http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/category_rss/equalrights I noticed some of the right wing pundits are shouting that a civil trial is "too good" for Khalid Sheik Mohammed. I am mindful that five of the first ten amendments relate to civil rights pertaining to the accused. We deny those rights to anyone at our own peril. The fifth amendment mentions "except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; " After the "Patriot Act" I am not sure what we are left with. Timothy McVeigh was convicted by a civil trial. I affirm that a civil trial is our best chance of stating OUR case against terrorism and OUR belief in the rule of law. However, we have violated international law on so many levels for such a long time that our supposed belief in the Constitution and the rule of law is but a joke to the international community. Conservative estimates show that up to 88,585 Iraqi civilians have been killed since 2003, compared to 2,976 victims and the 19 hijackers died in the attacks. 2,700,000 Japans civilians and military killed for the deaths of 2,040 American civilian and military deaths at Pearl Harbor. Nothing like a "sneak" attack to bring the devil out in us, kill them all, let God sort them out.. Regardless of who killed whom, we were responsible for Iraq security as soon as we set foot in Baghdad and yes they had nothing to do with 9/11, nor did they possess anything that would create a "mushroom cloud." unless you count napalm. Something Powell said seems to fallen on deaf ears, "We break it we own it" MC [Article deleted] http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZhM http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZhM/commentary#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:23:15 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZhM Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 1 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZhM/ This letter is in regards to a grave injustice done by Adams County Colorado prosecutors, Adams County Sheriffs officers, a lab department manager of the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, who falsely presented drug test results that were negative as positive, to convict a 53 year old toddler teacher, pizza delivery driver of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs with a breathalyzer reading of 0.00. Diane Branthoover, the victim of this false arrest, trial and conviction has never been arrested prior to this incident. This is all documented testimony sworn under oath Mrs. Branthoover was a victim of snow covered roads, hypertension blood pressure of 202/108, and a county sheriff angry and determined to make an arrest, regardless of the cost. This is fully documented by drug test results that per federal laboratory mandates were to be reported as negative, perjured testimony under oath of arresting officer and State witness, more. Diane was also the victim of legal counsel that she hired that failed to present any defense what-so-ever during trial. The test results of Diane were never presented in court, just lab tech manager Cynthia Silva-BurBach testifying that she failed. When Diane received the actual lab results, researched the lab requirements to urine testing, she found that per federal law, they were to be reported as negative. The same test results could be presented to Department of Transportation for a commercial driver’s license. The same lab tech testified that the negative test results caused “uncontrollable eye and leg tremors” in Diane, as well as other unbelievable allegations. During the same trial, Adams County Sheriff Jason Gallegos testified that Diane crashed into concrete median and stop sign Highway 224 and York. There is not a stop sign or concrete median at that corner, it’s a traffic signaled intersection, as well as other perjured testimony as to Diane’s conduct. The same officer changed his testimony from an earlier hearing on the same incident. Her paid attorney Joe Lusk based his only defense on a label on the urine sample after Diane had given him everything he needed to get the case dismissed. He left her after trial crying uncontrollably, wondering what had happened. The same test results could be found by taking Advil, Nuprin, Motrin, Excedrin IB etc. Diane lost her job and reputation as a toddler teacher and delivery driver, lost the respect of her peers, her license, her vehicle, more. They charged her at the same time with careless driving or which she was also convicted causing 16 points on her driving record, and was refused a “red license” because she refused to admit alcohol use. Her husband lost his business because of this, and they have assumed a debt of over $11,000 – not including the home mortgage debt of over $220k. This is on appeal now before Adams County District court filed “pro se”, again all of this is documented and before the court awaiting decision. In the State’s response, they do not dispute the allegations describe here, except to say that the witnesses are beyond reproach. Because this is filed pro se, without attorney, she believes it will be brushed under the rug. Diane can provide all transcripts, drugs tests, pictures, etc., by contacting her or her husband at dyanfb@gmail.com or timthemechanic@gmail.com ; or by phone at 720 275-6985 or 720 338-7848. Sincerely, Tim and Diane Branthoover http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/timothybranthoover/CZhC http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/timothybranthoover/CZhC/commentary#comments Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:52:38 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/timothybranthoover/CZhC User from Denver, CO User from Denver, CO 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZhC/ On this Veteran's Day, I am proud to say that even though I am a 4th class citizen who is denied more than 1,000 civil rights, I fully support the men and women who serve in our armed services. I am proud to be an American and will support this nation and its Constitution with everything I have. Until I am fully intregrated into full civil liberties and rights, I offer you peace. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/belboi/CZRY http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/belboi/CZRY/commentary#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:38:26 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/belboi/CZRY belboi http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/5ec4e717fba4f06d57_94m6iicqj.jpg belboi 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZRY/ Today on DenverPost.com, Vincent Carroll wrote : "Shouldn't this country's experience after 9/11 reassure those who fear a backlash against Muslims?... The most recent data, from 2007...: Of 1,477 offenses motivated by religious bias, only 9 percent were directed at Muslims." Peter Boyles was echoing the "there has been no Anti-Muslim backlash" mantra.  They seems to be ignoring the rest of the FBI Religious Hate Crimes data : Year - % of Religious Hate Crimes that were Anti-Islamic 1995 - 2.3% 1996 - 1.9%  (page 11) 1997 - 2.0%  (page 10) 1998 - 1.5%  (page 10) 1999 - 2.3%  (page 9) 2000 - 1.9%  (page 11) 2001 - 26%   <-- I'd call this a "backlash" 2002 - 10.8%  (page 13) 2003 - 11%  (page 9) 2004 - 13% 2005 - 11.1% 2006 - 12% 2007 - 9.0%  (last year available) Muslims in America were 0.5% of total U.S. population in 2001 (Jewish was 1.4% ).  In 2007, Muslims made up 0.6% of total U.S. population (Jewish was 1.7% ).   http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nowmds/CZRs http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nowmds/CZRs/commentary#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:47:03 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nowmds/CZRs NoWMDs http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/fb7bdc7167f99eb19d_h7xmv2a1w.gif NoWMDs 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZRs/ You think I'm kidding? It could have happened to me. A few winters ago I let my new neighbor--a woman who had just escaped from an abusive relationship--borrow my car. She knocked on my door in the middle of the night, crying. Her newborn baby had a 105 degree fever, and she had to get to the emergency room. Everything went fine until she was pulled over because one of the brake lights had burned out. As it turns out, her license had been suspended due to an unpaid ticket, and she didn't even know it. It was no big deal--the police called me, I put on my moon boots, and trudged half a mile to drive her and her baby home from the spot where she was pulled over. The police were nice, considering the circumstances: no tickets for her or for me. If I-300 had been law, the police would have been required to impound my car, and I would have been forced to pay the $2,700 in bonds and fees to retrieve my car from the impound lot. And that doesn't even include the cost of towing. That's why I'm asking you to vote No on Denver's Initiative 300 before 7:00 p.m. tomorrow. It's deceptive. It's scary. It's expensive. And it's unnecessary. Police officers already have the ability to impound vehicles if they are concerned about public safety. The Denver Post , Mayor Hickenlooper, ten members of the Denver City Council, House Speaker Terrance Carroll, and a long list of Denver community organizations and individuals oppose Initiative 300. And the proponents of this nightmare are counting on low turnout in an off-year election to sneak this one past us. You can get more details on Initiative 300 by visiting http://www.VoteNoOnImpound.com . Three Things You Can Do Right now Vote . Turn in your ballot by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. You can drop it off at the Webb Building downtown (201 W Colfax) or do a drive-through dropoff at the Denver Elections Division office. (3888 E. Mexico Ave. at Colorado Blvd.). It's too late to mail it--you need to hand deliver it. Forward this e-mail to 5 friends in Denver. Share this information on Facebook status, Twitter, and other social networks to remind people to vote and vote no on I-300. If you haven't received your ballot yet, or if you lost it or spoiled it, go to either the Webb Building or the Denver Elections Division before 6:00 p.m. today, or between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. tomorrow. If you have any questions about the process, dial 311 to contact the Denver Elections Division . http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZRT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZRT/commentary#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:27:26 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZRT Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZRT/ Wednesday, President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act , a bill that has been championed mainly by Democratic members of Congress for over a decade in the face of largely Republican opposition based on hideous lies from legalizing pedophilia to canceling the free exercise clause. Somewhat lost in the celebration and remembrance of Matthew Shepard, the bill's namesake, was the story of Angie Zapata, an 18 year-old transgender woman from Greeley. She was brutally beaten to death with a fire extinguisher and left for dead just over a year ago because, as the thug who murdered confessed, "gay things must die." “It’s not like I went up to a school teacher and shot her in the head or killed a straight, law-abiding citizen," he boasted to his girlfriend in a jailhouse-recorded phone conversation. And if he were to ever encounter a gay person in prison, he proclaimed that he would kill that "pink-shirt wearing motherfucker." http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZRz http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZRz/commentary#comments Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:14:32 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZRz Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZRz/ Could $292,000 pay for a college or trade school education, room and board?  Subsidize a young person until they could land a good job?  With the change left over, could it pay to make high school more hospitable to the poor? For public works projects? For more teachers? Research and development?  We ignore the needs of young people at a terrible cost. And yes, it does take a village.  What are the economic effects of 1.2 million high school dropouts per year?  At $7,300 per student, that amounts to $8.76 billion a year, year two adds another 1.2 million students and becomes $17.52 billion, ad infinitum. Can we solve the problem?  Can we afford not to? What can you buy with $8.76 billion?  How about 175,200 teachers at $50 K a pop, that's one teacher for every 7 dropouts.  MC "The report puts the collective cost to the nation over the working life of each high school dropout at $292,000. Mr. Sum said that figure took into account lost tax revenues, since dropouts earn less and therefore pay less in taxes than high school graduates. It also includes the costs of providing food stamps and other aid to dropouts and of incarcerating those who turn to crime." October 9, 2009 Study Finds High Rate of Imprisonment Among Dropouts By SAM DILLON On any given day, about one in every 10 young male high school dropouts is in jail or juvenile detention, compared with one in 35 young male high school graduates, according to a new study of the effects of dropping out of school in an America where demand for low-skill workers is plunging. The picture is even bleaker for African-Americans, with nearly one in four young black male dropouts incarcerated or otherwise institutionalized on an average day, the study said. That compares with about one in 14 young, male, white, Asian or Hispanic dropouts. Researchers at Northeastern University used census and other government data to carry out the study, which tracks the employment, workplace, parenting and criminal justice experiences of young high school dropouts. "We’re trying to show what it means to be a dropout in the 21st century United States," said Andrew Sum, director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern, who headed a team of researchers that prepared the report. "It’s one of the country’s costliest problems. The unemployment, the incarceration rates — it’s scary." A coalition of civil rights and public education advocacy groups and a network of alternative schools in Chicago commissioned the report as part of a push for new educational opportunities for the nation’s 6.2 million high school dropouts. "The dropout rate is driving the nation’s increasing prison population, and it’s a drag on America’s economic competitiveness," said Marc H. Morial, the former New Orleans mayor who is president of the National Urban League, one of the groups in the coalition that commissioned the report. "This report makes it clear that every American pays a cost when a young person leaves school without a diploma." The report puts the collective cost to the nation over the working life of each high school dropout at $292,000. Mr. Sum said that figure took into account lost tax revenues, since dropouts earn less and therefore pay less in taxes than high school graduates. It also includes the costs of providing food stamps and other aid to dropouts and of incarcerating those who turn to crime. Continued at the: NY Times http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZnn http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZnn/commentary#comments Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:25:13 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZnn Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZnn/ From the Bob Herbert op/ed, "Igniting the Growth of Jobs" NY Times '40,000 teachers lost their jobs in the last year.  16 to 29 year olds, worst unemployment ever since national records have been kept.   One in four black men in Illinois between the ages of 20 and 24 has a job.' One of the regents of the University of Colorado, Michael Carrigan, told me that Colorado had a return on investment of 40 to 1 for each dollar invested in higher ed. The only figures I could find for Colorado was a 15.07 percent return.  New Jersey leads the nation with 42.32 percent, followed by Massachusetts 39.16, New York 37.82, California 36.53 percent.  All in all a substantial return on investment.  The lowest in the nation, predictably, was Mississippi at 6.49 percent.  Most surprisingly, Indiana is second from the bottom at 7.22 percent Higher Ed Return on Investment for States Most significantly, Herbert says this: ""The past," as William Faulkner told us, "is not dead. It’s not even past ." The lessons of the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s are right in front of us, ready to be studied, analyzed, updated and applied to the present-day needs of the country." I hate to say this, but we are a country of nepotism, in our unions, our military, in corporations, in government.  Because of this "inbreeding" and counterproductive behavior, we must import the brightest minds/strongest work ethics from around the world to carry our water and be used as if indentured servants.  It is all a vast pyramid scheme where the unqualified extinguish the flames of the most gifted and reap the rewards off the backs of the timid.  Their only qualification?  Being members of the lucky sperm club.  Here's something the "conservative revision" Bible will surely leave out, "As you have done to the least of these......."  The least very much includes the youthful poor, who have no say in the conditions they find themselves in and obviously don't have the attention of those that have the most.  While we argue about war, healthcare, social justice, gay rights, Obama's Nobel Prize, etc., no one considers our most precious asset nor what should be our greatest legacy to them, "Liberty and Justice for all .."  This is what is great about the idea of America, eloquently pronounced in the Preamble of the Constitution, not just to ourselves but to our Posterity,  the word was capitalized unlike the word "ourselves": http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZnG http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZnG/commentary#comments Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:30:58 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZnG Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZnG/ If one were consider the US financial industry as a threat to the welfare of the nation and an entity without constraint or regulation, being in effect outside the law of the US with many foreign investors in collusion might legally be considered "foreign" and a quasi government, fully capable of seriously injuring the host nation. One might also assume that given the conservative/capitalistic propensity that the 14th Ammendment gives corporations citizenship status, a conclusion might be drawn that the US government (of, by and for the people) has been overthrown and seriously injured without a shot being fired. As far as attracting "good people" and your belief that members of Congress work long hours, them making more money in the private sector, reasonable compensation, I find all to be extremely laughable. Assuming that most members of congress are lawyers and also taking into consideration their incompetence as law makers, I would be hard pressed to hire one of them: In May 2006, the median annual earnings of all wage-and-salaried lawyers were $102,470. The middle half of the occupation earned between $69,910 and $145,600. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of lawyers in May 2006 were: Management of companies and enterprises $128,610 Federal Government 119,240 Legal services 108,100 Local government 78,810 State government 75,840 "Oran's Dictionary of the Law (1983) defines treason as: "...[a]...citizen's actions to help a foreign government overthrow, make war against, or seriously injure the [parent nation]." "Outside legal spheres, the word "traitor" may also be used to describe a person who betrays (or is accused of betraying) their own political party, nation, family, friends, ethnic group, team, religion, social class, or other group to which they may belong. Often, such accusations are controversial and disputed, as the person may not identify with the group of which they are a member, or may otherwise disagree with the group leaders making the charge." http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZnC http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZnC/commentary#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:51:01 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZnC Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 1 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZnC/ My advice to Pelosi and Reid, present and promote solutions to our problems, divest their corporate collusion, ignore Republican obstruction, even if it means changing the rules of the filibuster and severely punish, by any means necessary, Democrats that don't play well with other members of their party. This is a battle between the people and the political parties/corporatocracy. The only way this battle can be won by the people? Continued exposure of elected officials and their complicity in the defilement of democracy, which is treasonous by definition, regardless of party affiliation. Many party officials disapprove of self examination or critical observations regarding ethics, leadership or devotion to the principles of democracy (free and equal representation of people). Primaries are heretical and grassroots activism is discouraged. Within limits, never ask for permission because authority is invariably hard wired to say no and that just compounds frustration and discourages activism. Public financing of federal and state elections is a step in the right direction, but even if it were instituted, we would still have a problem with lobbyists writing laws. Lawmakers encourage this practice, either because they are understaffed or lazy. We already know they only read the summary and not the fine print. Bills violate the most important rule of all, Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) and they are purposely kept indecipherable for a reason, to conceal cronyism and pork. You think members of Congress work hard for the money? "By the time the gavel comes down on the 109th Congress on Friday, members will have "worked" a total of 103 days. That's seven days fewer than the infamous "Do-Nothing Congress" of 1948." (Last figures I can find) Rank and file congressional pay is three and half times the median income of the United States. Three times the median income of an electronics engineer, four times the median income of K-12 teachers, almost eight times the median income of a preschool teacher and last but not least, $56,000 more than median income of a GP Doctor. That would leave the 109th Congress 262 days to travel, campaign, extort money, etc., instead of writing laws, answering emails, letters and faxes and generally doing the work of the people. U.S. Congressional salaries and benefits have been the source of taxpayer unhappiness and myths over the years. Here are some facts for your consideration. Rank-and-File Members: The current salary (2009) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year Congress: Leadership Members' Salary (2009) Leaders of the House and Senate are paid a higher salary than rank-and-file members. Senate Leadership Majority Party Leader - $193,400 Minority Party Leader - $193,400 House Leadership Speaker of the House - $223,500 Majority Leader - $193,400 Minority Leader - $193,400 Add to all of this, up to 80% of their pay when they retire. $139,200 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZnB http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZnB/commentary#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:57:11 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZnB Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZnB/ Great writing and video clips What "Capitalism" Is Not By Terrance Heath Created 10/02/2009 - 11:26am If I were to summarize message Michael Moore's new movie, Capitalism: A Love Story in one sentence, it would be this: Capitalism is not a form of government. That's the answer to the question posed at the beginning of the movie, via 1950s educational/propaganda films. Capitalism is not a form of government. It is a tool we've allowed to be used as a weapon. We threw out the instructions and rules for its usage, and it became a weapon — much like a hammer can be used to build a house or smash a skull, depending on whether it's wielded by a carpenter or a psychopath. Moore spends the rest of the movie showing us how we not only tossed out the rules, but junked every other tool in our collective toolbox, and left ourselves with the hammer. But everything is not a nail, and the hammer isn't suited to every aspect of the task in front of us. Moore gives us until the end of the movie to figure out what that seemingly abandoned task might be. Capitalism is populated by people whose names we know and people whose names we don't — all characters in what Michael Moore has subtitled "a love story." We know the speeches of the former, and the stories of the latter, because we've watched those same stories unfold in our own communities in the last couple of years. The speeches were intended to arouse our passions, by retelling part the most recent chapter in the story of how we got here — the part that happened on Wall Street and in Washington. Continued Campaign for America's Future http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSs http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSs/commentary#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:02:16 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSs Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 1 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZSs/ I saw the movie tonight at a special showing at Chez Artiste. Mr. Moore has done it again, he has taken pure, unadulterated truth and made it an art form. Moore expressed a desire to be a priest in his early days, I think he became one for all intents and purposes. Bravo, Mr. Moore, you are a priest in every sense of the word. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSP http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSP/commentary#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:08:48 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSP Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZSP/ I want to urge folks to go out and buy Huttner & Salzman's book, 50 Ways.... Not only is it a little gem, but buying it is now a political statement. Be Heard! They're doing a book signing tonight at the Boulder Bookstore. Show them your support and be there! http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/lucialight/CZS4 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/lucialight/CZS4/commentary#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:16:15 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/lucialight/CZS4 Lucia Lucia 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZS4/ Truth = Law? "Where the law is subject to some other authority and has none of its own, the collapse of the state, in my view, is not far off; but if law is the master of the government and the government is its slave, then the situation is full of promise and men enjoy all the blessings that the gods shower on a state." Plato circa 350 BC Likewise, Aristotle endorsed the rule of law, writing that "law should govern", and those in power should be "servants of the laws." The ancient concept of rule of law is to be distinguished from rule by law, according to political science professor Li Shuguang: "The difference....is that under the rule of law the law is preeminent and can serve as a check against the abuse of power. Under rule by law, the law can serve as a mere tool for a government that suppresses in a legalistic fashion." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_law   http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZS3 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZS3/commentary#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:08:39 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZS3 Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZS3/ Starts Friday, October 2 at the Mayan Theatre and Greenwood Village In Capitalism: A Love Story, filmmaker Michael Moore (Sicko, Fahrenheit 9/11, Bowling for Columbine, Roger & Me) tackles an issue he has been examining throughout his career: the disastrous impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the rest of the world). Moore explores the root causes of the global economic meltdown and takes a comical look at the corporate and political shenanigans that culminated in what he has described as the biggest robbery in the history of this country—the massive transfer of U.S. taxpayer money to private financial institutions. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSr http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSr/commentary#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:11:32 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSr Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 1 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZSr/ "The political and commercial morals of the United States are not merely food for laughter, they are an entire banquet." - Mark Twain in Eruption Romanoff Remarks on Courage and Leadership About 6:20 into the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuN4plsyNzE "Courage means standing up for what you believe, even when somebody might take offense." -A. Romanoff Kind of like believing in the Preamble of the Constitution, the most liberal quotation in the fewest words I have ever read. I'm sure that they inspire Romanoff as much as they do me. "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." None of the things mentioned above have conservatives done well or for that matter had any intention of promoting or upholding. Regarding "Defence" their bread and butter, ha ha, the greatest breach of national security in our country's short history was due to the supreme incompetence of a Republican administration. The only apparent asset of the Republican party is the ability to strictly adhere to their motto, "If at first you don't deceive, lie, lie again." Hey, bearing false witness is no small matter, unless of course you're a Baptist. The best kind of leadership? Leading by example, something that Romanoff has no trouble doing, he talks the talk and walks the walk. "It is curious--curious that physical courage should be so common in the world, and moral courage so rare." - Mark Twain in Eruption http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSt http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSt/commentary#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:26:48 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSt Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZSt/ Part 1 Romanoff Denver kickoff. At the very end he says some very flattering remarks regarding veterans. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuN4plsyNzE Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDiL2Ki-zFA&feature=related http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSR http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSR/commentary#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:46:29 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSR Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZSR/ "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people" Martin Luther King, Jr. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSN http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSN/commentary#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:59:05 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSN Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZSN/ I just had to throw this chart in. According to these statistics, 95 percent of all American wage earners are chumps for change, pocket change that is. And the point of the rat race is? Michael Moores email below the chart. MC For Tax Year 2007 Percentiles Ranked by AGI AGI Threshold on Percentiles Percentage of Federal Personal Income Tax Paid Top 1% $410,096 40.42 Top 5% $160,041 60.63 Top 10% $113,018 71.22 Top 25% $66,532 86.59 Top 50% $32,879 97.11 Bottom 50% http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSp http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSp/commentary#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:40:56 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSp Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZSp/ Must be the Anschutz money, do you think? Read below and tell me who his master is. Better yet go to his site and read how many times he repeats his experience with big money. And because he understands complex financial and economic issues he's going to protect "working families" from the big bad wolf and has anyone asked him why things have to be so complex?. Not once does he mention using his law degree to uphold the Constitution and protect working families, organized labor and the poor from corporations run amok. MC "Michael was a Managing Director at the Anschutz Investment Company, where he managed the restructuring of over $3 billion in corporate debt. Representing Colorado as our state’s next U.S. Senator, Michael will use his understanding and leadership on complex financial and economic issues to be a voice for Colorado’s working families." Source Bennet's Website: http://bennet.senate.gov/about/ http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSn http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSn/commentary#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:53:48 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZSn Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZSn/