Let's take a walk back to the past since John Stroud isn't going to let any historical data into his piece today.
1. GarCo commissioners have never, ever said they were against air monitoring nor have they ever dropped the ball in any way on performing studies. They stood up to the very poor output of the HIA study because it was filled with holes and they had hired the study for specific scientific data not speculation. At that time, they stepped up their already in place air monitoring controls and sat back to see where it all landed.
2. The recent "scientific" independent study that was ostensibly "leaked" to eco-pen style paparazzi and then "found" its way plastered all over the worldwide web as a result is hysteria. BOCC is accurate on that point.
With that said, SandBox scoffs at the commissioners this morning with their ostensibly placed 'political' rhetoric.
How very convenient it is that whenever there is pressure put on you by the loudest or most powerful social groups in the county; you stand up and go for dotting the 'i's' and crossing the 't's'. Except of course when the power group in front of you happens to be more powerful politically and socially than the loudest.
What will it take? More 'shock-jock' style blogs like this one? More 'bethatesantero' and 'Just Anita' campaigns against gas companies and law enforcement in local chat rooms? More tabloid style eco-pen paparazzi stalking the gas wells?
Hmmmm....or just maybe all it will take...
Is an election.
For the record, 'SandBox Nanny's' personal view on the smoldering issues with Garfield BOCC and Garfield GOP is that they are not political in nature. They're personality and business ethics based. Still nothing that a good epiphany found in the heat of a hot election race won't 'cure'.
John Stroud:
"“One of the goals here is to not use fear, and to have good information instead of reacting to the pressures of politics,” Commission Chairman John Martin said at the work session.
“We need to have facts instead of hysteria,” he said.
The Board of County Commissioners will formally consider the additional expenditure at an upcoming regular meeting.
Currently, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) also contributes about $87,000 annually toward the air quality monitoring in Garfield County.
“I would like to encourage the state to pay for more of this,” Commissioner Mike Samson suggested...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
April 4, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Op-ed: Idaho wolf torture highlights brutality of state ‘management’ plans in absence of federal oversight"
This is such a horrific report. I linked it in the roundup over five hours ago and am still nauseous.
US Forest Service employee? He should be criminally charged if that is true. As for these "hunters" and "trappers" you are no such thing. There are humane ways to control predator populations.
Shame on you.
Bob Berwyn:
"...This week, the Center for Biological Diversity sent letters to both the Forest Service and Idaho Attorney General, Lawrence Wasden, today requesting investigations into the actions of Forest Service employeed Josh Bransford, who posted photos of a wolf he had trapped in northern Idaho that had been maliciously and non-fatally shot by people who spotted the animal from a nearby road.
“A year ago, that wolf was protected as a member of an endangered species, but last month he was trapped, tortured and killed thanks to an underhanded congressional rider that’s also responsible for the deaths of hundreds of other wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains,” said the Center’s Michael Robinson. “A lack of respect for the balance of nature is leading to a war on wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains.”
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
US Forest Service employee? He should be criminally charged if that is true. As for these "hunters" and "trappers" you are no such thing. There are humane ways to control predator populations.
Shame on you.
Bob Berwyn:
"...This week, the Center for Biological Diversity sent letters to both the Forest Service and Idaho Attorney General, Lawrence Wasden, today requesting investigations into the actions of Forest Service employeed Josh Bransford, who posted photos of a wolf he had trapped in northern Idaho that had been maliciously and non-fatally shot by people who spotted the animal from a nearby road.
“A year ago, that wolf was protected as a member of an endangered species, but last month he was trapped, tortured and killed thanks to an underhanded congressional rider that’s also responsible for the deaths of hundreds of other wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains,” said the Center’s Michael Robinson. “A lack of respect for the balance of nature is leading to a war on wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains.”
The posting, on trapperman.com, shows the Forest Service employee smiling in front of a still-living wolf surrounded by snow that is bloody from the animal’s gunshot wounds. Idaho state law makes it a crime for a person who “causes or procures any animal to be cruelly treated, or who, having the charge or custody of any animal either as owner or otherwise, subjects any animal to cruelty.”...."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning Photo: The kids are alright!"
Bob Berwyn:
"SUMMIT COUNTY — Taking pictures of kids always makes me smile. When you capture a moment — like the picture above — you realize anew that there’s a whole world going inside of them. If you’re a parent, or spend a lot of time around youngsters, you know that anyway, but a good snapshot is, as they say, priceless...."
"SUMMIT COUNTY — Taking pictures of kids always makes me smile. When you capture a moment — like the picture above — you realize anew that there’s a whole world going inside of them. If you’re a parent, or spend a lot of time around youngsters, you know that anyway, but a good snapshot is, as they say, priceless...."
April 3, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: RealAspen "Aspen election activist suing Colorado secretary of state over traceability of ballots"
Troy Hooper:
"The challenges mounting on Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler's desk go beyond whether to mail ballots to residents who haven't voted in a while. He has another predicament: bar codes.
Unique identifying numbers, or bar codes, that can trace citizens to how they voted appear on ballots in dozens of counties in Colorado — a revelation that is not only troublesome but possibly illegal.
Ballots are not allowed to have "distinguishing marks," according to state law.
A coalition of Colorado voters is suing Gessler (pdf) and a half dozen county clerks in a Denver federal court, contending the officials are presiding over unconstitutional elections. The litigation stems from a separate dispute over whether cast ballots should be made public so that elections can be verified by someone outside of government. When clerks argued ballots could not be seen by members of the public because it was theoretically possible to figure out how specific people voted in certain elections, the bar code problem became apparent.
"We didn't think the clerks were serious. We thought they were pulling our leg, putting up a smokescreen," said Aspen-based election activist Marilyn Marks. "We didn't think it was true, but it is."
Marks and a handful of other activists across the state soon learned that 46 counties in Colorado use Hart brand ballots that have bar codes affixed to them that are not torn off before they are tallied. Their lawsuit asks the court to prohibit the government from placing identifiers on ballots, or otherwise using mechanisms to track vote choices, both of which the suit says are already against the law.
"We're suing Gessler because he hasn't enforced the law and we think he should," Marks said.
Messages left for Gessler and his spokesman were not immediately returned.
In a letter (pdf) to election activist Al Kolwicz in Boulder last fall, the Secretary of State's Office acknowledged that ballots can be traced in many counties....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"The challenges mounting on Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler's desk go beyond whether to mail ballots to residents who haven't voted in a while. He has another predicament: bar codes.
Unique identifying numbers, or bar codes, that can trace citizens to how they voted appear on ballots in dozens of counties in Colorado — a revelation that is not only troublesome but possibly illegal.
Ballots are not allowed to have "distinguishing marks," according to state law.
A coalition of Colorado voters is suing Gessler (pdf) and a half dozen county clerks in a Denver federal court, contending the officials are presiding over unconstitutional elections. The litigation stems from a separate dispute over whether cast ballots should be made public so that elections can be verified by someone outside of government. When clerks argued ballots could not be seen by members of the public because it was theoretically possible to figure out how specific people voted in certain elections, the bar code problem became apparent.
"We didn't think the clerks were serious. We thought they were pulling our leg, putting up a smokescreen," said Aspen-based election activist Marilyn Marks. "We didn't think it was true, but it is."
Marks and a handful of other activists across the state soon learned that 46 counties in Colorado use Hart brand ballots that have bar codes affixed to them that are not torn off before they are tallied. Their lawsuit asks the court to prohibit the government from placing identifiers on ballots, or otherwise using mechanisms to track vote choices, both of which the suit says are already against the law.
"We're suing Gessler because he hasn't enforced the law and we think he should," Marks said.
Messages left for Gessler and his spokesman were not immediately returned.
In a letter (pdf) to election activist Al Kolwicz in Boulder last fall, the Secretary of State's Office acknowledged that ballots can be traced in many counties....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: National Journal "Total TV Tab: $87 Million"
Think of how many hungry mouths that would feed......how far it would go in lowering gas prices as a gas credit.....how many homeless it would shelter....and that it would relieve the estimated annual burden on every American household of $1,700 to subsidize the estimated number of illegal foreign nationals on our soil (estimated $86 million per yr).....
Wow.
And that's just the Republicans.
Reid Wilson:
"The Republican presidential candidates and their supportive super PACs have spent more than $87 million on television advertising since the beginning of the race, according to figures compiled by GOP sources watching the ad buys....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Wow.
And that's just the Republicans.
Reid Wilson:
"The Republican presidential candidates and their supportive super PACs have spent more than $87 million on television advertising since the beginning of the race, according to figures compiled by GOP sources watching the ad buys....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Public defender readies another sanction attempt on Aspen district attorney"
"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. ) "
Chad Abraham:
"The attorney for a man facing three felonies after allegedly calling in a bomb threat to get into a concert said Monday that she will seek to have the charges dismissed because of an alleged pretrial evidence miscue by the Aspen district attorney’s office.
Asa Robinson’s lawyer, public defender Tina Fang, said she also will be filing a motion later this month to sanction Chief Deputy District Attorney Arnold Mordkin. She alleged that Mordkin only within the past 10 days turned over to her a recorded statement Robinson made to an Aspen police detective in the Pitkin County Jail.
Prosecutors are expected to turn over evidence to defense attorneys 20 days after the filing of charges. After that, when new evidence comes to a prosecutor’s attention it must be turned over to the defense as soon as practical, according to the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Robinson, 30, of Glenwood Springs, has been in jail since he was arrested at the Belly Up on Nov. 22. He was advised the next day that he faces felony counts of false reporting of explosives, assault of a police officer and menacing. Police say he called the county communications center to report a bomb in the venue, which was evacuated during a sold-out Zeds Dead show....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Patrol "Heavy Equipment Plows Yield Over a Ton of Marijuana at Marfa Border Patrol Checkpoint "
Click title to read up on how creative the Mexican Drug Cartels that pump dope on to the Western Slope of Colorado...all the way up to Pitkin County and Aspen....really are....
SandBoxBlogs: Summit Daily News "Liddick: The shaky moral ground of drone use"
Morgan Liddick:
"The MQ-9 “Reaper” Unmanned Aerial Combat Vehicle she uses as a murder weapon is, on the other hand, all too real. With it, its cousin the “Predator,” and the rapidly-proliferating family of unmanned surveillance aircraft, grim fact has caught up with fiction. So this might be a good time to sit down and think things through.
These machines range in size from the Reaper, which can carry over 3,000 pounds of weapons and fly for 36 hours, to battery-powered surveillance drones about the size of a shoebox. They can go into very high-risk environments — think clouds of toxic chemicals or remote forest fires. They don't get bored. With the right set of sensors, they can see better than a human pilot. And properly equipped, they can — and do — kill.
Internationally, this use of the Predator and Reaper shouldn't surprise. Even when nominal US citizens like Anwar al-Awlaki end up on the business end of a Hellfire missile, we should remember that taking up arms for a foreign entity engaged in hostilities against the United States is an expatriating act — particularly when coupled with other actions indicating the unlikelihood of returning to US jurisdiction...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"The MQ-9 “Reaper” Unmanned Aerial Combat Vehicle she uses as a murder weapon is, on the other hand, all too real. With it, its cousin the “Predator,” and the rapidly-proliferating family of unmanned surveillance aircraft, grim fact has caught up with fiction. So this might be a good time to sit down and think things through.
These machines range in size from the Reaper, which can carry over 3,000 pounds of weapons and fly for 36 hours, to battery-powered surveillance drones about the size of a shoebox. They can go into very high-risk environments — think clouds of toxic chemicals or remote forest fires. They don't get bored. With the right set of sensors, they can see better than a human pilot. And properly equipped, they can — and do — kill.
Internationally, this use of the Predator and Reaper shouldn't surprise. Even when nominal US citizens like Anwar al-Awlaki end up on the business end of a Hellfire missile, we should remember that taking up arms for a foreign entity engaged in hostilities against the United States is an expatriating act — particularly when coupled with other actions indicating the unlikelihood of returning to US jurisdiction...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "The new cradle of civilization"
Updates: See related stories and public commentary here, here and here)
Steve Skinner:
"I was just looking over a list of Pitkin County nonprofits and it struck me. In many ways these groups, hundreds of them, account for a significant, if not the biggest, part of our valley economy. For me personally, I have found meaningful work in community radio at KDNK. This was a real relief because the commercial sector was outsourcing, maximizing profits and abandoning creativity.
That kind of thing is what spurs nonprofits to rise and grow in the first place. People are eventually repulsed by outsourcing, maximizing profits and abandoned creativity. Better yet, despite all the distractions, people want more than just stuff, and that’s where the nonprofits often come in. From human health services to Pica protection, thankfully, there is someone on it.
Nonprofits mostly do their special work in the background: protecting kids from abuse, suicide prevention, hospice, solar energy training, after-school programs, veteran’s programs, disabled services, pet shelters, clay, art, justice, environmental protection, writing, music, poetry, theater, volunteer groups, senior support, language assistance and on and on...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Steve Skinner:
"I was just looking over a list of Pitkin County nonprofits and it struck me. In many ways these groups, hundreds of them, account for a significant, if not the biggest, part of our valley economy. For me personally, I have found meaningful work in community radio at KDNK. This was a real relief because the commercial sector was outsourcing, maximizing profits and abandoning creativity.
That kind of thing is what spurs nonprofits to rise and grow in the first place. People are eventually repulsed by outsourcing, maximizing profits and abandoned creativity. Better yet, despite all the distractions, people want more than just stuff, and that’s where the nonprofits often come in. From human health services to Pica protection, thankfully, there is someone on it.
Nonprofits mostly do their special work in the background: protecting kids from abuse, suicide prevention, hospice, solar energy training, after-school programs, veteran’s programs, disabled services, pet shelters, clay, art, justice, environmental protection, writing, music, poetry, theater, volunteer groups, senior support, language assistance and on and on...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Homeless group aims to reform ‘broken’ local housing rules"
"They are treated like chattel."
Yes, they most certainly are. Think about that angle of the current conversations on "deed-restricted" land use codes, "affordable" housing and "employee housing" from the construction, development, government and surrounding neighborhoods end.
"Anonymous" tips, indeed. Who benefits the most if those housing units go empty?
Great question.
Andrw Travers:
"The Regional Homeless Coalition, which focuses on homelessness from Aspen to Parachute, addressed the issue briefly Monday at its biannual meeting. Members discussed whether the housing authority may be contributing to homelessness in the Aspen area.
Aspen- and Pitkin County-based members of the group will meet again next week, in the hopes of formulating specific proposals for changes in the housing authority rules.
“I think we can articulate what our concerns are and productively move them forward to APCHA and the city and the county,” said Nan Sundeen, Pitkin County’s director of health and human services.
The Aspen City Council and Pitkin County commissioners oversee the housing rules, which are then administered by APCHA.
In February, the housing authority served Truscott resident Susan Johnson with an eviction notice for not being employed, and later upheld the eviction. In the second case, against Heidi Mines, who owns an APCHA home on East Hopkins Avenue, the board opted last month to grant a four-month eviction delay to give her time to find a job.
Both cases arose from anonymous tips to APCHA, which enforces compliance with housing rules through complaints. To qualify for local government affordable housing, residents must work a minimum of 29 hours per week in Pitkin County.
“That’s probably why people choose to break them, because the rules are broken,” said Vince Savage, director of the Aspen Homeless Shelter.
Savage expressed frustration with the housing rules and their narrow focus on housing employees.
“Is it a community for rich people and people willing to work 29 hours a week to serve them? Or is this a place that people can come to live?” Savage asked the group.
He compared the housing system to a college campus, where one can’t keep housing without staying in school, and characterized it as an exploitative 21st century feudalism.
“They’re treated like chattel,” Savage said of APCHA tenants......"
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Yes, they most certainly are. Think about that angle of the current conversations on "deed-restricted" land use codes, "affordable" housing and "employee housing" from the construction, development, government and surrounding neighborhoods end.
"Anonymous" tips, indeed. Who benefits the most if those housing units go empty?
Great question.
Andrw Travers:
"The Regional Homeless Coalition, which focuses on homelessness from Aspen to Parachute, addressed the issue briefly Monday at its biannual meeting. Members discussed whether the housing authority may be contributing to homelessness in the Aspen area.
Aspen- and Pitkin County-based members of the group will meet again next week, in the hopes of formulating specific proposals for changes in the housing authority rules.
“I think we can articulate what our concerns are and productively move them forward to APCHA and the city and the county,” said Nan Sundeen, Pitkin County’s director of health and human services.
The Aspen City Council and Pitkin County commissioners oversee the housing rules, which are then administered by APCHA.
In February, the housing authority served Truscott resident Susan Johnson with an eviction notice for not being employed, and later upheld the eviction. In the second case, against Heidi Mines, who owns an APCHA home on East Hopkins Avenue, the board opted last month to grant a four-month eviction delay to give her time to find a job.
Both cases arose from anonymous tips to APCHA, which enforces compliance with housing rules through complaints. To qualify for local government affordable housing, residents must work a minimum of 29 hours per week in Pitkin County.
“That’s probably why people choose to break them, because the rules are broken,” said Vince Savage, director of the Aspen Homeless Shelter.
Savage expressed frustration with the housing rules and their narrow focus on housing employees.
“Is it a community for rich people and people willing to work 29 hours a week to serve them? Or is this a place that people can come to live?” Savage asked the group.
He compared the housing system to a college campus, where one can’t keep housing without staying in school, and characterized it as an exploitative 21st century feudalism.
“They’re treated like chattel,” Savage said of APCHA tenants......"
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily "Avon firm is selected for Walgreens project"
Congratulations to Evans Chaffee!! Believe it or not, local contractors never get as fair of a shake in bidding local government contracts as outside the area contractors do.
Breaking that glass ceiling is almost under of. This is terrific news and we're so glad to see a local firm land the new Walgreens over in Avon.
Randy Wyrick:
"AVON, Colorado — Developers of Eagle's proposed Eagle River Station chose a local company to build their Walgreens project in Avon.
Avon's new Walgreens will be built by Evans Chaffee.
The lender wanted a Front Range firm, said Trinity RED's Vince Riggio.
But Riggio said his firm felt strongly that the job should go to the local company.
“Trinity RED will do everything possible to give work to local companies,” Riggio said. “We chose Evans Chaffee because they're local and we know how many local people need work.”
They broke ground this week on their Walgreens project, Riggio said. It will replace Denny's in Avon.
It's scheduled for completion in October....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Breaking that glass ceiling is almost under of. This is terrific news and we're so glad to see a local firm land the new Walgreens over in Avon.
Randy Wyrick:
"AVON, Colorado — Developers of Eagle's proposed Eagle River Station chose a local company to build their Walgreens project in Avon.
Avon's new Walgreens will be built by Evans Chaffee.
The lender wanted a Front Range firm, said Trinity RED's Vince Riggio.
But Riggio said his firm felt strongly that the job should go to the local company.
“Trinity RED will do everything possible to give work to local companies,” Riggio said. “We chose Evans Chaffee because they're local and we know how many local people need work.”
They broke ground this week on their Walgreens project, Riggio said. It will replace Denny's in Avon.
It's scheduled for completion in October....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "1 in 6 county workers quitting"
Mike Wiggins:
"More than one in six Mesa County employees ended their employment with the county last year, the most in at least 11 years and a figure that concerns some county officials.
A total of 160 of the county’s 916 workers were laid off or fired or voluntarily resigned in 2011, according to a report recently presented to county commissioners by Human Resources Director Sandy Perry. The turnover rate of 17.5 percent was more than double the 8.4 percent turnover rate in 2009.
Perry said the average annual turnover in the public sector ranges from 12 to 14 percent.
“My concern is if they (high turnover rates) continue through this year,” she said. “Then we need to be cognizant of: Is there a deeper issue going on?”..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"More than one in six Mesa County employees ended their employment with the county last year, the most in at least 11 years and a figure that concerns some county officials.
A total of 160 of the county’s 916 workers were laid off or fired or voluntarily resigned in 2011, according to a report recently presented to county commissioners by Human Resources Director Sandy Perry. The turnover rate of 17.5 percent was more than double the 8.4 percent turnover rate in 2009.
Perry said the average annual turnover in the public sector ranges from 12 to 14 percent.
“My concern is if they (high turnover rates) continue through this year,” she said. “Then we need to be cognizant of: Is there a deeper issue going on?”..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: SkyHi Daily "Blues From The Top lineup announced, June 29 - July 1 in Winter Park"
One of the most popular Colorado music festivals announces the summer lineup.
SkyHi Daily:
"“Pop princess entertainer” Dana Fuchs headlines The Grand County Blues Society's 10th Annual Blues From the Top Music Festival.
Fuchs is a singer-songwriter made famous with her acting debut in the 2007 film, “Across the Universe.” Classic Rock Magazine describes her voice as “juke joint dirty and illicit,” and she has been compared to rock legend Janis Joplin.
The Festival takes place June 29 - July 1 in Winter Park...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SkyHi Daily:
"“Pop princess entertainer” Dana Fuchs headlines The Grand County Blues Society's 10th Annual Blues From the Top Music Festival.
Fuchs is a singer-songwriter made famous with her acting debut in the 2007 film, “Across the Universe.” Classic Rock Magazine describes her voice as “juke joint dirty and illicit,” and she has been compared to rock legend Janis Joplin.
The Festival takes place June 29 - July 1 in Winter Park...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Jimmy Westlake: Look into infinity and beyond"
What does a guy like Jimmy Westlake dream of?
Stars? Planets? Or the mysteries of infinity and beyond?
Be sure to click title, read the entire article and marvel at his amazing astrophotography talent.
Jimmy Westlake:
"Steamboat Springs — In space, there is no up or down, no top or bottom. On Earth, gravity defines our “down” as toward the center of the Earth and our “up” as the direction opposite that, but these have no meaning once you are away from the Earth’s influence.
So, when considering our pancake-shaped Milky Way galaxy, the terms “top” and “bottom” are completely arbitrary. If we choose the “top” of our galaxy to be the side toward which the Earth’s north pole happens to point, then spring is the time of year when we are able to look right up out of the “top” of the Milky Way and into the depths of intergalactic space. At about midnight in mid-April, or 10 p.m. in mid-May, the hazy band of the Milky Way temporarily encircles us along the horizon such that when we lay on our backs and stare straight up, we are gazing into infinity...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Stars? Planets? Or the mysteries of infinity and beyond?
Be sure to click title, read the entire article and marvel at his amazing astrophotography talent.
Jimmy Westlake:
"Steamboat Springs — In space, there is no up or down, no top or bottom. On Earth, gravity defines our “down” as toward the center of the Earth and our “up” as the direction opposite that, but these have no meaning once you are away from the Earth’s influence.
So, when considering our pancake-shaped Milky Way galaxy, the terms “top” and “bottom” are completely arbitrary. If we choose the “top” of our galaxy to be the side toward which the Earth’s north pole happens to point, then spring is the time of year when we are able to look right up out of the “top” of the Milky Way and into the depths of intergalactic space. At about midnight in mid-April, or 10 p.m. in mid-May, the hazy band of the Milky Way temporarily encircles us along the horizon such that when we lay on our backs and stare straight up, we are gazing into infinity...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Summit Daily News "Thinking Outside the Classroom: The power of curiosity"
(See related story here)
Joel Egbert:
"cu·ri·os·i·ty: A strong desire to know or learn something. — Merriam-Webster dictionary...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Joel Egbert:
"cu·ri·os·i·ty: A strong desire to know or learn something. — Merriam-Webster dictionary...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Climate: March heat wave sets numerous records in U.S."
Bob Berwyn:
"SUMMIT COUNTY — The March heatwave across the eastern and central U.S. broke longstanding temperature records in many cities, including Des Moine, Iowa, where the average reading for the month was more than 4 degrees warmer than the previous record, set in 1910. Milwaukee, Wisconsin and International Falls, Minnesota also reported temperatures more than 4 degrees higher than previous records for the month, according to AccuWeather.com, which this week released an early tally of temperature records.
The cities where records were set span 25 states, from the central High Plains to the East Coast and include Washington, D.C. For Indianapolis, March 2012 marks the first time that a monthly average temperature record has been set since August 1936. The last time such a record was tied occurred 66 years ago in March 1946.
The magnitude of the warmth can be put into another perspective by comparing March 2012 with other months...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"SUMMIT COUNTY — The March heatwave across the eastern and central U.S. broke longstanding temperature records in many cities, including Des Moine, Iowa, where the average reading for the month was more than 4 degrees warmer than the previous record, set in 1910. Milwaukee, Wisconsin and International Falls, Minnesota also reported temperatures more than 4 degrees higher than previous records for the month, according to AccuWeather.com, which this week released an early tally of temperature records.
The cities where records were set span 25 states, from the central High Plains to the East Coast and include Washington, D.C. For Indianapolis, March 2012 marks the first time that a monthly average temperature record has been set since August 1936. The last time such a record was tied occurred 66 years ago in March 1946.
The magnitude of the warmth can be put into another perspective by comparing March 2012 with other months...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Best of March"
Summit Voice and Bob Berwyn bring us the lens of Kim Fenske today (Click title).
Photo credit: Kim Fenske
Photo credit: Kim Fenske
April 2, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Right Scoop "Matt Lauer asks Sarah Palin if she’s reading newspapers to prepare for co-hosting gig"
'Conservative_Hippie':
"This will be the first time I've ever watched the "Today Show". Anyone want to guess why?"
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"This will be the first time I've ever watched the "Today Show". Anyone want to guess why?"
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Garfield commissioners reject county manager finalists"
An interesting turn within our BOCC.
John Stroud:
"GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — Garfield County commissioners this afternoon rejected all five of the candidates that had been presented to them as finalists for the county manager position.
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted 3-0 not to select any of the five, and to instead seek a new slate of candidates from search consultants Peckham & McKenney in the coming months. The time frame for resuming the search will be determined at a later date..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
John Stroud:
"GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — Garfield County commissioners this afternoon rejected all five of the candidates that had been presented to them as finalists for the county manager position.
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted 3-0 not to select any of the five, and to instead seek a new slate of candidates from search consultants Peckham & McKenney in the coming months. The time frame for resuming the search will be determined at a later date..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Iowa Republican "Vilsack’s Values: Government Solves Everything"
Kevin Hall:
"She spent months traveling and repeated the same question hundreds of times, but Christie Vilsack still has not figured out which “Iowa values” are important to the people of the 4th Congressional District. Despite being told repeatedly that Iowans care about protecting life, reducing the deficit and lowering taxes, Vilsack stuck with what she knows best: spending more taxpayer dollars on federal programs.
Her education and energy proposals clearly show that Vilsack believes more government is the solution to everything. Although she hopes to represent a conservative district, the carpetbagging Vilsack’s liberal leanings remain clear. She revealed some of them while campaigning last week and touting her new education plan.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"She spent months traveling and repeated the same question hundreds of times, but Christie Vilsack still has not figured out which “Iowa values” are important to the people of the 4th Congressional District. Despite being told repeatedly that Iowans care about protecting life, reducing the deficit and lowering taxes, Vilsack stuck with what she knows best: spending more taxpayer dollars on federal programs.
Her education and energy proposals clearly show that Vilsack believes more government is the solution to everything. Although she hopes to represent a conservative district, the carpetbagging Vilsack’s liberal leanings remain clear. She revealed some of them while campaigning last week and touting her new education plan.
‘The federal government’s job is to ensure that anybody who wants an opportunity at some sort of higher education should be able to get it,” she told a crowd in Ft. Dodge last week. Vilsack did not point out where this “job” is outlined in the U.S. Constitution....."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Rep Scott Tipton "How I'm fighting for seniors in Washington"
Why are Western Colorado Independent Conservatives sending Scott Tipton back to Congress in 2012?
He listens and then with no fuss, little fanfare and zero ego goes out and gets a balanced job done for the folks he represents.
Say YES to Scott Tipton (R-Colorado).
Scott Tipton:
"..We cannot wait any longer to solve our country's economic crisis and ensure that programs like Medicare are put on a sustainable course, while protecting access to care for seniors, and taking responsible steps to get our country moving in the right direction.
Over the past two weeks, I had the opportunity to speak directly with many seniors in my district during six town hall meetings and two tele-town hall meetings. During these town halls, I listened to the uncertainty and concerns that many expressed over the future of our country. Seniors are worried about what will happen to critical programs, such as Medicare, if Washington doesn't get spending under control soon.
I share these concerns....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
He listens and then with no fuss, little fanfare and zero ego goes out and gets a balanced job done for the folks he represents.
Say YES to Scott Tipton (R-Colorado).
Scott Tipton:
"..We cannot wait any longer to solve our country's economic crisis and ensure that programs like Medicare are put on a sustainable course, while protecting access to care for seniors, and taking responsible steps to get our country moving in the right direction.
Over the past two weeks, I had the opportunity to speak directly with many seniors in my district during six town hall meetings and two tele-town hall meetings. During these town halls, I listened to the uncertainty and concerns that many expressed over the future of our country. Seniors are worried about what will happen to critical programs, such as Medicare, if Washington doesn't get spending under control soon.
I share these concerns....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Garfield County Sheriff's Report"
Public record via GSPI:
"Editor's note: The Garfield County Sheriff's Department reports the following incidents and arrests. Summonses or arrests merely indicate an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless found guilty in court.
Introducing contraband: Deputies responded to the Garfield County Jail at 6:12 p.m. on March 22 for a drug violation. After an investigation, Ralph Lee Vasquez, 33, of Basalt, was charged with introducing contraband in the first degree and possession of schedule II substance - cocaine...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Editor's note: The Garfield County Sheriff's Department reports the following incidents and arrests. Summonses or arrests merely indicate an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless found guilty in court.
Introducing contraband: Deputies responded to the Garfield County Jail at 6:12 p.m. on March 22 for a drug violation. After an investigation, Ralph Lee Vasquez, 33, of Basalt, was charged with introducing contraband in the first degree and possession of schedule II substance - cocaine...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Latinos seem to support Officer Agon"
A very special thank you goes out to the courageous voice of Martha Lich over in Gypsum, Colorado for her letter to the PI today.
A strong voice, giving just the facts amidst a sea of hyperbole and hate content vitriol that has never been welcome in the Roaring Fork Valley. Yet is pumped out on a regular basis by a few in the seedy realms of internet micro-blogging. All the while their politically correct but more of a false face is written in to the local newspapers and shown to local officials and select social groups.
If it was not for the strong and courageous voices of folks like Marty; very good people would be unable to live in any kind of balance in their day-to-day lives.
Wherever he is, we always hope that former Carbondale Police Officer Alvaro Agon notices voices like Lich.
He was appreciated not only for his high skills and devotion to our students as an SRO; he was a respected police officer in our valley communities.
We're pretty sure he's doing well and giving same for some other lucky community and wish him the best.
Marty Lich:
"I am unaware of any ICE agents volunteering in any public schools as SROs. So I am somewhat perplexed after reading Anita Sherman's March 24 letter to the editor, ‘‘Extreme discretion' doesn't remove ICE from Re-1 schools.” It states: “The new Roaring Fork School Board has shown it has no concern for nearly 52 percent of its current student body with regards to permanently removing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from the school resource officer (SRO) program.”......
.....I know that the writer was not referring to Carbondale Police Officer and SRO Agon, for this ran in the Post Independent newspaper regarding him: “Latino residents offer support for Agon,” on Oct. 26, 2011....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
A strong voice, giving just the facts amidst a sea of hyperbole and hate content vitriol that has never been welcome in the Roaring Fork Valley. Yet is pumped out on a regular basis by a few in the seedy realms of internet micro-blogging. All the while their politically correct but more of a false face is written in to the local newspapers and shown to local officials and select social groups.
If it was not for the strong and courageous voices of folks like Marty; very good people would be unable to live in any kind of balance in their day-to-day lives.
Wherever he is, we always hope that former Carbondale Police Officer Alvaro Agon notices voices like Lich.
He was appreciated not only for his high skills and devotion to our students as an SRO; he was a respected police officer in our valley communities.
We're pretty sure he's doing well and giving same for some other lucky community and wish him the best.
Marty Lich:
"I am unaware of any ICE agents volunteering in any public schools as SROs. So I am somewhat perplexed after reading Anita Sherman's March 24 letter to the editor, ‘‘Extreme discretion' doesn't remove ICE from Re-1 schools.” It states: “The new Roaring Fork School Board has shown it has no concern for nearly 52 percent of its current student body with regards to permanently removing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from the school resource officer (SRO) program.”......
.....I know that the writer was not referring to Carbondale Police Officer and SRO Agon, for this ran in the Post Independent newspaper regarding him: “Latino residents offer support for Agon,” on Oct. 26, 2011....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "Hundreds of Violations Stopped by CBP Officers During Past 2 Weeks"
"El Paso, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at El Paso area ports of entry identified more than 271 violations during the past two weeks. CBP officers seized drugs, arrested illegal immigrants, captured fugitives and stopped prohibited agricultural items from entering the U.S. at ports of entry in El Paso, West Texas, and New Mexico.
“CBP officers continue to quickly and efficiently process thousands of law abiding citizens daily,” said Francis Brown, assistant director of field operations in El Paso. “Nevertheless the number of violations we encounter remains high – about 20 a day the last two weeks – and as a result CBP officers must remain focused and vigilant while performing their duties.”
During the past seven days CBP officers recorded a total of 30 drug busts. They seized 9,173 pounds of marijuana in 26 seizures and smaller quantities of cocaine and heroin in four additional enforcement actions.
CBP officers uncovered 187 immigration violations during the last two weeks. Intended immigrants made up the largest group of violators. A total of 98 were identified through thorough document exams. In these cases, individuals will use a legally issued border-crossing card (laser visa) to live or work in the U.S., which is not authorized. Violators generally lose their documents and are returned to Mexico.
CBP officers also identified a total of 30 impostors during the 14-day period. Imposters with previous criminal histories are generally booked into the El Paso County jail to face federal prosecution. Imposters are also removed from the United States for a minimum five year period and face federal felony charges if they attempt to illegally reenter the country again.
The balance of the immigration violators included those making false claims to U.S. citizenship, people attempting to enter with counterfeit or altered documents, visa overstay violations and people who had entered the country without inspection.
CBP officers working at area ports identified 27 wanted fugitives during the previous week.
Area CBP officers made 24 seizures of prohibited food and agricultural items this week, resulting in $4,350 in fines being assessed. Prohibited items seized this week included pork, pork skins, bologna, apples, oranges, pears, mangos, tangerines, avocados, potatoes and kiwis.
Area CBP officers also seized unreported currency, one handgun and ammunition. While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.
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."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Crime is down in Garfield County, Vallario reports"
John Colson:
"....According to a statistical report on crime in the county, sheriff's deputies responded to more than 31,400 calls for service in 2011, compared to 28,200 in 2010 and 26,000 in 2009.
But over the same time period, actual criminal court cases resulting from those calls for service dropped from just under 2,100 in 2009, to approximately 1,800 in 2011.
Vallario reported that in 2011 there were 213 cases of assault, 210 thefts, and 90 drunk driving cases.
In 2009, the statistics show, there were 245 assault cases, 298 cases of theft and 95 drunk driving charges.
Over the same three-year period, sexual offenses fluctuated from 37 in 2009, 33 in 2010 and 35 in 2011.
Vallario's statistical analysis of the sex-offense data show that in 2009, not quite a third of all sexual offenses were classified as “unlawful sexual contact,” a less serious charge than the remainder, which were classified as “sexual assault.”
By 2011, the percentage of unlawful sexual contact had fallen to less than 6 percent, leaving the remainder as sexual assaults.
Drug offenses also have fallen off, from 114 in 2009 to only 88 in 2011.
“Cocaine has still been our dominant drug,” Vallario said, explaining that the county has not had the same level of trouble with crystal meth as other areas...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"....According to a statistical report on crime in the county, sheriff's deputies responded to more than 31,400 calls for service in 2011, compared to 28,200 in 2010 and 26,000 in 2009.
But over the same time period, actual criminal court cases resulting from those calls for service dropped from just under 2,100 in 2009, to approximately 1,800 in 2011.
Vallario reported that in 2011 there were 213 cases of assault, 210 thefts, and 90 drunk driving cases.
In 2009, the statistics show, there were 245 assault cases, 298 cases of theft and 95 drunk driving charges.
Over the same three-year period, sexual offenses fluctuated from 37 in 2009, 33 in 2010 and 35 in 2011.
Vallario's statistical analysis of the sex-offense data show that in 2009, not quite a third of all sexual offenses were classified as “unlawful sexual contact,” a less serious charge than the remainder, which were classified as “sexual assault.”
By 2011, the percentage of unlawful sexual contact had fallen to less than 6 percent, leaving the remainder as sexual assaults.
Drug offenses also have fallen off, from 114 in 2009 to only 88 in 2011.
“Cocaine has still been our dominant drug,” Vallario said, explaining that the county has not had the same level of trouble with crystal meth as other areas...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "Nogales CBP Officers Seize Pot Shipment"
"Nogales, Ariz. — Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Tucson Field Office seized more than 1,800 pounds of marijuana Wednesday night. The marijuana, hidden in a shipment of cucumbers, was worth more than $900,00.
Nogales CBP officers referred a 27-year-old male Mexican national for a non-intrusive X-ray inspection of his tractor-trailer when he attempted to enter the United States through the Mariposa Commercial Port. The X-ray operator noticed an anomaly in the shipment of cucumbers, which led to a physical inspection and the discovery of 224 bundles of marijuana co-mingled with the produce. The drugs and tractor-trailer were processed for seizure. The driver was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Nogales CBP officers referred a 27-year-old male Mexican national for a non-intrusive X-ray inspection of his tractor-trailer when he attempted to enter the United States through the Mariposa Commercial Port. The X-ray operator noticed an anomaly in the shipment of cucumbers, which led to a physical inspection and the discovery of 224 bundles of marijuana co-mingled with the produce. The drugs and tractor-trailer were processed for seizure. The driver 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.
CBP's Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security 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."
SandBoxBlogs: Colorado Springs Independent "CannaBiz: Second wave from the Fed "
Bryce Crawford:
"Following up on his promise, last week Colorado U.S. Attorney John Walsh sent a second wave of letters to 25 medical marijuana centers located within 1,000 feet of a school, including a thus-far-unidentified few in Colorado Springs. (Please contact us if you're one of them.) Those centers then have 45 days to move or close or make themselves "subject to criminal prosecution and civil enforcement actions under federal law."..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Following up on his promise, last week Colorado U.S. Attorney John Walsh sent a second wave of letters to 25 medical marijuana centers located within 1,000 feet of a school, including a thus-far-unidentified few in Colorado Springs. (Please contact us if you're one of them.) Those centers then have 45 days to move or close or make themselves "subject to criminal prosecution and civil enforcement actions under federal law."..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: KJCT News 8 "Fruita Voters Weigh in on Pot Shop Ban"
Megan Terlecky:
"...Safe and Healthy Mesa County has campaigned against similar measures in the Grand Valley and now is rallying support for Referendum B in Fruita.
Cox says, “We are hoping people will turn out to vote yes to ban pot shops.”
Referendum B on the citywide ballot, asks voters if they support a ban of all medical marijuana dispensaries, growing operations, and the manufacture of pot-infused products within city limits...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"...Safe and Healthy Mesa County has campaigned against similar measures in the Grand Valley and now is rallying support for Referendum B in Fruita.
Cox says, “We are hoping people will turn out to vote yes to ban pot shops.”
Referendum B on the citywide ballot, asks voters if they support a ban of all medical marijuana dispensaries, growing operations, and the manufacture of pot-infused products within city limits...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Mayor wants new development downtown capped at two stories"
Is Mayor Mick really 'just' a handful? Or has he actually gone round the twist?
Curtis Wackerle:
"“If there aren’t as many guns, the puppies will be safer,” Ireland said, using a favored metaphor for when developers threaten existing community uses unless projects are approved.
Current rules basically mean council is forced to approve “stilts built under penthouses” that drive real estate speculation and crowd out uses such as moderately-priced restaurants and retail, Ireland said..."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Curtis Wackerle:
"“If there aren’t as many guns, the puppies will be safer,” Ireland said, using a favored metaphor for when developers threaten existing community uses unless projects are approved.
Current rules basically mean council is forced to approve “stilts built under penthouses” that drive real estate speculation and crowd out uses such as moderately-priced restaurants and retail, Ireland said..."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Developers critical of the code changes"
If a building (brick and mortar) had Karma...what would that Karma do to financial institutions, architects, designers, builders, municipalities...but most importantly...owners?
Let's fantasize about that concept for a moment.
Imagine every single architect that has ever put a so-called 'final construction set' into the hands of the folks doing the actual building. Being called up by that building every single time their so-called final set fell apart or decayed. Being hounded as mercilessly as the folks who executed the work are by the irate owner or municipality.
Imagine the world of bottom feeder bankers, mortgage lenders and owners being crushed by the weight of all the brick and mortar they've 'juggled' the books and the cash on.
Imagine the roughly 80% there are out there of builders who stack trades, refuse to adapt to changing conditions but always have a change order or back charge handy, refuse to manage and supervise their sites and clients yet are always johnny-on-the-spot to tag a scapegoat somewhere else when their world falls apart. Imagine brick and mortar that had ears and eyes and remembered who the real culprit was and then told all their brick and mortar friends to never give that builder the chance to lay a hand on them.
Imagine a world where 'interior desecrators' who deserved to be mocked based on their output, woke up in night terrors over dreams of their brick and mortar projects painted the most hideous shades of color they could imagine. Imagine a world where the excellent at their trade but very difficult to work with (if one is an aforementioned type of builder) 'interior desecrators' walked the brick and mortar lined streets and saw happy, proud houses because they all look so nice.
Imagine a municipality where every few years (after especially difficult politicians had wreaked havoc with the entire town) all brick and mortar packed their bags and left to go find a new place to live.
Imagine....
Curtis Wackerle:
"...Aspen City Council will be holding a special meeting tonight at 5 p.m. to consider land-use code amendments. City planners have put forward a package of changes that would bring down the maximum building height in the commercial core zone district from 42 to 38 feet. The limit would go from 40 to 36 feet in the C-1 district that surrounds the immediate core. City development officials’ proposal also would reduce by 33 percent the amount of a building’s square footage that could go to free-market residential development, and require that any free-market condos be accompanied by an equal amount of on-site affordable housing.
The code changes also would impose a minimum “floor-to-floor” height for ground floors of 13 feet and 11 feet, in the commercial core and C-1 districts, respectively. This change, intended to emphasize the historic pattern of downtown commercial development, refers to the distance between the bottom floor and the second floor, encompassing the space in the ceiling plate used for mechanical systems.
The changes have created a certain amount of fear within the development and property-owning community, said architect Charles Cunniffe. He’s had many conversations over the last few weeks with clients who are unsure what they would be able to do or not do if the new rules are passed.
Contractor John Olson was more blunt, saying that any potential redevelopment project would likely be off the table if the proposals becomes law. A three-story building would have to reach about 38 feet if the intention is to keep inhabitants from hitting their heads on the ceilings, Olson said...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Let's fantasize about that concept for a moment.
Imagine every single architect that has ever put a so-called 'final construction set' into the hands of the folks doing the actual building. Being called up by that building every single time their so-called final set fell apart or decayed. Being hounded as mercilessly as the folks who executed the work are by the irate owner or municipality.
Imagine the world of bottom feeder bankers, mortgage lenders and owners being crushed by the weight of all the brick and mortar they've 'juggled' the books and the cash on.
Imagine the roughly 80% there are out there of builders who stack trades, refuse to adapt to changing conditions but always have a change order or back charge handy, refuse to manage and supervise their sites and clients yet are always johnny-on-the-spot to tag a scapegoat somewhere else when their world falls apart. Imagine brick and mortar that had ears and eyes and remembered who the real culprit was and then told all their brick and mortar friends to never give that builder the chance to lay a hand on them.
Imagine a world where 'interior desecrators' who deserved to be mocked based on their output, woke up in night terrors over dreams of their brick and mortar projects painted the most hideous shades of color they could imagine. Imagine a world where the excellent at their trade but very difficult to work with (if one is an aforementioned type of builder) 'interior desecrators' walked the brick and mortar lined streets and saw happy, proud houses because they all look so nice.
Imagine a municipality where every few years (after especially difficult politicians had wreaked havoc with the entire town) all brick and mortar packed their bags and left to go find a new place to live.
Imagine....
Curtis Wackerle:
"...Aspen City Council will be holding a special meeting tonight at 5 p.m. to consider land-use code amendments. City planners have put forward a package of changes that would bring down the maximum building height in the commercial core zone district from 42 to 38 feet. The limit would go from 40 to 36 feet in the C-1 district that surrounds the immediate core. City development officials’ proposal also would reduce by 33 percent the amount of a building’s square footage that could go to free-market residential development, and require that any free-market condos be accompanied by an equal amount of on-site affordable housing.
The code changes also would impose a minimum “floor-to-floor” height for ground floors of 13 feet and 11 feet, in the commercial core and C-1 districts, respectively. This change, intended to emphasize the historic pattern of downtown commercial development, refers to the distance between the bottom floor and the second floor, encompassing the space in the ceiling plate used for mechanical systems.
The changes have created a certain amount of fear within the development and property-owning community, said architect Charles Cunniffe. He’s had many conversations over the last few weeks with clients who are unsure what they would be able to do or not do if the new rules are passed.
Contractor John Olson was more blunt, saying that any potential redevelopment project would likely be off the table if the proposals becomes law. A three-story building would have to reach about 38 feet if the intention is to keep inhabitants from hitting their heads on the ceilings, Olson said...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Journalism "The Aspen 50 – Forbes billionaires in Pitkin County"
What we hear many news consumers 'just sayin', is that they do not care how much money 'Aspen' or individuals living in the region have.
That they could care less for listening to the endless pontificating in Aspen, Glenwood Springs and once in awhile Vail news outlets over "...The building sites of new mega-mansions scar huge swaths of land; once-bustling neighborhoods sit empty most of the year..." (Aspen Journalism) and 'how wonderful' the "old Aspen" was or how unique the current Aspen thinks it is.
That they truly appreciate all that Aspen and Vail bring to the table as far as ability to capitalize on with their own small businesses and earned wages; but what is devastating to everyones life in the area when it gets out of control, is the adamant refusal of "Aspen" to listen.
Here's a news flash to those in Aspen that are unwilling to listen to the rest of the world even though the most vocal live within a 100 mile radius:
If you were to approach these vocal locals directly with a comment like this: "...and escalating real estate prices have driven an untold number of locals down or out of the valley...(Aspen Journalism)", they would laugh at you. 'They' have not been "driven" out of Aspen, chances are they ran as fast as they could from Aspen.
We all come up and hit the high points and once in awhile for a unique gift shopped for or a dine out in a great restaurant. Used to come up to ski but frankly...it's not just the need to hock the house and kids to afford a ski pass...there is no way that anyone who works in Aspen is going to run right up there on their day off. It takes a weekend to shake off the snobbery, the arrogance and to listen to more pontificating while standing in the lines?? Forget about it. It's the weekend and the world outside of Aspen has a much broader view of the world than a lot of Aspen residents do.
Do they have friends and business relationships upvalley? Absolutely. Nine times out of ten those relationships will meet them outside of mainstream Aspen in order to enjoy the natural perks we all love and keep as the baseline for why we all put up with each other...while all living within a 100 mile radius.
Here's the thing, "Aspen".
The reason you're seeing a decline in so many areas and your population is strongest in the older age ranges is because you still live in the past. Even the upper middle age to the 'younger' generation of mid-twenties to thirty somethings. To remain being somewhat brutally honest, when you're not up on a soapbox of some kind or hopelessly into yourself; you're looking for the thread and glue to connect your dots out here in the land of the little guys.
The day that 'we' were 'driven out of Aspen' (if 'we' ever were) is long, long gone.
Maybe it's time to look around at the incredible assets that are all around you and let a little sunshine in.
With that said, one of our first stops every week is Aspen Journalism.
Brent Gardner-Smith has done an excellent job in lending balance to area news outlets. We obviously believe that the backbone of America is independent journalism. Every single day the world wakes up, eager to hit their favorite independent, trusted sources to find out what they missed while sleeping.
'Why' would some thing or someone as allegedly controversial as SandBoxBlogs and SandBox Nanny go chasing after regional, state, national and world news every day?
Because she hears others "just sayin" and they are not getting their voices listened to. (Why is that when "Aspen" sports some world class journalists?)
Not because she either feels the exact same way those consumer voices do (or) because she's on some alleged covert mission to flush out 'evil' lurking in the local media....(whisper...whisper...for gosh sakes...do these people have nothing better to do with their time than hallucinate... maybe it's the altitude and thin air....whisper...whisper...).
just sayin.
Catherine Lutz, Aspen Business Journal and Brent Gardner-Smith, Aspen Journalism:
"...Some have chosen to get even more involved locally—for better or for worse, or sometimes both. Bill Koch, for example, number 14 on the Forbes 400 list with a net worth of $4 billion, is one of several plaintiffs suing the city of Aspen over its plan to use water from Castle and Maroon Creeks for hydropower.
Is he in this case using his power and money to highlight a really bad idea, or to obstruct a widespread community benefit? Koch also wants to install guardrails (on his dime) along winding Castle Creek Road which leads to his home—a self-serving measure that would ostensibly make the road safer for all.
Stewart and Linda Resnick, 29th on this year’s Forbes 400 list, waged a legal war against local governments in the early 2000s over an employee housing project to be built near their home. They claimed in part that the worker housing would devalue their property, now worth $15.3 million. The Stillwater housing was eventually built, but with major design modifications.
Others’ influence is felt more broadly. Stephen Ross is head of New York’s Related Cos., which developed Snowmass Base Village but then defaulted on a major loan, leading to foreclosure on the property and a partially built development that has had major business ramifications and has been the source of much local concern...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
That they could care less for listening to the endless pontificating in Aspen, Glenwood Springs and once in awhile Vail news outlets over "...The building sites of new mega-mansions scar huge swaths of land; once-bustling neighborhoods sit empty most of the year..." (Aspen Journalism) and 'how wonderful' the "old Aspen" was or how unique the current Aspen thinks it is.
That they truly appreciate all that Aspen and Vail bring to the table as far as ability to capitalize on with their own small businesses and earned wages; but what is devastating to everyones life in the area when it gets out of control, is the adamant refusal of "Aspen" to listen.
Here's a news flash to those in Aspen that are unwilling to listen to the rest of the world even though the most vocal live within a 100 mile radius:
If you were to approach these vocal locals directly with a comment like this: "...and escalating real estate prices have driven an untold number of locals down or out of the valley...(Aspen Journalism)", they would laugh at you. 'They' have not been "driven" out of Aspen, chances are they ran as fast as they could from Aspen.
We all come up and hit the high points and once in awhile for a unique gift shopped for or a dine out in a great restaurant. Used to come up to ski but frankly...it's not just the need to hock the house and kids to afford a ski pass...there is no way that anyone who works in Aspen is going to run right up there on their day off. It takes a weekend to shake off the snobbery, the arrogance and to listen to more pontificating while standing in the lines?? Forget about it. It's the weekend and the world outside of Aspen has a much broader view of the world than a lot of Aspen residents do.
Do they have friends and business relationships upvalley? Absolutely. Nine times out of ten those relationships will meet them outside of mainstream Aspen in order to enjoy the natural perks we all love and keep as the baseline for why we all put up with each other...while all living within a 100 mile radius.
Here's the thing, "Aspen".
The reason you're seeing a decline in so many areas and your population is strongest in the older age ranges is because you still live in the past. Even the upper middle age to the 'younger' generation of mid-twenties to thirty somethings. To remain being somewhat brutally honest, when you're not up on a soapbox of some kind or hopelessly into yourself; you're looking for the thread and glue to connect your dots out here in the land of the little guys.
The day that 'we' were 'driven out of Aspen' (if 'we' ever were) is long, long gone.
Maybe it's time to look around at the incredible assets that are all around you and let a little sunshine in.
With that said, one of our first stops every week is Aspen Journalism.
Brent Gardner-Smith has done an excellent job in lending balance to area news outlets. We obviously believe that the backbone of America is independent journalism. Every single day the world wakes up, eager to hit their favorite independent, trusted sources to find out what they missed while sleeping.
'Why' would some thing or someone as allegedly controversial as SandBoxBlogs and SandBox Nanny go chasing after regional, state, national and world news every day?
Because she hears others "just sayin" and they are not getting their voices listened to. (Why is that when "Aspen" sports some world class journalists?)
Not because she either feels the exact same way those consumer voices do (or) because she's on some alleged covert mission to flush out 'evil' lurking in the local media....(whisper...whisper...for gosh sakes...do these people have nothing better to do with their time than hallucinate... maybe it's the altitude and thin air....whisper...whisper...).
just sayin.
Catherine Lutz, Aspen Business Journal and Brent Gardner-Smith, Aspen Journalism:
"...Some have chosen to get even more involved locally—for better or for worse, or sometimes both. Bill Koch, for example, number 14 on the Forbes 400 list with a net worth of $4 billion, is one of several plaintiffs suing the city of Aspen over its plan to use water from Castle and Maroon Creeks for hydropower.
Is he in this case using his power and money to highlight a really bad idea, or to obstruct a widespread community benefit? Koch also wants to install guardrails (on his dime) along winding Castle Creek Road which leads to his home—a self-serving measure that would ostensibly make the road safer for all.
Stewart and Linda Resnick, 29th on this year’s Forbes 400 list, waged a legal war against local governments in the early 2000s over an employee housing project to be built near their home. They claimed in part that the worker housing would devalue their property, now worth $15.3 million. The Stillwater housing was eventually built, but with major design modifications.
Others’ influence is felt more broadly. Stephen Ross is head of New York’s Related Cos., which developed Snowmass Base Village but then defaulted on a major loan, leading to foreclosure on the property and a partially built development that has had major business ramifications and has been the source of much local concern...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Delta County Independent "West Elk Mine wins three awards"
News Release via Delta County Independent:
"Arch Coal, Inc. announced on March 22 that employees of Mountain Coal Company's West Elk Mine and Ark Land Company were honored with Colorado's top coal mine safety award and two state environmental awards at the annual National Western Mining Conference in Denver.
"We're honored to receive three statewide awards for operating responsibly in Colorado," said John W. Eaves, Arch's president and chief operating officer.
"Our employees clearly recognize the importance of supplying safe, responsible, life-enabling and world-developing energy."
The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety presented the 2011 Excellence in Safety Award to West Elk mine, the state's leader in safety among large underground coal mines. West Elk's rate of 1.70 MSHA total incidents per 200,000 employee-hours was 68 percent lower than the national underground average of 5.28 incidents. This marks the third consecutive year that West Elk has been recognized as Colorado's safest underground coal mine.
West Elk also was recognized by the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (CDRMS) for its environmental practices associated with its new $27 million coal preparation plant. West Elk's award-winning practices include limiting construction to existing disturbed areas, reducing coal refuse generation and improving resource recovery.
In addition, the CDRMS recognized Ark Land Company with an Excellence in Reclamation award for its outstanding treatment of U.S. Bureau of Land Management lands during exploration and subsequent reclamation, including replacing native boulders and vegetation and re-grading former access roads on rugged terrain...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Arch Coal, Inc. announced on March 22 that employees of Mountain Coal Company's West Elk Mine and Ark Land Company were honored with Colorado's top coal mine safety award and two state environmental awards at the annual National Western Mining Conference in Denver.
"We're honored to receive three statewide awards for operating responsibly in Colorado," said John W. Eaves, Arch's president and chief operating officer.
"Our employees clearly recognize the importance of supplying safe, responsible, life-enabling and world-developing energy."
The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety presented the 2011 Excellence in Safety Award to West Elk mine, the state's leader in safety among large underground coal mines. West Elk's rate of 1.70 MSHA total incidents per 200,000 employee-hours was 68 percent lower than the national underground average of 5.28 incidents. This marks the third consecutive year that West Elk has been recognized as Colorado's safest underground coal mine.
West Elk also was recognized by the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (CDRMS) for its environmental practices associated with its new $27 million coal preparation plant. West Elk's award-winning practices include limiting construction to existing disturbed areas, reducing coal refuse generation and improving resource recovery.
In addition, the CDRMS recognized Ark Land Company with an Excellence in Reclamation award for its outstanding treatment of U.S. Bureau of Land Management lands during exploration and subsequent reclamation, including replacing native boulders and vegetation and re-grading former access roads on rugged terrain...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Pueblo Chieftain "More colorful, appealing paper is on its way "
We know we love the online edition changes. Great news that the paper edition of the icon known as the Chieftain is also getting a whole new look. Kudos to the Chieftain staff for stepping up their game.
Steve Henson:
" If you own a Porsche, you don't keep it under 20 mph.
But in some ways, that's what we've been doing at The Chieftain. Tuesday, that will change. This coming week, we will open the throttle on our newspaper.
The Chieftain's content always has been tops in Southern Colorado. If you really want to know what's going on in our city and region — and understand why things are happening — you read The Chieftain...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Steve Henson:
" If you own a Porsche, you don't keep it under 20 mph.
But in some ways, that's what we've been doing at The Chieftain. Tuesday, that will change. This coming week, we will open the throttle on our newspaper.
The Chieftain's content always has been tops in Southern Colorado. If you really want to know what's going on in our city and region — and understand why things are happening — you read The Chieftain...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily "Lindsey Vonn rocks on"
Our own Lindsey Vonn takes another giant step forward. Yes, we would have to say that the kids are doing OK.
John LaConte:
"VAIL, Colorado — Ski Girls Rock received a boon from a true rock star of the ski world Sunday when Lindsey Vonn visited the program and skied with some of its participants.
Hosted by Vail Resorts, the opportunity to ski with Vonn was part of a celebration titled “Welcome Home Lindsey,” where the four-time World Cup overall winner was welcomed back here to her hometown in true rock-star fashion — by hundreds of screaming fans.
But for a few young Vonn followers, the homecoming party was more of an apres ski session, with the fun part of the day coming earlier.
On Sunday morning, a selection of roughly 10 girls from around the world joined Vonn for a few turns on the Nastar course at Vail Mountain's Black Forest Race Arena. Seven-year-old Michaela Landry was first in the gates to ski alongside Vonn, Landry in the yellow course with her hero alongside her on the green.
“We came here just for this,” said Barbara Landry, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as her daughter Michaela skied the course. “It's so nice to have somebody like (Vonn) so involved and wanting to see girls succeed in the sport.”
Designed by Vonn herself, Ski Girls Rock lessons involve groups of no more than four girls ages 5 to 15 and are led by female instructors who “focus not only on improving skiing skills but empowering girls through the sport and creating opportunities to bond and build confidence along with developing teamwork and social skills,” according to Vail Resorts....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
John LaConte:
"VAIL, Colorado — Ski Girls Rock received a boon from a true rock star of the ski world Sunday when Lindsey Vonn visited the program and skied with some of its participants.
Hosted by Vail Resorts, the opportunity to ski with Vonn was part of a celebration titled “Welcome Home Lindsey,” where the four-time World Cup overall winner was welcomed back here to her hometown in true rock-star fashion — by hundreds of screaming fans.
But for a few young Vonn followers, the homecoming party was more of an apres ski session, with the fun part of the day coming earlier.
On Sunday morning, a selection of roughly 10 girls from around the world joined Vonn for a few turns on the Nastar course at Vail Mountain's Black Forest Race Arena. Seven-year-old Michaela Landry was first in the gates to ski alongside Vonn, Landry in the yellow course with her hero alongside her on the green.
“We came here just for this,” said Barbara Landry, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as her daughter Michaela skied the course. “It's so nice to have somebody like (Vonn) so involved and wanting to see girls succeed in the sport.”
Designed by Vonn herself, Ski Girls Rock lessons involve groups of no more than four girls ages 5 to 15 and are led by female instructors who “focus not only on improving skiing skills but empowering girls through the sport and creating opportunities to bond and build confidence along with developing teamwork and social skills,” according to Vail Resorts....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Then and now …"
It is difficult, at best, to find one fav from the portfolio of Bob Berwyn.
So far, here are two of our top ten:
So far, here are two of our top ten:
April 1, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Donklephant "Let’s play “Clue” – Was it Mr. Corzine in the Board Room with the “Smoking Gun” E-mail?"
'mw':
"As we have chronicled from the first week that MF Global declared bankruptcy, the mystery of the missing “sacrosanct” segregated client funds was not something that could be explained away with run-of-the-mill corporate incompetence and executive malfeasance. If investors cannot trust the custodian of their brokerage funds, the system cannot work...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"As we have chronicled from the first week that MF Global declared bankruptcy, the mystery of the missing “sacrosanct” segregated client funds was not something that could be explained away with run-of-the-mill corporate incompetence and executive malfeasance. If investors cannot trust the custodian of their brokerage funds, the system cannot work...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Coloradoan "In brief: New canine joins Sheriff's K-9 force"
"The Larimer County Sheriff's Office announced K-9 Ryker has joined handler Deputy Aaron Hulme as the newest dog on the K-9 team.
Ryker is a 14-month-old male German shepherd from the Netherlands and has been in the United States for two months. He was selected from among 15 dogs tested by Hulme and other members of the K-9 team at Vohne Liche Kennels in Indiana...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Ryker is a 14-month-old male German shepherd from the Netherlands and has been in the United States for two months. He was selected from among 15 dogs tested by Hulme and other members of the K-9 team at Vohne Liche Kennels in Indiana...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: SkyHiDaily "Grand Lake Iron Dogs enjoy Alaskan adventure"
Kristen Lodge:
"January weather hit a low of 40 below in Alaska, then a warm spell hit when they arrived. Minus 10 was the lowest temperature the team encountered, he said.
“The weather was similar to Grand County, but there were no storms or wind. We were as lucky as we could get so we enjoyed it more.”
After the first day riding 80 miles they were exhausted.
“It could've been much worse if we didn't have the training. Until you actually do it, words can't prepare for how hard it was,” said Tarr.
Team members Tarr, Bruce Knight, Kevin Cox and Cory Ziegle — all from Grand Lake — started the race, but after mechanical problems only Tarr and Knight made it to Nome and the finish line.
On day one Tarr dropped into an 8-foot creek. It took 45 minutes to get out. After an 8-hour riding day they got stuck twice. On day two, near the Happy River, it felt like they were on Mars, Tarr said. This is where Kevin Cox earned his nick-name — MacGyver — when he wired back his machine. The failure on Cox and Ziegle's snowmobiles was due to a bolt sheared off from damaged rails. On day three they needed to make it to the next stop that had an airport to fly the machines out...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"January weather hit a low of 40 below in Alaska, then a warm spell hit when they arrived. Minus 10 was the lowest temperature the team encountered, he said.
“The weather was similar to Grand County, but there were no storms or wind. We were as lucky as we could get so we enjoyed it more.”
After the first day riding 80 miles they were exhausted.
“It could've been much worse if we didn't have the training. Until you actually do it, words can't prepare for how hard it was,” said Tarr.
Team members Tarr, Bruce Knight, Kevin Cox and Cory Ziegle — all from Grand Lake — started the race, but after mechanical problems only Tarr and Knight made it to Nome and the finish line.
On day one Tarr dropped into an 8-foot creek. It took 45 minutes to get out. After an 8-hour riding day they got stuck twice. On day two, near the Happy River, it felt like they were on Mars, Tarr said. This is where Kevin Cox earned his nick-name — MacGyver — when he wired back his machine. The failure on Cox and Ziegle's snowmobiles was due to a bolt sheared off from damaged rails. On day three they needed to make it to the next stop that had an airport to fly the machines out...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Phil Sullivan joins Nation of Islam during jail stint"
'by Alex Highly, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer':
"Following in the footsteps of crusaders like Malcolm X and badasses like Mike Tyson, Aspen’s rogue cabbie Phil Sullivan has converted to the Nation of Islam while imprisoned yet again in the Pitkin County Jail.
Sullivan, 76, having served his third 15-day term for giving people free rides in his cab that aren’t actually free, said he was tired of the oppression of his people.
Minister Louis Farrakhan visited Sullivan in jail, and praised him as a “freedom fighter who has birthed new meaning for the word ‘free.’” Farrakhan reported the beleaguered taxi driver is in good spirits despite The Man continuing to try to keep him down.
“La ilah illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah,” Sullivan said in a jailhouse interview over a shrimp cocktail and just before inmate massage time at Aspen’s soul-destroying gulag..."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Following in the footsteps of crusaders like Malcolm X and badasses like Mike Tyson, Aspen’s rogue cabbie Phil Sullivan has converted to the Nation of Islam while imprisoned yet again in the Pitkin County Jail.
Sullivan, 76, having served his third 15-day term for giving people free rides in his cab that aren’t actually free, said he was tired of the oppression of his people.
Minister Louis Farrakhan visited Sullivan in jail, and praised him as a “freedom fighter who has birthed new meaning for the word ‘free.’” Farrakhan reported the beleaguered taxi driver is in good spirits despite The Man continuing to try to keep him down.
“La ilah illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah,” Sullivan said in a jailhouse interview over a shrimp cocktail and just before inmate massage time at Aspen’s soul-destroying gulag..."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Officials announce war on drugs complete in A-Town"
'by Tony Montana, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer':
"With the latest arrests of geriatric cocaine dealers caught with powder in their canes, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (USDEA) has declared the war on drugs in Aspen to be incontrovertibly complete.
As a result, not one granular of cocaine has been sniffed in Aspen in over a year, thanks to the undercover work of the USDEA...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"With the latest arrests of geriatric cocaine dealers caught with powder in their canes, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (USDEA) has declared the war on drugs in Aspen to be incontrovertibly complete.
As a result, not one granular of cocaine has been sniffed in Aspen in over a year, thanks to the undercover work of the USDEA...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Aspen dropped by U.S. Chamber of Commerce"
"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce broke ties with Aspen this week, citing the ski town’s excessive knee-jerk liberalism and sanctimonious lecturing about climate change hoo-hah.
“Our affiliation with these crunchy beatniks is not in line with our values as a lobbying arm for multi-national corporations who need to rape and pillage Earth in the name of capitalism,” said U.S. Chamber President Tom Donahue.
To determine what it should do about Aspen, the U.S. Chamber polled the 16 anonymous donors who give it $500 zillion annually for the purpose of lobbying against climate science....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
“Our affiliation with these crunchy beatniks is not in line with our values as a lobbying arm for multi-national corporations who need to rape and pillage Earth in the name of capitalism,” said U.S. Chamber President Tom Donahue.
To determine what it should do about Aspen, the U.S. Chamber polled the 16 anonymous donors who give it $500 zillion annually for the purpose of lobbying against climate science....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Colorado: Wolf pack moves into Summit County"
There's one day of the year that regional locals can count on seeing the true nature of our regional media rise to the surface and public eye.
The April Fool editions.
This year holds the same top two local fav's. As always, the best laughs from both.
Let's start the daily roundup with Bob Berwyn. Up and over on the Summit County Citizens Voice.
Bob Berwyn:
"County will have to cut human population by about 30 percent to provide adequate wolf habitat..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
The April Fool editions.
This year holds the same top two local fav's. As always, the best laughs from both.
Let's start the daily roundup with Bob Berwyn. Up and over on the Summit County Citizens Voice.
Bob Berwyn:
"County will have to cut human population by about 30 percent to provide adequate wolf habitat..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
March 31, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall "You are Invited to Occupy the Job-Killing, Wealth-Robbing EPA Mafia"
John Ransom:
"Regular readers have been able to follow along as I chronicle the 17,384-employee wrecking crew that is the EPA. This week the racket put the coal industry out of business, helped raise electricty prices for everyone, and did it all for the low, low price of $9,000,000,000 per year.
Underpinning the confidence game is deceptive science that manufactures evidence of climate change/global warming by pointing out people's natural curosity about natural weather events.
A New York Times story that ran in the Environment section on March 28, 2012 is a textbook example of all that is wrong with the supposed “scientific” method liberals are employing to bolster climate change arguments.
It’s not so much that they argue for bad science, but that they argue for no science by postulating only theories that fall within their preconceived notions that every weather event can be tied to global climate change. And if it can’t, by God, it will be when we get through!...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Regular readers have been able to follow along as I chronicle the 17,384-employee wrecking crew that is the EPA. This week the racket put the coal industry out of business, helped raise electricty prices for everyone, and did it all for the low, low price of $9,000,000,000 per year.
Underpinning the confidence game is deceptive science that manufactures evidence of climate change/global warming by pointing out people's natural curosity about natural weather events.
A New York Times story that ran in the Environment section on March 28, 2012 is a textbook example of all that is wrong with the supposed “scientific” method liberals are employing to bolster climate change arguments.
It’s not so much that they argue for bad science, but that they argue for no science by postulating only theories that fall within their preconceived notions that every weather event can be tied to global climate change. And if it can’t, by God, it will be when we get through!...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: CBS Political Hotsheet "Olbermann out at Current TV"
Leigh Ann Caldwell:
"(CBS News) Liberal television network Current TV announced Friday it ended its contract with liberal firebrand Keith Olbermann.
In a statement on its blog, Current TV told viewers that Olbermann no longer reflects Current's values.
"Current was also founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers.
Unfortunately these values are no longer reflected in our relationship with Keith Olbermann and we have ended it," Current TV founders Al Gore and Joel Hyatt wrote in an "open letter" to viewers.
Via Twitter, Olbermann said he is taking his firing to court.
"It goes almost without saying that the claims against me implied in Current's statement are untrue and will be proved so in the legal actions I will be filing against them presently," Olbermann wrote
Olbermann's departure is sudden. He will not broadcast during his regular scheduled program tonight. Instead, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer will replace him with a program called "Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer."
"We are confident that our viewers will be able to count on Gov. Spitzer to deliver critical information on a daily basis," the blog says. "We are moving ahead by honoring Current's values. Current has a fundamental obligation to deliver news programming with a progressive perspective that our viewers can count on being available daily -- especially now, during the presidential election campaign."...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"(CBS News) Liberal television network Current TV announced Friday it ended its contract with liberal firebrand Keith Olbermann.
In a statement on its blog, Current TV told viewers that Olbermann no longer reflects Current's values.
"Current was also founded on the values of respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers.
Unfortunately these values are no longer reflected in our relationship with Keith Olbermann and we have ended it," Current TV founders Al Gore and Joel Hyatt wrote in an "open letter" to viewers.
Via Twitter, Olbermann said he is taking his firing to court.
"It goes almost without saying that the claims against me implied in Current's statement are untrue and will be proved so in the legal actions I will be filing against them presently," Olbermann wrote
Olbermann's departure is sudden. He will not broadcast during his regular scheduled program tonight. Instead, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer will replace him with a program called "Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer."
"We are confident that our viewers will be able to count on Gov. Spitzer to deliver critical information on a daily basis," the blog says. "We are moving ahead by honoring Current's values. Current has a fundamental obligation to deliver news programming with a progressive perspective that our viewers can count on being available daily -- especially now, during the presidential election campaign."...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Legal Insurrection "What if you threw a Two Million Man Global March on Jerusalem, and almost no one showed up?"
(See alternate coverage here)
William A. Jacobson:
"The Global March on Jersusalem has been promoted for months as a means by which up to two million people would crash Israel’s borders.
Israel geared up, and issued warnings.
And waited.
And waited.
And all that showed up were a few thousand people at the Gaza border (forced back with one shot and killed). In Lebanon, as expected, the Hezbollah-run protest took place at Beaufort Castle, away from the border. On the West Bank, a few hundred rock throwers attacked security checkpoints, but were driven back with non-lethal methods:
All in all, the hype did not live up to the hype.
But the Israelis are and should remain on guard...."(Read original post? Click title)
William A. Jacobson:
"The Global March on Jersusalem has been promoted for months as a means by which up to two million people would crash Israel’s borders.
Israel geared up, and issued warnings.
And waited.
And waited.
And all that showed up were a few thousand people at the Gaza border (forced back with one shot and killed). In Lebanon, as expected, the Hezbollah-run protest took place at Beaufort Castle, away from the border. On the West Bank, a few hundred rock throwers attacked security checkpoints, but were driven back with non-lethal methods:
Clashes broke out at Qalandia checkpoint, where demonstrators burned tires and threw stones as they advanced towards the Israeli side. Israeli soldiers fired tear-gas and stun grenades and used a wide arsenal of riot-dispersal systems, including the foul-smelling “Skunk” and “Scream,” a system that unleashes a high-frequency blast of sound.There were modest sized protests in neighboring countries, but no March on Jerusalem.
All in all, the hype did not live up to the hype.
But the Israelis are and should remain on guard...."(Read original post? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Customs and Border Protection "Calexico Port Officers Intercept Methamphetamine Load Worth $330,000"
Wonder if Pitkin County Manager Jon Peacock and Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo, in their new search for transparency, will do any work at all in tracking where the dope that flows through the streets of Aspen comes from?
We already know it goes into the hands of our kids.
"Calexico, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Calexico downtown port of entry arrested a 20-year-old male U.S. citizen after discovering $330,000 worth of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle he was driving.
During the inspection, a canine team screened the vehicle and the detector dog alerted to the dashboard area. An intensive search of the area led officers to the discovery of 30 wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed within the vehicle’s dashboard. The weight of the narcotic is 30 pounds.
The driver, a resident of Holtville, California, was turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for further investigation. The violator was later transported to the Imperial County Jail where he currently awaits arraignment.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
We already know it goes into the hands of our kids.
"Calexico, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Calexico downtown port of entry arrested a 20-year-old male U.S. citizen after discovering $330,000 worth of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle he was driving.
The incident occurred this morning, Thursday, March 29, at about 4:00 a.m. when a CBP officer conducting inspections of vehicles and travelers referred the blue 2005 Nissan Sentra for further examination.
During the inspection, a canine team screened the vehicle and the detector dog alerted to the dashboard area. An intensive search of the area led officers to the discovery of 30 wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed within the vehicle’s dashboard. The weight of the narcotic is 30 pounds.
The driver, a resident of Holtville, California, was turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for further investigation. The violator was later transported to the Imperial County Jail where he currently awaits arraignment.
CBP seized both the vehicle and narcotic.
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: Tree of Mamre "“Bohemian Rhapsody”, As Sung By A Drunk, In The Back Of A Police Car (Video)"
After watching this video will you ever degrade a patrol cop for loss of patience with the human equation?
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Summit Daily News "DA candidate Barson faces criminal charges"
Caddie Nath:
"Criminal defense lawyer Todd Barson, the locally favored Democratic candidate for District Attorney, was charged with domestic violence, harassment and one other charge Friday, Breckenridge police confirmed.
Barson, 44, turned himself in to the Summit County Jail Friday morning following a domestic violence incident at his home earlier in the week, according to a statement from the Breckenridge Police Department.
Breckenridge authorities would not give any additional information, as Summit County Judge Mark Thompson put a gag order on the case.
Barson reportedly bowed out of the DA's race this week and lent his support to his competitor for the Democratic nomination, Bruce Brown...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Criminal defense lawyer Todd Barson, the locally favored Democratic candidate for District Attorney, was charged with domestic violence, harassment and one other charge Friday, Breckenridge police confirmed.
Barson, 44, turned himself in to the Summit County Jail Friday morning following a domestic violence incident at his home earlier in the week, according to a statement from the Breckenridge Police Department.
Breckenridge authorities would not give any additional information, as Summit County Judge Mark Thompson put a gag order on the case.
Barson reportedly bowed out of the DA's race this week and lent his support to his competitor for the Democratic nomination, Bruce Brown...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Tough Mudder "Colorado: Sat June 9 & Sun June 10, 2012"
Don't forget!
If you can't cut the tough endurance needed to match the Brits and their 'Tough Mudder', then set the dates aside and book the long weekend over in Vail and Beaver Creek.
Click title.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
If you can't cut the tough endurance needed to match the Brits and their 'Tough Mudder', then set the dates aside and book the long weekend over in Vail and Beaver Creek.
Click title.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "ZG: Outside the scope of Lance and the lure of the Bell chair "
ZG:
"Pitkin County wins ZG’s award for excellence in customer service this week.
Your tax-funded bureaucrats can do more than buy land and reject subdivisions, it turns out. On Wednesday they picked up one man’s fight to improve the allegedly crappy cell phone service at his home near the roundabout.
Dan Levinson, of Maroon Drive, addressed the Pitkin County commissioners Wednesday, detailing a nine-plus-month battle with AT&T. He said last June the company’s service in his ’hood went out ... and he hasn’t been able to get any answers since as to what happened out there.
“The only thing I could think of is to come to you,” he told the county board.
That afternoon, county manager Jon Peacock was on the phone with AT&T asking what was up with the dead zone.
When ZG called AT&T and spoke with a regional spokesman the next day, she already knew all about Mr. Levinson’s Kafkae-sque struggle to get a signal and the county’s top executive’s effort on his behalf.
But, she said, his service might not get better any time soon. There’s no tower down in the area, apparently, and none of their local service infrastructure has changed.
“We understand his frustration and we are doing everything we can to resolve this issue,” she said.
Yeah. Can you hear me now? ...." (Read more? ZG knows. Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Pitkin County wins ZG’s award for excellence in customer service this week.
Your tax-funded bureaucrats can do more than buy land and reject subdivisions, it turns out. On Wednesday they picked up one man’s fight to improve the allegedly crappy cell phone service at his home near the roundabout.
Dan Levinson, of Maroon Drive, addressed the Pitkin County commissioners Wednesday, detailing a nine-plus-month battle with AT&T. He said last June the company’s service in his ’hood went out ... and he hasn’t been able to get any answers since as to what happened out there.
“The only thing I could think of is to come to you,” he told the county board.
That afternoon, county manager Jon Peacock was on the phone with AT&T asking what was up with the dead zone.
When ZG called AT&T and spoke with a regional spokesman the next day, she already knew all about Mr. Levinson’s Kafkae-sque struggle to get a signal and the county’s top executive’s effort on his behalf.
But, she said, his service might not get better any time soon. There’s no tower down in the area, apparently, and none of their local service infrastructure has changed.
“We understand his frustration and we are doing everything we can to resolve this issue,” she said.
Yeah. Can you hear me now? ...." (Read more? ZG knows. Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: The Red Ant "MICK'S ALL-OUT WAR ON "THE RICH""
From: ISSUE #77: FlagrANT Foolishness
"He's gonna be a handful for the next 15 months, that's for sure. Lame duck mayor Mick is doggedly working through his "bucket list" of punitive restrictions to secure his legacy. Yes, as the clock ticks down on the term-limited career politician, he is on the brink of becoming an emotional wreck, desperately pushing massive spending projects and lashing out at those whose politics, fortunes and lifestyles differ from his own. His Nastiness is specifically on the warpath against those who desire private residential property in the downtown core.
At the February 27 council meeting, Mick went off on a typical diatribe, this time convincing no one (except for maybe the sycophants at the council table) that 3rd floor penthouse additions to (questionably) historic buildings DO NOT economically finance the redevelopment of the entire property. Yeah, right. He promised to end such "undesirable behavior" by changing the land use code and removing "the incentive for doing what you don't want done." That is, what HE doesn't want done.
Sadly, it's likely to happen. Local architecture firms are working around the clock on re-development plans for downtown buildings whose owners want to get their plans approved before the likely draconian changes to the land use code occur in early April. Property owners, developers and realtors beware....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"He's gonna be a handful for the next 15 months, that's for sure. Lame duck mayor Mick is doggedly working through his "bucket list" of punitive restrictions to secure his legacy. Yes, as the clock ticks down on the term-limited career politician, he is on the brink of becoming an emotional wreck, desperately pushing massive spending projects and lashing out at those whose politics, fortunes and lifestyles differ from his own. His Nastiness is specifically on the warpath against those who desire private residential property in the downtown core.
At the February 27 council meeting, Mick went off on a typical diatribe, this time convincing no one (except for maybe the sycophants at the council table) that 3rd floor penthouse additions to (questionably) historic buildings DO NOT economically finance the redevelopment of the entire property. Yeah, right. He promised to end such "undesirable behavior" by changing the land use code and removing "the incentive for doing what you don't want done." That is, what HE doesn't want done.
Sadly, it's likely to happen. Local architecture firms are working around the clock on re-development plans for downtown buildings whose owners want to get their plans approved before the likely draconian changes to the land use code occur in early April. Property owners, developers and realtors beware....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Homeless coalition set to address APCHA evictions"
While this is really great news, it still shoves the base problems right under the rug again.
1. Most all of our major employers in the area pay poverty level wages. It is nearly impossible for blue collar workers to get by.
2. The biggest shell game (or...scam, corruption, farce, boondoggle, etc. etc...) that there is in our region is deed-restricted housing. Tied up in that mess are similar corrosive problems with local governments, large real estate developments, financial institutions, powerful departments and boards.
It isn't just the folks living in deed-restricted housing that are caught in that web. All free enterprise and a major chunk of public dollars and tax credits are caught up in it as well.
Why is it that our favorite local newspaper isn't tying up all the connecting dots on these stories?
Andrew Travers:
"Members of a regional group devoted to preventing homelessness in the valley has raised concern about recent eviction actions by the Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Authority (APCHA).
The Regional Homeless Coalition, a group of two dozen health and human services workers from Aspen to Parachute, is poised to address how local government may be contributing to homelessness in the Aspen area.
The group is scheduled for a biannual meeting in El Jebel on Monday. They recently added the APCHA issue to their agenda. Housing authority qualifications specialist Julie Kieffer will attend the meeting on behalf of APCHA.
Vince Savage, director of the Aspen Homeless Shelter, asked coalition members last week to act on the issue.
Savage and the board overseeing the local homeless shelter discussed the evictions at a March 21 meeting. His board opted to hand the issue to the regional group, rather than take on the housing authority themselves.
“The [Aspen Homeless Shelter] board is concerned but feels it is more properly addressed by the Homeless Coalition as a concern for preventing homelessness, and the systemic problems that make Aspen less than a friendly community regarding housing issues,” Savage wrote to coalition members...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
1. Most all of our major employers in the area pay poverty level wages. It is nearly impossible for blue collar workers to get by.
2. The biggest shell game (or...scam, corruption, farce, boondoggle, etc. etc...) that there is in our region is deed-restricted housing. Tied up in that mess are similar corrosive problems with local governments, large real estate developments, financial institutions, powerful departments and boards.
It isn't just the folks living in deed-restricted housing that are caught in that web. All free enterprise and a major chunk of public dollars and tax credits are caught up in it as well.
Why is it that our favorite local newspaper isn't tying up all the connecting dots on these stories?
Andrew Travers:
"Members of a regional group devoted to preventing homelessness in the valley has raised concern about recent eviction actions by the Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Authority (APCHA).
The Regional Homeless Coalition, a group of two dozen health and human services workers from Aspen to Parachute, is poised to address how local government may be contributing to homelessness in the Aspen area.
The group is scheduled for a biannual meeting in El Jebel on Monday. They recently added the APCHA issue to their agenda. Housing authority qualifications specialist Julie Kieffer will attend the meeting on behalf of APCHA.
Vince Savage, director of the Aspen Homeless Shelter, asked coalition members last week to act on the issue.
Savage and the board overseeing the local homeless shelter discussed the evictions at a March 21 meeting. His board opted to hand the issue to the regional group, rather than take on the housing authority themselves.
“The [Aspen Homeless Shelter] board is concerned but feels it is more properly addressed by the Homeless Coalition as a concern for preventing homelessness, and the systemic problems that make Aspen less than a friendly community regarding housing issues,” Savage wrote to coalition members...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Canon City Daily Record "Private web info should stay private "
Facebook is not your friend.
Nothing on the internet is safe. Nothing on the internet is confidential or private. You are not safe nor is anything in your life or anyone you care for safe when you are exposed on the internet at either your hand or anyone else associating content to you.
Yet, there is an entire sub-culture out there of internet crime being committed every day that very few law enforcement officers are even aware of, let alone will act upon to serve and protect you.
It is a sub-culture that the folks shout out for help with every day.
One that is responsible for the worst types of crime and the consequences of those crimes. Harassment, stalking, menacing, intimidation and often the literal stripping away of all aspects of life as an individual knows it. The consequences are the destruction of financial security, peace and privacy, relationships that often lead to irretrievable actions such as suicide. Worse, the weapon of the internet is a perpetual firing weapon. 24/7 and never runs out of ammunition.
'SandBox Nanny' wonders what it will take the folks doing in order to get the attention of lawmakers and law enforcement.
Watching the path of SOPA was like watching the old black and white cartoons of cops and robbers chasing each other in circles. While we are good people who greatly appreciate anyone at least trying; it was disheartening to watch the debacle of SOPA run its course when the answer to the problem is so, so simple.
In the past three years of lending her forced on her notoriety first to 'smalltown7' and then creating the offshoot of 'SandBoxBlogs' and 'SandBox Nanny' in Spring 2010; one of the news aggregate topics she chases is internet crime. Most of the feedback she receives from the general public is related to the juggernaut of power that the media holds.
The internet is the most powerful media outlet in history.
Interestingly enough, it was the State of Iowa and an investigative reporter by the name of Kevin Hall off the Iowa Republican who brought us the story of Zach Edwards and Link Strategies. (Be sure to click on all related links within that post link on Edwards)
A story that will be one of the most important baseline foundations of our time for lawmakers when it comes to putting parameters on what is "OK" to do on the internet and what is not.
That seemingly insignificant case, that was near immediate quashed from public view by high power and big money politics, is the first case of a powerful public figure winning his claim that viral link baiting and SEO optimization is criminal in nature when it is used with ill intent and in negative context.
To have the Iowa Sec of State win against one of the individuals who lurk in the bowels of the internet preying with intent on their subjects was groundbreaking. Just like the folks know 'who' does harmful things in their communities; anyone who does business on the internet knows where the worst forms of media exploitation come from in the world of SEO, mass marketing and perception management companies. Sometimes the world of internet business survival is based on spending the time and effort it takes to stay out of the clutches of those who practice marketing with ill-intent.
'SandBox Nanny' wonders what it will take to get lawmakers and cops to listen to all the folks who suffer every day from the real problem of public exposure at the hand of another.
Such a simple criminal element to notice and yet it slips by cops every moment of every day.
That element they need lies in the tools (weapons) that ill-intent individuals have available to use against others.
Lawmakers keep trying to control the internet itself when simply regulating the power itself and not the content is the answer. 'Negative Viral' is a programming technique and is a literal mechanism. Not a 'happens by chance' nebulous and undetectable concept that can be lumped into the category of "bullying". The level of skill an internet perp uses determines how much collateral damage they can achieve. A well-known pro like Zach Edwards and Link Strategies has unstoppable power due to their intellectual property enhancing the tool of viral linking. Talk about Medusa or Pandora!
Maybe it will take more consequences. More horrific consequences such as drug cartels murdering female reporters they find on viral mechanisms like Twitter, vulnerable young adults committing suicide, government officials and politicians literally destroying business owners and citizens lives with the power of the media.
From the tool of a free 'Blogger' blog, and the patience to earn followers and recognition the good old fashioned way with true public content and in the manner that the internet originally intended; we'll keep plugging away with our mission to get the voices of the folks heard.
It shouldn't take more consequences before our lawmakers and law enforcement simply halt the juggernaut of irretrievable consequences, toss off all the cloudy layers of spin and return back to good old fashioned gumshoe police work.
(whisper...whisper...whisper...for every Alvaro Agon...every Sheriff Vallario....every Scott DeGraff.....that find themselves plastered for all time and all over the web....there is 'somebody' picking up the ammunition of words and loading those words into the weapon of viral link baiting and marketing.....and then deliberately and with intent.....pulling the trigger repeatedly at will.....whisper...whisper...whisper....)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
Nothing on the internet is safe. Nothing on the internet is confidential or private. You are not safe nor is anything in your life or anyone you care for safe when you are exposed on the internet at either your hand or anyone else associating content to you.
Yet, there is an entire sub-culture out there of internet crime being committed every day that very few law enforcement officers are even aware of, let alone will act upon to serve and protect you.
It is a sub-culture that the folks shout out for help with every day.
One that is responsible for the worst types of crime and the consequences of those crimes. Harassment, stalking, menacing, intimidation and often the literal stripping away of all aspects of life as an individual knows it. The consequences are the destruction of financial security, peace and privacy, relationships that often lead to irretrievable actions such as suicide. Worse, the weapon of the internet is a perpetual firing weapon. 24/7 and never runs out of ammunition.
'SandBox Nanny' wonders what it will take the folks doing in order to get the attention of lawmakers and law enforcement.
Watching the path of SOPA was like watching the old black and white cartoons of cops and robbers chasing each other in circles. While we are good people who greatly appreciate anyone at least trying; it was disheartening to watch the debacle of SOPA run its course when the answer to the problem is so, so simple.
In the past three years of lending her forced on her notoriety first to 'smalltown7' and then creating the offshoot of 'SandBoxBlogs' and 'SandBox Nanny' in Spring 2010; one of the news aggregate topics she chases is internet crime. Most of the feedback she receives from the general public is related to the juggernaut of power that the media holds.
The internet is the most powerful media outlet in history.
Interestingly enough, it was the State of Iowa and an investigative reporter by the name of Kevin Hall off the Iowa Republican who brought us the story of Zach Edwards and Link Strategies. (Be sure to click on all related links within that post link on Edwards)
A story that will be one of the most important baseline foundations of our time for lawmakers when it comes to putting parameters on what is "OK" to do on the internet and what is not.
That seemingly insignificant case, that was near immediate quashed from public view by high power and big money politics, is the first case of a powerful public figure winning his claim that viral link baiting and SEO optimization is criminal in nature when it is used with ill intent and in negative context.
To have the Iowa Sec of State win against one of the individuals who lurk in the bowels of the internet preying with intent on their subjects was groundbreaking. Just like the folks know 'who' does harmful things in their communities; anyone who does business on the internet knows where the worst forms of media exploitation come from in the world of SEO, mass marketing and perception management companies. Sometimes the world of internet business survival is based on spending the time and effort it takes to stay out of the clutches of those who practice marketing with ill-intent.
'SandBox Nanny' wonders what it will take to get lawmakers and cops to listen to all the folks who suffer every day from the real problem of public exposure at the hand of another.
Such a simple criminal element to notice and yet it slips by cops every moment of every day.
That element they need lies in the tools (weapons) that ill-intent individuals have available to use against others.
Lawmakers keep trying to control the internet itself when simply regulating the power itself and not the content is the answer. 'Negative Viral' is a programming technique and is a literal mechanism. Not a 'happens by chance' nebulous and undetectable concept that can be lumped into the category of "bullying". The level of skill an internet perp uses determines how much collateral damage they can achieve. A well-known pro like Zach Edwards and Link Strategies has unstoppable power due to their intellectual property enhancing the tool of viral linking. Talk about Medusa or Pandora!
Maybe it will take more consequences. More horrific consequences such as drug cartels murdering female reporters they find on viral mechanisms like Twitter, vulnerable young adults committing suicide, government officials and politicians literally destroying business owners and citizens lives with the power of the media.
From the tool of a free 'Blogger' blog, and the patience to earn followers and recognition the good old fashioned way with true public content and in the manner that the internet originally intended; we'll keep plugging away with our mission to get the voices of the folks heard.
It shouldn't take more consequences before our lawmakers and law enforcement simply halt the juggernaut of irretrievable consequences, toss off all the cloudy layers of spin and return back to good old fashioned gumshoe police work.
(whisper...whisper...whisper...for every Alvaro Agon...every Sheriff Vallario....every Scott DeGraff.....that find themselves plastered for all time and all over the web....there is 'somebody' picking up the ammunition of words and loading those words into the weapon of viral link baiting and marketing.....and then deliberately and with intent.....pulling the trigger repeatedly at will.....whisper...whisper...whisper....)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
SandBoxBlogs: Fort Morgan Times "2012 Angels Among Us awards given "
John LaPorte:
"The Fort Morgan Times and the Brush News-Tribune distributed Angels Among Us awards to area residents for the ninth year Thursday in conjunction with the newspapers' annual Reflections special edition.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"The Fort Morgan Times and the Brush News-Tribune distributed Angels Among Us awards to area residents for the ninth year Thursday in conjunction with the newspapers' annual Reflections special edition.
Over the years, the papers have handed out more than a hundred such awards.
The top honoree, receiving the Golden Angel Award as the publisher's choice, was Nadine Brink-Wallen of Brush...." (Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Skiing legends to honor Beattie in Aspen'
"ASPEN — Many of the biggest names in skiing history will gather in Aspen this weekend to honor one of their own.
Aspen's Bob Beattie, the creator of World Pro Skiing, co-founder of the World Cup and a ski-racing television personality for more than four decades, will be honored at a gala Friday at the Hotel Jerome Ballroom. On Saturday, teams composed of former pros, children and members of the public will take part in the Bob Beattie Reunion Cup race at Aspen Highlands.
Among the roughly 70 former racers expected to attend are Billy Kidd and fellow World Pro Skiing champions Hugo Nindle, Hank Kashiwa and Andre Arnold plus Olympic medalists Franz Klammer, Tamara McKinney, Christin Cooper, Walter Tresch and Barbara Ferries.
“Beats built the U.S. Ski Team system that made us competitive,” Kidd said. “He was my coach at the University of Colorado and the Olympics. His vision and leadership helped to create the World Cup, World Pro Skiing and NASTAR. And his ABC television commentary helped millions enjoy our favorite sport whether they skied or not.
“Bob Beattie has influenced the sport of skiing more than any other single person.”...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Aspen's Bob Beattie, the creator of World Pro Skiing, co-founder of the World Cup and a ski-racing television personality for more than four decades, will be honored at a gala Friday at the Hotel Jerome Ballroom. On Saturday, teams composed of former pros, children and members of the public will take part in the Bob Beattie Reunion Cup race at Aspen Highlands.
Among the roughly 70 former racers expected to attend are Billy Kidd and fellow World Pro Skiing champions Hugo Nindle, Hank Kashiwa and Andre Arnold plus Olympic medalists Franz Klammer, Tamara McKinney, Christin Cooper, Walter Tresch and Barbara Ferries.
“Beats built the U.S. Ski Team system that made us competitive,” Kidd said. “He was my coach at the University of Colorado and the Olympics. His vision and leadership helped to create the World Cup, World Pro Skiing and NASTAR. And his ABC television commentary helped millions enjoy our favorite sport whether they skied or not.
“Bob Beattie has influenced the sport of skiing more than any other single person.”...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: KJCT News 8 "Lone Ranger Casting Call This Sunday"
"A casting call is going on this Sunday (4/1) for extras for the new Disney movie , “The Lone Ranger.” The movie, starring Johnny Depp, will begin shooting in Colorado and Utah this summer. Extras must be available for work in Late June/July.
Sande Alessi Casting, the Los Angeles-based Casting Directors of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, “The Social Network,” “Glee, ”CSI” and hundreds more amazing projects, will be holding the open casting call for background extras...." (Read more? Find out where to go? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Sande Alessi Casting, the Los Angeles-based Casting Directors of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, “The Social Network,” “Glee, ”CSI” and hundreds more amazing projects, will be holding the open casting call for background extras...." (Read more? Find out where to go? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
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