Excellent, excellent opinion by 'colegrayson'. Out there somewhere in avatar land. Take the time to read the entire piece.
(posted by avatar colegrayson)
"I had the distinct pleasure of watching the GOP candidates debate, and I learned something shocking. They are not, despite the New York Times propaganda, crazy. They are diverse, intelligent constructs of a party that allows for free thought, unlike dogmatic liberalism I now renounce. But fair warning, I am Pro God, which by liberal definition means I force Him into the faces of others. I am against 12 year olds signing off on their own abortions, which means I despise women. I believe Herman Cain agrees with my beliefs on minority empowerment, so he too must be a racist. Even the now wilted specter of Michelle Bachmann, successfully castrated by a viciously sexist question in the previous debate, was not any sort of boogeywoman. What we had was an intelligent thoughtful exchange of ideas. Some of these ideas may not work, and others have merit. Cain’s thoughts on taxation I found intriguing but impractical, but hey, at least it was an idea. A freaking idea. But wait, other ideas reared their head as well. Ideas like using military drones to track illegals, (Governor Perry) support of a guest worker program (Speaker Gingrich) and of course there was Mitt. Poor Mitt. He would have been a great 60′s Republican. Today he would be better off as a Democrat. But he is a good fella and a smart man, so he has a place. Just not in the White House..."
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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
September 11, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Letters to the Editor "John, you chose low wages"
We don't track origins on SandBox.
We could care less who you are, what your IP is or what you want to call yourself.
There is absolutely no relevance, except personal gratification and ego stroking for anyone from journalists to elected officials to powerful people who want revenge, in our knowing that kind of personal data on an avatar in commentary.
In our area, there is also the documentation of actual harm coming into lives of the people who speak up over local issues; we care a lot more about protection of those brave voices than we do for the perpetrators that cause the harm.
SandBox goes to lengths in order to protect the anonymity we hold in trust for others. The many, many identities we have come to know has come about because they are people who are of strong enough moral character to find out the truth and then allow their own personal trust grow. To us, protecting their trust is sacred.
In our view, the only thing that matters publicly is the validity of the comments they make.
That is one of the reasons why SandBox Nanny uses the highly effective tool of posting news that has already been made. It is impossible for even the very powerful to retract either the truth once it has happened (or) disinformation spun by an agenda to hide those truths. Actually, the tactic is one that has been around since the time of Sun Tzu. Move swiftly through unprotected ground.
What we do track are search phrases that find us. Keywords. Analytics.
When we first started SandBox in July of 2010, we were stunned at how often Swift Communications reporters, editors and publisher not only checked in on SandBox Commentators but used every keyword search imaginable attached to their names. Over a year and a half later, we are astounded at how persistent they are in still tracking themselves....
The hostility towards us back then was not only palpable, it was shocking. 'Somebody' did not like the little guys empowering themselves in defense.
As the false stories and disinformation grew stronger in their Members Hub, the banning and censoring increased to the point of literally banning local authorities and professionals who are avatars, while the editorial staff at the PI claimed these anonymous souls they were banning were 'imposters'. (whisper...whisper...not to mention what an oxymoron the PI's choice is....whisper...whisper... "ban" "anonymous imposters"??!... what's up with that....whisper...whisper..)
How incredible is it, in this day and age, that any "professional" in the business of public relations and also in the service of trust to the public would act, in very public ways, like they were still in high school and either believe or participate in anything unverified and also so morally reprehensible?
By letting individuals like that, who have no qualms rolling around on such levels (especially effective when allowed to collectively reveal their personal choices) simply continue to reveal themselves; we rose to rapid popularity and success with SandBox Commentators.
"trapping" those reveals in a three-sided blog(s) that is really nothing more than just a daily diary of public news and opinion; SandBox Commentators has also managed to break a pattern of abuse in the region. By simply doing nothing at all except log a daily diary.
There has been no halt to the manipulation of public opinion by those angered at us for not cowering back into submission. That manipulation is still out there and being done now to legal authorities. Eventually, as the sticks get bigger and the staying of the course gets tougher and higher up in legal authority, they will be stopped permanently.
Until then, we take pride in seeing the steady increase of voices raised against all kinds of things.
Like openly confronting a bully named John Colson.
"Dear Editor:
As I read your column (John Colson, “Poke that bully in the nose,” Sept. 4) today, I kept thinking about how I'm personally offended by so many of the articles you write. What bothers me more than your liberal philosophy each week is what appears to me to be self pity and disdain for people like me..."
(Bill Schaffer, Aspen)
(Learn more? Click title or comment to start discussion)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
We could care less who you are, what your IP is or what you want to call yourself.
There is absolutely no relevance, except personal gratification and ego stroking for anyone from journalists to elected officials to powerful people who want revenge, in our knowing that kind of personal data on an avatar in commentary.
In our area, there is also the documentation of actual harm coming into lives of the people who speak up over local issues; we care a lot more about protection of those brave voices than we do for the perpetrators that cause the harm.
SandBox goes to lengths in order to protect the anonymity we hold in trust for others. The many, many identities we have come to know has come about because they are people who are of strong enough moral character to find out the truth and then allow their own personal trust grow. To us, protecting their trust is sacred.
In our view, the only thing that matters publicly is the validity of the comments they make.
That is one of the reasons why SandBox Nanny uses the highly effective tool of posting news that has already been made. It is impossible for even the very powerful to retract either the truth once it has happened (or) disinformation spun by an agenda to hide those truths. Actually, the tactic is one that has been around since the time of Sun Tzu. Move swiftly through unprotected ground.
What we do track are search phrases that find us. Keywords. Analytics.
When we first started SandBox in July of 2010, we were stunned at how often Swift Communications reporters, editors and publisher not only checked in on SandBox Commentators but used every keyword search imaginable attached to their names. Over a year and a half later, we are astounded at how persistent they are in still tracking themselves....
The hostility towards us back then was not only palpable, it was shocking. 'Somebody' did not like the little guys empowering themselves in defense.
As the false stories and disinformation grew stronger in their Members Hub, the banning and censoring increased to the point of literally banning local authorities and professionals who are avatars, while the editorial staff at the PI claimed these anonymous souls they were banning were 'imposters'. (whisper...whisper...not to mention what an oxymoron the PI's choice is....whisper...whisper... "ban" "anonymous imposters"??!... what's up with that....whisper...whisper..)
How incredible is it, in this day and age, that any "professional" in the business of public relations and also in the service of trust to the public would act, in very public ways, like they were still in high school and either believe or participate in anything unverified and also so morally reprehensible?
By letting individuals like that, who have no qualms rolling around on such levels (especially effective when allowed to collectively reveal their personal choices) simply continue to reveal themselves; we rose to rapid popularity and success with SandBox Commentators.
"trapping" those reveals in a three-sided blog(s) that is really nothing more than just a daily diary of public news and opinion; SandBox Commentators has also managed to break a pattern of abuse in the region. By simply doing nothing at all except log a daily diary.
There has been no halt to the manipulation of public opinion by those angered at us for not cowering back into submission. That manipulation is still out there and being done now to legal authorities. Eventually, as the sticks get bigger and the staying of the course gets tougher and higher up in legal authority, they will be stopped permanently.
Until then, we take pride in seeing the steady increase of voices raised against all kinds of things.
Like openly confronting a bully named John Colson.
"Dear Editor:
As I read your column (John Colson, “Poke that bully in the nose,” Sept. 4) today, I kept thinking about how I'm personally offended by so many of the articles you write. What bothers me more than your liberal philosophy each week is what appears to me to be self pity and disdain for people like me..."
(Bill Schaffer, Aspen)
(Learn more? Click title or comment to start discussion)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
September 10, 2011
SandBox Comments: Stars and Stripes "Why you Fight"
Make the time.
Take the time to read all the stories. Every page.
Take the time to put a face, the story of individual American lives to every single day since 9/11.
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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
Take the time to read all the stories. Every page.
Take the time to put a face, the story of individual American lives to every single day since 9/11.
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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
September 9, 2011
SandBox Comments: Citizen Telegram "Stoney Ridge Pavilion opens with first concert Sept. 17"
(see related story here)
Congratulations to Silt Mayor Dave Moore and all the folks down in Silt!
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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
Congratulations to Silt Mayor Dave Moore and all the folks down in Silt!
(Learn more? Click title or comment to start discussion)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
SandBox Comments: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Hot-water lovers revel in family’s dream come true"
A very special thank you to Dennis Webb and the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel for reporting with real paper and ink what locals have known for a few years.
"Larry Dressler and Linda Smith of Boulder enjoy soaking in hot springs “when we can find them,” Dressler said.
Thanks to a recommendation from some locals, last week Dressler and his wife found the newly developed Avalanche Ranch Hot Springs off Colorado Highway 133 south of Carbondale.
“I think the view is magnificent. It’s just great to sit here and enjoy a view like this,” Dressler said as he sat in a pool and gazed toward Mount Sopris and other towering peaks and ridges on the other side of the Crystal River Valley.
Hot springs lovers this summer are enjoying the fruits of years of labor by the Ogilby family, and the realization of a longtime dream to tap and develop the geothermal resources the family believed existed in the area. Chuck and Meredith Ogilby are the longtime owners of the neighboring Hell Roaring Ranch, and in 1999 they had experts assess the likelihood of hitting hot water if they drilled there..."
(Dennis Webb)
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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
"Larry Dressler and Linda Smith of Boulder enjoy soaking in hot springs “when we can find them,” Dressler said.
Thanks to a recommendation from some locals, last week Dressler and his wife found the newly developed Avalanche Ranch Hot Springs off Colorado Highway 133 south of Carbondale.
“I think the view is magnificent. It’s just great to sit here and enjoy a view like this,” Dressler said as he sat in a pool and gazed toward Mount Sopris and other towering peaks and ridges on the other side of the Crystal River Valley.
Hot springs lovers this summer are enjoying the fruits of years of labor by the Ogilby family, and the realization of a longtime dream to tap and develop the geothermal resources the family believed existed in the area. Chuck and Meredith Ogilby are the longtime owners of the neighboring Hell Roaring Ranch, and in 1999 they had experts assess the likelihood of hitting hot water if they drilled there..."
(Dennis Webb)
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"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
September 8, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Aspen Skiing Co. envisions easy time finding help with job fair"
Has to be tough, relying on a foundation of partial truth and reality.
One's footing would never be secure.
The best question to be asked of this article is, "Why?"
Why does the Skico and Crown family all of a sudden have all these job openings?
BTW, how's Senator Udall doing in his quest to dig into J1Visa and H2B Visa use by the Skico?
(Learn more? Click title or comment to start discussion)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
One's footing would never be secure.
The best question to be asked of this article is, "Why?"
Why does the Skico and Crown family all of a sudden have all these job openings?
BTW, how's Senator Udall doing in his quest to dig into J1Visa and H2B Visa use by the Skico?
(Learn more? Click title or comment to start discussion)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
SandBox Comments: Crested Butte News "Bear Ranch sweetens land exchange deal for trail users across Kebler Pass"
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September 7, 2011
SandBox Comments: Vail Daily "Vail marketing is working"
There is no snow.
In Summer and Fall tourism marketing, Vail, Glenwood Springs and Aspen are all on equal footing.
There is no snow.
Just look at the incredible difference between Vail and Aspen revenues over Glenwood Springs revenues.
The ability to see the difference in marketing is as simple as a visit to Vail. And the thing is, they've prospered for the entire recession with a steady growth over the past two years.
A $2 million dollar budget for marketing. Money that comes from the same type of lodging accommodations as 81601 draws from.
"Focused" is Vail's keyword for success.
"...I think confident brands send out a signal that's attractive to consumers, there's no question,” Sutner said.
The 2012 marketing message will also continue to be value-driven, meaning Vail will never be put “on sale,” but the goal is to offer the right consumers the right message, at the right time, he said.
Sutner calls the marketing formula “focused.”
“All the gains we made this past year, winter and summer, we're not giving any of them back,” he said..."
(Lauren Glendenning)
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In Summer and Fall tourism marketing, Vail, Glenwood Springs and Aspen are all on equal footing.
There is no snow.
Just look at the incredible difference between Vail and Aspen revenues over Glenwood Springs revenues.
The ability to see the difference in marketing is as simple as a visit to Vail. And the thing is, they've prospered for the entire recession with a steady growth over the past two years.
A $2 million dollar budget for marketing. Money that comes from the same type of lodging accommodations as 81601 draws from.
"Focused" is Vail's keyword for success.
"...I think confident brands send out a signal that's attractive to consumers, there's no question,” Sutner said.
The 2012 marketing message will also continue to be value-driven, meaning Vail will never be put “on sale,” but the goal is to offer the right consumers the right message, at the right time, he said.
Sutner calls the marketing formula “focused.”
“All the gains we made this past year, winter and summer, we're not giving any of them back,” he said..."
(Lauren Glendenning)
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September 6, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News: "The day that never ends"
Richard Cohen is one of SandBox Nanny's favorite reads.
It's pretty rare for him to put out anything that has little to no merit.
This piece today is one of those rare times that he has tossed up little to no substance.
There is only one mistake made in going to war with any country or organization after 9/11.
And that mistake, was to call the war everything but what it is.
We are at war with radical terrorism. A plague that unfortunately, permeates every country in the world.
SandBox Nanny will agree with Cohen on one point today.
That point is until the day comes when all peoples, but especially media and journalists, get off the spin, the merit less blame and apathy toward what we are really up against in a global war, it will be a war without end.
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It's pretty rare for him to put out anything that has little to no merit.
This piece today is one of those rare times that he has tossed up little to no substance.
There is only one mistake made in going to war with any country or organization after 9/11.
And that mistake, was to call the war everything but what it is.
We are at war with radical terrorism. A plague that unfortunately, permeates every country in the world.
SandBox Nanny will agree with Cohen on one point today.
That point is until the day comes when all peoples, but especially media and journalists, get off the spin, the merit less blame and apathy toward what we are really up against in a global war, it will be a war without end.
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September 3, 2011
SandBox Comments: Greeley Tribune "Suspect in gang shooting to be charged with several counts of armed robbery"
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September 2, 2011
SandBox Comments: Coloradoan "Sheriff's drug bust nets 220 pot plants, mushrooms, firearms northwest of Fort Collins"
Congratulations to the Larimer County Sheriff's Dept. and all participating agencies and officers who participated in this bust.
Thank you for the great work!
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Thank you for the great work!
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SandBox Comments: Snowmass Sun/Johnny Boyd "When it comes to profit people are shameless'"
Probably inevitable that the Snowmass Sun will fall on the chopping block as Swift Communications continues to decline.
Columns like this one from Johnny will never make it into the Aspen Times.
Not unless the little guys out here keep raising voices.
A very special thank-you goes out to Johnny Boyd for this one today.
Up on the Snowmass Sun.
"...Jim Crown might be a great philanthropist, but his businesses and the way he conducts them are the cause of misery to thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people. Low-ball pay is way down on the list.
WHILE ORDINARY AMERICANS fret mightily over undocumented workers entering the country and taking jobs, using services and all kinds of other happy horse hockey to keep them distracted, men like Klug and Crown and many others are doing everything they can to get the cheap labor they prefer.
It has been that way since time began, but the employees of the past weren't quite as brainwashed into believing that big business had their best interests at heart.
Senator Mark Udall is now reviewing the various visa programs that ski areas have used in order to understand whether the program is harming American workers.
Considering the Skico hasn't raised its wages in 15 years and its lift ticket prices have skyrocketed during that same period it isn't difficult to figure out that the visa program has kept the entire valley down.
Write Mr. Udall and let him know that he doesn't have to look far for a company using the visa program to harm American workers.
Obama's policy of fining employers for hiring undocumented workers is the only viable solution to ending the stream of immigrants entering the United States looking for work.
If any employer is hiring the undocumented, a fine and perhaps some jail time are in order.
Throwing a few wealthy businessmen in prison will send a message that won't soon be forgotten. When employers quit hiring undocumented workers, undocumented workers will stop coming.
To tell the truth, I personally don't mind immigrants coming to town and gaining work.
What I object to is the hypocrisy of the employers exploiting these workers at low pay and not supporting a path to citizenship for them if they want it.
Or worse, paying a pittance and then complaining no Americans will do the job.
When it comes to profit people are shameless..."(Johnny Boyd)
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Columns like this one from Johnny will never make it into the Aspen Times.
Not unless the little guys out here keep raising voices.
A very special thank-you goes out to Johnny Boyd for this one today.
Up on the Snowmass Sun.
"...Jim Crown might be a great philanthropist, but his businesses and the way he conducts them are the cause of misery to thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people. Low-ball pay is way down on the list.
WHILE ORDINARY AMERICANS fret mightily over undocumented workers entering the country and taking jobs, using services and all kinds of other happy horse hockey to keep them distracted, men like Klug and Crown and many others are doing everything they can to get the cheap labor they prefer.
It has been that way since time began, but the employees of the past weren't quite as brainwashed into believing that big business had their best interests at heart.
Senator Mark Udall is now reviewing the various visa programs that ski areas have used in order to understand whether the program is harming American workers.
Considering the Skico hasn't raised its wages in 15 years and its lift ticket prices have skyrocketed during that same period it isn't difficult to figure out that the visa program has kept the entire valley down.
Write Mr. Udall and let him know that he doesn't have to look far for a company using the visa program to harm American workers.
Obama's policy of fining employers for hiring undocumented workers is the only viable solution to ending the stream of immigrants entering the United States looking for work.
If any employer is hiring the undocumented, a fine and perhaps some jail time are in order.
Throwing a few wealthy businessmen in prison will send a message that won't soon be forgotten. When employers quit hiring undocumented workers, undocumented workers will stop coming.
To tell the truth, I personally don't mind immigrants coming to town and gaining work.
What I object to is the hypocrisy of the employers exploiting these workers at low pay and not supporting a path to citizenship for them if they want it.
Or worse, paying a pittance and then complaining no Americans will do the job.
When it comes to profit people are shameless..."(Johnny Boyd)
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August 30, 2011
SandBox Comments: Coloradoan "Ethics law delays Fort Collins chief financial officer's move to Innosphere"
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August 29, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Aspen Skiing Co. mulls changes to ski school's inner workings"
How interesting it is to watch the dynamic play out between two daily newspapers in a small town.
One is a non-local, corporate conglomerate that employs some locals, maintains relationships with heavy-spending advertisers and censors and bans any and all content that is openly critical of either their publications or special ad account holders.
The other is locally owned and operated, continually voted local favorite, banned from the premises of at least one of the special ad account holders that use the other paper and would banish themselves into public stocks in the middle of town if even the thought of interfering with the First Amendment darkened their door.
Lee Mulcahy has been knighted as 'The Julian Assange of Aspen' and given honorary membership in the ranks of some of the best spitwad hurlers mankind has ever known, who also reside in the local demographic these two newspapers cover.
Oh, lordy, lordy! How the slant and rose-colored glasses authorizing the copy up on The Aspen Times tainted in favor of Aspen Skico when Lee was rockin and rollin with his organization 'People 4 a Living Wage'.
If it had not been for that 'other' paper The Aspen Daily News, we would never have known that there were other complaints, besides the Mulcahy complaint, filed with the National Labor Review Board against Aspen Skico.
We also would never have known that there were sanctions placed against the Skico as a result of Lee and his efforts.
How delicious is this morsel off The Aspen Times today!
"Skico designed the system to give instructors a voice without their forming a union..."
Leaking out to the Times, long after the fact, more of the details that vindicate Lee Mulcahy is transparent, totally lacking in class and blatantly obvious as nothing but an attempt at damage control.
A very poor attempt at that.
Congratulations to all future employees of Aspen Skico!
Because of the hard-won efforts of employees who came before you there will now be transparency within the organization.
(Learn more? Click title or comment to start discussion)
One is a non-local, corporate conglomerate that employs some locals, maintains relationships with heavy-spending advertisers and censors and bans any and all content that is openly critical of either their publications or special ad account holders.
The other is locally owned and operated, continually voted local favorite, banned from the premises of at least one of the special ad account holders that use the other paper and would banish themselves into public stocks in the middle of town if even the thought of interfering with the First Amendment darkened their door.
Lee Mulcahy has been knighted as 'The Julian Assange of Aspen' and given honorary membership in the ranks of some of the best spitwad hurlers mankind has ever known, who also reside in the local demographic these two newspapers cover.
Oh, lordy, lordy! How the slant and rose-colored glasses authorizing the copy up on The Aspen Times tainted in favor of Aspen Skico when Lee was rockin and rollin with his organization 'People 4 a Living Wage'.
If it had not been for that 'other' paper The Aspen Daily News, we would never have known that there were other complaints, besides the Mulcahy complaint, filed with the National Labor Review Board against Aspen Skico.
We also would never have known that there were sanctions placed against the Skico as a result of Lee and his efforts.
How delicious is this morsel off The Aspen Times today!
"Skico designed the system to give instructors a voice without their forming a union..."
Leaking out to the Times, long after the fact, more of the details that vindicate Lee Mulcahy is transparent, totally lacking in class and blatantly obvious as nothing but an attempt at damage control.
A very poor attempt at that.
Congratulations to all future employees of Aspen Skico!
Because of the hard-won efforts of employees who came before you there will now be transparency within the organization.
(Learn more? Click title or comment to start discussion)
SandBox Comments: Eagle County Times "Eagle-Vail Community Board – Votes to violate Federal Drug Law"
Medical marijuana controversies, tourism marketing and promotion, politically powerful individuals, Destination Resorts, illegal foreign nationals, conflicts of interest, Boards of Directors, law enforcement, judicial districts, crime, civil law, 501C3 and 501C6 "non-profit" organizations.
Garfield County, Pitkin County, Eagle County.
What do these stories all have in common? Besides not being reported by Swift Communication owned publications?
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Garfield County, Pitkin County, Eagle County.
What do these stories all have in common? Besides not being reported by Swift Communication owned publications?
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August 28, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Editor shot dead; police one day too late"
Interesting topic, given the local climate.
Wonder where Danforth is at?
"The Usual Suspect is a founder of the Aspen Daily News and appears here each Sunday."
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Wonder where Danforth is at?
"The Usual Suspect is a founder of the Aspen Daily News and appears here each Sunday."
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August 27, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "ZG makes an impact by keeping it local"
"You can’t believe everything in print, ZG was reminded the other day when he came across a flyer urging people to buy local.
Dubbed the 350project.net, the flyer suggests that even if half of the U.S. population spent $50 a month with independently-owned businesses, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.
For every $100 spent with locally-owned businesses, $68 is returned to the local economy, the flyer suggests. If people spent that in a national chain, only $43 stays in the community.
There’s no doubt in ZG’s mind that that’s true but he finds it curious how a couple of the businesses’ logos on the back of the flyer wound up there since they aren’t as “local” as they appear.
The Aspen Times and Glenwood Post Independent are owned by national newspaper chain Swift Communications, based in Reno, Nev. While the chain employs dozens of mightily talented people in the valley, there are many more who work outside of here who produce the ads, print the paper and keep the profits.
Just a reminder that it’s a $25 difference when choosing between a nationally-owned chain and the “little guy....” (Aspen Daily)
Here's the thing.
There are some very good writers up on The Aspen Times. And a couple of good columnists down on The Glenwood Springs Post Independent.
But, the real problem with Swift owned publications in The Roaring Fork Valley is they have proven time and time again, that they're not aiming to be a local newspaper.
The Times does a far better job of integrating into the area than the PI does.
Both still have the same cookie-cutter style stories that are passed around not just between them but around the loop of all Swift publications in Colorado.
There is also a determined vein of tabloid style gonzo journalism. You can't believe..what you read in print.
As long as there are two newspapers in Aspen, they'll both be read. But only one will be subscribed to and that is The Aspen Daily News.
As long as it's free in Glenwood Springs, folks will read the PI. Bring us competition that's a better publication and loyalty will move right on over.
(Learn more on what ZG is up to? Click title or comment to start discussion)
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Paul Nitze "No bliss in immigration ignorance"
How nice to have Paul Nitze as a Times weekend columnist!
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August 25, 2011
SandBox Comments: SkyHi Daily/William Hamilton "Military retirement, 83-percent never make it"
“Well, what could I expect to happen during the next 20 years?”
“Lieutenant, as an infantry officer, you can expect to live abroad for about 10 years, much of it in disease-ridden, Third World countries you would never ever want to visit on vacation. You will be moved 15 to 20 times. You can expect your household goods to be lost at least once. Off and on, you can expect to be separated from wife and family for about six years. You can expect to be wounded at least once. Or, killed. But that only happens once.
“After you reach about 10 years of service and you are at a point when you are most valuable to the military, you can expect the civilian bean-counters in the Pentagon to try to find ways of getting rid of you short of the 20 years you need to draw retirement. Do not give them any reasons to do that. If you get hurt, shake it off. Don't report it. The bean counters don't want retirees with medical problems. Also, the military has an “up or out” policy. Go to graduate school at night and on weekends to stay competitive with your peers. Do not give them an excuse to throw you throw out short of 20 years....”
(William Hamilton)
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“Lieutenant, as an infantry officer, you can expect to live abroad for about 10 years, much of it in disease-ridden, Third World countries you would never ever want to visit on vacation. You will be moved 15 to 20 times. You can expect your household goods to be lost at least once. Off and on, you can expect to be separated from wife and family for about six years. You can expect to be wounded at least once. Or, killed. But that only happens once.
“After you reach about 10 years of service and you are at a point when you are most valuable to the military, you can expect the civilian bean-counters in the Pentagon to try to find ways of getting rid of you short of the 20 years you need to draw retirement. Do not give them any reasons to do that. If you get hurt, shake it off. Don't report it. The bean counters don't want retirees with medical problems. Also, the military has an “up or out” policy. Go to graduate school at night and on weekends to stay competitive with your peers. Do not give them an excuse to throw you throw out short of 20 years....”
(William Hamilton)
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August 21, 2011
SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Silt to be more of a happening place"
Another gross underestimation by national, state and local politicians throughout America is the power of true grass roots energy. We wonder if said politicians learned anything at mid-terms. Time will tell.
Here on The Western Slope of Colorado, mid-term elections along the west stretch of the I-70 corridor were a bloodbath.
Determined to allow no more casual draining to their hard-earned cash flows by the 'elite' power brokers in Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Silt, Rifle and Battlement Mesa; the little guys fought hard.
And won.
One of the most colorful elections was bringing Silt Mayor Dave Moore into office.
Dave is not the smoothest talker and his people skills sometimes leave a good deal to be desired. Come to think of it, a bit like Dubya and Perry.
No one can say that Dave Moore doesn't have enthusiasm nor can they say he doesn't get the job done.
Still slightly bruised from mortal combat, local conservatives can now look at the rapidly going up 'Silt Stoney Ridge Pavilion' and dream of the great grass roots style music concerts ahead.
On a side note, SandBox Nanny sends a thank-you to investigative reporter John Colson for this piece.
How very nice (sincerely) it is to see Silt finally given some 'as positive as John seems to be able to give to Silt' ink.
"SILT, Colorado — A core of movers and shakers here has banded together on a project aimed, in a way, at overcoming — or perhaps fulfilling — the promise represented by an old bumper sticker: Silt Happens..."
(John Colson)
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Here on The Western Slope of Colorado, mid-term elections along the west stretch of the I-70 corridor were a bloodbath.
Determined to allow no more casual draining to their hard-earned cash flows by the 'elite' power brokers in Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Silt, Rifle and Battlement Mesa; the little guys fought hard.
And won.
One of the most colorful elections was bringing Silt Mayor Dave Moore into office.
Dave is not the smoothest talker and his people skills sometimes leave a good deal to be desired. Come to think of it, a bit like Dubya and Perry.
No one can say that Dave Moore doesn't have enthusiasm nor can they say he doesn't get the job done.
Still slightly bruised from mortal combat, local conservatives can now look at the rapidly going up 'Silt Stoney Ridge Pavilion' and dream of the great grass roots style music concerts ahead.
On a side note, SandBox Nanny sends a thank-you to investigative reporter John Colson for this piece.
How very nice (sincerely) it is to see Silt finally given some 'as positive as John seems to be able to give to Silt' ink.
"SILT, Colorado — A core of movers and shakers here has banded together on a project aimed, in a way, at overcoming — or perhaps fulfilling — the promise represented by an old bumper sticker: Silt Happens..."
(John Colson)
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