SandBoxBlogs: Red State "New Record Monthly Deficit 37 Months into Obama’s Presidency "

Daniel Horowitz Diary:
"Here’s a headline you won’t see in the media this week: we incurred the largest monthly deficit on record in February.

Seven months into a government “reined in” by the Budget Control Act, we are supposed to be reaping the benefits of budget reduction.  Yet, according to CBO, we incurred a gargantuan $232 billion deficit in the month of February.  The conservative Washington Times was the only publication to note that this was the largest monthly deficit on record.  Keep in mind that we didn’t start accruing annual deficits of $230 billion until this past decade.  The preliminary estimates from CBO projected outlays at $335 billion and revenues at $103 billion.  Our total deficit for the first 5 months of fiscal year 2012 is $631 billion ($869 billion in revenue; $1.5 trillion in outlays).

Think for a moment about what it means to spend $335 billion in 29 days.  It comes out to $11.5 billion per day; $480 million per hour.  So the next time Congress deliberates over a few billion in spending cuts over the course of a month, remember that we will add several hundred billion more in debt during the course of the debate.

What is so astounding about the record monthly deficit is that it comes amidst a recovery in the job market and an overall increase in revenues.  Due to quirks in the scheduling of government payments, February is always a bad month; nevertheless, even during the worst months of the recession, we never suffered such a large budget deficit.  In February 2009, the monthly deficit checked in at $193.8 trillion.  At a time when tax receipts are increasing again (corporate tax receipts are up 56%), we should not be racking up such high deficits.  Hence, it is incontrovertibly clear that we don’t have a revenue problem; we have a spending problem, most prominently, an entitlement and welfare problem...."  (Read more?  Click title)

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
$229 billion

SandBoxBlogs: Keith Hennessey "A good Jobs Day"

Keith Hennessey, March 9, 2012:
"The fewest numbers you need to know

This morning the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in February the U.S. economy created 227,000 net new jobs and the unemployment rate held steady at 8.3%.

We are still 5.3 million jobs shy of peak employment in December 2007 and 864,000 shy of January 2009 when President Obama took office.

Same data, different views
Different audiences look at employment data in different ways:

• People’s lives are most affected by the level of employment: how many people are working and what is the unemployment rate? At 8.3 percent this number is still bad.
• As both a policy and political matter, Washington, DC cares about the level, but even more about the direction and rate of change: are we adding or subtracting jobs, is unemployment rising or falling, are we “headed in the right direction?” From this view today’s report offers good news, at least on the jobs created front. I assume the Administration will cite 17 months of continuous job growth. Possibly more significant is that we have had four months of job growth > 150,000/month, which is roughly what you need to keep up with population growth.  The trend continues to be positive, although you should want even bigger numbers since the unemployment rate is still high.
• Markets and market commentators care even more about how the change compares with expectations before the data was released. Today’s numbers slightly exceeded expectations of about 200,000 net new jobs so the reaction from this perspective should also be positive...."

(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Hot Air Blog "Oh my: Obama’s approval rating hits new low in CBS poll"

AllahPundit:
"Second look at the “war on women”?

Just 41 percent of Americans approve of the job Mr. Obama is doing as president, according to the poll, conducted from March 7 to 11. Another 47 percent disapprove of his performance, up from 41 percent last month.

Mr. Obama’s approval rating was 50 percent last month.

The average U.S. price of a gallon of gasoline has jumped 12 cents over the past two weeks. The poll found that most Americans, 54 percent, believe gas prices are something a president can do a lot about…

Mr. Obama’s job rating on the economy remains about the same as it was last month – 39 percent approve, while 54 percent disapprove...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Colorado Statesman "Political odd fellows score major legal win"

Peter Marcus:
"So-called “527 political organizations” in Colorado scored a major victory on Feb. 21 when the Colorado Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the organizations can spend unlimited money in support of state candidates and operate free of some state campaign governance laws so long as the organizations steer clear of “magic [electioneering] words” that would trigger those laws.

The ruling in Colorado Ethics Watch v. Senate Majority Fund, LLC offers a comfort level to political organizations in Colorado raising funds for “issue ads,” and clarifies so-called “bright-line” rules defining state campaign finance regulations, specifically around the 2002 voter-approved campaign finance laws enacted by Amendment 27. While the ruling essentially preserves the status quo in Colorado, it is significant in that it clearly defines campaign governance rules of political organizations.

“It’s really about having bright lines that separate states that might fall within the ambit of campaign regulations from speech that clearly is outside of those regulations, and the brighter that line is the more robust and uninhibited political debate can be,” said Steven A. Klenda, an attorney with Republican Secretary of State Scott Gessler’s former law firm Hackstaff Law Group, which represented the Senate Majority Fund, a Senate Republicans leadership advocacy group...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Durango Herald "In love letters to Pat, the Nixon we never knew"

Gillian Flaccus:
"ORBA LINDA, Calif. – Long before Richard Nixon rose to power and fell from grace, he was just another man in love.

Decades before he became known as “Tricky Dick,” Nixon was penning nicknames (sweet ones) to his future bride in love notes that reveal a surprisingly soft and romantic side of the man taken down by Watergate. Nixon shared the stage with Patricia Ryan in a community theater production and six of the dozens of letters they exchanged during their two-year courtship will be unveiled Friday at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum as part of an exhibit celebrating the 100th birthday of the woman Nixon playfully called his “Irish gypsy.”

In Nixon’s letters, he recalls their first meeting in flowery prose, daydreams about their future together and waxes poetic about the first time his “dearest heart” agreed to take a drive with him.

“Every day and every night I want to see you and be with you. Yet I have no feeling of selfish ownership or jealousy,” he writes in one undated letter. “Let’s go for a long ride Sunday; let’s go to the mountains weekends; let’s read books in front of fires; most of all, let’s really grow together and find the happiness we know is ours.”

Eighteen years after his death, the correspondence offers a tiny window into a fiercely private side of Nixon that almost no one ever saw and represents a love letter of sorts to fans of the 37th president, who were infuriated when the National Archives took over the museum and overhauled it to include a detailed chronicle of Watergate...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Drug case leads to Aspen man being arrested again"

"An Aspen man facing eight felony drug charges was arrested again Friday at a large party at the Aspen Recreation Center for allegedly violating the terms of earlier sentences in separate cases.

Thomas Simmons, 22, was taken into custody around 11 p.m. on two warrants out of Garfield County.

Simmons was arrested Feb. 4 and originally charged with tampering with evidence in a case that was later dropped because police misidentified him on surveillance video. But an officer allegedly found cocaine and ecstasy packaged for sale on his person when he was arrested at the Belly Up during a concert.

Police then obtained a search warrant for his Park Circle apartment. There, police say they uncovered 4.6 ounces of MDMA and 1.6 ounces of cocaine, along with 27 doses of LSD and nearly an ounce of psilocybin mushrooms. Aspen authorities said it was one of their largest drug seizures in recent memory.

The arrest apparently violated the sentencing terms of two cases Simmons had in Garfield County. In 2011, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor theft and also admitted culpability in a 2009 felony drug-distribution case...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Heroin investigation in Steamboat yields arrests"

Matt Stensland:
"Steamboat Springs — Three Steamboat Springs men have been arrested on suspicion of their involvement in heroin distribution.

The All Crimes Enforcement Team drug task force arrested the men Friday night after a six-week investigation, ACET Commander Marvin Cameron said. Cameron said three search warrants and two arrest warrants were served Friday starting at about 5:30 p.m.

“I can definitely tell you that Steamboat Springs is a safer place and a better place today,” Cameron said.
Elijah Joseph Persons, 21, was arrested on suspicion of organized crime, distribution of Schedule 1 narcotics and money laundering. He was arrested Friday evening while working at his job in downtown Steamboat. Steamboat Springs Police Department Chief Joel Rae said a search of Persons’ car yielded 40 grams of heroin.

Persons’ brother, Jordan Thomas Persons, 19, was arrested when a search warrant was served on the car he was driving on Rabbit Ears Pass. Rae said he was arrested on suspicion of organized crime, possession of Schedule 1 narcotics and money laundering.

Rae said Samuel Lawrence Andrew, 21, was a passenger in the car and was arrested on suspicion of possession of Schedule 2 and Schedule 4 narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

In a separate case, Rae said officers on Friday also arrested Nicholas Stephen Power while serving a search warrant at his home on Spruce Street.

All four appeared in Routt County District Court on Monday and were scheduled to appear next for status conferences at 1 p.m. Wednesday (March 14)...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: The Hill/Hillcon Valley "Yahoo files massive lawsuit against Facebook over patent infringement "

Brendan Sasso:
"Yahoo sued Facebook on Monday, accusing the social media giant of infringing 10 patents.
According to the lawsuit, Facebook copied Yahoo's products, including in advertising, privacy controls, social networking and messaging...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily "Next year's Vail Resorts Epic Pass on sale"

This is just such a great marketing idea.  We're impressed with it every Spring.

To give a super deal on their signature Epic Pass for the upcoming season, before the current season is even over; not only gives locals a huge financial break it helps tourism dollars and the overall financial health of the Vail community.

Small businesses can see into the future a little bit easier so that they can plan ahead and in the off-chance the upcoming season turns out to be a dry one; skier visits being down takes less of a toll.

And the best part?  For only a $49 down payment you have until September to pay the balance.  Such a deal!

Vail Daily:
"BROOMFIELD, Colorado — Vail Resorts begins selling its popular ski and snowboard season passes Monday for the 2012-2013 winter season.

All passes are available for purchase at http://www.epicpass.com/.

• The Epic Local Pass, for $509, offers unlimited and unrestricted skiing or riding at Breckenridge, Keystone andArapahoeBasin with limited holiday restrictions at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. It also includes a total of 10 days at Vail or Beaver Creek with holiday restrictions.

• Summit Value Pass is available for $419 and provides unlimited and unrestricted lift access to Keystone and Arapahoe Basin, as well as access to Breckenridge with limited holiday restrictions. Pass holders can purchase access to Breckenridge on restricted days for $50 per day.

• The Epic Pass, offering unlimited, unrestricted skiing at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Arapahoe Basin, is available for $659.

• Epic 7-Day gives skiers and snowboarders a total of seven unrestricted days of skiing and riding at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Northstar, plus Arapahoe Basin anytime during the season for a price of $509.

Prices and spring benefits are only guaranteed through April 15. Vail Resorts is giving guests the option to lock in these prices with a $49 down payment now with the remainder of the balance due in mid-September..."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today/Jimmy Westlake "My Favorite Stars: La Superba"

Jimmy Westlake:
"Note: Throughout the next year, I will share with you in this column some of my favorite stars — stars that you, too, can observe and perhaps add to your list of favorites. They are presented in no particular order other than when they are best observed.

Have you ever seen a red star? No, I mean a really red star. Tucked in under the handle of the Big Dipper is one of the reddest stars in the sky, named La Superba.

With a name like that, it had better be pretty impressive, and it is. La Superba is the brightest carbon star in the sky. With a surface temperature of only 3,500 degrees F, it also is one of the “coolest” naked eye stars and, for a star, cool means red...."  (Read more?  Click title.)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: In the willows"

All credit  Bob Berwyn:

SandBoxBlogs: National Review "The Truth about Fracking"

Kevin D. Williamson:
"In the middle-of-frackin’-nowhere Pennsylvania, Boy Genius is showing off his giant robot: It’s about 150 feet tall, God and the almighty engineers alone know how many hundreds of tons of steel, and four big, flat duck feet on bright orange legs. “Yeah, this is kind of cool,” he says of his supersized Erector Set project.

“You can set those feet at 45 degrees, and it will walk around in circles all day,” a colleague adds.

But Boy Genius is not letting himself get too excited about all this — it’s pretty clearly not his first giant robot, and he’s a lot more excited about his seismic-imaging system: “It’s kind of like a GPS, but it’s underground and it works with the Earth’s magnetic characteristics.” Nods all around — that is cool.

Everybody here has a three-day beard and a hardhat and steel-toed work boots, but there’s a strong whiff of chess club and Science Olympiad in the air, young men who are no strangers to the pocket protector, who in adolescence discovered an unusual facility for fluid dynamics and now are beavering away at mind-clutchingly complex technical problems, one of which is how to get a 150-foot-tall tower of machinery from A to B without taking it apart and trucking it (solution: add feet). That giant robot may walk, but it isn’t too fast: It can take half a day to move 20 feet, because this isn’t a Transformers movie, this is The Play, and Boy Genius is a member of the startlingly youthful and bespectacled tribe of engineers swarming out of the University of Pittsburgh and the Colorado School of Mines and Penn State and into the booming gas fields of Pennsylvania, where the math weenies are running the show in the Marcellus shale, figuring out how to relentlessly suck a Saudi Arabia’s worth of natural gas out of a vein of hot and impermeable rock thousands of feet beneath the green valleys of Penn’s woods. Forget about your wildcatters, your roughnecks, your swaggering Texans in big hats: The nerds have taken over...." (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "GJ welcomes home navy seal"

We do think our returning military are special "E-6 Navy Seal Karl “Gus” Gustavson".  Regardless of what heroics you take in stride every day.

Thank you for your service.  Welcome home.

Richie Ann Ashcraft:
"E-6 Navy Seal Karl “Gus” Gustavson received a much deserved hero’s welcome Thursday morning after returning home for the second time from Afghanistan to his home town of Grand Junction.

Gustavson declined to speak about his service and said “there’s not much about work that I can really talk about.”

But, whatever it is he does do, it’s something important, dangerous and worthy of an immense amount of respect from his fellow veterans who turned out at Grand Junction Regional Airport to welcome him home.
“This is the second time we’ve welcomed him home. You’ll have to ask him what he does but I can tell you he really deserves it,” said Art Edwards, one of more than 20 Colorado Patriot Guard Riders and Legion Guard Riders who came to say thank you.

“Just think about all that’s happened in the last six months and that should tell you,” said Jim McNeill, a friend of Gus’ father. “I can tell you, he’s really, really special.” McNeill was looking forward to finally meeting Gus, after sending numerous care packages throughout the past year filled with food and candy as a showing of support.

Gustavson doesn’t know what all the fuss is about. “Not that I’m not special,” he said with a laugh...."
(Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Iowa Republican/Kevin Hall "Democrat Operative Reverses Plea; Guilty of Stealing Secretary of State’s Identity"

See related stories and commentary:
http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/01/sandbox-comments-breaking-news-iowa.html 

http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/01/sandbox-comments-iowa-republican-kevins.html

http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2012/01/sandbox-comments-iowa-republican-dem.html

http://www.dailyiowan.com/2012/03/07/Opinions/27358.html

http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/2857180/posts?page=1

Kevin Hall:
"Democrat operative Zach Edwards changed his initial not guilty plea to guilty and received a light sentence for stealing Secretary of State Matt Schultz’s identity. The plea was officially filed by Iowa Courts on Thursday. He pled guilty to identity theft, a simple misdemeanor.

Edwards received a deferred sentence of one year probation, 20 hours of community service within 120 days and a $65 fine. If he completes probation successfully, the simple misdemeanor charge is dismissed without a conviction being entered on his record. Edwards was originally charged with an aggravated misdemeanor and faced a maximum of two years in prison and a $6,250 fine. He was represented by prominent Republican attorney Matt Whitaker.

Zach Edwards was the Iowa Director of New Media for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. At the time of his arrest, he served in a similar capacity for Link Strategies, a Democrat consultant group closely aligned with Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and several prominent Democrats around the country.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety said Edwards tried to use the identities of Secretary of State Matt Schultz, and/or his brother Thomas, with the intent to falsely implicate Secretary Schultz in illegal or unethical behavior. The Secretary of State’s office discovered the crime and reported it to authorities. Edwards was fired from his position at Link Strategies following the arrest...."  (Read more?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: KREX News 5 "Mountain Biker Hospitalized After Falling Off 20-Foot Cliff"

Every person who hikes, bikes, fishes, hunts, skis, snowboards, snowmobiles, etc. etc. should purchase a CORSAR card every year.

Colorado's search and rescue teams and all of our first responders are some of the best in the world.  You never know when you or a loved one may need them.  For less cost than a latte' you can financially support their work on your behalf.

Courtney Griffin:
"Loma- Rescue crews rushed to the aid of a mountain biker who fell 20 feet off a cliff Sunday afternoon. The biker, whose identity remains unknown, was riding along a cliff on Mary's Loop near the Loma boat ramps when he lost control and fell. Officials said that area is dangerous; they've seen many riders have problems on the same trail...." 
(Read more?  See the trail?  Click title.  Buy a CORSAR?  Click link above)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "Make marijuana a true prescription drug"

Out of the mouths of the kids:

Kayla Kline:
"On my way to Glenwood Springs High School, I pass two dispensaries. I see two ads for medical cannabis while reading the local paper in the morning. I pass one dispensary before I cross the Grand Avenue bridge, and another just down the road.

In the paper I can always count on finding an article or an ad about medical marijuana. “Valley teen: Marijuana is ‘widely available.'” That article sure grabbed my attention. The article talked about a student in Carbondale and his dance with the medical marijuana epidemic. When asked where he would get his supply, he stated, “[My provider] would go down to the dispensary once or twice a week and get his marijuana, then he'd give it to me.”

In the local news briefs on March 8, another headline nabbed my attention: “Teen arrested for Carbondale dispensary break-in.” If you ask me, these dispensaries are nothing but trouble.

A group of us students at GSHS have been studying public policy. We are not out to say that marijuana should be legal or illegal. That's a lost argument.

We are looking into ways that medical marijuana could be better distributed. The main thing we have found when we asked our peers, “Do you think, upon seeing medical marijuana dispensaries, that marijuana is becoming socially acceptable?” is that 80 percent of the time, the answer was yes.

We have come up with a policy idea in which medical marijuana would be distributed through a pharmacy, like every other prescription medication. It would be given in a regulated dose with the information on usage as well as the patient's name on the prescription bottle. It would be handled by licensed pharmacists, and could only be obtained by prescription from a licensed doctor local to the patient's area of residence.

There would be less chance of abuse going unnoticed, it would follow the same guidelines as any other prescription drug, and be viewed, as it should be, strictly as a prescription drug...."
(Read orig. letter?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor "Keep the land public"

'SandBox Nanny' has been a 'news junkie' since her late teens.  And that...is a long time...

Throughout the years she has noticed that the sheer volume of vitriol output does come from liberals.  The vast majority of the time one can find conservatives in defense mode.  Rather than get into finger-pointing, smart defenders have developed what 'Nanny' calls the 'mirror defense'.

From the position of taking the higher road one can very effectively shine a reflective mirror on to those who antagonize.

Jennifer Isenhart shows beautiful execution of the 'mirror defense' today.  Up on the Aspen Daily News.

Jennifer Isenhart, New Castle:
"Editor:

I recently had the pleasure of partaking in one of our freedoms: The right to speak at a town hall meeting. I took my two minutes to speak then sat quietly listening to others who had the right to do the same. I am writing at this moment in regards to the “heckler” leaving the meeting, speaking against my belief instead of taking the time to share theirs with me. I will not stoop down to a level below the beliefs I am so passionate about.

People might be quick to judge me just because I have a “No Hidden Gems” sticker displayed on my vehicle or for what I may speak about publicly. But no one has ever stopped to take a minute to ask me about my passions and beliefs on public lands, or to share theirs.

Hidden Gems supporters might be surprised that I see things very similarly to them. I care about our public lands, and even more this great planet we live on. I wish to protect it, and just like you I want the younger generation and those beyond to enjoy it just as I have. Yes, that may be by a motorized route to a special destination where we believe in teaching the younger generation to be good stewards of the land and to work hard to keep the land just the way it is — public.

I don’t believe wilderness is the answer for every piece of land. You can bet I won’t give up on the possibility of there being a better way. Maybe I could be a part of some new legislation, and I would invite you to be also, because deep down we all walk on the same path, just in different shoes. So as I proudly display my sticker I do so with an open heart and mind, and you will continue to see me out there on the trails working hard to keep them clean, promoting responsible use and standing strong for the belief that everyone should have that right to use it as well...."  (Read original letter?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice " Morning photo: The winter that wasn’t?"

All credit Bob Berwyn:
"SUMMIT COUNTY — Lots of grumbling from tourists and old-timers alike on this winter, or the lack thereof, but was it really as bad as all that? You’ve seen all the stats on snowfall and temperature, now have a look at some of the photos showing that, yes, there was a winter in Summit County, with snow, cold, fog, ice … and it’s not over yet. My money is on a snowy and cold late March and early April.

And just as food for thought, I’d like to throw out there that a cycle of big wet winters (like last year), followed by a relatively short and mild winter (like this year so far), is probably beneficial to some plants and perhaps even animals in ways that we don’t even begin to understand. We just have to let go of the idea that we humans are at the center of the universe. All these pictures were taken before winter even formally began on the calendar...."  (See more?  Order photos?  Click title)

SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "Udall's wilderness proposal ‘the right thing to do' "

One of the things 'SandBoxBlogs" did not set out to become was a media critic.  Yes, it's true. 

Unfortunately, there was such a huge problem with two of our local papers at the time it became impossible not to be critical.  Think back to 2009, 2010 and the early part of 2011 at 'the way things used to be on the PI and Times'.  The Times cleaned up very quickly and capped that with standing up to corporate and begging off having a publisher in-house.  From that point forward, they've been the Times we all recognize under the ownership of Swift Communications.  Much better read every morning than the direction they had been going down.

The PI is 1000% better with another 75% or so left to go.  Consumer complaints are more about  content, writers and power abuses than they are accusations of being a 'tabloid trash media'.

The balancing act for local commentators is to figure out what to lend energy to and what to ignore.

SandBox has just ignored all the gushing coverage on the virtues of Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colorado) and his latest attempt to recreate Hidden Gems under a new name.  Any land grab bill is likely to fail in the end and we'll put our energy into the real politics of it all when those politics are called upon.

With that said, it is hard to watch the short memory span of local letter to the editor writers.  All this gushing and heaping of praise onto Udall's 'sainted' head is pretty tough to ignore when the reality of Sen. Mark Udall's politics are such that he will pander to either side of the coin when it comes to environmnental issues.

Fortunately, Colorado conservatives have fairly long memories and that is not good news for either Udall or Bennet.

Here are some reminders that balance out these praise filled letters to editors lately.  Wonder why these stories are pushed away to the back archives by the PI?  Hmmmmm......

http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_18657546

http://coloradoindependent.com/104256/the-wizards-of-oil-how-the-koch-brothers-influence-environmental-politics

http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2011/10/sandbox-comments-glenwood-springs-post_9213.html

http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2011/12/sandbox-comments-colorado-peak-politics.html

http://sandboxcommentators.blogspot.com/2011/11/sandbox-comments-summit-county-citizens_2194.html

(Read today's letter praising Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colorado)?  Click title)

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

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor " Aspen boycott"

Mark Thomas, Hood River, Oregon:
"Editor:

Presumably, ACRA’s job is to help the business community in Aspen thrive. But by paying dues to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is does just the opposite, because the U.S. Chamber actively works to prevent a fix on climate, which the city’s own research says threatens the economy. There’s another problem though; people don’t want to visit a town that’s unethical and hypocritical. I used to live in the valley and love Aspen, but I can and will plan my next ski vacation in Steamboat Springs, which is not a member of the U.S. Chamber and seems to be doing just fine. Would a boycott be good for Aspen’s businesses? Does Steamboat’s chamber know something Aspen doesn’t?..."  (Read  the original?  Click title)

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