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Whew! Colorado Division of Wildlfe has been busy!

April 11, 2010

I do try to keep things posted in a timely  manner here with regards to things related to outdoors recreation. Mostly in Colorado, because I know it so well, and Wyoming, because it is like an adventure exploring my new home state. Then, there is my recent re-entry into reloading. My screen netting of Clear Creek here in the new local area… And so on.

So? Read on. This is, after all a compilation.

DENVER, Colo. — The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is starting its 5-year review of statewide fishing regulations and is asking anglers throughout the state to provide comments and suggestions on regulations and possible changes.

DOW’s aquatic biologists continually evaluate Colorado’s fisheries, pausing every five years to review the fishing regulations with the Colorado Wildlife Commission to ensure that management objectives and recreation needs for anglers are met. The regulations set allowable methods of take, season dates, size requirements and bag limits, as well as statewide rules that apply to individual waters throughout Colorado.

In addition to regulations, DOW biologists will examine biological and social data from state waters. These include fish and creel surveys, research and trend information, water quality issues, stocking activity and angler-satisfaction surveys. This data will be considered in the decision-making process for setting new regulations.

“We have some very interesting feedback in the northeast region regarding our fishing regulations,” said Ken Kehmeier, Senior Aquatic Biologist,” We’ve already heard from folks who’d like to see carp tournaments allowed, bow and spear fishing, and changes to the walleye regulations. These meetings are a great place to hash out ideas on angling with the public and brainstorm ways to make fishing even better for Coloradoans.”

Northeast Region Meetings

Tuesday, April 27              Comfort Inn Fort Morgan, 1409 Barlow Rd., 6:30-8:30 PM

Wednesday, April 28      Sterling Ramada Inn, 22140 E Hwy 6, 6:30-8:30 PM

Tuesday, May 4                                Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Dr., 6:30-8:30 PM

Wednesday, May 5         DOW Denver HQ, 6060 Broadway, Bighorn Room, 6:30-8:30 PM

Timeline for 5-Year Fishing Regulation Process

The DOW requests that most angler comments be received by the end of April. The DOW is also asking for comments from fishing organizations, sportsmen’s groups; water resource managers, including ditch companies, conservancy districts, and state and federal government agencies; land management agencies, local governments and private landowners; and businesses and communities that have an economic stake in fishing activity.

After receiving input from anglers and an internal review, draft regulations will be prepared by July and presented for more public comment. The draft regulations will be sent to the wildlife commission in September for review and more public comment will be allowed at that time. New regulations will be adopted formally in November.

For the northeast region, submit questions or comments to Ken Kehmeier by calling, (970 472-4350), or emailing keh.kehmeier@state.co.us; Statewide-issue comments can also be submitted to Dave Chadwick, (303)291-7174, dave.chadwick@coloradostate.us.

Every year more than 600,000 people buy fishing licenses in Colorado. The state offers are wide variety of angling opportunities. Anglers can fish at warm- and cold-water lakes and reservoirs, in numerous big rivers, and in alpine streams and lakes. Every year, fishing in Colorado generates about $1.2 billion in economic benefits.

ANGLER ROUNDTABLES IN JUNCTION, GLENWOOD, MEEKER, STEAMBOAT AND GRANBY

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., – The Colorado Division of Wildlife is hosting Angler Roundtables around northwest Colorado to discuss the agency’s five-year review of fishing regulations. Angler Roundtables are open to the public and anyone interested in fishing is encouraged to attend.

Local Angler Roundtables will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the following locations:

Meeker – Thursday, April 22 – Mountain Valley Bank (400 Main Street)

Granby – Monday, April 26 – Granby Community Center (3rd and Jasper)

Glenwood Springs – Tuesday, April 27 – Glenwood Springs Community Center (100 Wolfsohn Rd.)

Grand Junction – Wednesday, April 28 – Ramada Inn (752 Horizon Dr.)

Steamboat Springs – Thursday, April 29 – DOW/USFS Office (925 Weiss Dr.)

Angler Roundtables are public meetings designed to provide people who fish with the opportunity to hear about DOW management and to ask questions or provide suggestions. In addition to discussing regulation changes, anglers can get information or ask questions about local fishing opportunities.

Fishing is an important part of Colorado’s economy. Every year more than 600,000 people buy fishing licenses in Colorado. Fishing generates about $1.2 billion in recreation revenue each year in the state.

After receiving public input, DOW staff will develop draft regulations to present to the Colorado Wildlife Commission in September. Those draft regulations will receive additional public review and Commission discussion before formal adoption by the Commission in November.

FLY FISHING SEMINAR IN SALIDA


SALIDA, Colo. – The Colorado Division of Wildlife will provide a fly fishing class on Sat., April 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Salida.

The seminar is geared toward intermediate fly-fisherman and takes place in two sessions – indoor classroom instruction at the Salida DOW office in the morning, followed by “hands-on” fishing instruction on the Arkansas River in the afternoon.

“This class will help people who already have a working knowledge of fly fishing to further fine-tune their skills and make them a more versatile angler,” said Matt Yamashita of the DOW.  “We will cover topics such as reading the water, casting techniques, and various fly presentation styles.”

Participants must furnish their own waders and fly-fishing gear (rods, reels, etc.), and must have a current Colorado fishing license.

The seminar is free.  Class size is limited to12 anglers and pre-registration is required.  Due to fluctuating water levels and wading requirements, this course is not recommended for children.

For more information, or to register, call (719) 227-5200.

The DOW office in Salida is located at 7405 Hwy 50.

The price of an annual fishing license is $26 for Colorado residents.  A one-day license is $9.

JUMBO AND PREWITT RESERVOIRS NOW OPEN TO BOATERS

DENVER, Colo.–The Colorado Division of Wildlife today announced that Jumbo and Prewitt reservoirs are now open for the 2010 boating season.

Jumbo Reservoir, located in Logan County, is open to boating from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. seven days a week through Memorial Day weekend.  Beginning June 1, boating hours will be extended to 9:30 p.m. until the end of the season.   All boats must complete a mandatory on-site inspection for aquatic nuisance species (ANS) prior to entering and upon leaving the reservoir.

Prewitt Reservoir, located in Washington County, is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, until the end of the boating season.  All boats are required to complete a mandatory on-site ANS inspection prior to entering the reservoir.

The mandatory watercraft inspections are part of a statewide effort to stop the spread of zebra and quagga mussels, and other ANS in Colorado reservoirs.   In order to ensure inspections run smoothly and lines move quickly, boaters should arrive to inspection sites with their vessels Clean, Drained and Dry.

For a detailed explanation of the “Clean, Drain and Dry” protocol, click here: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/InvasiveSpecies/WatercraftCleaning.htm

For more information on zebra and quagga mussels and how to prevent their spread, please visit the DOW’s Web site at:  http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/InvasiveSpecies/ZebraandQuaggaMussels.htm

SAN LUIS VALLEY BIG-GAME MEETINGS SCHEDULED

MONTE VISTA, Colo. – The Colorado Division of Wildlife has scheduled two public meetings in the San Luis Valley to discuss big game management and license allocations for the 2010 hunting seasons in Game Management Units 68, 681, 682, 76, 79, 791, 80, 81, 82 and 83.

The first meeting is 6:30 p.m., April 15, at the Monte Vista Co-op, at, 1901 E. U.S. Highway 160.

The second meeting is 6:30 p.m., April 20 at the Blanca/Fort Garland Community Center, located about one mile west of Fort Garland on the north side of U.S. Highway 160.

Every year, DOW biologists evaluate big game harvest and population estimates to set license numbers for the seasons.

Brad Weinmeister, terrestrial biologist for the DOW in Monte Vista, will explain proposed license numbers for big game species: deer, elk, bear, pronghorn and moose.

For more information, call Weinmeister at (719)587-6905.

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

Whew!

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Posted in Economics, Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Hunting Fishing and the Great Outdoors, Law, Local Politics Colorado, Men's Issues, News, Politics, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

Colorado: House Considering “Deny-On-Arrest” Legislation

April 10, 2010

The Colorado House of Representatives is currently considering legislation that would that would solidify an unconstitutional provision in the state’s background check system.

House Bill 1391, sponsored by State Representative Joe Rice (D-38), would extend a provision in state law that was due to sunset in July 2010.  The provision the bill extends would deny gun purchases to those with an arrest on their record, even if they were never convicted.  This deny-on-arrest provision would remove a constitutional right to own a firearm based on an arrest (an accusation), NOT a conviction.  It directly conflicts with the fundamental American doctrine of “innocent until proven guilty.”

Because the disposition of an arrest record isn’t always available, the burden of proof falls on gun buyers to prove they are eligible to purchase a firearm. In many cases, this costs these individuals thousands of dollars of their own money to prove their innocense.

The bill has been scheduled for a hearing on Monday, April 12, in the House Judiciary Committee.  Please call members of the committee and respectfully urge them to vote against HB 1391 and this unconstitutional attack on the Second Amendment rights of Colorado citizens. Contact information can be found below.

State Representative Claire Levy (D-13), Chair
Phone:  (303) 866-2578
Email: claire.levy.house@state.co.us

State Representative Beth McCann (D-8), Vice Chair
Phone:  (303) 866-2959
Email: beth.mccann.house@state.co.us

State Representative Lois Court (D-6)
Phone:  (303) 866-2967
Email: lois.court.house@state.co.us

State Representative Bob Gardner (R-21)
Phone:  (303) 866-2191
Email: bob.gardner.house@state.co.us

State Representative Daniel Kagan (D-3)
Phone:  (303) 866-2921
Email: repkagan@gmail.com

State Representative Steve King (R-54)
Phone:  (303) 866-3068
Email: steve.king.house@state.co.us

State Representative Joe Miklosi (D-9)
Phone:  (303) 866-2910
Email: joe@joemiklosi.com

State Representative B.J. Nikkel (R-49)
Phone:  (303) 866-2907
Email: rep.nikkel@gmail.com

State Representative Sal Pace (D-46)
Phone:  (303) 866-2968
Email: sal.pace.house@state.co.us

State Representative Su Ryden (D-36)
Phone:  (303) 866-2942
Email: sy.ryden.house@state.co.us

State Representative Mark Waller (R-15)
Phone:  (303) 866-5525
Email: mark.waller.house@state.co.us

SOURCE

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Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Hoplophobia, Law, Men's Issues, News, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | 4 Comments »

Another loser about to be appointed…

April 9, 2010

As noted in an earlier post epic fail obama’s nomination for the Ninth Circuit Court of appeals is completely unqualified to be a JUDGE. Much less an appellate court judge.

Yet the Senate Judiciary Committee appears bound and determined to force feed this sorry excuse of an attorney to we, the American people.

Republicans on the committee demand a delay in the scheduled April 16 hearing for Goodwin Liu, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley. The committee this week received almost 120 items that Liu omitted from an earlier background questionnaire.

Consideration of Liu’s appointment to the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is a warmup for the debate over a Supreme Court replacement if Justice John Paul Stevens decides to retire this year, said Curt Levey, executive director of the Committee for Justice in Washington and a critic of Liu’s confirmation.

Full Story

With the announcement that Justice Stevens will retire this summer it is clear that judicial battle lines will be drawn. Further, that we will have to live with these idiots in power for years to come. But what the heck? They are all probably just as qualified as obama is…

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Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Law, News, Non Compos Mentis, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | 5 Comments »

The impostor in chief a “cowboy?”

April 7, 2010

The impostor in chief may be a lot of things,and most of them are diametrically opposed to what the Iranian idiot, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad characterized him as recently.

“American materialist politicians, whenever they are beaten by logic, immediately put their finger on the trigger like cowboys,” he said.

“Mr. Obama, you are a newcomer (to politics). Wait until your sweat dries and get some experience. Be careful not to read just any paper put in front of you or repeat any statement recommended,” Ahmadinejad said in the speech, aired live on state TV. “(American officials) bigger than you, more bullying than you, couldn’t do a damn thing, let alone you.”

SOURCE

The madman from Iran land needs to stop watching spaghetti westerns, that much is clear.The obama clearly does not support the things that are considered to be “cowboy” traits. He has gun control ideas that no cowboy would ever consider. Cowboys consider proper gun control to be able to consistently hit the intended target. Not disarmament and the associated willingness to be a victim. Cowboys admire independence and self reliance. Not government handouts or obamacare. Cowboys “stand by the brand,” as in supporting their friends come hell or high water. Not like the obama’s treatment of our closest allies.

Lastly Mister President? Your choice of words is amusing to say the least. Should things ever get from push to shove you just might get a message from “The Cowboy State.”

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Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Local Politics Wyoming, Military Science, News, Politics, War, Warfare, Wordpress Political Blogs | 5 Comments »

Investigation reveals numerous bogus claims on Obama resume

April 4, 2010

Every so often something momentous happens in life. A Special Forces Soldier or Navy Seal does something that awakens American pride,  a Marine will display the courage and personal sacrifice that has made the Marine Corps what it is, and always will be. A Police Officer or Deputy will face down the more brutal people that inhabit our society. A Firefighter will run into a building that others are trying to escape from. A Paramedic or E.M.T. will face death simply by doing their jobs. Most often though? These things simply go unnoticed because that is the sort of thing that people like that do. Medals and publicity are more for the public than the men and women that do the hard things that are needed in today’s world.

Then there are the glory hogs. An awful lot of the time it turns out that those people simply are not what they say that they are. They come in all shapes and sizes, races, and religions. They come in all professions and trades too. Including politicians. Sometime ago, on another blog I took some serious flak when I commented that I would sooner vote for an honest reformed felon than a dishonest but un-convicted person for political office.

In the case of the current President some things just have not added up. Period.

Hat Tip to Anthony G. Martin for putting this all together.

In what is being called ‘the biggest hustle in human history,’ a special investigation has discovered numerous bogus claims on Barack Obama’s resume, including the outright lie that he was a ‘Constitutional scholar and professor.’

The claim turns out to be false.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon).

As investigators delve further into the background of Barack Obama, a disturbing picture is emerging of a man who is not who he claims to be.  The information the public has been told concerning Obama is turning out to be false–fabrications and inventions of a man and an unseen force behind him that had clear ulterior motives for seeking the highest office in the land.

According to a special report issued by ‘the Blogging Professor,’ the Chicago Law School faculty hated Obama.  The report states that Obama was unqualified, that he was never a ‘constitutional professor and scholar,’ and that he never served as editor of the Harvard Law Review while a student at the school.

The real truth is that Barack Obama was merely an ‘instructor’ at Chicago Law School, not a professor.  Commonly, instructors are non-tenure-track teachers hired by colleges and universities to teach certain courses for a salary that is well below that of Associate Professors or full Professors.

In the hierarchy of higher education, the status of instructors is below that of associate professors and professors because they lack the credentials.

In fact, it can be safely concluded that the claims of Barack Obama concerning his educational credentials and work history in higher education are a complete sham.  The President of the United States is a complete fraud.

According to Doug Ross:

I spent some time with the highest tenured faculty member at Chicago Law a few months back, and he did not have many nice things to say about “Barry.” Obama applied for a position as an adjunct and wasn’t even considered. A few weeks later the law school got a phone call from the Board of Trustees telling them to find him an office, put him on the payroll, and give him a class to teach. The Board told him he didn’t have to be a member of the faculty, but they needed to give him a temporary position. He was never a professor and was hardly an adjunct.

The other professors hated him because he was lazy, unqualified, never attended any of the faculty meetings, and it was clear that the position was nothing more than a political stepping stool. According to my professor friend, he had the lowest intellectual capacity in the building. He also doubted whether he was legitimately an editor on the Harvard Law Review, because if he was, he would be the first and only editor of an Ivy League law review to never be published while in school (publication is or was a requirement).

Thus,  the question arises, was the claim that Obama was editor of the Harvard Law Review a ‘put-up job’ as well, allowing the student to claim he held this prestigious position without having the qualifications or meeting the requirements of holding that position?  And why?

Further,

Consider this: 1. President Barack Obama, former editor of the Harvard Law Review, is no longer a “lawyer”. He surrendered his license back in 2008 possibly to escape charges that he “fibbed” on his bar application.

2. Michelle Obama “voluntarily surrendered” her law license in 1993.

3. So, we have the President and First Lady – who don’t actually have licenses to practice law. Facts.

4. A senior lecturer is one thing. A fully ranked law professor is another. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, “Obama did NOT ‘hold the title’ of a University of Chicago law school professor”. Barack Obama was NOT a Constitutional Law professor at the University of Chicago.

5. The University of Chicago released a statement in March, 2008 saying Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) “served as a professor” in the law school, but that is a title Obama, who taught courses there part-time, never held, a spokesman for the school confirmed in 2008.

These are highly disturbing facts, verified facts from the people who know at the Chicago Law School.

There is more from Ross, however:

6. “He did not hold the title of professor of law,” said Marsha Ferziger Nagorsky, an Assistant Dean for Communications and Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago School of Law.

7. The former Constitutional senior lecturer cited the U.S. Constitution recently during his State of the Union Address. Unfortunately, the quote he cited was from the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution.

8. The B-Cast posted the video.

9. In the State of the Union Address, President Obama said: “We find unity in our incredible diversity, drawing on the promise enshrined in ourConstitution: the notion that we are all created equal.”

10. By the way, the promises are not a notion, our founders named them unalienable rights. The document is our Declaration of Independence and it reads: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

11. And this is the same guy who lectured the Supreme Court moments later in the same speech?

When you are a phony it’s hard to keep facts straight.

Obama has made sure that all of his records are sealed tight.  And apart from the courageous souls at the various educational institutions who dared to speak the truth, the schools Obama claimed to attend unanimously refuse to release transcripts, records, or other bits of evidence concerning Obama’s presence in their institutions.

BREAKING DEVELOPMENT—just as these disturbing facts come to light about Barack Obama, the White House is busy making deals with numerous ‘journalists,’ promising unprecedented access to the President in exchange for refraining from reporting certain information ‘they may discover.’

For commentary on the issues of the day, visit my blog at The Liberty Sphere.

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Posted in Economics, Editorial, Opinion, Education, Law, News, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | 11 Comments »

Matt Mead: Rumor Control..?

April 3, 2010

The State of Wyoming deserves better than a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Matt Mead appears to be attempting to be something that he isn’t. Being a member of the N.R.A. does not mean that you do, in fact, support gun owners. What is Matt mead’s position on the abhorrent and immoral unconstitutional  Lautenberg Domestic Violence Act that made ex post facto law the law of the land? Does it mirror the N.R.A. position? That’s just one example of the N.R.A. playing politics with the rights of Americans. I myself will need to look more deeply into Matt Mead before I will cast any vote for him. At this juncture though, it appears that I will be casting my vote for someone else… What follows is posted with the authors permission, please follow the link for the entire story.

Bridge for sale call Matt Mead
Image – A.Bouchard

Related Articles:

Matt Mead for Governor, wolf in sheep’s clothing

Matt Mead – rejected for governor by Wyoming Gun Owners

It appears Matt Mead has been deceptive while attempting to combat his anti-gun record as a U.S Attorney. In a recent email from the Mead campaign there was as stated a “little ditty” called “Killing the Rumor Mill” in which it states the following-

“We have added this little ditty to our email updates and will have a similar feature up on our website soon. It will be used to answer questions that come up or to kill strange email rumors. Just because you read it on the internet does not mean it is true. If you believe everything you get in an email then I have a bridge to sell you. ”.

It goes on with in Q&A format with this :

Rumor: Matt Mead does not like guns.

Fact: Matt Mead is a member of the NRA, a lifelong hunter, with a lifetime small game license. Matt is also an avid gun collector.

Maybe Mead is trying to sell us a “bridge”, because I don’t believe anyone ever said that “Mead does not like guns”, and lets be real here, being an NRA member, hunter and avid collector doesn’t make one a gun rights supporter does it?

“Maybe Mead is trying to sell us a bridge”

The NRA could be considered as a “strike” against Matt Mead. Just look at what this NRA Board Member Joaquin Jackson said in support of the Clinton Gun Ban. How do you spell “elitist” gun owner?

Or, look at this state level NRA group the Wyoming State Shooting Association (WSSA) and their take on things- Wyoming’s – NRA little brother the WSSA exposes its true colors.

REAL LIFE FACT- there is documented proof that Mead has fought on the side of the BATF and against gun owners of Wyoming, PERIOD.

ANOTHER REAL LIFE FACT- Matt Mead and his VENOMOUS ANTI-GUN past will haunt him in his campaign for governor.

Full Story HERE

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Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Hoplophobia, Law, Local Politics Wyoming, Men's Issues, News, Politics, Uncategorized, Wordpress Political Blogs | 1 Comment »

Attenion G-Mart Shoppers!

April 2, 2010

Today’s green light specials are hand grenades, and Fully Automatic Rifles. We also have a limited supply of RPG launchers, and a six pack of  high explosive rockets in a money saving package that will certainly make you the talk of the block!

Well, we all know that what is above is nothing but satire, and that would be fine if certain people didn’t insist on continually telling lies. Read on…

Heavily-Armed Cartel Attacks Mexican Army;
Weapons Used Show U.S. Gun Laws Not To Blame
Friday, April 02, 2010
At the end of March, troops of a major drug cartel launched a series of attacks on military personnel and installations in a half dozen cities in the northern Mexican states of Nueva Leon and Tamaulipas. Fortunately, things did not work out as the narco-thugs had hoped. At least 18 of them are now taking the kind of siesta from which there is no awakening and, at last count, only one Mexican soldier was injured.

Contrary to the notion that the cartels depend on semi-automatic rifles bought illegally in the United States, the cartel conducted its attacks with a variety of weapons that cannot be legally bought anywhere in our country. As the Los Angeles Times reported, “In coordinated attacks, gunmen in armored cars and equipped with grenade launchers fought army troops this week. . . . The army said it confiscated armored cars, grenade launchers, about 100 military-grade grenades, [and] explosive devices” in addition to a large quantity of ammunition.

Contrast that reality with the fiction perpetuated by politicians on both sides of the border. NRA members certainly recall that soon after President Obama took office last year, Attorney General Eric Holder stated his support for an “assault weapon” ban as the solution to Mexico’s drug violence. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Cal.), the sponsor of the federal “assault weapon” ban in 1993, soon called upon President Obama to support the Inter-American Convention Against Illegal Arms Trafficking, claiming, “According to the Mexican government, about 90 percent of the weapons they seize from Mexican drug cartels came into the country illegally from the United States.” Newspapers around the country fell for the ruse hook, line and sinker, parroting the 90 percent claim, as well as the utterly absurd, mathematically impossible claim that 2,000 guns cross from the U.S. into Mexico each day.

Apoplectic anti-gun members of Congress held dozens of hearings on the Mexico situation, including field hearings along the border. At one dog and pony show in El Paso, former Democrat Party presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) obligatorily called for a ban on the importation of “assault weapons,” a ban already imposed in 1989 by the BATF (as it was then known), apparently without Sen. Kerry’s knowledge. In fact, at a hearing on Capitol Hill, Sen. Feinstein nearly burst a blood vessel when a witness refused to support her belief that 2,000 guns crossed the border every day.

U.S. politicians have since maintained a low profile on the issue, fearful of the potential for a backlash at the polls in November. Last month, however, Mexico’s president, Felipe Calderon, complained that “there are more than 10,000 gun stores along the American border with Mexico. . . . So, the United States must stop the flow of assault weapons to Mexico.”

The claim is no more true today than when it was first floated a year ago. As we have noted, most of the guns that Mexico has seized from the cartels and asked the BATFE to trace (because markings on those particular firearms indicated that they came from the U.S.) represent only a small percentage of guns that Mexico has seized.

This was stated, though not clearly, in a Government Accountability Office report last summer (see document pages 14-15). However, lest anyone be misled by GAO’s lack of thoroughness on this point, the Department of Homeland Security, in an appendix to the GAO’s report (see page 69), set the record straight.

“DHS officials separately question the statistic involving the origination of weapons as currently presented by GAO,” DHS said. “GAO asserts that, ‘Available evidence suggests most firearms recovered in Mexico come from U.S. gun dealers, and many support Drug Trafficking Organizations.’ and fuel Mexican drug violence. Using the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) eTrace data, GAO determined that about 87 percent of firearms seized by Mexican authorities and traced from fiscal years 2004 to 2008 originated in the United States. DHS officials believe that the 87 percent statistic is misleading as the reference should include the number of weapons that could not be traced (i.e., out of approximately 30,000 weapons seized in Mexico, approximately 4,000 could be traced and 87 percent of those—3,480—originated in the United States.) Numerous problems with the data collection and sample population render this assertion as unreliable.”

In the early part of the 20th century, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.” That is certainly the case in this story. As the vast scope of the Mexican drug cartels’ multi-million dollar arsenals is incrementally uncovered, the attempt by opponents of the right to arms to use Mexico’s problem as the excuse for restricting Second Amendment rights has fallen flat.

And to Mexico’s soldiers who obliterated the cartels’ punks and thugs last week, we say “buen tiro” (translation: “Good shooting”).

SOURCE

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Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Hoplophobia, Law, News, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | Comments Off on Attenion G-Mart Shoppers!

Fast Tracks, Federal Slaps, Tabor and More

April 2, 2010

The Coming Battle is, well, Coming….  We are being swamped by questions about our hopeful ballot initiative to defend Colorado from Obama Care.  The short answer is we are going through the very bureaucratic process with the state before we can hit the streets with petitions.  We should be able to get petitions out there in early April, and WE NEED HELP!  If you can volunteer to gather signatures please give us your contact information here. And if you’d like to give some cash for our fight go here.

If you help, we are going to make Colorado a sanctuary state for quality health care.

Fighting Obama Care in the Courts – Must Hear Podcast: Colorado Attorney General John Suthers joins our Research Director Dave Kopel to discuss the lawsuit he and 12 others State Attorneys General have jointly filed, that claims the health care bill recently signed by President Obama is unconstitutional because it violates the 10th Amendment. AG Suthers makes a good point: if Obama Care is allowed to ride, it will be a dangerous precedent – one from which we can never return. As the AG puts it, if the Feds can punish you for NOT engaging in commerce, is there any limit to their power? To get the whole scoop, listen to the podcast on iVoices.org.

Attacking TABOR “for the kids”?: The usual suspects have lined up to float a proposal that would exempt our state legislators from having to ask voters before raising taxes to fund education. Policy Analyst Ben DeGrow explained the problem with the proposal on a recent Colorado Springs TV news story. As a result, our young blogging prodigy Eddie added in his two cents worth, too.

Unintentional Comedy at 70 mph: As Yogi Berra once said, “It’s deja vu all over again.” Remember those FasTracks lies we’ve been told for 30 years? Well, a new report from the Rocky Mountain Rail Authority makes RTD’s distortions look like child’s play. The report claims that “high speed” rail lines between Fort Collins and Pueblo, and Denver International Airport and Eagle County – I-25 and I-70, respectively – would cost over $21 billion AND not need a dime of taxpayer money. I’ll let you finish laughing before I go on….

Further, the study claims, “for every dollar of capital and operating costs, the project creates economic benefits greater than one dollar.” If true, that begs the question: Why on earth would we need government to do it if the project is both economically feasible and profitable? The fact that entrepreneurs are not jumping all over this alleged gold mine is proof enough it’s a money loser. Obviously, I don’t even need to rely on any sort of theoretical argument here. Look at the history! Look at the empirical evidence right in front of our eyes! We’ve got a FasTracks project underfunded, over-budget, and largely unbuilt that is already over 30 years in the making.

For your viewing pleasure, an additional assortment of unbelievable claims and interesting tidbits:

  • We’re supposed to believe that this passenger rail system can be maintained without taxpayer money, while Amtrak is subsidized by taxpayers to the tune of $50 per ticket.
  • The study was funded by a firm that designs rail projects and manages construction projects.
  • That people would be willing to pay $80 round trip to Vail just to go as fast as they would in their cars.
  • That $40 ticket each way is the low cost estimate. As in, “could be as low as $40 per ticket.” Wow.
  • It projects ridership upwards of 35 million passengers a year. The Boston to Washington, D.C., corridor carries around 10 million per year.
  • About that last figure, the 35 million one, Amtrak carries around 10 million per year as well. That math just doesn’t add up.

    • These great facts and figures were brought to my attention through this fantastic Denver Post editorial and Denver Daily News piece. The DDN article features our very own Senior Fellow in Transportation Randal O’Toole. Randal has been waging a war on the bogus claims made by RTD over the years and pulled no punches on this outrageous report saying, “They’re using the most optimistic assumptions imaginable and then relying on compounded optimistic assumptions.” Yeah, kind of like compounded interest. Except with compounded optimism you don’t make money, you lose a ton and go deep into debt.

    If you haven’t had the chance to hear Randal, take a few minutes and listen. His recent appearance on my TV show Independent Thinking was an opportunity to say “I told you so” with Denver Post columnist Chuck Plunkett. Randal also presented to an audience for an event here at the Institute a little while ago titled, “Mobility vs. Gridlock: Colorado’s Transportation Future.” You can view that event via YouTube playlist here.

    Leave Our State Alone: A Constitutional Path to Prosperity: It’s no secret that University of Colorado economics professor and senior fellow Barry Poulson is a prolific writer. The man cranks out a consistent bevy of works that are both substantive and interesting (the latter being something you almost never get from an economist). His latest piece is no exception. In “Restoring Federalism and State Sovereignty: A Constitutional Path to Prosperity,” Barry gives a brief overview of how we got to where we are – states becoming more and more subservient to Federal power – and the important role the Judiciary played in steering us in that direction. (I say “steering,” but Barry would probably say “pushing.”) After years of judicial abdication bolstering Federal powers and all but eviscerating Constitutional constraints, what can we do to turn the ship around? Is it too late?

    Are teachers unions to blame?: On March 16 in New York City, a panel of three union officials and supporters (including American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten) debated a panel of three union critics (including former Secretary of Education Rod Paige) on whether teachers unions are to blame for our nation’s failing schools. Watch the revealing two-hour event, and see for yourself why most of the audience ended up agreeing that unions bear the blame. If you don’t have enough time, please read our own Ben DeGrow’s insights on the Ed News Colorado blog.

    The State Board of Ed… According to Bob: Ever wonder what the Colorado State Board of Education does? I was curious myself, so I tuned in to this two- part iVoices.org podcast between Fiscal Policy Center Director Penn Pfiffner and former Congressman and current State Board of Education Chairman Bob Schaffer. In the first installment, Bob gives listeners news from the Board – what’s going on, what they’re planning, and information regarding the “Race to the Top” funds. In the second installment, Bob goes over what the Board does, its functions, its impact, and how it shapes policy for all of Colorado’s schools.

    Must See TV: It’s Obama Care and medical privacy on this week’s Independent Thinking as the Independence Institute’s Health Care Policy Center Director Linda Gorman and Colorado Transparency Project Director Amy Oliver-Cooke join me to discuss the political and policy implications for Colorado of the recently passed federal health care reform bill (otherwise known as Obama Care), and the implications for medical privacy in Colorado should the state legislature pass House Bill 1330, the All-Payer Database, which would allow the state to collect and store your personal health care information without your consent. It’s a health care double whammy this Friday at 8:30 PM on KBDI Channel 12. Re-broadcast the following Monday at 1:30 PM.

    Perspective: In this week’s op-ed, Jessica Corry takes CU to task for not exploring all options before making their decision to raise tuition rates by the maximum 9% allowed by law. If Colorado citizens have to tighten the ol’ belt, why not CU?

    Until next week…

    Straight on

    Jon Caldara

    www.independenceinstitute.org


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    Posted in Economics, Editorial, Opinion, Education, Law, Local Politics Colorado, News, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | Comments Off on Fast Tracks, Federal Slaps, Tabor and More

    Black John McCaffery: USMC

    April 1, 2010

    Seems that things in the P.I. are not what one would think. For several years various insurgent groups have been decimating the Islands of the Philippines…

    John McCaffery, called “Black John” by the Marines that he served with would not be happy with what the current Philippine Government is proposing. No, not at all… When all hell broke loose in the P.I. at the beginning of World War Two? He was there. He spent months in the jungle fighting the Japanese. United States Marines are like that. Simple statement of fact folks…

    And now? The Government of the Philippines? Have decided that the people there are to damned stupid to properly and effectively  defend themselves!

    John McCaffery, wasted his, and Americas time…

    Read on…

    PNP wants permanent total firearm ban

    By AARON B. RECUENCO
    March 28, 2010, 4:31pm

    The Philippine National Police (PNP) wants the implementation of the total gun ban to become permanent after it noted positive results not only in the campaign against election-related violence incidents (ERVI) but also in criminal activities nationwide.

    Director General Jesus Verzosa, PNP chief, said that they have been receiving positive feedbacks from various sectors regarding the improvement of peace and order situation even in areas included in the election hot spots, including the usual troubled areas in Luzon like Masbate and in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

    “Maganda ang resulta (it has produced good results),” said Verzosa when asked why they are planning to implement the total gun ban beyond this year’s election period.

    “But we cannot decide on this matter on our own, we still have to coordinate with proper government agencies regarding this (proposal to make total gun ban permanent),” he added.

    Right now, Verzosa said that they still have to wait for the after-operation results of all the security measures they proposed since the start of the election period on January 10 such as setting up of checkpoints and suspension of all permits to carry firearms outside residence.

    “We still have to come up with the asessment which will serve as our basis in convincing concerned government agencies to agree on our proposal,” said Verzosa.

    SOURCE

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    Posted in Education, Gun Control, Hoplophobia, Law, Men's Issues, Military Science, mysandry, News, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | 2 Comments »

    The “Golden State” of my birth…

    April 1, 2010

    Said State of Gold…? Is broke. As a direct result of socialist policy’s that have been going on for decades. It is broke morally as well as financially. Don’t get me wrong on this. There are still quite a few people in California that are decent, strong, and smarter than your average hoplophobe from San Fransisco. But..? Why, in the name of God, or any of the early Californios, are these things even an issue..?

    Some things are right, and? Some things are wrong. Granted, some things are a bit gray. However? What follows clearly isn’t. Not at all. You see, these things are already granted…

    Assembly Bill 2053, sponsored by Assemblymember Jeff Miller (R-71), would clarify the current statutes for law enforcement to issue a concealed firearms license.  Under AB2053, the “good cause” stipulation would apply to self-defense, defending the life of another, or preventing crime in which a human life is threatened.

    Assembly Bill 2115, introduced by Assemblymember Steve Knight (R-36), would alter California’s concealed carry statutes by eliminating the “good cause” requirement for veterans.

    Assembly Bill 2152, simply put, would exempt honorably discharged members of the United States Armed Forces, National Guard, Air National Guard, and active reserve components of the United States from the handgun safety certificate requirements to purchase a handgun.  AB2152 is sponsored by Assemblymember Jim Nielsen (R-2).

    Please contact the members of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety TODAY and respectfully urge them to support AB2053, AB2115, and AB2152. Contact information can be found below.

    Assembly Member Tom Ammiano (D-13) – Chair
    (916) 319-2013
    Assemblymember.Ammiano@assembly.ca.gov

    Assembly Member Curt Hagman (R-60) – Vice Chair
    (916) 319-2060
    Assemblymember.Hagman@assembly.ca.gov

    Assembly Member Danny D. Gilmore (R-30)
    (916) 319-2030
    Assemblymember.Gilmore@assembly.ca.gov

    Assembly Member Jerry Hill (D-19)
    (916) 319-2019
    Assemblymember.Hill@assembly.ca.gov

    Assembly Member Nancy Skinner (D-14)
    (916) 319-2014
    Assemblymember.Skinner@assembly.ca.gov

    Assembly Member Jim Beall, Jr. (D-24)
    (916) 319-2024
    Assemblymember.Beall@assembly.ca.gov

    Assembly Member Anthony Portantino (D-44)
    (916) 319-2044
    Assemblymember.Portantino@assembly.ca.gov

    SOURCE

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    Posted in Economics, Education, Gun Control, Hoplophobia, Immigration, Law, mysandry, News, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | Comments Off on The “Golden State” of my birth…

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