Coyote Gulch

Monday, January 3, 2005

Coyote Democrat
MakesMeRalph: "For those of you not from the West, Coyotes are a Darwinian success stories and managed to adapt to the coming of White America in ways that bears, wolves and Native Americans did not."
7:02:16 PM

Colorado Water
Cortez Journal: "The combined average of the San Miguel, Animas, San Juan and Dolores river basins was at 110 percent Thursday afternoon. Last week's average (reported from Dec. 23) was 98 percent."
6:25:07 PM

Asian Tsunami
Bull Moose: "The Moose applauds President Bush for a gesture of national unity."
6:07:56 PM

Delay Rule
Josh Marshall: "One person who thinks this is a bad idea is Joel Hefley of Colorado, the Chairman of the Ethics Committee and perhaps better known to you as a member of the Shays Handful.
6:02:17 PM

2004 Presidential Transition
President Bush heads to Washington D.C. to start work in earnest for his second four years, according to the Denver Post [January 3, 2005, "Bush to hit 2005 running"]. From the article, "A packed calendar awaits President Bush after his vacation in Texas: filling a gaping hole in his Cabinet, preparing his inaugural and State of the Union speeches, finalizing a new budget, keeping close watch on the upcoming elections in Iraq and promoting his second-term agenda. Fresh from seven days at his ranch, Bush planned a meeting today with newly elected members of Congress. Already, battle lines are being drawn on Capitol Hill on the president's proposals to simplify tax laws, partially privatize Social Security and rein in medical liability lawsuits."
One issue that is high on the agenda will be the appointing of federal judges. TalkLeft writes, "The President rules only one branch. Checks and balances have never been more important. Because his appointees will serve for life, it's critical that the Senate remains vigilant. It will, if you do your part and email or telephone your Senator whenever a critcal judicial nominee is up for hearing. We'll keep you posted. Then you need to do your part."
6:49:55 AM

Denver November 2004 Election
Here's an article about the influence of groups outside of campaigns on the recent election, from the Rocky Mountain News [January 3, 2005, "Outsiders fueled election"]. From the article, "Outside groups raised more than $7 million to influence key state legislative races this year, more than double what the candidates raised themselves. The result was a $10 million political slugfest that stuffed mailboxes with fliers, clogged telephone lines with messages and saturated air waves with commercials, many of them negative. Candidates paid workers to wave signs on street corners, while independent committees paid hundreds to walk neighborhoods delivering campaign literature door-to-door."
Here's a background article about John Suthers from the Denver Post [January 3, 2005, "Heavy hitter's light touch"]. Mr. Suthers is expected to breeze into Senator-Elect Ken Salazar's empty Attorney General slot since being appointed by Governor Owens. From the article, "But Suthers uses a light touch as an administrator and has preferred consensus over controversy throughout his career, according to friends, former employees, and legal and political adversaries."
6:26:43 AM

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