SandBox Comments: Commentary Magazine/Contentions "Energy Department’s Stimulus Crime Wave"

"Those pondering the question of where some of the more than $800 billion in stimulus funds spent in 2009 to supposedly boost the economy at the behest of President Obama went got a partial answer today from the Department of Energy...."

(Jonathan S. Tobin)

(Read the rest?  Click title and comment to start discussion)

"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: The Blaze " Company Run by Obama Fundraiser Corzine Files For Bankruptcy, Feds Investigate Up to $700 Million ‘Missing’ Dollars"

"MF Global Holdings Ltd., the securities firm run by former New Jersey Governor and Goldman Sachs head Jon Corzine, is seeking bankruptcy protection one week after reporting its biggest-ever quarterly loss...."
(Becket Adams)

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SandBox Comments: Circle of Blue "Plumbing WikiLeaks: Saudi Arabia Fears Iranian Nuclear Meltdown and Potential Terrorism to Desalination "

"Classified cables show that Saudi and U.S. officials believe water supplies along the Persian Gulf are at high-risk for terrorist attacks and possible contamination from nearby nuclear plants. This is the first of a new series that will analyze the water-related U.S. embassy cables published by WikiLeaks."
(Circle of Blue, Brett Walton)

(Learn more about this incredible report?  Click title.  Comment to start discussion)

"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "County, Steamboat and Oak Creek voters OK marijuana dispensaries"

"Steamboat Springs Police Department Capt. Joel Rae, who publicly supported a ban of medical marijuana businesses, said he was disappointed in the vote.

“But I have complete respect for the democratic process,” he said. “We’ll continue working, doing our education efforts and working with the dispensaries with the regulations our Steamboat Springs City Council has set forth and the regulations the state has set forth....”
(Jack Weinstein)

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SandBox Comments: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Palisade voters reject ban on medical marijuana dispensary sales"

The upside to Palisade losing the ballot issue banning all medical marijuana dispensaries and grow operations is that voters did pass mandatory flat fee on every transaction and an increase of MMJ tax.

Which should bring in another estimated $80,000 per year in revenue to the small town of Palisade as this is the only MMJ dispensary and grow operation fortunate enough to grandfather in prior to the closures in Mesa County.

"Voters OK marijuana fee
Patients who will be able to continue to receive medical marijuana from Colorado Alternative Health Care in Palisade will have to dig deeper to pay for their medicine.

Town residents Tuesday night approved a $5 transaction fee that will be added to each sale made at a medical marijuana center in town. Referred Measure 2A passed 480 to 398, or 54 percent to 44 percent.

Town officials have estimated the fee will generate $80,000 a year in revenue, a significant amount of money considering Palisade pulls in roughly $225,000 in revenue from its 2 percent sales tax annually."
(Grand Junction Daily Sentinel)

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SandBox Comments: The Right Scoop "Texas sheriff: Drug war violence spilling over "

"And this is only the beginning.  The longer our borders are neglected and drug cartels are subsidized by the United States government (thank you Mr. Holder), the more spillover.  For those of us living in Border States, it’s nothing new.  In 2009, The University of Texas at Brownsville (waaaaaay down south by the Mexico border) was forced to close due to stray bullets from a drug war shoot out – in Mexico. But no one was injured.

That is until yesterday…when a sheriff’s deputy got shot.  The Houston Chronicle has the story:

MCALLEN, Texas (AP) — A shooting that injured a sheriff’s deputy was the first indisputable case of spillover violence from the Mexican drug wars in Hidalgo County, the local sheriff said Monday.

Sheriff Lupe Trevino, who previously said there was no direct spillover violence in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, said the Sunday shootout erupted while one of his deputies investigated a reported kidnapping and drug deal.

"I have to say that with this particular incident, the way the witnesses and the information that we have gotten particularly in the federal system, this is the first recorded spillover violence event that we have experienced — and unfortunately got one of our deputies shot,” Trevino said.

One suspect was killed and two were wounded. In all, six people were taken into custody, including the alleged kidnapping victim, and are awaiting charges, the sheriff said.

The sheriff said a protective vest probably saved the life of Deputy Hugo Rodriguez, who was shot in the chest, abdomen and leg. He is recovering at a hospital.

Trevino said the reported kidnapping was a bid to recover marijuana stolen when the Gulf cartel’s reputed second-in-command, Samuel Flores Borrego, was killed in September.

“It started in Mexico, it had a violent confrontation in Mexico, that violent confrontation was spilled over here. This is the very first one that we can actually say, ‘Yes, here it is. It has happened,’” Trevino said.

“Now, there are more cartel members living in Texas, in the Valley, in the United States. I’ll guarantee you there’s a ton of them,” he said.

A message left Monday night for a Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman wasn’t immediately returned.

And this is only the tip of the iceberg…"
(Red via Red State)

(Comment to start discussion)

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Healthy Community Fund tax increase wins "

Andrew Travers:

"Pitkin County voters approved a renewal and increase of the Healthy Community Fund’s dedicated property tax in this fall’s mail-in election, which ended Tuesday.

Sixty percent of county voters cast ballots in favor of the measure, which appeared as Referendum 1A, according to unofficial results from the clerk’s office Tuesday night...."

There were two very worthwhile measures on the local ballots this year that passed with flying colors.

Proving that it's not the raising of taxes that is objected to.

It's the raising of taxes for failed or failing endeavors that have other means, if only folks will do the work to reach for those means, to sustain themselves.

Congratulations on the passage of the 'Healthy Community Fund'.  One of those very worthwhile measures.

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SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Cleverly’s letter out of line"

SandBox chose to not post up Michael Cleverly's 'Bend over ballots' Letter to the Editor off 'The Aspen Daily News' yesterday.


Why?


Michael Cleverly is the guy who wrote the now infamous "Aspen old-timers, drug enforcement and God" rant against the DEA bust in Aspen.


He's the guy who then branched out and contributed to this 'eventually headed toward infamy piece' by Rick Carroll: "Aspen Times:  DEA's trusted tipster not so confidential" .

Which then led him into meeting local hero DEA Special Agent Jim Schrant and a number of various barrels of local media ink dumped over his head. (Click all highlighted links in succession.  Yes, we know there were a lot more, but had to draw the line due to post space)

Her choice yesterday was based on the undeniable fact that there is no 'appropriate way' to respond to Michael Cleverly.  He is that repugnant.

But today, Steve Kaufman of Carbondale brings up a good point that makes it worth the effort to give Michael Cleverly more of that spotlight he so obviously craves.

If the DEA informant and Marilyn Marks were men, would Michael Cleverly be so brave and graphic?

BTW, what is going on with that Grand Jury probe into witness tampering?  We haven't heard anything more in public view.

Maybe that's because Michael Cleverly was made to deal with men who happen to be his own size.

Thank you for writing in to The Aspen Daily, Mr. Kaufman.  Women throughout the valley who happen to support Marilyn Marks and also have serious concerns over the bullying/gang mentality that flows under us all in The Roaring Fork Valley are likely very appreciative.


"Editor:

How can one appropriately respond to such an offensive letter, Mr. Cleverly’s “Bend over ballots,” published on Nov. 1? I fear a serious reply might elevate Mr. Cleverly’s letter out of gutter. Let’s try sarcasm.

I wish to congratulate Mr. Cleverly for the ingenious way in which he managed to incorporate violent, sexually offensive innuendo into an activist’s legal battle on behalf of a citizen’s right to a transparent election. It would be a shame if he did not send a copy to the hometown newspapers of the judges who unanimously ruled in favor of transparency or the local newspapers of the countless citizens throughout the country who are also fighting for these same rights. I’m appreciative of the fact that Mr. Cleverly was not cowered by political correctness and am certain he would have been as brave and graphic were his comments directed at a man.

The Daily News should also be congratulated for its tongue-in-ballot support of Mr. Cleverly’s sense of humor, as demonstrated by its clever title.

The framers would be delighted to see how well our First Amendment rights are being exercised and protected.

Mr. Cleverly and Daily News publishers, you should be proud of yourselves.
Steve Kaufman, Carbondale"

(Comment to start discussion)

"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Incumbents tossed from CMC board of trustees"

"..• Kathy Goudy over Stan Orr for the Eastern Garfield County District 2 seat, 10,885 to 8,737..."
(Heather McGregor)

 

(Read more?  Click title and comment to start discussion) 

"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

 

SandBox Comments: Steamboat Today "Voters support tax for winter air service program "

Aspen Skico needs to be very worried now.

Steamboat Springs has been moving steadily ahead, for over three years now, to take the second place seat under Vail Resorts as the best overall value for ski destinations in Colorado.

Yampa Valley Regional Airport just got a huge boost from voters who know that.

All across Colorado,  the vote of the common man can be seen this morning.

Informed voters turned out in record numbers statewide.  They passed the ballot issues that made sense.  And soundly defeated the majority of all requests to raise taxes and to continue putting money into the apathetic and systemic failure that is our public education funding.  Only a couple of school districts, still entrenched in either cronyism or through a spurt of energy from parents who rise up only when it's time to ask for further handouts; saw bare margins of success in passing mill rides.  However, even those districts saw a complete disintegration of incumbents making their way back in to keep that cronyism alive.  A clean sweep in most all school and post-secondary seats took place in Colorado yesterday.  Statewide.

Good job, Coloradans. 

But, this effort on the part of the folks over in the Routt County area is one of the ones that feels the best.

Congratulations!!

"Steamboat Springs — The sales tax rate in Steamboat Springs will go up a bit after voters here resoundingly approved Referendum 2B on Tuesday, a 0.25 percent tax increase that will help fund the winter air service program at Yampa Valley Regional Airport.

Referendum 2B passed with 61 percent of the vote.

Donning pilot hats and inflatable airplanes, about 40 supporters of the tax initiative celebrated its passage at Old Town Pub on Tuesday evening.

“We knew from the beginning that if everyone understood how important this was to our economy, then we had a good chance to pass it,” Yes 2 Air campaign manager Bill Stuart said. “It was a nonpartisan issue. People from all spectrums of life supported it.”

Referendum 2B was conceived by a group of community leaders to reverse the eroding ability of the business community to attract commercial airline flights to YVRA during the ski season. Without those flights, advocates of the tax fear the resort community’s ability to bring in high-spending winter vacationers would be compromised, further eroding the local tourism economy.

Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Diamond praised the air tax passage Tuesday night...."
(Scott Franz, Tom Ross)

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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor "Politics isn’t patty-cake"

Oh....it was a barn-burner here in Colorado.

Election season 2011.

Just a taste of the 'mother of all wars' that's coming for November 2012.

SandBox Nanny always appreciates the viewpoint of Maurice Emmer of Aspen, Colorado.

But it was the title that gave Maurice a spot on The Box this morning.

"Editor:

Mr. Allen may be right that it is unpleasant to serve on City Council because council has critics (Aspen Daily News, Oct. 26). It sucks. Council could make its job more pleasant by rejecting efforts to get involved in contentious matters, but it seems to prefer the reverse. Purely as an example and taking no sides, no deity proclaims the city must be in the hydro business. An affirmative decision of council is putting us in that business. Are private citizens who believe their property rights are affected supposed to roll over just because council is a bunch of nice guys? Just because they might not have budgeted for the inevitable lawsuits? Council must expect pushback. This is politics. If it sucks to be on council just look in the mirror for an explanation.  Maurice Emmer, Aspen"

(Comment to start discussion)

"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Op-Ed: Wilderness needs bipartisan support"

Why do regional locals like The Summit County Citizens Voice as the spot to go for news on the environment?

Because they respect the journalistic integrity of Bob Berwyn.

Great op-ed piece this morning.

Up and over on The Summit County Citizens Voice.

(Learn more?  Click title and comment to start discussion)

"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: NewsBusters "Bill Gates Laughs At Buffett Rule: 'You Can't Raise the Taxes We Need Just By Going After That One Percent'"

Great video and photo of Bill Gates.

(Take a look?  Click title and comment to start discussion)

"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Con Games "The Social Security Story That’s Driving Liberals Crazy"

"The Washington Post's big Sunday piece on Social Security solvency starts from the premise that the program has crossed a dangerous line. Since 2009, the program has paid out more in annual benefits than it is raising each year in taxes, effectively meaning that the program's benefits are relying partly the $2.6 trillion in bonds in the program's "trust funds" to cover checks to senior citizens...."
(Con Games)

(Read more?  Click title and comment to start discussion)

"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: MSNBC Powerwall "2007 vs. 2011: The Presidential Primaries Then and Now"

"Fear not -- Powerwall is here to put things in perspective. Click through to see how this primary season compares to the same time in 2007, and get a sense of what news bumps are worth paying attention to -- and what hype you can tune out...."

(Laura Blum)

(Take a look?  Click title and comment to start discussion)

"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor "Justice is not just for the rich"

"DA Beeson’s comments were brought to my attention and I really feel compelled to comment on them. As far as his office “seeking justice” as opposed to the defense bar, I have to really think about this, and any citizen in your district should too. First, I am one of those “defense bar” attorneys he speaks of. I fight for justice every day.

I represent clients who are forced into plea deals without realizing the consequences because the DA’s office does not have an obligation to tell them what they really face. Clients of mine are forced to speak to the DA prior to applying for a public defender. This is found unconstitutional in almost every other state and even the U.S. Supreme Court has found it unconstitutional in Texas. Somehow Colorado feels differently.

I represent clients who have had law enforcement officers do shoddy investigations, used excessive force, and violate our most basic constitutional and human rights. My clients have no other voice.

Government no longer speaks for them, and I, along with many, many members of Colorado’s defense community seek justice for these clients. We seek justice and we demand that the government that brings charges against its own citizens do so honestly, and that the law is applied fairly. Justice is not just for the rich. It is for all. That is seeking justice."

Lynda Carter
Pagosa Springs, Colo.

"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Pueblo Chieftain "Drug dealer said he sold to protect family "

"DENVER — A Mexican national who admitted selling cocaine and marijuana on Pueblo streets claims he did it only because he was scared of a Mexican drug cartel that decapitated his half-brother as coercion.

Miguel Salais-Dominguez said last week he returned to Pueblo in 2009 from the state of Chihuahua, after being deported, to sell drugs for a cartel because it threatened his family there..."
(ROBERT BOCZKIEWICZ)

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SandBox Comments: Houston Chronicle "Texas civil libertarians oppose law-enforcement drones"

Pretty amazing technology.  Watch the video at the end of the article.

"As the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office gears up to employ an unmanned helicopter to hunt criminals and find missing persons, a civil liberties advocate said drones can hurt more than they help.

Chief Deputy Randy McDaniel of the sheriff’s office said the $300,000 ShadowHawk drone — purchased from Vanguard Defense Industries — will take to the skies in the coming months to provide another tool in the law-enforcement arsenal.

“It’s an exciting piece of equipment for us,” he said. “We envision a lot of its uses primarily in the realm of public safety — looking at recovery of lost individuals and being able to utilize it for fire(fighting) issues....”
(Robert Stanton)

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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: KKCO 11 News "Hartman reassigned, following controversial memo "

SandBox sends out a thank you to Mesa County Sheriff Stan Hilkey for turning over the inappropriate and unethical letter (copy can be read here) written by now former Director of the Colorado Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, David Hartman.

The folks have a lot to bear when it comes to the way our federal, state and local governments handle  'all things marijuana'.

It's not the medical marijuana businesses or the patients that carry the weight of all the problems in the medical marijuana industry.

It's the taxpayers.

To have someone in a position of trust, like Hartman, attempt to manipulate the voting process and add to that taxpayer burden was a huge disappointment.

Thanks to Sheriff Stan, David Hartman can now move on to another line of work.

(Learn where David Hartman went?  Click title.  Comment to start discussion)

"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "TDC appreciates all parties joining in talks"

Dorothea Farris, Vice President of the Thompson Divide Coalition, writes in to the Post Independent this morning.

The political diplomacy (and the shrewd timing of release) are duly noted and appreciated as part of the process.

SandBox Nanny is certain that commentators will be appreciative as well.

With that said, SandBox points out that once again it is the chatter out here that has brought the balance.  Not the politics of token acknowledgements.

Support Congressman Scott Tipton (R-Colorado) as he continues his path of bringing the first, true balance to the Thompson Divide controversy. 

His steady hand is in need of more support from the industry, more support from the folks and your continued encouragement in chatter.

Slow, steady progress is being made on political levels against radical groups on both sides.

The path to success that works lies in the middle.

Again, thank you to Dorothea Farris for her well-timed press release today.  It certainly has been very helpful.

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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."