SandBox Comments: Denver Post/Breaking News "Sheriff: Jeffco inmate shot as he tries to escape"

"A jail inmate was shot this morning during an attempted escape by a deputy who was taking his charge to a medical facility, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said.

The incident happened at about 11:40 a.m. in the 700 block of Heritage Road in Golden, said Mark Techmeyer, a sheriff's office spokesman.

A deputy was taking an inmate to undergo "medical imaging" when the inmate took off running, Techmeyer said.

The deputy gave chase and shot the escapee, Techmeyer said.

The inmate has been taken to a local hospital. The deputy was not hurt.

This story will be updated as details are released."
(Kieran Nicholson)

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

SandBox Comments: Tree of Mamre/John Scotus "With Class Warfare, Be Careful What You Ask For"

(Learn more?  Click title and 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: Coloradoan "Voters to decide on funding for operations, maintenance of Larimer County Jail"

"The financial future of the Larimer County Jail and potentially the county itself could be at stake in the Nov. 1 election.

Issue 1A on county ballots asks voters to consider repealing two 0.2 percent sales taxes and replacing them with a 0.375 percent tax to fund jail operations and other criminal justice programs...."
(via The Coloradan)

(Learn more?  Click title and 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: Aspen Times "City trips over its ego in Marks case"

"New reports also say the city thinks the court's decision is unnecessary because, in the city's unilateral view, the election was transparent enough. Well, that isn't the legal issue. Citizens have rights in this state that are not left totally to the discretion of city officials. That is the law, according to the Court of Appeals.

After reading the opinion I cannot help but conclude that the city is wasting everybody's time and money. This dispute is an argument looking for a reason; there is no reason, only emotion, ego and pride. Little people never admit mistakes. Big people admit mistakes and move on. Move on, Aspen...."(Maurice Emmer, Aspen)


(Learn more?  Click title and 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: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/John Colson "Driving job creation, energy savings"

The steady rising in caliber work of John Colson on his environmental reporting is noted.

One can pick up on, if they find the patience to give him a chance today; Colson trying to tune in to the more 'conservative' viewpoint.

SandBox Nanny once again tosses Colson to the 'kids'.  Where he will sink or swim.

With that said, she does have her own personal viewpoint on the topic of selling the value of 'clean energy jobs' and 'clean energy spending' to voters.

It's not that conservatives don't see the value.  They do see the need and they also see the long-term benefits.  The problem is the government's administration.  By the time these grants and loans are handed out, the only real monetary benefit there is goes to the business receiving that handout.  Conservatives believe in free market, entrepreneurial oriented 'green jobs'.

Take the government 'grants' and 'loans' out of the equation and the concept works.

A secondary problem is credibility.  Solyndra is going to have many consequences where public trust is concerned. CLEER, now becoming 'Garfield Clean Energy' is not free from alleged scandal.  Pretty tough to trust an organization when the public doesn't trust a few of the Trustees.  It would behoove Garfield Clean Energy to make sure their public relations are improved before they put out too much PR singing the praises of the programs they are pitching.

Nice work from John Colson today.  Over on The Glenwood Springs Post Independent.

(Learn more?  Click title and 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: Aspen Daily News "How’s that soap taste, son?"

As far as we're concerned, the fav columnist toss is between Danforth, Sturm, Nitze, Advice Goddess and Lorenzo Semple.

For this week, Semple wins.  (Read the whole thing..)

"Growing up in a small town like Aspen is cool because you know all the cops. Sure, we ran from them (still do), and got in trouble all the time, but I can’t recall ever being compelled to swear at a cop. Not to mention there’s way more creative ways to get under a policeman’s skin — verbally that is. See me in my office — Highlands Bowl — for a detailed list. All of them will work against your favor, guaranteed.

Swear words, phrases and such are fabric of our language and pop culture, but they also are like spices in the food we eat — too much can leave a bad taste in your mouth. Not to mention cussing shows a lack of intellect. That’s probably why I curse so much. It’s because you just can’t come up with another word. It makes you sound stupid. Regardless, it’s all protected free speech. The line of legalese becomes more blurry when these words are used with the intent of causing a violent reaction.

But when done right, a four-letter word can sound romantic, renegade, jubilant, contrarian and altogether appropriate. The comedian George Carlin was famous for his “Seven Dirtiest Words” skit. It’s a real knee-slapper. For some reason I’m particularly impressed when elderly people swear; toddlers and women too. Swearing in songs can pack a punch also, when done right. There’s a song by the Sex Pistols called “Bodies” that’s a good example of this. I always respected the stubborn artists who wouldn’t alter the lyrics of their songs for more exposure on the radio.  

The “F bomb” is one of the most versatile words in the English language. It can be used as a noun, a verb, an adjective, an adverb, an exclamation and a question. “Scarface” taught me that back in high school. I remember seeing the “F bomb” scratched on a bathroom stall in the Yellow Brick lower elementary school. It stood perfectly on its own, probably because the kid who put it there was actually incapable of writing anything else.

Thanks to our Constitution, these words are protected. Freedom of speech and thought are the foundation blocks of America. Try telling that to my grandmother. She was more interested in cleansing bad words from my mouth at an early age. I was in first grade at the time when I decided to push the envelope a little bit and try out a word in front of her. The word is totally innocuous — so much so that I can write it here now, even in a highly conservative publication such as this. The word in question: Kaka. It means poop, doo-doo, dookie, number two. I said that word in front of her while playing with plastic army men in the courtyard behind her apartment. It was a huge mistake.

She grabbed me by the arm and yanked me into the air, dragged me right into the kitchen and washed my mouth out with Ivory soap.."
(Lorenzo Semple)

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

SandBox Comments: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel/Dennis Webb "Carbondale medical pot shop closed; owner held"

What a shame this had to happen now, just when locals are finally making some headway with local governments to take a second look at the viability of medical marijuana in our communities.

Now, the likelihood of 'spin-doctor' elected officials and journalists attempting to discredit the validity of those locals, will be able to point toward David Edgar and just chalk up the problems to a 'bad apple'.

Reality, is that medical marijuana is illegal on federal levels. The Feds can, will and are showing strong signs that they've warned enough already; shut down any marijuana use or enterprise.

On state and federal levels there is no banking ability, no ability to own or purchase a firearm if you are on file as a user of the drug. 

There is no ability to conduct business in the community with leases, credit card processing or obtaining insurances and loans. 

There is no ability, when the technical interpretation of Colorado law is upheld, to even operate a dispensary. 

Put all these things together with the 'bad apples' that sell without a buyer having an MMJ card.  Or worse, go to the lengths David Edgar has.  And we haven't even touched the moral differences of opinion, the politics or community impacts.

What a shame this bust happening now is.  SandBox hopes that local activists in Glenwood Springs and RE-1 don't get discouraged or allow certain elected officials who advocate MMJ to sway you off your path.

Maybe the entire situation will get 'lucky' and the Feds will finally shut down, rather than bust, a few local shops and grow operations that are simply trying to operate within state law.

We would agree with the Feds that enough warning has taken place.

(Learn more?  Click title and 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: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "City council declines to discuss Re-1 override resolution"

Here is a terrific example of how well the folks are doing in catalyzing the entrenched Valley politics of the past into a more balanced voice of all our social communities.

It could be said that the folks have 'literally been held hostage' to that very powerful social and economic class that have run most of our local governments and business communities for the past decade or more.

The past three years have seen a rising up of the more 'common man' with an emphasis on that movement taking hold in the past year or so.

We have sat major change into our county commissioners spanning the Roaring Fork Valley and both sides of the I-70 corridor.  Same on our City Council and Trustee seats.  Volunteer boards now hold voice of the citizens and not just powerful business people who focus on individual bottom lines.  We have a lot of activism going on out here and the emotions, including anger, are at times palpable.

It is a very good feeling to watch the earlier stages of this movement to balance now be at a point where our new leadership is slowly starting to empower the folks.

A very special thank you to Glenwood Springs City Councilmen Todd Leahy, Mike Gamba and Ted Edmonds for voicing on behalf of what is actually the majority out here.  When you count the shadows too.

Let's take a look at some excerpts from John Stroud's reporting:


“I think it is important for us to chime in on all issues that impact the community, and this is one of them,” Steckler said. “If it fails, there will be all sorts of impacts in terms of maintaining strong schools. It's part of our leadership responsibility to discuss such matters.”

"Added McKinney, “The people of this community deserve to know where we stand, and I think that's very important.”

"Opponents of the measure say local taxpayers deserve a break, and that the school district should have to adjust its budget accordingly with the downturn in the economy."

“Every community has different politics, and we have to respect those individual barometers,” he said. (Matt Hamilton)"

“It's not appropriate for us to advise citizens how to vote on something that's not directly part of city government,” Councilman Ted Edmonds said at the Thursday evening City Council meeting."

“There are a lot of reasons to support the tax, and I've heard a lot of arguments on the other side,” said Councilman Mike Gamba. “But it isn't our place to advise citizens how to vote.”

Now, let's see what the 'kids' have to say.

(Learn more?  Click title and 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: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Glenwood Springs prepares for ‘year of reckoning'"

SandBox Nanny thanks City Manager, Jeff Hecksel and reporter John Stroud for this report being Mr. Hecksel's voice.

The commentary around the region is now going on aprx. five years with complaints, grumbling and visible angst from the folks who want to hear the state of the city from the leaders they vote in or pay the salaries of.

Here's to the beginning of a new era of public relations in Glenwood Springs.

SandBox Nanny can't imagine any of us not appreciating calm voices of true leadership releasing fully accurate and fully truthful information to the folks.

(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: Aspen Daily News "Legal teams argue over constitutionality of the police search in cocaine case"

"...Van Ness said his client was sophisticated when it came to knowing his rights, including making sure the gun and drugs were hidden as opposed to having them in plain sight, which would trigger a legal police search. Arapu had no motivation to let police into his home because those items were inside and because he was in the country illegally, the attorney said.

“Why he would invite Walter Chi in simply defies logic,” Van Ness said..."
(Chad Abraham)


(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: Tree of Mamre "Democrats Anonymous"

"Introducing Democrats Anonymous, for those who are ready to admit that their belief system has failed.."
(John Scotus)


(A must see.  Click title)

SandBox Comments: Intellectual Conservative "Is The State Bar of Arizona Targeting Conservatives For Blogging And Fighting Illegal Immigration?"

Very interesting case.  Be sure to click title and read the entire post.

"Politically motivated prosecutions are always an ugly business because politics is not supposed to stretch into the courtroom. Sadly, that appears to be news to the very liberal State Bar of Arizona. On Monday, the State Bar of Arizona began its prosecution of former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and two of his deputies, including Right Wing News blogger Rachel Alexander.

As County Attorney, Thomas represented Sheriff Joe Arpaio and he worked with Arizona’s conservative legislature, notably Senator Russell Pearce, sponsor of Arizona’s SB 1070, to get tough laws against illegal immigration passed. In 2006, four bills were referred to the ballot and passed into law against illegal immigration, passing with over 70% margins. One of them, Prop. 100, prohibited bail for illegal immigrants charged with felonies. It passed with 78% of the vote. After passage, Thomas began hearing from prosecutors in the office that judges were ignoring Prop. 100 and not enforcing it. Most of the Superior Court judges are extremely liberal, having been appointed by former Democrat Governor Janet Napolitano. Thomas resorted to legal action to get the Superior Court to enforce Prop. 100. He had to appeal to the Arizona Supreme Court to get the lower courts to enforce Prop. 100.

Thomas came up with a unique way to prosecute illegal immigrants with a felony, instead of just letting them go with a slap on the wrist. He used a felony smuggling statute to prosecute them, describing them as “smuggling themselves.” With a felony conviction, they would be required to serve time and would not be able to return to the U.S. He even distributed money — which was seized from racketeering funds — to programs for youth run by the Boy Scouts and churches. By law, that money is to be distributed to organizations that keep youth away from crime and drugs. Thomas ensured that it was no longer only distributed to left wing politically correct organizations. Due to the proactive efforts of Thomas, along with Joe Arpaio and Senator Russell Pearce, illegal immigration has greatly decreased in Arizona. The population of illegal immigrants dropped by one-third over two years...."

(John Hawkins)

(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: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor " What is there to hide?"

"Well, here we go again. The City Council of Aspen has decided to appeal the ballot ruling. This is predictable and comical. What has become Aspen’s ultimate urination contest (this is a family newspaper) is back and swinging. Mayor Mick and city attorney John Worchester have persuaded the council members to use the tax payers money to appeal this ruling, either to get back at Marilyn Marks or to hide what could be an embarrassing and/or possibly a sinister situation.

The city could just walk away from the Colorado Court of Appeals decision, let Marks get her peak and be done with all this (that is of course if she doesn’t find something). I believe the city is hiding something. Why make this appeal? Is the city guilty of wrong doing or maybe they have destroyed the ballots?

The city has expended tax dollars in the original appeal and had to pay Mark’s attorney fees due their loss. Now they are going to spend more tax dollars and if they lose this round or the Colorado Supreme Court decides not to hear the case, the city will be out that money and will most likely have to pay Mark’s attorney fees again. Both sides have to spend money on attorneys regardless of the supreme court hearing the case or not.

Mayor Mick and the city believes that our tax dollars are their personal slush fund and this scenario is yet another example of their waste. It is time to wake up and stop this ridiculous expenditure. Lets try to spend our tax dollars on responsible projects and not wasteful boondoggles like frivolous lawsuits."
(James H. Perry )

(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: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Garfield County commissioners, Vallario debate proposed 2012 sheriff's budget"

(sigh..rolls eyes...)

Ok, 'kids'.

You haven't had homework in some time.

Nanny senses some passive-aggressive angst seeping out from the PI in this news article on Sheriff Lou.

How about, before it gets out-of-hand  again, 'Ace Investigative Reporters, American Patriots!', gets to the bottom of this news on Sheriff Lou's budget?

Bring back the real story of what happened to put this routine annual budget evaluation into headline news over at the PI.

Ready?  Set?  Go!

(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: KJCT News 8 "Liaison Hopes to Help Community and Drilling Industry"

Great news. 

"Community Counts Colorado" has answered the call of a number of citizens out in the shadows to regroup, reorganize and get active again.

They are the alternative to the chaos and extremism of groups like Battlement Concerned Citizens and some of the folks up on Silt Mesa.

(whisper... whisper...and may SandBox Nanny indulge in just a little personal indulgence?...whisper...whisper...it's not 'pride', too much has been lost for that and the fully truthful reveal is that she would not have stepped up as #8 to harbor a safeplace if she hadn't been forced to...whisper..whisper...but...since she's here...she says to Community Counts Colorado....how very good your next statement quote feels....whisper...whisper..the shadows grow smaller... for so many reasons and so many people...whisper...whisper...and that is a very, very good thing...whisper...whisper...no, sandboxblogs and SandBox Nanny are not affiliated with Community Counts...whisper..whisper....)    

"That is where Community Counts steps in. "We're kind of just the Switzerland, if you want to say - a safe place for people to come look for answers and get educated," Mary Lou Wilson with the organization said..."
(Don Coleman)

(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: Summit County Citizens Voice "Udall’s ski area summer-use bill passes the House"

Hooray!!

This is great news!

SandBox Nanny especially likes this 'streamlined voting procedure used to pass nonvontroversial bills that have bipartisan support'.

Thank you, Colorado Senator Mark Udall (D). 

"SUMMIT COUNTY — A measure that could help Colorado ski areas win approval for new on-mountain activities passed the House this week under a streamlined voting procedure used to pass noncontroversial bills that have bipartisan support.

The Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011 (H.R.765) amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to clarify what additional uses can be authorized by the U.S. Forest Service. Agency chief Tom Tidwell testified earlier this summer that the Forest Service is already starting to write a set of rules to implement the law if and when it passes. Read more here …

As resort-based recreation evolves, more ski areas have proposed activities that aren’t clearly covered by current Forest Service rules, including mountain roller coasters, zip lines and ropes courses. Some Forest Service rangers who administer ski area permits have asked for additional clarity on the rules..."
(Bob Berwyn)

(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: Colorado Statesman " O! "

Detect a slight tone of skepticism as Obama declares himself "a warrior for the working class" here in Colorado?

"President Barack Obama brought the campaign for his jobs bill to a sun-drenched parking lot outside Abraham Lincoln High School in southwest Denver on Tuesday.

Calling himself a “warrior for the working class,” a peppy Obama repeatedly urged Republicans in Congress to “pass the bill,” a $447 million proposal he said combines tax cuts for working families and small businesses with increased spending on infrastructure and government jobs, including teachers..."

(Ernest Luning)

(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: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Scott Tipton "The GOP's balanced budget amendment deserves support"

He is not as polished or cerebral as Jared Polis, Mark Udall or Michael Bennet.

What gets mistaken and labeled as 'indecisive' is really the strong character trait of listening well.

If you really sit down and look hard at Scott Tipton and his politics, you will not find anything hard right or extreme.  There are so many issues that he walks with actually very moderate steps.

One of the reasons he is so strongly supported by unaffiliated conservatives on the Western Slope is because of his tenacity.

Scott Tipton goes the distance.

"We have a chance in Washington to do something responsible — pass a balanced budget amendment and force Congress to live within its means.

In the coming months, as part of the debt limit agreement reached in August, the House will vote on a balanced budget amendment. This Constitutional amendment would legally require Congress to do what American families do every day, and only spend as much as it takes in.

Amending the Constitution is not something to be taken lightly, and passage requires broad, bipartisan agreement: a two-thirds majority of the House and Senate, meaning 290 representatives and 67 senators.

Once the Amendment is passed by Congress, it would be sent to all 50 states for ratification. Currently, 49 states have some form of a balanced budget requirement in place.

The balanced budget amendment is not a radical idea, but a common sense solution that nearly passed 15 years ago. It failed in the Senate by a single vote...."
(Scott Tipton)


(Read more?  Click title, 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: Greeley Tribune "Weld DA’s office donates more than 700 pounds of food to Weld Food Bank"

"Weld District Attorney Ken Buck and the DA’s office donated 733 pounds of food to the Weld Food Bank in September as part of Hunger Action Month.

“My office takes pride in doing great work both in and out of the courtroom, and the food drive is no exception,” Buck said in a news release. “I have always felt it is important to be a good neighbor in the community — both as an individual and as an agency. My employees feel the same and are always participating in events that benefit others in Weld County.”

The 733 pounds of food to the Food Bank, surpassing last year’s office donation by 236 percent, the release stated.

In addition to the canned food drive, the DA’s office, which employs about 70 people, sponsors an annual school supply drive, annual blood drive and participates in numerous other community activities, the release stated.

The 2011 donation brings the office’s donation total to the Weld Food Bank to 1,278 pounds of food, according to the release.

To find out how to help the Weld Food Bank, go to www.weldfoodbank.org.

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Thompson drilling decision ‘months away'"

SandBox Nanny sends out a thank you to John Colson for putting out this factual report.  It may not be balanced, but it is not a flamer either.

Maybe, just maybe, we'll all get lucky on this Monday morning and the 'kids' will react in a balanced manner.

As she reads this article and flags the statement by Farris below, she is reminded of an interpretation of Sun Tzu:

"One who does not thoroughly know the harm from employing the military, cannot thoroughly know the advantage from employing the military."

"Some of the leases are set to expire in 2012 or 2013, Farris said, and the coalition worries that unitization would prevent the expiration of those leases..."
(John Colson)

Wonder what would have happened if the Thompson Divide Coalition hadn't agreed to whipping themselves into a frenzy early on in this game over these mineral leases?

Could it be possible that instead of the 'eco-pen 'terrorist' ' tactic they had simply listened and investigated both sides of the controversy; they might have already had a viable solution on the table?

Thank goodness for U.S. Rep. ScottTipton (R-Colorado).

A man who prefers to listen first.

Good luck to all sides on this issue.  Maybe the folks will get really lucky and the Thompson Divide Coalition will spend 'these months' educating themselves on the incredible breakthroughs that have been made in environmental drilling.    

Jack Canyon and Desolation Canyon out in Utah with Bill Barrett Corp. (and) the work of EnCana come to mind.

(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."