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Wednesday, May 24, 2006
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Patrick Guerriero to lead Gill Action Fund
SoapBlox Colorado: "Not only have the Democrats in the state legislature put the Domestic Partnership issue on the ballot, but if my memory serves me correctly, there are 3 other possible anti-gay initiatives that might make it too. To help gay Coloradans get equal treatment under the law, Tim Gill has added a respected conservative leader to lead the charge of a new politcal action group."
"denver 2006"
6:31:04 PM 
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Immigration
Thomas Sowell (via Townhall.com): "The immigration bill before Congress has some of the most serious consequences for the future of this country. Yet it is not being discussed seriously by most politicians or most of the media. Instead, it is being discussed in a series of glib talking points that insult our intelligence.
"Some of the most momentous consequences -- a major increase in the number of immigrants admitted legally -- are not even being discussed at all by those who wrote the Senate bill, though Senator Jeff Sessions has uncovered those provisions in the bill and brought them out into the light of day."
Read the whole thing, it's worth your time. Thanks to Blogs for Bush for the link.
"2008 pres"
6:27:21 PM
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Holtzman for governor?
Colorado Pols: "According to a press advisory, Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman will deliver nearly 20,000 petition signatures to the Colorado Secretary of State's office tomorrow afternoon."
"denver 2006"
6:22:43 PM
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Six degrees of separation
Bruce Schneier quotes Jonathan Farley, math professor at Harvard: "The simplest reason is that we're all connected. Not in the Haight-Ashbury/Timothy Leary/late-period Beatles kind of way, but in the sense of the Kevin Bacon game. The sociologist Stanley Milgram made this clear in the 1960's when he took pairs of people unknown to each other, separated by a continent, and asked one of the pair to send a package to the other -- but only by passing the package to a person he knew, who could then send the package only to someone he knew, and so on. On average, it took only six mailings -- the famous six degrees of separation -- for the package to reach its intended destination.
"Looked at this way, President Bush is only a few steps away from Osama bin Laden (in the 1970's he ran a company partly financed by the American representative for one of the Qaeda leader's brothers). And terrorist hermits like the Unabomber are connected to only a very few people. So much for finding the guilty by association.
"A second problem with the spy agency's apparent methodology lies in the way terrorist groups operate and what scientists call the 'strength of weak ties.' As the military scientist Robert Spulak has described it to me, you might not see your college roommate for 10 years, but if he were to call you up and ask to stay in your apartment, you'd let him. This is the principle under which sleeper cells operate: there is no communication for years. Thus for the most dangerous threats, the links between nodes that the agency is looking for simply might not exist."
"2008 pres"
6:08:21 PM
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Global warming
New West: "About half of America's hunters and fishermen have seen first-hand the impact of global warming, according to a poll released Tuesday by the National Wildlife Federation. While the 1,000-plus sportsmen surveyed voted for by a 2-1 marging for President Bush, who has sought to dismiss global warming as an environmentalist exagerration, 71% said they were concerned about diminishing fish and wildlife populations and many had seen direct impacts of climate change in the field. They also rejected the Bush Administration's fossil-fuel-based energy policy and want more conservation and clean fuels.
"In another example of outdoorsmen flouting political categories, Wyoming union workers, led by the AFL-CIO, are protesting a planned BLM drilling lease sale in the Wyoming range. The Casper Star-Tribune reports that workers fear the loss of hunting and recreation lands that their families have used for generations - and with the state's economy in an historic boom period, the jobs that drilling projects bring aren't much of an issue."
ZDNet: "Scientists who've studied the issue now almost unanimously agree that the ocean levels will likely rise at least a half a meter by 2100, and possibly more if current temperature trends and energy use continue, according to John Harte, professor of energy and resources at the University of California, Berkeley, speaking at the U.S.-China Symposium on Climate Change taking place at the school this week.
"The half-meter rise in sea levels, caused by a 3 to 5 degree increase in average global temperature, will lead to the loss of a few small island nations and severe impacts for places like Hong Kong. More intense and longer heat waves will lead to larger death counts than those seen in Europe during the summer in the past few years, Harte predicted. Polar bears will likely die off as their habitat vanishes."
"2008 pres"
6:02:59 PM
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Networks (communities) of political weblogs
Science Blog: "In another example, [University of Michigan physics associate professor Mark Newman] used the algorithm to sort a set of 1225 conservative and liberal political blogs based on the network of web links between them. When the network was fed through the algorithm, it divided cleanly into conservative and liberal camps. One community had 97 percent conservative blogs, and the other had 93 percent liberal blogs, indicating that conservative and liberal blogs rarely link to one another. In a further twist, the computer analysis was unable to find any subdivision at all within the liberal and conservative blog communities.
"'This behavior is unique in our experience among networks of this size and is perhaps a testament not only to the widely noted polarization of the current political landscape in the United States, but also to the strong cohesion of the two factions,' the paper stated. The network of blogs was compiled by another U-M professor, Prof. Lada Adamic of the U-M School of Information.
"Newman's methods have also been adapted by researchers working in molecular biology to study metabolic networks, the chemical networks that power cells in human and animal bodies. In a recent paper in the journal Nature, researchers Roger Guimerà and Luis Amaral from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., found that metabolites that straddle boundaries between groups in metabolic networks show persistence across species. Commenting on the work of Guimerà and Amaral, Newman says that this could be a sign that the division of the network into modules corresponds to different roles that metabolites play within the cell, and could suggest new directions for interpreting data on biochemical networks."
"2008 pres"
5:50:39 PM
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Dem convention in Denver?
DemNotes: "The DNC announced today that the four cities to formally submit bids for the 2008 Democratic National Convention are: Denver, Minneapolis, New York City, and New Orleans. Each have their own unique positives and negatives, but the momentum really seems to be building for Denver. DailyKos has a poll online right now, and Denver is leading the pack by a wide margin, with 50% right now! Take a moment and register your choice at:
Daily Kos."
"2008 pres"
7:09:14 AM
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McCain for President?
Don Surber: "In calling for more nukes, John McCain may have stumbled upon the issue that will power him to the presidency. America's need for energy independence is the only way to shorten this war on terrorism. Oil tends to flow to the dictators -- Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Venezeula, Iraq, Iran -- who use their riches to entrench themselves. It cannot continue."
"2008 pres"
7:07:02 AM
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Term limits for judges?
Here are some details, from today's Denver Post, on proposed initiatives to limit how long state judges can serve. From the article, "Two initiatives to limit how long Colorado's appellate judges can serve could immediately end the career of Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey and six Court of Appeals judges, lawyers and legal analysts said Tuesday. One initiative, No. 75, whose wording was approved by the Colorado Supreme Court on Monday, would limit the judges and justices to 12 years in their positions. The second initiative, No. 90, whose wording is currently being considered by the Supreme Court, would limit them to 10 years. Former state Senate President John Andrews, the sponsor of both initiatives, said late Tuesday that Initiative No. 75 would not shorten the terms of incumbent judges. But he said that Initiative 90 would have that effect. 'That is the clear meaning of the way 90 is worded,' Andrews said.
"Andrews said if Initiative No. 90 is approved by the Supreme Court in the next few weeks, a steering committee would decide which of the two initiatives would be brought to the voters...Approximately 68,000 signatures are needed to put an initiative before the voters in November...the language of Initiative No. 90 is worded in such a way that the six Court of Appeals judges and Mullarkey would probably lose their jobs immediately, said Michael Valdez, the director of legislative relations for the Colorado Bar Association."
"denver 2006"
6:52:48 AM
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Holtzman for governor?
30 Republican legislators and 9 candidates have asked Marc Holtzman to give up his campaign for governor, according to the Denver Post. From the article, "The request came as another top staffer left Holtzman's campaign, citing her concern for party unity. Even so, Holtzman reiterated his vow to stay in the race against Congressman Bob Beauprez. 'These people don't know me very well,' he said. 'I am not deterred.'
"Tuesday's letter to Holtzman, signed by Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany, R-Colorado Springs, and many of his colleagues, came one day after state GOP chairman Bob Martinez personally appealed to Holtzman to drop out of the race. The state party has expressed concern that a nasty primary could evolve into character attacks that could hurt the eventual nominee in a general election. But Holtzman, who has run as an anti-establishment candidate, rejected that request as well'"
Coyote Gulch requests that everyone back off Mr. Holtzman. We're looking forward to a cat fight in the Republican primary. 
"denver 2006"
6:48:16 AM
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New leadership at Keep Colorado Safe
According to the Denver Post, former mayor of Denver, Federico Peña, is going to be at the center of the movement to defeat the November ballot initiative that would prohibit undocumented immigrants from receiving state services.
From the article, "'The proposed constitutional amendment is mean-spirited and will hurt innocent children and create a health care crisis by denying things like immunizations for thousands of Colorado residents,' Peña said Tuesday. 'I was so troubled about it that I decided I wanted to get involved and help fight this.' Peña is now the chairman of Keep Colorado Safe, formed to challenge the proposed amendment. The initiative is the brainchild of Defend Colorado Now, led by former Gov. Dick Lamm, former Senate President John Andrews and Fred Elbel. If voters approve it in November, the amendment would keep undocumented immigrants from receiving any state or local services and would allow citizens to sue any agency or local government entity suspected of providing such services. Major state services, such as welfare and food stamps, already are off-limits to undocumented immigrants, and other services, such as emergency medical care and K-12 education, would not be affected, as they are federally mandated...
"Proponents of the initiative are collecting the needed 67,829 signatures to ensure the proposal gets on the ballot once it is approved by the courts, where it awaits review because of a challenge by Keep Colorado Safe. Meanwhile, Keep Colorado Safe is building a strategy, deciding on messaging and creating a plan for fundraising, all of which will benefit from Peña's leadership, according to political analysts. Determining what is considered nonemergency medical service is another concern for the group, as is the ability of nearly anyone to sue an agency or government worker for helping an alleged undocumented immigrant."
"denver 2006"
6:41:42 AM
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Plan for endangered species on Platte River
Here's a story from the Billings Gazette with details about a new plan for managing flows in the Platte river. The North Platte and South Platte both start in Colorado and then come together in Nebraska to form the Platte.
From the article, "A plan to accommodate both endangered species and the growing number of cities and farmers tapping the Platte River was released Tuesday with recommendations that water flows be increased and land set aside for wildlife. The final environmental impact statement represents years of legal wrangling and negotiations among the three states the Platte flows through: Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska...
"Curt Brown of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said the plan is intended to ensure there's adequate water and habitat for four species of threatened and endangered birds and fish while looking out for the water users. This is an endangered species recovery implementation program. 'There's been a loss of habitat in the central Platte Valley over the last 150 years,' said Brown, the environmental study's manager. The Platte River in central Nebraska is a major stop for migrating whooping cranes and home to the piping plover, least tern and pallid sturgeon. They're all considered threatened or endangered species. Biologists estimate whooping cranes numbered from 500 to 1,300 in the area in the mid-1800s, plummeted to fewer than 20 in the 1940s and rebounded to 215 by last February. The Platte's two branches start in the Colorado mountains, flow through Wyoming and Colorado, and merge in Nebraska. With its 15 major dams and reservoirs, the river supplies water to about 3.5 million people, irrigates farms, generates electricity through hydropower plants and provides recreation and wildlife habitat...
"Dan Luecke, a consultant for the National Wildlife Federation, is a member of the panel of state and federal wildlife and water managers and environmentalists that wrote the recommended alternative and will oversee the plan's implementation. He said environmentalists see the plan as a big move forward even if the proposed water flows aren't as much as they would like. If the habitat doesn't improve and more water is eventually needed, Luecke said water users might have to buy more or conserve more water...
"Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Don Ament said without a basinwide program, agencies or individuals needing federal permits or funds for water projects would have to come up with their own plans for protecting endangered species."
There is a lot of detail about the agreement in this report from U.S. Newswire. From the article, "The FEIS presents four alternatives for how to manage land and water resources to meet goals for protecting the endangered whooping crane, interior least tern, and the pallid sturgeon, as well as the threatened piping plover. However, the 'Governance Committee' alternative is the Preferred Alternative for implementing the Program and includes several important features:
"-- Voluntary: The Program will acquire water, land, and other interests only from willing buyers and sellers.
"-- Incremental: The Program will accomplish its goals in 13-year increments, ensuring gradual change, the ability to assess impacts, and adjust measures accordingly.
"-- Streamlined Endangered Species Act (ESA) Compliance: Currently, any proposed development project that might impact one or more of these species must undergo individual review for compliance with the ESA. The Program will allow multiple projects to be considered at the same time for ESA compliance, saving time and money while providing improved habitat for the imperiled species.
"-- Smart Water Management: The Program will make the most of what water is available in the Platte by re-timing water flows.
"-- Depletion Management: The Program will allow for future water use, finding ways to offset such use to maintain minimum flows critical for fish and wildlife.
"-- Shared Costs: The federal government will pay half the cost of the Program, with Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado sharing the other half."
The Denver Post adds this coverage of the agreement. They write, "The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on Tuesday released a plan to balance demands among Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming over the Platte River - the drinking water supply for more than 3 million people. The plan calls for increased flows on the Platte and more land set aside for wildlife in Nebraska. It also attempts to deal with needs of the growing cities along the river, agricultural irrigation, and four threatened or endangered species...
"Dams and other water diversions have narrowed the river's channels over time, making it more difficult for the species to survive. The final environmental impact statement - which took nine years to complete - recommends acquiring at least 10,000 acres in central Nebraska for wildlife habitat and increasing flows in the Platte at key times by 130,000 acre-feet to 150,000 acre-feet...
"Colorado's contribution to the plan won't require river users to curtail their consumption, said Curt Brown, the bureau's plan manager. Instead, excess flows in the winter time would be pumped and stored into recharge areas, he said...
"The plan will cost an estimated $317.3 million, with $157 million coming from the federal government and the rest from the states. Colorado expects to pay $24 million for its share. The final plan must be approved by the secretary of the Interior and the governors of the three states. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also must issue a biological opinion, which is expected in June."
Here's a short article about the agreement from the Casper Star Tribune. They write, "The final version of a plan to manage Platte River flows for endangered species conservation hit the streets Tuesday. But with more than 500 pages to wade through, Wyoming officials had yet to uncover exactly what impacts the final environmental impact statement will have on state irrigators, fisheries, reservoirs and recreationists."
Here's Volume 1, Volume 2 and a summary of the report. Thanks to the Platte River Endangered Species Partnership for the links.
"colorado water"
6:07:00 AM
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© Copyright 2009 John Orr.
Last update: 3/14/09; 8:14:25 PM.
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