SandBox Comments: Pueblo Chieftain "Suddenly a lot more Americans in poverty "

"U.S. Census Bureau's new assessment of poverty:

- For all groups, poverty would have jumped to 18 percent — or 6 million more people — if it weren’t for the earned income tax credit,

- Without food stamps, the poverty rate would have risen to 17.7 percent, which translates to about 5 million more people.

- Poverty for Asians increased to 16.7 percent from 12.1 percent under the official measure. Among non-Hispanic whites, it rose to 11.1 percent from about 10 percent.

- Children's poverty rate declined to 18.2 percent from 22 percent — largely a reflection of families receiving food stamps.

- By region, the West had the highest poverty rate at 19.4 percent. Then comes the South at 16.3 percent; the Northeast at 14.5 percent; and the Midwest at 13.1 percent...."
(via Pueblo Chieftain)

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"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 "Base Village owners denied PitCo tax relief "

"The Pitkin County commissioners voted unanimously Monday to deny an appeal by the owners of the beleaguered Base Village development to lower the taxable value of its Viceroy property by $57 million.
 
Its owners, Base Village Owner, LLC, had made two separate appeals for tax abatement, both of which the commissioners denied.
 
The company sent no representatives to Monday’s hearing. Deputy county assessor Larry Fite told the commissioners that was likely because they expected to be denied, and will fight for the abatements with the state Board of Assessment Appeals.
 
“They’d rather kick it up to the state,” said commission chair Rachel Richards...."
(Andrew Travers)

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SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Aspen council discusses legal issues surrounding requests to view ballots"

Here's to the little guys.

Let freedom ring.

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

SandBox Comments: Newsmax "Condi Rice: 'I Have No Doubt Israel Will Defend Itself Against Iran'"

What a wonderful interview with former Secretary of State Condi Rice.  Be sure to watch all the way through.

“...I don’t have any doubt that the Israelis will defend themselves if the Iranians look as if they really are about to cross that nuclear threshold.

“There is some not bad news — it looks as if there are problems in the Iranian nuclear program. But pressure on the Iranian regime is an absolute must, because the unintended consequences of an attack by Israel on Iran, the very fact that we talk about something like that, shows how extremely crucial this issue is....”
(Newsmax)

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"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 "Celebrating 236 years of the Marines"

"Editor:

The 236th birthday of the U. S. Marine Corps will be observed on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. at the Aspen Grove Cemetery flagpole in Aspen. Marines and friends of the Corps are invited.

Veterans Day ceremonies will be held on Friday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Roaring Fork Veterans Memorial located on the east side of the Pitkin County Courthouse at 506 E. Main St., Aspen.

The public is cordially invited. Veterans are encouraged to wear items of military memorabilia.

Aspen Elks Lodge #224 will host their annual Veterans Day Luncheon following the ceremony. Grassroots Community TV, Channel 12, will run interviews of local veterans participating in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project throughout the day.

For more information contact Dan Glidden at 927 4183 or Richard Merritt at 927 5178...."
Lt. Col. Richard O. Merritt
U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)
Basalt

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SandBox Comments: 9 News "High-profile Denver businesses, individuals named in gambling ring investigation"

"DENVER - It's not uncommon for sports fans to place a small wager on a big game amongst friends, but court documents have revealed more about an alleged Colorado gambling ring that had limits as high as $50,000 a week, riding with some high profile clients..."
(Kyle Cabodi)

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SandBox Comments: KJCT News 8 "Operation Interdependence Keeping Troops Connected To Home"

Great video.  Be sure to watch...click title.

 

"With Veterans Day coming up, Dixie decided it's the perfect time to learn all about Operation Interdependence.


If you're a bit confused as to what OI is all about, boomer Karon Carley, unpaid CEO and national president and area manager of this civilian-to-military delivery program tells us how it touches the lives of our troops all over the world.


"We send boxes every-single month to the troops," she explained. "Every one of our boxes has fifty quart bags, and inside every quart bag there must be a note from home."


The bags contain a variety of factory-sealed items, for example, beef jerky, eye drops, candy, gum, anything that will fit inside a quart bag.


Carley's passion for helping troops started at a very young age and continues today.


"When I was about eighteen and newly out of high school, I had a friend who was stationed in Germany," she recalled. "And he wrote to me and he said, "It is so dreary over here." He said, "I'm not getting any notes from home besides you.""


Started right after 9/11, this all-volunteer organization depends on donations, grants, and community generosity to keep it going, and has no intention of stopping...."

SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Ballot appeal a mistake"

"Editor's note: The following letter was written to members of the Aspen City Council.

Dear Editor:

The members of Colorado Union of Taxpayers have been watching with dismay Aspen's escalating battle against election transparency.

We were disappointed enough when you denied public access to Aspen election ballots after your promises before the 2009 election that all citizens could see the ballots and “count them for themselves.” The Court of Appeals decision affirmed what we have always known — ballots, the most fundamental tool of our democracy, are of course open public records. Secretary of State Scott Gessler has reconfirmed to election officials across the state that they should abide by the court's decision. We are doubly dismayed to hear that the council has approved the appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court..."
(Marty Neilson, President and Ratings Chairman, Colorado Union of Taxpayers)

It is not just the obvious in the battle of the Aspen ballots.  Nielson sums the obvious up this letter to The Times.

What really has the folks so outraged by Aspen City Council allowing this to be drug out like it is; is the cruelty of the bullying  certain factions in the area are inflicting upon Marilyn Marks.

Impeachable grounds exist when the leaders of that gang of bullies are elected public officials.

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"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 "Oil and gas industry has Garfield County flush with cash"

"The fund balances, which reached a peak of more than $112 million in 2010, according to Dawson's report, are intended to provide a financial buffer against difficult economic times, such as the current recession.

“Our county is often complimented for having that foresight,” Dawson said of the fund balances..."
(John Colson)

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SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Host of capital projects in city's budget for 2012"

City of Glenwood Springs rolls out the budget for 2012.

What say you, 'kids'?

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

SandBox Comments: SkyHi Daily "Kristen Lodge: Finding a new passion on Grand County rivers, in all seasons"

"I dusted off my cross country gear and my super pass just arrived in the mail, but I have no plans whatsoever to stow away my fishing gear,” said Jeanette McQuade of Fraser. “The tailwaters are open all winter long and provide year-long fishing opportunities...”
(Kristen Lodge)


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SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Breckenridge ski area celebrates 50 years of skiing"

"Breckenridge ski area’s 50th anniversary will be marked by community celebrations and a resort marketing blitz, but skiing has deep roots in the Summit County town that predate the sport’s commercial era by at least 100 years.

The first people to slide about the local mountains on skis weren’t in it for the money. Father John Dyer moved to Breckenridge in 1862, and for Dyer, skiing was essential to his spiritual mission, as he commuted to Alma and Leadville on Norwegian snowshoes spread the word of God...."
(Bob Berwyn)

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SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Colorado: Exploring Mt. Massive"

"Mount Massive dominates the skyline west of Leadville in Lake County, Colorado. The 14-mile hike up Mount Massive is considered a fairly easy trail during the short summer season, with a well-traveled path to the ridgeline. The standard route begins at a trailhead near Halfmoon Campground in the valley between Mount Massive, 14,421 feet, and the highest peak in Colorado, 14,433-foot Mount Elbert.

The winter trek can be a couple of miles longer when access may be restricted on the Forest Service road leading to the base of the mountain. When the road to Halfmoon Campground is completely blocked by snow, the National Fish Hatchery at the northern base of Mount Massive provides a longer access route along the Colorado Trail..."
(Kim Fenske)

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SandBox Comments: Tree of Mamre/John Scotus "Unemployment 9% In October"

Ah, the good 'ol days.

Remember back in Dubya's day when unemployment was only 5%?

Interesting graphs John Scotus has tossed up over on Tree of Mamre.

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"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/Kathleen Parker "

"...Meanwhile, Democrats' continued insinuation that the rich are robbing the poor is simply disingenuous. Who employs the poor if not the more prosperous? Who infuses charities with cash but the wealthy? Who grows the economy if not business, now too afraid to part with its money given the current uncertainties?

Mitt Romney was excoriated for saying that corporations are people, too. This sort of statement is easy to mock, but it is truer than the one that contends corporations are the enemy of the people.

Corporations are made up of people — some heartless, I'll concede — who nonetheless provide jobs and grow the economy. Capitalism, the ogre of those protesting Wall Street, has suffered a public relations crisis in the wake of the global economic collapse.

But any remedy to the systemic corruption that led to the collapse should not displace recognition that capitalism creates wealth. Capitalism, and no other economic system, has raised millions from poverty around the world...."
(Kathleen Parker)

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

SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Summit County Sheriff's Office marks 15 decades of service"

Congratulations to the Summit County Sheriff's Office!

SandBox thanks you for your service.  You're appreciated for all you do.

"BRECKENRIDGE — In 1859, Colorado was still the Wild West and Summit County was a collection of budding mining communities in search of someone who could bring law and order.

A miner, Ruben J. Spaulding, stepped up.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office was founded in 1861. In the decades since, the agency has had 30 sheriffs, two brushes with the Hell's Angels and only three line-of-duty deaths.

This year, the department is celebrating its 150th birthday by looking back at its remarkable history.

“The role (of the sheriff) has expanded over time,” said present-day Sheriff John Minor, who was elected in 2004. “But it's still a very complex job and still a lot of fun ... most days....”

(Caddie Nath)

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SandBox Comments: The Hill "US Army general fired for criticizing Afghan president"

And now there are two.

There are many things that SandBox Nanny finds unacceptable in Barack Obama's leadership.  So much so, he is the first President she has ever been unable to muster enough respect for to address him as President Barack Obama each time she speaks of him.  Her respect for the Office of the Presidency runs too deep to get her tongue wrapped around the title and his name except on rare occasions .  

The denigrating of America that Obama has done in the global community and the disrespect he shows to our military in even the simplest of gestures as knowing how to properly salute.

But when he fired Gen. Stanley McChrystal, that was a defining moment in our history.

And now, there are two such moments. 

It was not until Barack Obama that it became acceptable to undermine our military leaders, their authority and awareness of how to best perform their duty.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is unapologetic as more of a foe of America than he is an allie. 

Making no bones in his stance that he wants America and her allies out of his country, he won't help his people in a powerful enough manner to knock down rampant corruption and  considers opium a viable commodity in Afghanistans general economy.

Sort of makes you wonder what the price tag is on the lives of our men and  women on the ground over there when the men responsible for their safety can't speak up against their greatest risk.

SandBox thanks Maj. Gen. Peter Fuller, deputy commander of NATO for his service and apologizes to him on behalf of his Commander in Chief.  From the looks of the commentary on this story, her wishes are confirmed by others.

"A top U.S. general stationed in Afghanistan has been fired for recent criticisms of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Maj. Gen. Peter Fuller, deputy commander of NATO's effort to train Afghan forces, was terminated for an interview he gave Thursday in which he hammered Karzai as "erratic" and inarticulate, according to a statement issued Saturday by Lt. Gen. John Allen, the commander of the war in Afghanistan...."
(Mike Lillis)


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

SandBox Comments: The Hill "Eric Holder has a gun problem"

"As the chief law enforcement officer Attorney General Eric Holder came out swinging in the first months of the Obama administration as he pushed to reinstate the assault weapons ban, pointing to the rising levels of violence in Mexico and increased presence of U.S. guns south of the border..."
(Jordy Yager)

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

SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Udall pitches measured approach to energy development"

In a similar manner as his announcement that he believes 'fracking' is inherently safe; Senator Mark Udall (D-Colorado) looks like he's set to stir up some angst in his own party with this new proposal.

Ever notice that liberal values often become palpable when they become inconvenient?

Ever notice how firm conservative values stand even in the most inconvenient and toughest times?

Look for more liberals to find ways around their political values and start finding creative ways to ka-ching the fossil fuel energy industry.  Why?  It's really all about the money.
 
"SUMMIT COUNTY —A new pilot leasing program for renewable energy projects on public lands could create a stable source of revenue for conservation and management of natural resources, and also generate some funds for stretched local and state government.

The Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2011 (S. 1775) has early bipartisan support in the Senate, with co-sponsors including Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)Jim Risch (R-ID), Harry Reid (D-NV) and Dean Heller (R-NV).

“America — and Colorado, in particular — is blessed with bountiful renewable resources on our expansive federal lands.  This bill is in line with our Western tradition of a balanced approach to land use that supports the responsible development of our resources even as we conserve them for future generations,” Sen, Mark Udall said. “By directing a portion of the revenues from these leases to state and local governments, this bill will help support our schools and rebuild the infrastructure that our rural economies depend on.  At the same time, it will create clean-tech jobs and grow the clean energy economy in our state, while making sure that our public lands are still protected for all of us to use and enjoy....”
(Bob Berwyn)

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

SandBox Comments: Durango Telegraph "Dealing with an image problem"

One of those good reports out of a writer that obviously has chosen a side yet manages to convey a thought provoking read in a balance of opinion and facts.

From Allen Best.  Up on the Durango Telegraph.

A terrific article on the public perception of the oil and gas industry here in Colorado.

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