April 13, 2014

Colorado Democratic Party Assembly

In case you weren't there, check the comments section for the videos of candidates speeches:


http://coloradopols.com/diary/56767/democratic-state-assembly-open-thread#comments

April 12, 2014

Bucking Buck

Suffice it to say that the local Republicans did not go swooning into paroxysms of ecstasy with the presumptive switch between Ken Buck and Cory Gardner. Instead of lauding the maneuver, GOPers from several levels swarmed into the candidate parade for the CD4 seat. Along with a former mayor from Rhode Island who does not even live in the congressional district, there’s current Weld County commish Kirkmeyer who is as teabaggish as they come, all pro-egg pro-gun pro-secession and unabashedly pro-OnePartyRule. To no one’s surprise, term-limited state senator Scott “Leviticus” Renfroe jumped into the mess. He’s every bit as teabaggish as Kirkmeyer, with a dollop of xenophobia tossed in just for fun; he’s also a bit grammatically challenged, which might qualify him some day for a job painting tea party protest signs.

Anyhow, the Republicans had their congressional district assemblies today. If Ken “I don't wear high heels” Buck thought he’d have a cake walk, he got disabused of that notion when Renfroe got more votes. They both qualified for the June primary. Kirkmeyer, who declared that she has no intention of following Gardner in moving away from personhood, petitioned her way onto the primary ballot, as did Laffey (the guy who lives outside the district).


Meanwhile, at the Democrats’ CD4 assembly, Vic Meyers was nominated. There really is something to be said for sanity.

Check him out: www.vicmeyers.org , then tell your friends to do likewise. And if you can throw a dollar or two his way, please do so. CD4 borders Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. It's huge, and the residents deserve real representation.

April 5, 2014

Before the drilling rigs got here

http://buythisfrackingalbum.com/

This young man is singing in Weld County, where we have over twenty thousand wells and more on the way.

This is my home.

April 3, 2014

Lapels

April 3, 2014

"Justice"

April 2, 2014

Cheers.

April 2, 2014

Say what?

Odd headline in this morning's newspaper:

Weld County jail inmate dies after apparent suicide attempt


Attempt?

March 31, 2014

Why are you here?

un·der·mine transitive verb \ˌən-dər-ˈmīn\

: to make (someone or something) weaker or less effective usually in a secret or gradual way


Full Definition of UNDERMINE


1 : to excavate the earth beneath : form a mine under : sap


2 : to wash away supporting material from under


3 : to subvert or weaken insidiously or secretly <trying to undermine his political rivals>


4 : to weaken or ruin by degrees


from Mirriam-Webster dictionary

March 28, 2014

Myrna and Bert

Myrna taught in the history department at the university. Once or twice a month she would show up for FAC. Her conversation was delightful, precisely because she clearly knew what she was talking about. Getting a seat at her table was a treat. And if you disagreed about something she’d ask questions to determine the reason; more often than not, she’d smile and thank you for giving her something to think about. Her enviable depth of knowledge was accompanied by a sparkling wit that never ever veered into the cutting or unkind. Myrna, all 5’1” of her, was disinclined to yelling and pounding her fist on the bar to make a point; she once told me that she had no desire to either look ridiculous or lose credibility. We were always glad to see her walk in the door, and not just because she was a generous tipper.

Bert was one of Myrna’s colleagues in the history department, every bit as knowledgeable even though he was a few years younger. He could be a boatload of fun, especially if he woke up in a good mood that day. On other days, you learned to keep your mouth shut if you disagreed with him. Unlike his more diminutive counterpart, Bert had no aversion to pounding his fist on the bar to punctuate his comments; he seemed to enjoy watching the glasses bounce while the other patrons backed away. He learned to read the bartender’s signal to the bouncer, and he’d shut up long enough to finish his drink before throwing your tip at you along with a colorful expletive.


That bar was torn down many years ago, the space now occupied by a high-rise apartment building. I’m told that Myrna died a while back, surrounded by her grandkids. Bert is spotted in the stands at a ball game now and then, but he’s managed to avoid speaking with anyone from the old gang. I always envied Bert’s knowledge, but Myrna taught me more.

March 25, 2014

Will we see white smoke from the Supreme Court?

And which Koch brother will get to be pope of the corporate theocracy?