'.
Maurice Emmer:
"Dear Editor:
Charlie Leonard claims that President Obama has no plan to fix Social Security and Medicare (“President's math doesn't add up,” Opinion, April 3, The Aspen Times). Why be so negative, Charlie? Who are you to question the smartest president in the history of this nation?
The president's plan is obvious. It is embodied in Obamacare. In a nutshell, the president's plan is that Obamacare will survive the challenge in the Supreme Court and wreck our health care system.....
......Where's your hope, Charlie? Change is coming.." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Seriously.
That somewhat infamous 'Aspen Blogger' aka the 'Red Ant is the catalyst of the new dawn for conservatives in the Roaring Fork Valley.
A 'new age' where conservative commentary and opinion is not only freely and widely expressed but also receiving higher popularity rankings than any liberal talking head in the area.
Sparking tweets that zip around the world, fellow conservative bloggers and writers, conservative activism and those previously elusive conservatives in the closet coming out in full force through every available medium they can get their hands on.
There truly is strength in numbers and 'change is in the air'.
Maurice Emmer:
"Dear Editor:
Charlie Leonard claims that President Obama has no plan to fix Social Security and Medicare (“President's math doesn't add up,” Opinion, April 3, The Aspen Times). Why be so negative, Charlie? Who are you to question the smartest president in the history of this nation?
The president's plan is obvious. It is embodied in Obamacare. In a nutshell, the president's plan is that Obamacare will survive the challenge in the Supreme Court and wreck our health care system.....
......Where's your hope, Charlie? Change is coming.." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
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