SandBox Comments: Commentary Magazine "The Liberal Misappropriation of a Conservative President "

Excellent piece from Steven Hayward.

"Of all the unlikely developments in American politics over the last two decades, the most astonishing is this: liberals suddenly love Ronald Reagan. They have taken to celebrating certain virtues they claim Reagan possessed—virtues they believe are absent from the conservative body politic today—while looking back with nostalgia at the supposed civility of the political struggles of the 1980s.

“There’s something there I miss today,” mused the former Democratic staffer and longtime talk-show host Chris Matthews in January about the relationship between Reagan and House Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, the most powerful Democrat in Washington during Reagan’s first term. Matthews dreamily evoked a time when Reagan and O’Neill had drinks together, swapped Irish stories, slapped backs, and, they say, cut deals with a minimum of personal rancor—as opposed to the ugly relations between the two parties today.

Even more notable is the fact that Reagan has become a model for presidential governance for . . . Barack Obama..."

SandBox Comments: Pueblo Chieftain "Thiebaut testifies at redistricting trial "

The beleagured DA of the 10th Judicial District, Bill Thiebaut (D), is rarely out of the news the past two  years.

Now in what is shaping up to be one of the hottest political races in the state, Thiebaut is trying to save his seat as the 10th's district attorney.

There is one pattern in his style that is not likely going to change.

Which just may end up being to his  detriment politically. 

"DENVER — Pueblo District Attorney Bill Thiebaut undressed the congressional redistricting process on Friday with blistering candor that witnesses who preceded him during the two-week trial dared not show...."
(Patrick Malone)

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

SandBox Comments: Garco Sheriff/Press Release "October 21, 2011"

Again, we introduce you to FRED.

"Since the existence of the Sheriff’s computer forensics and Internet investigations, known as FRED (Forensic Recovery of Evidence Device), in the Annex near Rifle, investigators promptly began analyzing the material. They were able to secure an arrest warrant based upon solid material evidence versus purely circumstantial findings. In the past, this type of evidence processing turn-around with the Colorado Bureau of Investigations office in Grand Junction or the Rocky Mountain Regional Computer Forensics Lab in Denver would have taken three to six months due to the enormous amount of material they must routinely process.

The Garfield County Sheriff's Office possesses specialized high tech crimes and computer forensic analysis capabilities as part of the Investigations Division. Specialized computer hardware, software and law enforcement techniques were used in this investigation as well as in all other investigations involving the exploitation of children undertaken by the Garfield County Sheriff's Office. The Garfield County Sheriff's Office is also a member of the ICAC (Internet Crimes against Children) task force.

In the last 13 months, Sheriff’s investigators have completed 25 such evidence analyses in-house whereas, prior to construction of the computer forensics room at the Annex, they averaged 13.5 a year since late 2006. Concerning Salmonsen’s case, investigators have thoroughly analyzed and documented over 500 gigabytes of data for the court proceedings...."

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

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Aspen Times online comments return"

Hooray! 
 Logging on and seeing a couple of faces she recognizes from out here in the world of the shadows is a good feeling....after all....they've been the same people all along, eh? 


Congratulations to all the 'kids' on this one.

Here's Nanny's take on the technical aspects that The Aspen Times is attempting to get us all to fall for through Ryan's 'propaganda' today. 

Thank goodness, the world of social networking and blogging is a lot more savvy than the Times seems to think.  Not to mention the real people out here are fairly intelligent and astute.

"If" the real problem with comments was due, in part, to financial considerations;  then it is true that they solve that problem by becoming a simple 'app' to Facebook.

However, the same freebie can be had off Twitter and Digg. 

Which are two social networks that don't give out the personal information of the account holder. 

Facebook cannot even be privatized in personal settings to the degree that makes it impossible for someone to know (or very easily figure out) where an individual lives.  Where they work.  Who their family and friends are.  In the environment of this area, that is a very serious concern for many.

Twitter and Digg do.

Because one of the very real problems Swift Communications has had with online comments in the past, is predator trolls creating real harm to individual lives, political figures and businesses; SandBox Nanny feels that if Swift Communications was truly sincere in favor of full accountability they would add other, more private apps that give the option of just the person's real name (or) real company name being exposed.  No other details allowed.

Since SandBox Nanny and SandBoxBlogs are facebook page holders, under those 'real names'; we'll be sure to use the Times new app.  During those always infrequent times we may wish to opine on a Swift publication.

With that said, it is still troublesome to see the continued stance of what really amounts to arrogance and snobbery from Mr. Slabaugh as he pens the announcement.

Never once has Swift ever held themselves accountable to the consumers they desire to purchase subscriptions to their newspaper (most of which go on over and subscribe to the Daily).

(whisper...whisper....sounds like Danforth can count on more subscribers drifting on over...whisper...whisper...it's the principal of the thing...whisper...whisper.....)

However, SandBox Nanny has no doubt that commentators on the Times will continue to call Swift out on that very significant detail.

Congratulations to the readers of The Aspen Times.  Hopefully, the PI will get cranked back up very soon as well.


It is about time.


Our use policies and successful philosophy can be found here.

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

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

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "I will champion Mulcahy's crusade"

Here's to the little guy.

Let freedom ring.

(See who's champion of a crusade?  Click title and comment to start discussion)

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

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Geologist believes that burning coal seam can generate power"

A must read from John Colson this morning. 

Over on The Glenwood Springs Post Independent.

An innovative, intriguing proposal to harness the energy that  underground coal fires generate.

“...This will be a self-sustaining, non-polluting operation, in today's jargon, a sustainable green business,” Maness wrote. “When we are finished, when all that can burn has been burned, the fires will go out. That will be a significant benefit to the city and to the surrounding region....”(John Colson)


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

SandBox Comments: Power Line "If Corporations Aren’t People, How Can They Be Greedy?"

The concept of SandBox Commentators is primarily based on the awareness that people are wired to talk.

The idea of a daily news summary blog, that only puts up the 'news' others report or publish, is fundamentally based on the awareness that individual free will is the most highly effective tool to eventually expose full disclosure and truth.

Let someone show you their real agenda, motivation, heart and soul by simply letting them have whatever they think is their heart's desire at any given point in time.

In the world of  24/7 'news', we take our small part of the world and simply look for patterns, organize the stories, toss them up and let free will and free speech reign.  Sort of like a tracking and filing system of 'news' that otherwise would be lost in the speed of light world of 24/7 media.

Amazing how effective and truly non-judgemental (no matter what kind of commentary is given) that can be.  When you're not the source of the report and others are; commentator opinions and views are the ultimate reveal of the consumer pulse.

For example, we've had a local opinion columnist and a very vocal local woman (both with far left of liberal views) pontificating and full-blown flaming the statement 'corporations are people too'.  Been listening to them for some time now on this particular topic.  Lordy, lordy!  How they've managed to stretch it out into so much spin, even SandBox had to stop tossing up their efforts just so we could take a little rest from overexertion. How patiently we've waited for these two die-hard drummers to realize the idiocy of their own words:

(whisper...whisper....now would be a good time to go up and re-read the title of this post....whisper...whisper....)

A very special thank you goes out to John Hinderaker over on Power Line for this terrific piece:

"...A few weeks ago, Mitt Romney observed that corporations are people. This prompted hysteria on the left, including a video produced by the Democratic Party. But of course Romney was right. A corporation consists of its owners, i.e. shareholders, and its employees–people. It is an elementary principle of law that a corporation can act only through its employees and agents–people. The Democrats’ apparent belief that you can hurt companies without hurting people is absurd. The corporation is merely a legal form in which people do business, now several hundred years old. It is absolutely necessary for any major commercial enterprise because its existence can continue without disruption beyond any one individual’s lifespan. So being “anti-corporation” is equivalent to being pro-medieval...."
(John Hinderaker)

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

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

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News/Richard Cohen "The irrationality that is Iran"

"A mere moment or two after the Obama administration announced it had discovered and thwarted a plot by Iran to murder Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States by bombing a Washington restaurant, the doubters started to air their doubts. Columnists and experts, even some columnists who were not experts, said the Iranians would never be so sloppy as to commit a virtual act of war by setting off a bomb in the nation’s capital. The plot was crazy, they said. I agree. But so is Iran...."
(Richard Cohen)

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

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

SandBox Comments: The Guardian UK "Iran's alleged Mexican hitman was US drugs informant"

"The Iranian plot the US government says aimed to murder Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Washington allegedly fell down because a member of the Mexican Zeta drug cartel hired to carry out the job for $1.5m was actually a US informant.

The informant told the Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA) in May that he had been contacted by alleged Iranian agent Manssor Arbabsiar. They held several meetings in Mexico which were taped. Methods discussed reportedly included a targeted assassination and a bomb...." 

(Learn more?  Click title )

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Your Letters "Schilling bears responsibility for officer's dual involvement"

Oh, puhhhleeeezze...

How could this one be so off the mark and so sanctimonious in this letter?

SandBox Nanny is pretty sure Chief Schilling feels for all sides in this but especially for Officer Agon.

One has to ask what the point of a letter like this is in the first place.

Especially when all one has to do is go to the Garfield County Sheriff website for Just the Facts.

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Aspen Skiing Co. 'didn't do well enough' last season"

And yet, after hearing very specific and direct concerns, complaints and dissention from local, regional, national and international workers and customers; Aspen Skico still resorts to excuses and disinformation as propaganda to the masses.

Reality, is that Beaver Creek, Vail Resorts and Breckenridge refuse to discount rooms and hold sales.  Instead they offer more value and are light years ahead of Aspen Skico with pass offerings, infrastructure and overall guest experience.

What a shame Skico keeps making the situation worse by not accepting the fact that numbers steadily decline because...it's about them.

Here's to the little guy in Aspen.  Hanging on, hoping to survive the double dip recession while Aspen Skico stays flat.

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

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

SandBox Comments: Colorado News Agency "House’s Pace seeks more answers on overpayment glitch"

Sal Pace is going to need all the help he can get trying to wipe out Congressman Scott Tipton (R-Colorado).

Guess he's figuring he'll take whatever he can get.

Even a major problem in our outdated state technology that the Colorado GOP has been pounding for years on the Colorado Democrats to do something about.

Wonder if there will ever come a day when taxpayers can charge something like this outrageous overpayment to the 'guilty' 'party' that 'helped' the problem into existence?

"Democratic House Minority Leader Sal Pace, of Pueblo, fired off a letter today requesting that an audit of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment already underway be expanded to learn why  the Unemployment Insurance Division overpaid beneficiaries by $305 million in benefits.

“The overpayments should be of concern to every Coloradan,” Pace wrote in his letter to the Legislative Audit Committee.

Pace said it was recent reports of overpayments as well as a move by Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper—directing the department on Wednesday to work with the federal Department of Labor on adopting new strategies to detect, eliminate and recover overpayments—that prompted him to make the request.

Pace is asking for a review of how the overpayments happened, a look at  accounting procedures within the department’s Unemployment Insurance Division, and for recommendations to prevent any of it from happening again.

“We have an obligation to make sure we fully understand the extent of the problem,” said Pace.

Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley, who sits on the audit committee says he supports Pace’s request.

“It’s appropriate to ask for this,” said Renfroe. “Government needs to be efficient with taxpayer dollars. Clearly, shining a light on an area that may need correcting is the right thing to do.”

The Legislative Audit Committee must first approve the request before the state auditor can delve into the issues Pace raises...."
(Debi Brazzale, Colorado News Agency)

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

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Letter to the Editor "Voters like Su Lum are the problem"

"Dear Editor:

After reading Su Lum's column in Wednesday's paper, I have to wonder why she is given space in your newspaper (“There's an election in progress, sort of,” Oct. 12, 2011, The Aspen Times.)..."
(James F. Dowley, Aspen Colorado)

Another 'well spotted' letter from a local.  This one up on The Aspen Times.

There are positive signs that Swift Communications is trying and in many areas succeeding, to clean up their publication and turn both The AspenTimes and Glenwood Springs Post Independent into publications we may someday be proud of again.  Especially The Times.  Who we must add, is almost there.

Better yet, the most positive change is out here in readers of these publications.  Have you noticed the major shift in power?

Folks pushed back the bully(s) and are now seeming to want the cleaner house to stay that way.

Where do readers go when the problem isn't bias, censorship, gonzo journalism, yellow ink and the love of just simply writing deceptive flamers?  Where do they go when the problem is the quality of the content?

Such as the opinion column of Su Lum.

Maybe they speak up.  If they care about the publication's business success.

If they don't care, they simply do their subscribing with The Aspen Daily and take advantage of the free copy of The Times and PI.  Figuring that sooner or later, the problem will resolve itself through the course of a natural business death. 

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

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

SandBox Comments: Denver Post/Breaking News "Report: U.S. Pro Cycling Challenge brought 1 million fans and $83.5 million to Colorado"

Now, the big question on local's minds...is what is The City of Glenwood Springs going to do to cash in on the Pro Cycling frenzy?

"All of the sudden, Colorado has jumped to the top of wish lists for people around the country and the globe," said Al White , director of the Colorado Tourism Office...."

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

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

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News/Sheldon Fingerman "The Aspen money hole"

"Want to know where your tax money goes. Well, some of it is going into a hole in the ground thanks to Mick’s love of geothermal energy. You’ll also be pleased to know that in order to accomplish this, the city’s noise ordinance was increased to 80 decibels. Not terribly loud, but I wouldn’t want to be living near that site at 7 a.m. Yup. Let’s get rid of plastic bags and increase the noise.

And we’re also throwing money at attorneys. Mick seems so incensed that Marilyn Marks almost beat him he’s willing to take this ballot thing all the way to the Supreme Court on our dime. Mick, anybody who watched Grassroots TV already saw the ballots as they flashed by. I’m more concerned the mail-in ballot I just received has my name and address on the envelope. Whoever opens it can easily see who and what I voted for.

And Marks is right. What if the ballots had to be hand counted (remember Florida)? The money we’re spending on this is nuts. Anyway, you go girl.

We also lost money on the bicycle race, and now we’re prepared to spend more on the next one. As far as I’m concerned the episodes of the Bold and the Beautiful, featuring Aspen, did far more to help Aspen’s image than the bicycle races.

While I’m not a fan, I did watch some of the “Aspen” episodes and the town looked fantastic.

And speaking of bicycles: I can’t believe our money is also going to a bicycle-sharing program. According to the Aspen Daily News, the startup costs are going to be between $500,000 and $600,000. $600,000! That’s for eight kiosks and 100 bicycles. That’s $6000 per bike! You’ve got to be kidding! Can you say Solyndra?..."
(Sheldon Fingerman)

(Could Sheldon possibly have more to say?  Click title)

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

SandBox Comments: KJCT News 8 "State's MMJ Employees to Unionize"

Surely, they must be joking.

What a potential quagmire this will be if they're not.

With the chaos surrounding everything to do with Medical Marijuana in Colorado, one would think more common sense would prevail.

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

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

SandBox Comments: Pueblo Chieftain "Chostner: DA fought a losing battle "

Destined to be a flamer of a political race for 10th Judicial District DA, incumbent Bill Thiebaut and challenger Jeff Chostner are back in the news.

The duration of this race should be closely watched by tuning in to commentary.  Pueblo folks have proven they have some things to say on this one.

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

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

SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent/Local News Briefs "Biz-Opoly trade fair emphasizes ‘buy local' options"

The latest gimmick from the 81601 tourism marketing vendor: Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, previously met with such scathing negative reviews all over the region in  commentary; SandBox Nanny almost took pity on the concept by not tossing up the launch to the kids today.

Here's what changed her mind:

First, the population of 81601 was 'sold' on using the current marketing plan through the use of a lot of 'Big Talk'.  And the simultaneous oxymoron 'reality' of not having a public vote.  Just like so many things in Glenwood Springs such as medical marijuana, 'back-in' parking, The Ghettos 'improvements' and continued development, Midland Avenue, public art, 200 large+ spent on the concept of 7th Street's 'Sea World', the debacle of how poorly the construction is on the Community Center, traffic calming on Grand, the 'political statement' of the city's comprehensive plan, capital improvement projects using tens of millions of dollars of borrowed 'good deal' money in the middle of the first worst recesssion in history and the ongoing issues of major public relations problems; the folks really don't have any say at all in how they are led or how their tax dollars are spent.  Not really.  Not in Glenwood Springs.

The conclusion of her first point? 'Big talk' is not only paid 'Big Money' to perform; as a vendor trying to play in the same 'Big Leagues' as all the thriving tourism promoters surrounding 81601; the logical assumption is that they are "Big Kids" who should not be sheltered from the review of the general population they serve.

Nanny's second point, is that there are no city screened checks and balances on tourism marketing performance in Glenwood Springs.  We have no media that is not 'owned', we have a fledgling city council that is just finding its sea-legs in standing up to the rigors of performing sworn duty, we have a partially strong citizens tourism board that is heavily seeded with special interests, we hold the now three year rank of the lowest in the region when it comes to tourism and sales revenues (and) we can go nowhere in prosperity until we clear  a minimum 60% deficit in our tourism performance.

Simplistically, her point sums up to: 

Where, exactly, are the folks supposed to go in order to speak up freely if she doesn't toss this up out of her sincere feelings of pity on the cartoon concept of 'Glen Wood'?

As one more of her long-standing in the community business friends, recently decided they had no choice but to close their doors due to inability to withstand the continued 'year' of reckoning' here in Glenwood Springs...SandBox Nanny thinks it's best, now that the ink is nearly dry on the 'Big Deal', to let 'Big Kids' finally begin to first-time ever face the shock of being treated just like the rest of the business community.

A word of caution to commentators:

There is so much fodder in the truth here on this article, you have no reason whatsoever to get overly personal at any one individual.  You are being moderated closely on this one.  Stick to public information and public viewpoints only.

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

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

SandBox Comments: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel "Casper Ghosts float into region as new Grand Junction Rockies"

Yowza!!

Congratulations to Grand Junction and all the folks in Mesa County!!

What a coup!!

Now, go after every single idea the folks in the Grand Valley and western I-70 towns of Battlement Mesa, Rifle and Silt have to help you (and them) bring in some regional tourism bucks.

"Goodbye, Casper Ghosts. Hello, Grand Junction Rockies.

"The only thing standing in the way of a minor league baseball team settling in Grand Junction is Monday’s City Council vote.

The owners of the Casper Ghosts, the Monfort Investment Group, met with city officials in Casper, Wyo., on Friday. After that meeting, they announced that, pending Monday’s vote, the team will move to Grand Junction for the 2012 season...."
(Patti Arnold)

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

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

SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "High court won’t hear DA’s appeal of sanctions"

"The Colorado Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal by the head prosecutor of the 9th Judicial District regarding sanctions handed down by a local judge.

For what she called a series of blatant missteps involving pretrial evidence in five cases, Judge Gail Nichols of Pitkin County District Court in August punished the Aspen district attorney’s office by quashing a statement made by the defendant in an aggravated motor-vehicle theft case.

The judge also said she would not allow police photographs to be used at the trial of Jesus Aguilera-Pimentel. Without the statement and the pictures, Chief Deputy District Attorney Arnold Mordkin said he could not prosecute Aguilera-Pimentel, 25, of Carbondale.

District Attorney Martin Beeson appealed the sanctions to the state high court on Sept. 28. His office was notified just two days later that justices would not be reviewing Nichols’ decision...."
(Chad Abraham)

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

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