http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/members_rss We got some interesting hate mail in response to our action alert about this billboard: We're used to hate mail from right-wingers. When your stated mission is to counter the right-wing on every front, it comes with the territory. So in keeping with that mission, I'm happy to share some of those messages with you tonight. Other than removing personal details, the spelling and grammar are unedited. Wheeeee, let's go!:  http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZhG http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZhG/commentary#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:08:11 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZhG Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZhG/ 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/ What is our country coming to? Earlier today, we learned about an offensive, racist billboard right here in Colorado--attacking President Obama and comparing him to terrorists. The billboard was created by Wolf Automotive, at their location here in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Check out the photo to the right, then join the pledge to boycott. http://www.ProgressNowColorado.org/WolfAuto We called Wolf Automotive to ask them what their intent was in putting up that sign. The man we spoke with defended the sign, and indicated he has no intention of taking the sign down, and it was quickly apparent that he was a "birther." The "tea party" movement and the "birthers" are becoming more and more outrageous. They're in the thrall of demagogues like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Peter Boyles, Sarah Palin, and right-wing elected officials in Colorado like Senator Dave Schultheis--who sent out a statement last week comparing President Obama to the 9/11 terrorists who flew United Flight 93 into the ground. We'll defend anyone's First Amendment right to speak his or her mind. However, the "marketplace of ideas" that the First Amendment protects only works when everyone speaks out. If hate like that spread by Dave Schultheis and the owners of Wolf Automotive is allowed to go without a response, then we allow the perception that these ideas have merit. We have both the right and the obligation under the First Amendment to publicly reject ideas that we find abhorent and offensive. Please help us respond to this latest attack from the Right by doing a couple of things. First, please click on the link below and pledge to boycott Wolf Automotive until they take down this billboard. http://www.ProgressNowColorado.org/WolfAuto After you sign the pledge, we'll provide you the phone numbers for the Wolf Automotive Group--they have four dealerships located in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Please take a few minutes to call and ask them, respectfully, to take their sign down. We want to respond, but we want to resist being dragged into incivility by the hatred that we're confronting. P.S. If you are on Twitter, please copy and paste the tweet below and share far and wide: Join the Boycott! Wolf Automotive Group in CO WY & MT proud of their anti-Obama, anti-Muslim, racist hateful billboard. http://bit.ly/4KLxtz P.S.S. Denver talk-radio host Peter Boyles has apparently been coordinating with Wolf Automotive for months on this. http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=108289 Cross-posted at ProgressNow Colorado http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZhx http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZhx/commentary#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:03:43 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZhx Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 1 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZhx/ Cancer doc (left) tops bureaucrat (right) on cancer recs ( WUSA ). HHS Head Sibelius Says, Ignore Panel, Get Checked Michael Collins "The (task force) recommends against routine screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 years." U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, Nov. 17, 2009 "My message to women is simple. Mammograms have always been an important life-saving tool in the fight against breast cancer and they still are today. Keep doing what you have been doing for years - talk to your doctor about your individual history, ask questions, and make the decision that is right for you."  Kathleen Sebelius, Health and Human Services Secretary,  Nov. 18. Talk about a short news cycle.  A Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) appointed "best practices" task force dismissed the value of "routine" mammograms as a cancer prevention technique for women 40 to 49 years on Tuesday, November 17 . A day later, Wednesday, Nov. 18, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued a statement dismissing the committee recommendations. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/mcollins/CZhg http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/mcollins/CZhg/commentary#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:52:54 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/mcollins/CZhg Michael Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/0f4307568de17110c5_xdbmv2rzb.jpg Michael Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZhg/ 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/ I will say it again, we are so bad at national defense that we had our pants down around our ankles for 52 minutes from the first strike on the WTC to the third strike on the Pentagon.  At a speed of 17,000 MPH an ICBM can travel the distance of 4,800 miles from Russia to the USA in about 17 minutes (Barely enough time to kiss your ass goodbye).  At 1500 MPH an F-16 can travel the distance fromWashington DC (204 miles) to New York City in 8 minutes, the time air traffic controllers suspected Flight 11 was hijacked and notification of NORAD, 20 minutes later.  Flight 11 hit the WTC 6 minutes later.  17 minutes later Flight 175 hits the second tower of the WTC.  35 minutes later Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon proving that it takes a general over an hour and 15 minutes to get his pants back on.  So why are we spending $1,688 every year on defense for every man, woman and child (all 305 million of us)?  So we can fight them over there?  So we can exploit the resources of third world countries?  Is an M-1 Abrams tank a defensive weapon?  A B-1 bomber?  An Apache attack helicopter?  An A-10 Wart Hog?  A Stealth fighter?  MCNY TimesNovember 15, 2009Op-Ed ColumnistThe Missing Link From Killeen to Kabul By FRANK RICH THE dead at Fort Hood had not even been laid to rest when their massacre became yet another political battle cry for the self-proclaimed patriots of the American right. Their verdict was unambiguous: Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, an American-born psychiatrist of Palestinian parentage who sent e-mail to a radical imam, was a terrorist. And he did not act alone. His co-conspirators included our military brass, the Defense Department, the F.B.I., the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Joint Terrorism Task Force and, of course, the liberal media and the Obama administration. All these institutions had failed to heed the warning signs raised by Hasan’s behavior and activities because they are blinded by political correctness toward Muslims, too eager to portray criminals as sympathetic victims of social injustice, and too cowardly to call out evil when it strikes 42 innocents in cold blood . http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZhB http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZhB/commentary#comments Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:41:32 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZhB Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZhB/ Keith Olbermann went on a tear tonight! Recently, Sen. Dave Schultheis (R-Colorado Springs) said this to his followers on Twitter: "Don't for a second, think Obama wants what is best for U.S. He is flying the U.S. Plane right into the ground at full speed. Let's Roll." As reported in today's Denver Post, Ed Kowalski, a director for the New York-based 9/11 Families for a Secure America, said Schultheis was "clearly" referring to United Flight 93, the plane that hijackers flew into the ground on 9/11. (Denver Post 11/12/09). "Let's roll" reportedly were the last words from one of the passengers just before they attempted to storm the cockpit. Schultheis claims in the Post article that he wasn't referring to Flight 93 and comparing President Obama to Al Qeada terrorists. But that's baloney, and we all know it. Tell Dave Schultheis what you think. http://www.ProgressNowColorado.org/Schultheis http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZRy http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZRy/commentary#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:29:44 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZRy Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 1 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZRy/ At the ProgressNow Bat Cave yesterday (also known as my co-worker Jen's teeny windowless office), we got to talking about Scott "McLobbyist" McInnis and the coup recently scored on his behalf in the Republican gubernatorial primary. It's really odd that Josh Penry left the race so suddenly , isn't it? And most media reported that a big reason Penry left the race was an "independent committee" set up to fight off any challengers to McInnis. This immediately got us thinking about our call last May for an investigation of McInnis after he left a voice mail message, leaked on the internet subsequently, describing in detail 'his 527'--inviting questions about illegal coordination between McInnis and 'his' so-called "independent committees." What happened this week to Penry could be seen as a confirmation of our worst fears. What we at ProgressNow would really like to do is talk to McInnis about this, get his response to these potentially serious allegations on the record. Unfortunately, McInnis doesn't grant very many interviews. And some of the interviews he has granted haven't gone so well . But then we remembered, we've got McInnis on the record addressing these very questions: the voice mail! If Scott McInnis were to come clean about his questionable campaign activities as we've called for over and over again, here's how we imagine the interview going. Not a real conversation, obviously! It would be nice to have this kind of candor in the non-parody world, wouldn't it? http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZR9 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZR9/commentary#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:23:21 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZR9 Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZR9/ 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/ A bit of war music for Veteran's Day, the dead cry, 'Remember me'  the mothers cry, 'I can't forget'  the nation cries, 'I know not war or sacrifice and we will forget'  MC Music from "Mansions of the Lord " The song was sung by the  West Point Glee Club  at the end of the movie "We Were Soldiers" "The Mansions of the Lord"  To fallen soldiers let us sing  where no rockets fly nor bullets wing  Our broken brothers let us bring  to the mansions of the Lord  No more bleeding no more fight  No prayers pleading through the night  just divine embrace, eternal light  in the mansions of the Lord  Where no mothers cry and no children weep  We will stand and guard tho the angels sleep  All through the ages safely keep the mansions of the Lord  Words by Randall Wallace http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZRP http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZRP/commentary#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:34:25 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZRP Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZRP/ October 27, 2009 Dear Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow: Far be it from me to say or do anything to defend Sarah Palin, however her claims to the Obama Administration in creating “death panels” is far from wrong. The “death panels” were created by a Republican Congress and Senate under the Bush Administration with their creation of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit(?). As a diabetic, it is important for me to take my insulin regularly to keep my blood sugar readings as normal as I can. The Part D Prescription Drug Benefit works very well for the first half of the year. However, come August and September, I deplete my benefit and enter what they call, “the Donut Hole” where we pay full price until we reach the third tier of catastrophic coverage. My insulin alone during this “donut hole” is $358.00, which I cannot afford to pay. I rely on my Doctor to have insulin samples on hand to help me out until January of the next year. More than half the time, my Doctor does not have any samples probably because there of a lot of people in my predicament. This has taken a mighty toll on my body in that I am losing my eyesight, my kidneys are overworked and I run the risk of kidney failure. I have diabetic neuropathy in both my lower legs and numb areas in my feet which make it feel as though I am walking on gravel. I stand a good chance of having an amputation or two in the near future. The sad thing about this is that I am 49-years of age. That Republican Congress and Senate under that Republican Bush Administration have already signed my death certificate. They are the true death panel that Sarah Palin wants to blame on President Obama. I know there are probably several “hundred” thousand retired and disabled individuals in this dilemma. The average Social Security Benefit is more than $100.00 LESS THAN my own personal benefit which means if I can’t afford my insulin or prescription during the “donut hole” period, there are MANY more that can’t get theirs either. Thank you Republicans. And you wonder why your party is in such a mess. Respectfully, Brian Lund Colorado Springs, CO Cc: President Barack Obama, White House Senator Harry Reid, Washington DC Representative Nancy Pelosi, Washington DC Colorado Springs Gazette Colorado Springs Independent http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/belboi/CZR4 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/belboi/CZR4/commentary#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:31:17 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/belboi/CZR4 belboi http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/5ec4e717fba4f06d57_94m6iicqj.jpg belboi 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZR4/ Statement on Scott "McLobbyist" McInnis Avoiding Primary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, November 9, 2009 CONTACT: Michael Huttner, Founder at 303-931-4547 DENVER-- In response to reports that Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry is suddenly leaving the Republican race for Governor, Michael Huttner, the founder of ProgressNow Colorado released the following statement: "If this is true, it's the old D.C. lobbyist guard stepping out of the shadows to clear the field for Scott 'McLobbyist' McInnis. McInnis' ties to lobbyists, oil and gas interests, and corrupt cronies like Tom DeLay can't help but make one wonder what's really going on when his primary opponents start dropping out of the race. This comes on the heels of awful press for McInnis, detailing his flip-flop away from his former stand in favor of women's health rights to the extreme right. So right after outraging the conservative base by avoiding a primary, he's alienating the vast majority of Coloradans who support a woman's right to choose. And it should come as no surprise that this story broke first in Washington D.C. instead of Colorado, since that's where 'McLobbyist's' best friends are. We call on McInnis to disclose which of his lobbyist friends helped push Penry out." ### http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZR7 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZR7/commentary#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:44:56 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZR7 Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZR7/ As Colorado Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry hypocritically attacked the state government and Governor Bill Ritter during Colorado's ongoing budget crisis, ProgressNow Colorado, the state's largest online progressive advocacy organization demanded Wednesday that Penry come clean about immediate family members both recently hired and currently employed by Mesa State College. "It is ridiculous beyond belief that 'Pandering' Josh Penry misrepresents fiscal reality and vital state services for political gain, while his own family pockets state funds each payday," said ProgressNow Colorado Founder Michael Huttner. Penry's Misrepresentation  The  Denver Post  recently reported that despite Penry's attacks on Governor Ritter's so-called "hiring spree," most of the growth in state employment can be traced to simple population growth, increases mandated by the voter's passage of Referendum C in 2005, and legislation passed by the General Assembly--including legislation sponsored by Sen. Penry. (Denver Post,  "Analysis suggests increased Colorado state jobs may be overstated,"  10/11/2009) Penry's Hypocrisy  Last week, the  Grand Junction Sentinel  reported that state-funded Mesa State College "has a history of hiring former political workers and those connected to them," including Kristi Pollard, the recently-hired 'Interim Director of Development' at Mesa State and Sen. Josh Penry's sister. Jamie Penry, Sen. Penry's wife, is also a former Mesa State employee according to the  Sentinel . ( Grand Junction Sentinel , "Mesa State hires as campus grows, enrollment soars," 10/25/2009) "That Penry would make these lazy, irresponsible accusations, while his own family snaps up the very same high-paying state jobs Penry complains the loudest about, is just mind-boggling and laughable," said Huttner. "Penry at the very least owes the public a good explanation. I think he owes the public, and thousands of hard working Colorado civil servants he's insulted, an apology as well." "Finally," concluded Huttner, "we call on Penry to immediately disclose whether he personally has sought employment at Mesa State College while serving in the Colorado General Assembly, or at any time discussed the hiring of his family members with Mesa State officials."  http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZRm http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZRm/commentary#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:55:15 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZRm Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZRm/ 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/ Triumph of the Money Party Michael Collins Do you know what the "public option" does or who it covers?  If you've had trouble finding out, it's not your fault.  Reading corporate media coverage provides little or no clue.  It's hardly ever defined.  There's a very good reason for the lack of clarity and definition.  But first, a brief summary of the public debate that characterizes just about every public debate we have on critical issues. If you think that the current version of the public option will provide a choice for a government administered health program, you're right.  If you think that this option was designed for the general public, then you're wrong.  It will apply to only some of the uninsured, possibly as few as six million citizens.  It's a kind of public option. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/mcollins/CZRk http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/mcollins/CZRk/commentary#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:21:27 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/mcollins/CZRk Michael Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/0f4307568de17110c5_xdbmv2rzb.jpg Michael Collins 1 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZRk/ 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/   There's an election on Tuesday!  If you vote by mail and haven't turned your ballot in yet, hand-deliver your ballot to your County Clerk's office Monday or Tuesday to ensure that it's received in time for your vote to count. Your county may have more than one possible drop-off location for your convenience. If you haven't received your ballot yet, contact your county clerk to find out how to obtain a replacement ballot. Below, we've included some other information that may help. Whether you're liberal, conservative, progressive, libertarian, or a completely unaffiliated free spirit,  vote . The elections in odd years involve local issues from school boards to city council to county commissioner. There may also be bond issues, initiatives, and referenda--all very local to your city or county. Although elections call to mind voting for President, Governor, and legislature, the fact is that most of what affects our daily lives happens locally. Our schools, our city streets, our zoning boards, even our trash collection are all local issues. If you don't exercise your right to vote in these local elections, you will miss the best opportunity you will have this year to affect change for yourself and your family. Helpful Information According to the Secretary of State, there is an election in every Colorado county except Archuleta, Hinsdale, and Phillips. Most Colorado counties have an all-mail election this year. If you have not received a ballot or information on where to vote, contact your county clerk right away. Your ballot must be  received  by your county clerk no later than 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd for your vote to be counted. Postmarks don't count. If you already voted by mail, you can make sure your ballot was received on the Secretary of State's secure voter lookup website: https://www.sos.state.co.us/Voter/secuVoterHome.do If your county has a polling place election, your polling place may not be in the same location as last year. Contact your County Clerk if you are not sure where you should vote. If you need to contact your county clerk for any of the above reasons, you can find your county clerk's contact information here: http://www.elections.colorado.gov/Default.aspx?PageMenuID=1397 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZR8 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZR8/commentary#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:58:07 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZR8 Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZR8/ In my job working for grocery workers, i sometimes hear that unions are a thing of the past. "We now have laws to take care of things like safety, and child labor," i am told. An ABC News investigation reveals today that our child labor laws in particular haven't been so effective:  ...an ABC News investigation found children, including one as young as five-years-old, working in its fields. http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/young-children-working-blueberry-fields-walmart-severs-ties/story?id=8951044 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/richardmyers/CZRd http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/richardmyers/CZRd/commentary#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:18:00 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/richardmyers/CZRd Richard Myers http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/d7a21bd1f5de483e15_fkshmvxwd.jpg Richard Myers 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZRd/ "If the only tool you have is a hammer, it is tempting to treat every problem as a nail"Don't think we suck at nation building?"The record of past U.S. experience in democratic nation building is daunting. The low rate of success is a sobering reminder that these are among the most difficult foreign policy ventures for the United States. Of the sixteen such efforts during the past century, democracy was sustained in only four cases ten years after the departure of U.S. forces. Two of these followed the total defeat and surrender of Japan and Germany after World War II, and two were tiny Grenada and Panama." Source NY TimesOctober 29, 2009Op-Ed ColumnistMore Schools, Not Troops By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF Dispatching more troops to Afghanistan would be a monumental bet and probably a bad one, most likely a waste of lives and resources that might simply empower the Taliban. In particular, one of the most compelling arguments against more troops rests on this stunning trade-off: For the cost of a single additional soldier stationed in Afghanistan for one year, we could build roughly 20 schools there. It’s hard to do the calculation precisely, but for the cost of 40,000 troops over a few years — well, we could just about turn every Afghan into a Ph.D. The hawks respond: It’s naïve to think that you can sprinkle a bit of education on a war-torn society. It’s impossible to build schools now because the Taliban will blow them up. In fact, it’s still quite possible to operate schools in Afghanistan — particularly when there’s a strong “buy-in” from the local community. Greg Mortenson, author of “Three Cups of Tea,” has now built 39 schools in Afghanistan and 92 in Pakistan — and not one has been burned down or closed. The aid organization CARE has 295 schools educating 50,000 girls in Afghanistan, and not a single one has been closed or burned by the Taliban. The Afghan Institute of Learning , another aid group, has 32 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with none closed by the Taliban (although local communities have temporarily suspended three for security reasons). In short, there is still vast scope for greater investment in education, health and agriculture in Afghanistan. These are extraordinarily cheap and have a better record at stabilizing societies than military solutions, which, in fact, have a pretty dismal record. In Afghanistan, for example, we have already increased our troop presence by 40,000 troops since the beginning of last year, yet the result has not been the promised stability but only more casualties and a strengthened insurgency. If the last surge of 40,000 troops didn’t help, why will the next one be so different? Matthew P. Hoh, an American military veteran who was the top civilian officer in Zabul Province, resigned over Afghan policy , as The Washington Post reported this week. Mr. Hoh argues that our military presence is feeding the insurgency, not quelling it. Already our troops have created a backlash with Kabul University students this week burning President Obama in effigy until police dispersed them with gunshots. The heavier our military footprint, the more resentment — and perhaps the more legitimacy for the Taliban. Schools are not a quick fix or silver bullet any more than troops are. But we have abundant evidence that they can, over time, transform countries, and in the area near Afghanistan there’s a nice natural experiment in the comparative power of educational versus military tools. Since 9/11, the United States has spent $15 billion in Pakistan , mostly on military support, and today Pakistan is more unstable than ever. In contrast, Bangladesh, which until 1971 was a part of Pakistan, has focused on education in a way that Pakistan never did. Bangladesh now has more girls in high school than boys. (In contrast, only 3 percent of Pakistani women in the tribal areas are literate.) Those educated Bangladeshi women joined the labor force, laying the foundation for a garment industry and working in civil society groups like BRAC and Grameen Bank . That led to a virtuous spiral of development, jobs, lower birth rates, education and stability. That’s one reason Al Qaeda is holed up in Pakistan, not in Bangladesh, and it’s a reminder that education can transform societies. When I travel in Pakistan, I see evidence that one group — Islamic extremists — believes in the transformative power of education. They pay for madrassas that provide free schooling and often free meals for students. They then offer scholarships for the best pupils to study abroad in Wahhabi madrassas before returning to become leaders of their communities. What I don’t see on my trips is similar numbers of American-backed schools. It breaks my heart that we don’t invest in schools as much as medieval, misogynist extremists. For roughly the same cost as stationing 40,000 troops in Afghanistan for one year, we could educate the great majority of the 75 million children worldwide who, according to Unicef, are not getting even a primary education. We won’t turn them into graduate students, but we can help them achieve literacy. Such a vast global education campaign would reduce poverty, cut birth rates, improve America’s image in the world, promote stability and chip away at extremism. Education isn’t a panacea, and no policy in Afghanistan is a sure bet. But all in all, the evidence suggests that education can help foster a virtuous cycle that promotes stability and moderation. So instead of sending 40,000 troops more to Afghanistan, how about opening 40,000 schools? NY Times http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZRl http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZRl/commentary#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:49:35 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelcollins/CZRl Mike Collins http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/bcdcfd97be4d93f8d2_izvrmv8p8.jpg Mike Collins 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZRl/