April 15, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Not a choice between the two"
William L. Robinson:
"However, you seem to have missed the real point of the resolution. It is a proposal to let the people of Colorado decide, not the environmental lobby at the capital. That would be government by the people, a notion which I think we all cherish. And if the resolution passed, and if the voters approved it, then the answer to the question of whether it would divert funds from existing lottery proceeds or add to them would be answered — by the free market choice of those who purchase tickets. That is another principle we cherish; a free market economy.
So why would the commissioners write the legislators urging them to kill this referendum? Is it perchance because they fear the people might decide that meeting the crushing needs of our returning veterans is worth some minimal risk to well funded environmental interests?
As an aside, let me add that at the first hearing on the resolution last week, it was sad to see the acrimony between the environmental and education lobby on one side and the veterans, who use, enjoy and value those institutions, but desperately seek some way to help their fellow returning veterans...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"However, you seem to have missed the real point of the resolution. It is a proposal to let the people of Colorado decide, not the environmental lobby at the capital. That would be government by the people, a notion which I think we all cherish. And if the resolution passed, and if the voters approved it, then the answer to the question of whether it would divert funds from existing lottery proceeds or add to them would be answered — by the free market choice of those who purchase tickets. That is another principle we cherish; a free market economy.
So why would the commissioners write the legislators urging them to kill this referendum? Is it perchance because they fear the people might decide that meeting the crushing needs of our returning veterans is worth some minimal risk to well funded environmental interests?
As an aside, let me add that at the first hearing on the resolution last week, it was sad to see the acrimony between the environmental and education lobby on one side and the veterans, who use, enjoy and value those institutions, but desperately seek some way to help their fellow returning veterans...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Durango Herald "Taliban attack Pakistan prison, free 380 prisoners"
How can this be?
Our thoughts are with and our hearts go out to 380 American military families who have each lost a soldier to the Taliban. For every single one of these prisoners of war that have escaped in Pakistan, an American lost their life.
How can this be? And again, Pakistani government.
Thank you so much for your service and generosity in letting that soldier go.
ISHTIAQ MAHSUD:
"They were carrying modern and heavy weapons," said Zahid Khan. "They fired rockets."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Our thoughts are with and our hearts go out to 380 American military families who have each lost a soldier to the Taliban. For every single one of these prisoners of war that have escaped in Pakistan, an American lost their life.
How can this be? And again, Pakistani government.
Thank you so much for your service and generosity in letting that soldier go.
ISHTIAQ MAHSUD:
"They were carrying modern and heavy weapons," said Zahid Khan. "They fired rockets."
Once inside the building, the attackers headed straight to the area of the prison where death-row prisoners were being kept, he said. They fought with guards for around two hours, setting part of the prison on fire before freeing the 380 inmates, including at least 20 "very dangerous Taliban militants," said Shafique...."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Pueblo Chieftain "Man arrested with 3 1/2 kilos of coke "
(See related to post comment story here)
Gosh...wonder which source access he uses. A Mexican drug cartel or Hezbollah? Or (shudders...gasps...dare she say it?) Americans?
"A man was arrested Friday in possession of 3 1/2 kilograms of cocaine, police said.
Louis P. Figueroa, 32, was arrested after trying to hide from police on a roof in the 2200 block of East Evans Avenue.
The cocaine Figueroa reportedly had is worth more than $663,000, an affidavit by narcotic Detective Mark Bravo said.
Police on Friday had been surveilling Figueroa's home, located in the 2100 block of Wyoming Avenue, when they saw him leave with a brown duffle bag.
The affidavit said narcotic detectives were walking up to talk to him when he fled in a car, nearly hitting Detective John Guerrero, who responded by firing a shot at the car.
Patrol officers soon located Figueroa on Evans Avenue hiding on a roof.
Two houses down, police located the brown bag, which contained the bricks of coke.
The affidavit said police found $9,000 in cash in Figueroa's car and a 20-ton hydraulic press in his basement that is believed to be used in packaging kilos of cocaine.
Figueroa was being held in Pueblo County jail without bail pending a court appearance."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Gosh...wonder which source access he uses. A Mexican drug cartel or Hezbollah? Or (shudders...gasps...dare she say it?) Americans?
"A man was arrested Friday in possession of 3 1/2 kilograms of cocaine, police said.
Louis P. Figueroa, 32, was arrested after trying to hide from police on a roof in the 2200 block of East Evans Avenue.
The cocaine Figueroa reportedly had is worth more than $663,000, an affidavit by narcotic Detective Mark Bravo said.
Police on Friday had been surveilling Figueroa's home, located in the 2100 block of Wyoming Avenue, when they saw him leave with a brown duffle bag.
The affidavit said narcotic detectives were walking up to talk to him when he fled in a car, nearly hitting Detective John Guerrero, who responded by firing a shot at the car.
Patrol officers soon located Figueroa on Evans Avenue hiding on a roof.
Two houses down, police located the brown bag, which contained the bricks of coke.
The affidavit said police found $9,000 in cash in Figueroa's car and a 20-ton hydraulic press in his basement that is believed to be used in packaging kilos of cocaine.
Figueroa was being held in Pueblo County jail without bail pending a court appearance."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Summit Daily News "Tamara Drangstveit and Rob Murphy: Why support our local working families?"
It looks like the big dust-up over in Summit County regarding living wage, affordable housing (and all related issues) and struggling working families has finally come to a peak.
So, let's gather up a few links out of the past few weeks of dozens of links available, and toss some of it up.
First, let's deal with reality for the little guy:
Tamara Drangstveit and Rob Murphy:
"...The Colorado Self-Sufficiency Standard is a tool for understanding the economic challenges of low- and moderate-income families. This county-by-county measure describes a “self-sufficiency wage,” or amount that a family must earn to avoid relying on public or private assistance, for a variety of family types. In Summit County, for example, a single parent with an infant must earn $23.24 per hour full-time, or a little over $49,000 per year. A couple with an infant and preschooler must earn $18.21 per hour per adult, or $76,939 annually. The standard only looks at the basic needs of families; housing, food, child care, health care and transportation.
The standard indicates a large gap between “poverty” and “self-sufficiency” in Summit County. The 2012 Federal Poverty Level for the first family is $18,920, and for the second family $28,820. While there are families in Summit who earn at or below federal poverty level, there are far more who earn above it, but still fail to meet the Self-Sufficiency Standard.
So how do these standards compare to the realities of the local workforce? In 2010, nearly 50 percent of jobs in Summit were in the accommodation/food service industry, with an average annual wage of $23,348. This level of income does lend itself to self-sufficiency.
Housing and child care costs are typically the largest pieces of a family's budget. The challenge of affording housing and child care costs is faced not only by lower-earning families, but middle-income parents as well. This includes long-time locals who alternate between different types of seasonal work, those who work multiple part-time jobs to try and make ends meet, and those who work year-round, full-time and still struggle to keep up.
Child care is near the top the of expense list. The Self-Sufficiency Standard's estimated monthly child care cost for the single parent with an infant is $838, and for couple with an infant and preschooler, $2,034 (note the child care expense for the second family far exceeds even a typical rent payment for a 2-bedroom apartment). When combined with a budget where at least 30 percent, and sometimes more than 50 percent is allocated for rent, there's not much left at the end of the month for other basic needs like food, transportation, and health care." (Read more? Click title)
Now, let's hear only exactly what he said from the guy who lit the fuse that set off the big dust-up, Frank Kent of Breckenridge:
"First, a warm welcome to the new Breckenridge Town Council members. Second, lets get to work! Here is some advice for the entire council:
1) Now is the right time to establish new and better priorities for our town. Focus on restoring basic services. Cut out the social welfare programs. (Granted..he might should have put quotation marks around the buzz kill words of 'social welfare')
2) Stop the imaginative and illogical rationalizations that attempt to justify wasteful spending on child care and affordable housing; Mayor Warner being the worst offender. Describing local government waste as “just another town amenity” is dumb. No one I know thinks spending on things that serve the entire community like fire/police protection, public works, open space, rec center or the golf course is the same as making transfer payments to a select few. There is no comparison. I suggest you start here: Cut out all funding for spending that benefits less than 15 percent of Breckenridge residents. Then, improve funding for basic services that serve the entire town and its visitors.
3) Start making decisions based on real and current data. There are tons of existing deed-restricted houses for sale. Building more hurts our community. Likewise, local daycare centers are at less than 70 percent capacity with 66 percent of children enrolled not even living in Breckenridge. Common sense dictates spending in these areas should be zero in the current environment. Just keep an eye on the facts and adjust in the future if things change.
Many of us are counting on the new council to set a new direction. With corrected priorities we can all be optimistic about maintaining our town's character while achieving sensible economic development."
(Read the original letter? Click the link to Frank's name)
Now, let's toss up a few 'interpretations' of what Frank said. Click the links to read:
http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120408/LETTER/120409849/1025&parentprofile=1058
http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120411/LETTER/120419997/1025&parentprofile=1058
http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120414/LETTER/120419923/1025&parentprofile=1058
http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120414/LETTER/120419926/1025&parentprofile=1058
To read the shameless exploiting by the Summit Daily with subsequent articles, etc. after Frank's letter came out; just surf what is usually a pretty balanced newspaper that is usually respectable in its presentations. Just click here to get to the current day front page.
Here's what 'SandBox Nanny' hears Frank 'just sayin':
1. He's obviously been around the area for awhile and understands that the real problem with "affordable housing" and "employee housing" is a developer taking advantage problem ultimately. Not the folks in the houses themselves. Notice his reference to the major gut of open deed restricted housing in Breckenridge. (whisper...whisper...sounds like Pitkin, Garfield and Eagle counties, doesn't it?...whisper...whisper...)
2. He's paying for that child care and wants the rules enforced. The rules are you have to live in Breckenridge. He's not saying chuck the kiddos and parents out in the cold, bitter winter with no place to go. Just make the ones that do not live in Breck stay in their own towns with that supplied child care. (whisper....whisper....sort of sounds like our illegal foreign nationals and unsecured borders problem, doesn't it...whisper...whisper...and again... like Pitkin, Garfield and Eagle counties...whisper...whisper...)
3. On child care, he's also saying that he understands the issue. Adjust in the future when there are changes. Adapt, be flexible and go for win-win. (whisper...whisper...gosh...maybe he's hinting at government and the parents using child care sit down and really look for solutions...whisper...whisper....)
Now, go back up and re-read Tamara and Rob's reality check for the folks. How does anyone know that Frank Kent isn't one of those falling in self-sufficiency brackets? If he isn't, betcha he knows what the reality of those brackets are. It shows in his informed content of his letter.
Where does the real fix on all things 'deed-restricted' lie?
Could it possibly be in the cleaning up of the soft corruption in the development, building and planning and cronyism within local governments? Just imagine a world where no one was milking easy access in order to get a big personal pay day on a build at the same time they eventually hold the nest egg of getting that deed restricted housing 'back' when it starts to fall apart or renters/owners have personal issues while keeping up with the ridiculous rules that treat them as....well...basically chattel.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
So, let's gather up a few links out of the past few weeks of dozens of links available, and toss some of it up.
First, let's deal with reality for the little guy:
Tamara Drangstveit and Rob Murphy:
"...The Colorado Self-Sufficiency Standard is a tool for understanding the economic challenges of low- and moderate-income families. This county-by-county measure describes a “self-sufficiency wage,” or amount that a family must earn to avoid relying on public or private assistance, for a variety of family types. In Summit County, for example, a single parent with an infant must earn $23.24 per hour full-time, or a little over $49,000 per year. A couple with an infant and preschooler must earn $18.21 per hour per adult, or $76,939 annually. The standard only looks at the basic needs of families; housing, food, child care, health care and transportation.
The standard indicates a large gap between “poverty” and “self-sufficiency” in Summit County. The 2012 Federal Poverty Level for the first family is $18,920, and for the second family $28,820. While there are families in Summit who earn at or below federal poverty level, there are far more who earn above it, but still fail to meet the Self-Sufficiency Standard.
So how do these standards compare to the realities of the local workforce? In 2010, nearly 50 percent of jobs in Summit were in the accommodation/food service industry, with an average annual wage of $23,348. This level of income does lend itself to self-sufficiency.
Housing and child care costs are typically the largest pieces of a family's budget. The challenge of affording housing and child care costs is faced not only by lower-earning families, but middle-income parents as well. This includes long-time locals who alternate between different types of seasonal work, those who work multiple part-time jobs to try and make ends meet, and those who work year-round, full-time and still struggle to keep up.
Child care is near the top the of expense list. The Self-Sufficiency Standard's estimated monthly child care cost for the single parent with an infant is $838, and for couple with an infant and preschooler, $2,034 (note the child care expense for the second family far exceeds even a typical rent payment for a 2-bedroom apartment). When combined with a budget where at least 30 percent, and sometimes more than 50 percent is allocated for rent, there's not much left at the end of the month for other basic needs like food, transportation, and health care." (Read more? Click title)
Now, let's hear only exactly what he said from the guy who lit the fuse that set off the big dust-up, Frank Kent of Breckenridge:
"First, a warm welcome to the new Breckenridge Town Council members. Second, lets get to work! Here is some advice for the entire council:
1) Now is the right time to establish new and better priorities for our town. Focus on restoring basic services. Cut out the social welfare programs. (Granted..he might should have put quotation marks around the buzz kill words of 'social welfare')
2) Stop the imaginative and illogical rationalizations that attempt to justify wasteful spending on child care and affordable housing; Mayor Warner being the worst offender. Describing local government waste as “just another town amenity” is dumb. No one I know thinks spending on things that serve the entire community like fire/police protection, public works, open space, rec center or the golf course is the same as making transfer payments to a select few. There is no comparison. I suggest you start here: Cut out all funding for spending that benefits less than 15 percent of Breckenridge residents. Then, improve funding for basic services that serve the entire town and its visitors.
3) Start making decisions based on real and current data. There are tons of existing deed-restricted houses for sale. Building more hurts our community. Likewise, local daycare centers are at less than 70 percent capacity with 66 percent of children enrolled not even living in Breckenridge. Common sense dictates spending in these areas should be zero in the current environment. Just keep an eye on the facts and adjust in the future if things change.
Many of us are counting on the new council to set a new direction. With corrected priorities we can all be optimistic about maintaining our town's character while achieving sensible economic development."
(Read the original letter? Click the link to Frank's name)
Now, let's toss up a few 'interpretations' of what Frank said. Click the links to read:
http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120408/LETTER/120409849/1025&parentprofile=1058
http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120411/LETTER/120419997/1025&parentprofile=1058
http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120414/LETTER/120419923/1025&parentprofile=1058
http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20120414/LETTER/120419926/1025&parentprofile=1058
To read the shameless exploiting by the Summit Daily with subsequent articles, etc. after Frank's letter came out; just surf what is usually a pretty balanced newspaper that is usually respectable in its presentations. Just click here to get to the current day front page.
Here's what 'SandBox Nanny' hears Frank 'just sayin':
1. He's obviously been around the area for awhile and understands that the real problem with "affordable housing" and "employee housing" is a developer taking advantage problem ultimately. Not the folks in the houses themselves. Notice his reference to the major gut of open deed restricted housing in Breckenridge. (whisper...whisper...sounds like Pitkin, Garfield and Eagle counties, doesn't it?...whisper...whisper...)
2. He's paying for that child care and wants the rules enforced. The rules are you have to live in Breckenridge. He's not saying chuck the kiddos and parents out in the cold, bitter winter with no place to go. Just make the ones that do not live in Breck stay in their own towns with that supplied child care. (whisper....whisper....sort of sounds like our illegal foreign nationals and unsecured borders problem, doesn't it...whisper...whisper...and again... like Pitkin, Garfield and Eagle counties...whisper...whisper...)
3. On child care, he's also saying that he understands the issue. Adjust in the future when there are changes. Adapt, be flexible and go for win-win. (whisper...whisper...gosh...maybe he's hinting at government and the parents using child care sit down and really look for solutions...whisper...whisper....)
Now, go back up and re-read Tamara and Rob's reality check for the folks. How does anyone know that Frank Kent isn't one of those falling in self-sufficiency brackets? If he isn't, betcha he knows what the reality of those brackets are. It shows in his informed content of his letter.
Where does the real fix on all things 'deed-restricted' lie?
Could it possibly be in the cleaning up of the soft corruption in the development, building and planning and cronyism within local governments? Just imagine a world where no one was milking easy access in order to get a big personal pay day on a build at the same time they eventually hold the nest egg of getting that deed restricted housing 'back' when it starts to fall apart or renters/owners have personal issues while keeping up with the ridiculous rules that treat them as....well...basically chattel.
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "A whole new animal enters valley transit scene"
And....(drum roll, please)....all these bells and whistles and new busses that will still be running up and down the valley from Rifle to Aspen with partial loads 'round the clock'..........only cost us........$46 million bucks!!!!
Yowza! Such a deal.
Do you think that the entire 'RFTA on Steroids' campaign was boondoggled by local governments because they 'somehow' got the idea that if folks could ride faster to Aspen it would all pay for itself with a gazillion new riders? Remember those voting breakdowns now when 'voters passed' those bonds. All those special interests beating the drum and the minority isolated pockets who support them barely, barely got the thing passed. With a lot of unhappy folks just saying NO. Come to think of it, they never mentioned all the forcing of imminent domain and the little technicality that they had no real plan in place for the actual infrastructure before they put in on the ballot, did they? Remember now, fares are yet to be determined and the travel time is still just a guesstimate.
Oh, sure...there's always money for RFTA.
Scott Condon:
"The goal will be for VelociRFTA buses to make the trip between Aspen and Glenwood Springs in one hour...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Yowza! Such a deal.
Do you think that the entire 'RFTA on Steroids' campaign was boondoggled by local governments because they 'somehow' got the idea that if folks could ride faster to Aspen it would all pay for itself with a gazillion new riders? Remember those voting breakdowns now when 'voters passed' those bonds. All those special interests beating the drum and the minority isolated pockets who support them barely, barely got the thing passed. With a lot of unhappy folks just saying NO. Come to think of it, they never mentioned all the forcing of imminent domain and the little technicality that they had no real plan in place for the actual infrastructure before they put in on the ballot, did they? Remember now, fares are yet to be determined and the travel time is still just a guesstimate.
Oh, sure...there's always money for RFTA.
Scott Condon:
"The goal will be for VelociRFTA buses to make the trip between Aspen and Glenwood Springs in one hour...."
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "A year without purpose"
Max Vadnais:
"ASPEN — As an avid backcountry skier, this season has obviously been a conundrum of hope without results. After spending last year in the Wasatch range over in Utah and having 700-plus inches of snowfall and a perfect stability of snowpack all year, this season has been one of just training, but for what?
Of course there are many uphill competitions to take part in here in the Roaring Fork Valley, but like many others I enjoy the adventure of being out beyond the resorts and in the middle of exotic terrain that gets the heartbeat pounding and adrenaline flowing. So, where do we stand this year?
With the avalanche danger being the highest in 30 years here in Colorado, the simple answer is: We are at a monumental, if not total, loss. The more complex answer, however, is that this is a year to expand the horizon of what and where we ski....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"ASPEN — As an avid backcountry skier, this season has obviously been a conundrum of hope without results. After spending last year in the Wasatch range over in Utah and having 700-plus inches of snowfall and a perfect stability of snowpack all year, this season has been one of just training, but for what?
Of course there are many uphill competitions to take part in here in the Roaring Fork Valley, but like many others I enjoy the adventure of being out beyond the resorts and in the middle of exotic terrain that gets the heartbeat pounding and adrenaline flowing. So, where do we stand this year?
With the avalanche danger being the highest in 30 years here in Colorado, the simple answer is: We are at a monumental, if not total, loss. The more complex answer, however, is that this is a year to expand the horizon of what and where we ski....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "On the fly: What a difference"
Kirk Webb:
"BASALT — What a difference a year can make. Last year at this time we still had huge amounts of snow in the high country followed by one of largest runoffs on record. Fishing was challenging to say the least. Even the normally tame waters of the Fryingpan River were in excess of 800 cubic feet per second. Flows on the Roaring Fork River were so high and discolored that fly fishing outfitters and guide services were not able to do a commercial float trip until the middle of July.
Fast forward to the present and you'll find below-average snowpack and low water flows. Currently the Fryingpan River is flowing around 60 cfs and the Roaring Fork River is still clear and running at lower-than-normal flows. So what does all of this mean for fly anglers?..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"BASALT — What a difference a year can make. Last year at this time we still had huge amounts of snow in the high country followed by one of largest runoffs on record. Fishing was challenging to say the least. Even the normally tame waters of the Fryingpan River were in excess of 800 cubic feet per second. Flows on the Roaring Fork River were so high and discolored that fly fishing outfitters and guide services were not able to do a commercial float trip until the middle of July.
Fast forward to the present and you'll find below-average snowpack and low water flows. Currently the Fryingpan River is flowing around 60 cfs and the Roaring Fork River is still clear and running at lower-than-normal flows. So what does all of this mean for fly anglers?..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Colorado: A little snow history"
Bob Berwyn:
"SUMMIT COUNTY — Each year’s weather triggers discussions about past seasons, and without having exact statistics at hand, it’s easy to get mixed up about snowfall records or dry spells. Last year, for example, during the big La Niña snows, there was a lot of talk about the “snowiest winter ever” and a lot of hype. More on the ENSO cycle here.
It was a big year, for sure, and the snow fell late into the spring, but detailed month-to-month comparisons from previous seasons showed that it wasn’t quite the snowiest year ever, though some specific locations did set snowfall records, for example at A-Basin, which reported record April totals. Which brings up another point: Snowfall totals can vary greatly across just very short distances, based on local topography and other factors.
Similarly, this winter has already earned a reputation as the driest on record, and that’s not quite true, either, although it came pretty close. And again, some specific locations did report record low snowfall, so I suppose it depends in part on how and where you measure...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"SUMMIT COUNTY — Each year’s weather triggers discussions about past seasons, and without having exact statistics at hand, it’s easy to get mixed up about snowfall records or dry spells. Last year, for example, during the big La Niña snows, there was a lot of talk about the “snowiest winter ever” and a lot of hype. More on the ENSO cycle here.
It was a big year, for sure, and the snow fell late into the spring, but detailed month-to-month comparisons from previous seasons showed that it wasn’t quite the snowiest year ever, though some specific locations did set snowfall records, for example at A-Basin, which reported record April totals. Which brings up another point: Snowfall totals can vary greatly across just very short distances, based on local topography and other factors.
Similarly, this winter has already earned a reputation as the driest on record, and that’s not quite true, either, although it came pretty close. And again, some specific locations did report record low snowfall, so I suppose it depends in part on how and where you measure...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Morning photo: Sunny start, snowy evening"
All credit: Bob Berwyn
"SUMMIT COUNTY — The sun peaked through early morning Saturday, but it was already apparent that a storm was starting to move in, with winds gradually shifting from a warm southwesterly flow, to west, to northwest, the favored direction for snowfall in the north-central mountains. Here’s how it looked around the reservoir at dawn, and then late in the afternoon, when the snow began to fly." (See more? Click title)
"SUMMIT COUNTY — The sun peaked through early morning Saturday, but it was already apparent that a storm was starting to move in, with winds gradually shifting from a warm southwesterly flow, to west, to northwest, the favored direction for snowfall in the north-central mountains. Here’s how it looked around the reservoir at dawn, and then late in the afternoon, when the snow began to fly." (See more? Click title)
April 14, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Fox News "Obama paid lower tax rate than secretary"
This news still does not let Romney off the hook for consistently paying lower rates than average workers nor does it come as a surprise that Obama is not practicing what he thumps on his campaign pulpit.
What it does do is put both candidates on the same exact footing with regard to their tax returns.
Could that possibly mean that voters do not have to listen to further rhetoric from either of them on the 'evils' of their personal finance choices?
Probably not. Unfortunately, it's still a long road to November.
"President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama had a combined income of $789,674 in 2011 but paid a lower tax rate than the president's secretary, who made less than $100,000, the White House confirmed Friday.
The Obamas paid an effective rate of 20.5 percent. White House aides would not reveal presidential secretary Anita Breckenridge’s tax rate but confirmed it was higher than the first family's rate. Breckenridge earned $95,000 last year.
The Obamas' rate is less than the 30 percent the president wants millionaires to pay under his proposed Buffett Rule.
“The president’s secretary pays a slightly higher rate ... than the president on her substantially lower income, which is exactly why we need to reform our tax code and ask the wealthiest to pay their fair share,” White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage told Fox News....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
What it does do is put both candidates on the same exact footing with regard to their tax returns.
Could that possibly mean that voters do not have to listen to further rhetoric from either of them on the 'evils' of their personal finance choices?
Probably not. Unfortunately, it's still a long road to November.
"President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama had a combined income of $789,674 in 2011 but paid a lower tax rate than the president's secretary, who made less than $100,000, the White House confirmed Friday.
The Obamas paid an effective rate of 20.5 percent. White House aides would not reveal presidential secretary Anita Breckenridge’s tax rate but confirmed it was higher than the first family's rate. Breckenridge earned $95,000 last year.
The Obamas' rate is less than the 30 percent the president wants millionaires to pay under his proposed Buffett Rule.
“The president’s secretary pays a slightly higher rate ... than the president on her substantially lower income, which is exactly why we need to reform our tax code and ask the wealthiest to pay their fair share,” White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage told Fox News....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Washington Post "Mystery donor gives $10 million to Crossroads GPS group to run anti-Obama ads"
When one is faced with another who steadfast refuses to look at their view or facts, and the stakes are literally a matter of the well being of the majority, it is that individual responsibility to communicate in an effective manner that the opposing side will hear.
All the diplomacy, cajoling, patient pointing out of the facts of your need is not going to ever be heard when another is 'deaf'.
How much more stump-bashing, negative advertising, relentless and unbendable rhetoric has to go on in American media and politics before the one voice, the one vote of the common man is listened to?
A very special thank you goes out today to the anonymous donors bringing millions of dollars into the "negative" advertising arena in the most important political race of our time.
On behalf of voices struggling every single day out here to get heard amidst a tsunami of repression, your leadership (and your money) is greatly appreciated.
Say NO to Barack Obama in November 2012.
T.W. Farnam:
"An anonymous donor gave $10 million late last year to run ads attacking President Obama and Democratic policies, escalating the money race that is defining the 2012 presidential campaign. And in the new, free-wheeling environment of independent political giving, the identity of this donor, like many others, is likely to remain a permanent mystery.
The donation went to Crossroads GPS, the conservative nonprofit group founded with the support of political strategist Karl Rove. Another donor gave $10 million in the 2010 midterm elections, according to draft tax returns that provide the first detailed look at its finances...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
All the diplomacy, cajoling, patient pointing out of the facts of your need is not going to ever be heard when another is 'deaf'.
How much more stump-bashing, negative advertising, relentless and unbendable rhetoric has to go on in American media and politics before the one voice, the one vote of the common man is listened to?
A very special thank you goes out today to the anonymous donors bringing millions of dollars into the "negative" advertising arena in the most important political race of our time.
On behalf of voices struggling every single day out here to get heard amidst a tsunami of repression, your leadership (and your money) is greatly appreciated.
Say NO to Barack Obama in November 2012.
T.W. Farnam:
"An anonymous donor gave $10 million late last year to run ads attacking President Obama and Democratic policies, escalating the money race that is defining the 2012 presidential campaign. And in the new, free-wheeling environment of independent political giving, the identity of this donor, like many others, is likely to remain a permanent mystery.
The donation went to Crossroads GPS, the conservative nonprofit group founded with the support of political strategist Karl Rove. Another donor gave $10 million in the 2010 midterm elections, according to draft tax returns that provide the first detailed look at its finances...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "John Bolton, Michelle Malkin commit to Steamboat conference"
Brent Boyer:
"Steamboat Springs — Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton and conservative columnist and author Michelle Malkin will headline this year’s Freedom Conference hosted by The Steamboat Institute.
The fourth annual conference is scheduled for Aug. 24 and 25 at The Steamboat Grand.
Bolton, whose lengthy legal and diplomatic career perhaps was highlighted by his controversial tenure as the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations during the presidency of George W. Bush, is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a commentator on Fox News.
Malkin is a conservative blogger, columnist and frequent guest host and commentator on the Fox News Channel. Her four published books are “Invasion: How America Still Welcomes Terrorists, Criminals and Other Foreign Menaces,” “In Defense of Internment: The Case for Racial Profiling in World War II and the War on Terror,” “Unhinged: Exposing Liberals Gone Wild” and “Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks, and Cronies.” She lives near Colorado Springs with her husband and two children.
“We’re very excited about this,” Steamboat Institute co-founder and Vice Chairman Rick Akin said. “This is really the earliest we’ve had big-name speakers confirmed. We’re very happy to have speakers of this quality and ones who are anxious to come speak in Steamboat.”
Akin, a Steamboat-based attorney, said Malkin will be the keynote speaker at the Aug. 25 lunch. Other Freedom Conference speakers will be announced soon, he said....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Steamboat Springs — Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton and conservative columnist and author Michelle Malkin will headline this year’s Freedom Conference hosted by The Steamboat Institute.
The fourth annual conference is scheduled for Aug. 24 and 25 at The Steamboat Grand.
Bolton, whose lengthy legal and diplomatic career perhaps was highlighted by his controversial tenure as the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations during the presidency of George W. Bush, is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a commentator on Fox News.
Malkin is a conservative blogger, columnist and frequent guest host and commentator on the Fox News Channel. Her four published books are “Invasion: How America Still Welcomes Terrorists, Criminals and Other Foreign Menaces,” “In Defense of Internment: The Case for Racial Profiling in World War II and the War on Terror,” “Unhinged: Exposing Liberals Gone Wild” and “Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks, and Cronies.” She lives near Colorado Springs with her husband and two children.
“We’re very excited about this,” Steamboat Institute co-founder and Vice Chairman Rick Akin said. “This is really the earliest we’ve had big-name speakers confirmed. We’re very happy to have speakers of this quality and ones who are anxious to come speak in Steamboat.”
Akin, a Steamboat-based attorney, said Malkin will be the keynote speaker at the Aug. 25 lunch. Other Freedom Conference speakers will be announced soon, he said....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Craig Daily Press "John Raftopoulos’s Angus bull program recognized as best in the state"
Joe Moylan:
"The Raftopoulos name has been synonymous with Moffat County ranching for almost a century.
The family is best known for its connection to the sheep industry.
But on March 31, John Raftopoulos, 60, of Raftopoulos Ranches, was recognized as the 2011 Promoter of the Year by the Colorado Angus Association for his ability to raise some of the best performing, high-altitude Angus cattle in Colorado.
Raftopoulos Ranches expanded into the commercial and registered Angus seed stock business 10 years ago.
“It was a surprise and honor that they selected us for the award,” Raftopoulos said. “I never thought 10 years ago that we would be getting an award.
“All we are trying to do is produce cattle that work in our environment, which is my passion. If you take care of business, do what you think is right, use common sense and work hard, things like this happen.”
The award was presented during Raftopoulos Ranches’ — aka Diamond Peak Cattle Company — annual bull sale in Loma, where the outfit sold 207 bulls at an average price of $4,068 a head...."
(Read more? Click title)
"The Raftopoulos name has been synonymous with Moffat County ranching for almost a century.
The family is best known for its connection to the sheep industry.
But on March 31, John Raftopoulos, 60, of Raftopoulos Ranches, was recognized as the 2011 Promoter of the Year by the Colorado Angus Association for his ability to raise some of the best performing, high-altitude Angus cattle in Colorado.
Raftopoulos Ranches expanded into the commercial and registered Angus seed stock business 10 years ago.
“It was a surprise and honor that they selected us for the award,” Raftopoulos said. “I never thought 10 years ago that we would be getting an award.
“All we are trying to do is produce cattle that work in our environment, which is my passion. If you take care of business, do what you think is right, use common sense and work hard, things like this happen.”
The award was presented during Raftopoulos Ranches’ — aka Diamond Peak Cattle Company — annual bull sale in Loma, where the outfit sold 207 bulls at an average price of $4,068 a head...."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Colorado Springs Gazette "Algae-filled bedroom leads to grand prize at science fair"
Carol McGraw:
"Sara Volz, a junior at Cheyenne Mountain High School, has won the grand prize in the senior division at the 57th Colorado Science and Engineering Fair at Colorado State University.
Again.
Volz’ topic is titled Optimizing Algae Biofuels: Artificial Selection & Nitrogen Stress as Methods to Induce Lipid Synthesis.”
Yes, it’s complicated. Just know that she has shelves and shelves of algae growing in her room and that her mother Pattye Volz is happy about that because the 30 beakers used to be on her kitchen counter.
This is Sara’s second year of winning the state grand prize. She’s been a competitor for six years.
“It was awesome, there was a lot of tough competition and I didn’t expect to win again,” she said.
She will compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair May 13-18 in Pittsburgh. Last year, she won first place in the energy and transportation category at the international event...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Sara Volz, a junior at Cheyenne Mountain High School, has won the grand prize in the senior division at the 57th Colorado Science and Engineering Fair at Colorado State University.
Again.
Volz’ topic is titled Optimizing Algae Biofuels: Artificial Selection & Nitrogen Stress as Methods to Induce Lipid Synthesis.”
Yes, it’s complicated. Just know that she has shelves and shelves of algae growing in her room and that her mother Pattye Volz is happy about that because the 30 beakers used to be on her kitchen counter.
This is Sara’s second year of winning the state grand prize. She’s been a competitor for six years.
“It was awesome, there was a lot of tough competition and I didn’t expect to win again,” she said.
She will compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair May 13-18 in Pittsburgh. Last year, she won first place in the energy and transportation category at the international event...."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Scientists double their estimates of Antarctic emperor penguin populations after careful satellite study"
"Oh, so are we!!!" (say all the fans of Bob Berwyn's penguin stories on this wonderful news from the Brits):
Bob Berwyn (with photo credits to the British Antarctic Society) :
"....."“We are delighted to be able to locate and identify such a large number of emperor penguins,” said lead author and geographer Peter Fretwell, of the British Antarctic Survey. “We counted 595,000 birds, which is almost double the previous estimates of 270,000 – 350,000 birds. This is the first comprehensive census of a species taken from space.”...." (Read more? See more? Click title)
Bob Berwyn (with photo credits to the British Antarctic Society) :
"....."“We are delighted to be able to locate and identify such a large number of emperor penguins,” said lead author and geographer Peter Fretwell, of the British Antarctic Survey. “We counted 595,000 birds, which is almost double the previous estimates of 270,000 – 350,000 birds. This is the first comprehensive census of a species taken from space.”...." (Read more? See more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily News "Vail's Chris Anthony: Flying to the zone"
(Read Part One here)
Chris Anthony:
"I have been guiding at Points North for over 11 years and been skiing in the Chugach Range for over 22. Every year, I question my motivation and every year I leave knowing I'm coming back. I have to remind myself when I arrive to just slow down, get organized and be very patient but ready for anything. It's a tough mindset after a season of running all over the place. Base camp can be tranquil and quiet with little or no cell service and slow internet. Yogis would love it. On the other hand, it can have the same adrenaline of that of the deck of an aircraft carrier, which I have experienced as well..." (Read more? Click title)
Chris Anthony:
"I have been guiding at Points North for over 11 years and been skiing in the Chugach Range for over 22. Every year, I question my motivation and every year I leave knowing I'm coming back. I have to remind myself when I arrive to just slow down, get organized and be very patient but ready for anything. It's a tough mindset after a season of running all over the place. Base camp can be tranquil and quiet with little or no cell service and slow internet. Yogis would love it. On the other hand, it can have the same adrenaline of that of the deck of an aircraft carrier, which I have experienced as well..." (Read more? Click title)
April 13, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Newsmax "WSJ: Real Unemployment Rate 11.8 Percent"
"The official unemployment rate remains at an ugly perch of 8.2 percent, despite declines in recent months. But even that lofty level understates the magnitude of the jobs problem, according to a Wall Street Journal blog by Paul Vigna.
He looks at the issue in terms of the labor force participation rate. That measures the percentage of working-age Americans, excluding those who are in jail or the military, who are “participating” in the work force. That includes both people who have a job and those looking for a job.
The rate has been dropping since January 2007, when it stood at 66.4 percent. The reading fell to 65.5 percent in July 2009, even as the Great Recession was officially ending, and currently registers an almost 30-year low of 63.8 percent.
Taking that drop into account produces a higher jobless rate. If you apply the July 2009 participation rate to today’s jobless numbers, that generates an unemployment rate of more than 10 percent. And if you utilize the 2007 participation rate, you’re left with a jobless rate of 11.8 percent....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
He looks at the issue in terms of the labor force participation rate. That measures the percentage of working-age Americans, excluding those who are in jail or the military, who are “participating” in the work force. That includes both people who have a job and those looking for a job.
The rate has been dropping since January 2007, when it stood at 66.4 percent. The reading fell to 65.5 percent in July 2009, even as the Great Recession was officially ending, and currently registers an almost 30-year low of 63.8 percent.
Taking that drop into account produces a higher jobless rate. If you apply the July 2009 participation rate to today’s jobless numbers, that generates an unemployment rate of more than 10 percent. And if you utilize the 2007 participation rate, you’re left with a jobless rate of 11.8 percent....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Town Hall "In Battle for Young Voters, Romney Should Play it Uncool"
Jonah Goldberg:
"...Obama was different. He had that cool name. He was black. He'd never done much that was important, save give some fun speeches, but that was OK; neither had most college students, and that didn't keep them from being special either. More important, they believed his promises, they liked his style, they bought his easy answers and flattering pandering.
Four years later, Obama's in trouble, which is why he's visiting college campuses more often than a Red Bull delivery truck. He's talking louder and getting more shrill, because his campaign knows how desperately it needs to replicate -- or even come close to replicating -- his success with the youth vote in 2008. Polls and countless news stories indicate that young voters are either bored, unimpressed or disappointed with Obama, and with the state of the country.
All of the exciting reasons to vote for Obama are gone. Even his accomplishments don't excite people, never mind his failures. His "Yes, we can" rhetoric is gone because it sounds stupid after four years of "No, we didn't." Now we get cynicism and fear-mongering. His attacks on the Republicans are tawdry and desperate. He even admits the "Buffett Rule" is a gimmick. Other issues like green energy are passé now, even though gas prices continue to soar. (A troubling sign for Obama: Only a third of hybrid car owners are interested in ever getting another after they get rid of the one they have.)
Obama's approval rating among 18- to 29-year-olds hovers around 50 percent (after almost a year of bad press for the GOP). But a late 2011 Harvard survey found that only 12 percent of young people felt the country was moving in the right direction. An outfit called Generation Opportunity, which is trying to organize young voters on economic issues, finds that 77 percent of young people have had to put their lives on hold because of the economy....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"...Obama was different. He had that cool name. He was black. He'd never done much that was important, save give some fun speeches, but that was OK; neither had most college students, and that didn't keep them from being special either. More important, they believed his promises, they liked his style, they bought his easy answers and flattering pandering.
Four years later, Obama's in trouble, which is why he's visiting college campuses more often than a Red Bull delivery truck. He's talking louder and getting more shrill, because his campaign knows how desperately it needs to replicate -- or even come close to replicating -- his success with the youth vote in 2008. Polls and countless news stories indicate that young voters are either bored, unimpressed or disappointed with Obama, and with the state of the country.
All of the exciting reasons to vote for Obama are gone. Even his accomplishments don't excite people, never mind his failures. His "Yes, we can" rhetoric is gone because it sounds stupid after four years of "No, we didn't." Now we get cynicism and fear-mongering. His attacks on the Republicans are tawdry and desperate. He even admits the "Buffett Rule" is a gimmick. Other issues like green energy are passé now, even though gas prices continue to soar. (A troubling sign for Obama: Only a third of hybrid car owners are interested in ever getting another after they get rid of the one they have.)
Obama's approval rating among 18- to 29-year-olds hovers around 50 percent (after almost a year of bad press for the GOP). But a late 2011 Harvard survey found that only 12 percent of young people felt the country was moving in the right direction. An outfit called Generation Opportunity, which is trying to organize young voters on economic issues, finds that 77 percent of young people have had to put their lives on hold because of the economy....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
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