Archive for September 5th, 2009

Mack Daddy Report Update

September 5, 2009

Nothing like united support for the Long Legged Mack Daddy! H/T No Compromise

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The Next Bailout

September 5, 2009

The Wall Street Journal reports on yet another government bailout at taxpayer expense. It seems that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is burning through its reserves. In the last year the FDIC has paid out in excess of $34.8 billion. Additionally, the FDIC’s list of troubled banks has increased from 305 to 416, even as it has closed 84 since the beginning of this year. The true scope of the problem is unfathomable. Now the FDIC is letting Congress and the nation’s bankers know that they may need more cash from either increased insurance premiums, special assessments or perhaps even the Treasury itself.

Deposit insurance premiums are (supposed to be) risk based. The CAMEL ratings (for risk factors Capital adequacy, Asset quality, Management competence, Earnings and Liquidity) are between one (best) and five (worst) and averaged for a composite value. But don’t ask your local banker his CAMEL rating because he can’t tell you — it’s a secret. That is one component of the moral hazard that accompanies deposit insurance. With a bank’s level of safety and soundness concealed, depositors must base their decisions only upon expected rate of return.

In a supposed attempt to keep the insurance fund solvent, FDIC hit the nation’s banks with a special assessment in the fourth quarter of 2008, causing a further depletion of capital from the banking system as a whole and forcing even more marginal banks into the red. Banking trade associations have been advising their members to expect a similar special assessment in 4Q2009. These increased expenses reduce the net income of individual banks, thus further straining their ability to retain earnings to improve their capital adequacy. To control cost and preserve earnings, bankers are giving deposit rates hard scrutiny. Couple this with FDIC’s quiet request to Congress for the authority to borrow up to $500 billion from the U.S. Treasury (five times its regular borrowing limit,) and one can see taxpayers squeezed, on the one hand, by lower interest rates on savings and, on the other hand, higher taxes to service increased federal debt.

Bottom line is that deposit insurance is not free, and as with all insurance, there are inherent risks. After a 15-year expansion in the U.S. economy (1992-2007) with banks being encouraged (or, perhaps more accurately, extorted) to engage in increasingly risky loans, (sub-prime mortgages, community re-development and re-investment) the current economic contraction has exposed bankers to increased risk, which may ultimately be borne by the taxpayer.

SOURCE

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Posted in Economics, Editorial, Opinion, Education, Law, News, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | 4 Comments »

HOTCHKISS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO POACHING DEER AND SELLING MEAT

September 5, 2009

HOTCHKISS, Colo.–A tip from an observant citizen resulted in a felony conviction for a Hotchkiss poacher who offered big-game meat for sale in classified advertisements published in a local newspaper earlier this year.

Cody Hopkins, 23, pleaded guilty to illegal sale of wildlife, illegal possession of a deer and hunting deer without a license in Colorado District Court in Delta on July 27, 2009. Hopkins was given a one-year deferred sentence and fined $2,002.50.

A hearing examiner for the Colorado Wildlife Commission will also review the facts of the case. As a result, Hopkins may face a suspension of his hunting and fishing privileges in Colorado and 30 other states.

Hopkins was originally charged with four felonies. In addition to a conviction on the felony count of illegal sale of wildlife, Hopkins was convicted of one misdemeanor count of illegal take of a deer and one misdemeanor count of hunting deer without a license.

The investigation into Hopkins’ activities began in late January, when the Colorado Division of Wildlife received a call through Operation Game Thief from a concerned citizen who saw a classified ad in the High Country Shopper offering big-game meat for sale.

DOW investigators called the number in February and arranged to meet Hopkins in Hotchkiss where Hopkins sold about 50 pounds of meat to an undercover officer. At the meeting, Hopkins told investigators that the package included deer meat and meat from a cow elk that had been killed the previous weekend.  Hopkins also sold deer and elk meat to undercover investigators on a couple of other occasions.

Hopkins was arrested in April.

Doug Homan, district wildlife officer in Hotchkiss, said that the crimes might have gone unnoticed if not for the concerned citizen.

“We can never emphasize enough how much we rely on citizens to help us by reporting suspected crimes against wildlife,” Homan said. “People who take wildlife illegally are stealing from licensed sportsmen and women and from all the citizens of Colorado.”

Suspected wildlife crimes can be reported to Operation Game Thief at 1-877-265-6648. Tips can be given anonymously and rewards are often provided for information leading to convictions.

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For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

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Posted in Education, Hunting Fishing and the Great Outdoors, Law, News, Stupid is as Stupid Does, Uncategorized | Comments Off on HOTCHKISS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO POACHING DEER AND SELLING MEAT

LAMAR SHOOTING CLINIC GEARED TOWARD LADIES AND KIDS

September 5, 2009

LAMAR, Colo. – The Colorado Division of Wildlife will offer a free Shooting Instruction Clinic followed by an optional guided Dove Hunting Clinic east of Lamar on Sun., Sept. 13.

The clinic is geared toward women and youth who are new to hunting.  The event begins with an informal cookout at 1 p.m., followed by an instruction session, and then a guided dove hunt until around 6 p.m.  The DOW will supply all of the hunting equipment and host the cookout.

“A similar program was held last year near Las Animas, and the kids and ladies who attended had a blast — pun intended,” said Linda Groat, and outreach education specialist with the Division of Wildlife.

This year’s event will take place at the Mike Higbee State Wildlife Area four miles east of Lamar off Highway 50.

“The first portion of the afternoon is what we call a Bang ‘N Twang,” said Groat.  The focus is getting hands on experience shooting shotguns and archery equipment.  There is also an electronic big-game hunting simulation game.

Following the Bang ‘N Twang, participants have an option of going on a guided dove hunt with DOW instructors.  Participants must attend the Bang “N Twang and a shooting safety talk in order to go dove hunting.

Dove hunters must have a valid Hunter Ed card and a 2009 small game hunting license with a HIP number to participate.   Each youngster must be accompanied by adult, parent, or sponsor; and must pre-register.

The cost of a Colorado small game license for youth under 18 is $1.  The cost for resident adult annual license is $21.  A one-day small game license is $11.

Space is limited, so register early.  To register, or for more information, call: Linda Groat at (719) 336-6608.

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

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Join the Colorado Division of Wildlife for National Hunting & Fishing Day‏

September 5, 2009

JOIN THE COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE FOR NATIONAL HUNTING & FISHING DAY

All day events will be held in Denver to educate and encourage participation

DENVER, Colo. — The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) will participate in its first-ever National Hunting & Fishing Day by hosting an event on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at the Denver Headquarters, 6060 Broadway, Denver.  The full day event, beginning at 9:00 AM, will be jam-packed with educational seminars and opportunities for newcomers and seasoned recreationists to cast, shoot and learn outdoor skills in a safe and comfortable environment.

“The DOW recognizes the importance of teaching the hunting and angling heritage to new generations of Coloradoans.  Our wildlife resource is one of the most treasured in the nation–it’s critical that we continue to foster stewardship, conservation, and concern about the future of our animals and fish,” said Mark Cousins, Hunter Education Coordinator for DOW.

Experienced anglers and hunters will enjoy an array of presentations from Colorado wildlife experts, ranging in topics from quail hunting to mapping your hunt, fishing hot spots to carp fishing on a fly, with noted author Barry Reynolds.  Novices, family, and friends of sportsmen can try their hand at shooting a .22, fly rod casting, or getting a Junior Wildlife Officer badge.  Plus, a demonstration of hunting dogs by Pheasants Forever will show everyone how skilled and smart these clever canines are on a hunt!

For more information on the DOW’s National Hunting and Fishing Day, please visit our website at:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Education/ (scroll down on right side of page)

WHO:                    Anyone interested in wildlife-related outdoor recreation!

WHAT:                  National Hunting and Fishing Day at the Colorado Division of Wildlife

WHEN:                  Saturday, September 26, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

WHERE:                DOW Headquarters, 6060 Broadway, Denver

HOW:                    Space is limited, register early at:

http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/6A4309D4-C0BF-4D9E-ADB4-E0A0CD74761A/0/FillableRegistrationform_distributed.pdf

If you are interested in learning about the nationwide efforts on National Hunting and Fishing Day, please visit:

http://www.nhfday.org/

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

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Another stupid is as stupid does redux: Gun Control California style

September 5, 2009

Despite California’s bans on “assault weapons,” “unsafe” handguns, private gun sales, and sales of two handguns in a 30-day period; its 10-day waiting period on all gun sales; and its denial of carry permits to people who don’t have the right connections, the Golden State’s murder and robbery rates are 12 and 20 percent higher, respectively, than in the rest of the country.

Nevertheless, the Brady Campaign calls California’s “assault weapon” ban “a model for the nation,” and gives the state a high “grade” just for having more gun control than other states. Washington, D.C.’s city council adopted California’s “assault weapon” ban and “unsafe handgun” ban whole cloth in January, backtracking on handguns this summer only in the face of court challenges.

And then there’s Garen Wintemute, of the University of California (Davis), who in September released another of his “studies” in favor of gun control. His new piece is called “Inside Gun Shows: What Goes On When Everybody Thinks Nobody’s Watching.”

“Gun shows” are just the hook, however. While repeating gun control supporters’ mantra about the need to run instant background checks on people who buy guns from private parties at gun shows, Wintemute admits important factors that undercut his goal. First, he notes that straw purchases—the very purpose of which is to thwart the background checks he pretends to be concerned about—”are a major source of crime guns.” Second, he admits that “The proportion of all gun sales nationwide that occurs at gun shows is relatively small” and that “most sales at gun shows involve licensed retailers,” who are already required to perform background checks.

As you probably have already deduced, Wintemute has his sights on something more than just requiring background checks on all gun sales at shows. Eventually getting to the bottom line, he concludes that “Regulating private party sales just at gun shows will not end the problems associated with these anonymous and undocumented transactions. Most of them occur elsewhere already. … It would be preferable to regulate private party gun sales generally.” That’s the law in California, where private sales are prohibited, transfers of firearms are delayed by a 10-day waiting period, and sales are permanently recorded by the government.

If you think you’ve heard it before, you’re right. In 1976, the Brady Campaign, then named National Council to Control Handguns, advocated delaying handgun sales and registering handguns, before banning the possession of handguns altogether. Let’s hope Wintemute is as successful today as the Brady Campaign was a generation ago.

SOURCE

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Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Law, mysandry, Politics, Stupid is as Stupid Does, Uncategorized, Wordpress Political Blogs | 1 Comment »