Coyote Gulch

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Northside Croquet Club Game 2

The Northside Croquet Club is two games into the season. In the game 2 report they write, "That there was some extreme croquet. We don't usually have to dodge cars as part of the game. Some people even [dropped out] before the game was over. Dave won the poison battle again, this time with a double kill in one shot on John and Eric, slightly redeeming himself from his cheap win last week."

Here's the game 1 report.

9:47:38 AM

Immigration
Eyeon08.com: "So, I got the section-by-section analysis from Human Events. And I have some thoughts about the immigration bill. For most conservatives, there are two questions that matter. The first one is about border security provisions, and the second is about 'amnesty.' I'm going to address these in this post."

Andrew Sullivan: "The hysteria on the far right (is there any other sort any more?) about the immigration bill is remarkable to me. It's not that there aren't obviously good arguments against amnesty; it's the fever-pitch mania that drives these people. I have to say I find it baffling - not the position as such but the anger and rage. The obvious solution -- much better border control and some attempt to bring most illegal immigrants out of the shadows -- is obscured by emotion. The result, of course, is that the GOP has all but lost the Hispanic vote for a generation, just by the tone of their rhetoric. And they are at one another's throats. Bush, in particular, is now despised -- for a policy has always publicly supported. The suicide of the right continues, and perhaps it's for the best. If these people have not asked to be sent into the political wilderness, who has?"

Andrew Sullivan: "I know from first-hand how complex immigration paperwork and bureaucracy can be - but this bill is a door-stopper, even by BCIS standards."
"2008 pres"
8:04:44 AM

Corruption
From the Los Angeles Times "reg", "Weeks before the 2006 midterm election, then-New Mexico U.S. Atty. David C. Iglesias was invited to dine with a well-connected Republican lawyer in Albuquerque who had been after him for years to prosecute allegations of voter fraud. 'I had a bad feeling about that lunch,' said Iglesias, describing his meeting at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen with Patrick Rogers, a lawyer who provided occasional counsel to the New Mexico Republican Party. When the voter fraud issue came up, Iglesias said, he explained to Rogers that in reviewing more than 100 complaints, he hadn't found any solid enough to justify criminal charges. Iglesias recounted the episode in an interview with The Times after meeting behind closed doors with federal investigators this week to provide new details of the events leading up to his termination as U.S. attorney. He said he now believed he was targeted because he was seen as slow to bring criminal charges that would have helped GOP election prospects."

Thanks to NewMexiKen for the link.

Talking Points Memo: "The Senate Judiciary Committee hearings into the prosecutor purge scandal aren't over yet -- not by a long shot. About two weeks ago we learned that former Kansas City U.S. Attorney Todd Graves, who gave up his post last year, was the ninth prosecutor to have been purged. Early next month, Graves will get a chance to share his story."
"2008 pres"
8:01:46 AM

2008 Democratic National Convention

From today's Denver Post, "With less than two weeks to meet the first fundraising deadline, Denver officials in charge of hosting the 2008 Democratic National Convention are making a big push in Las Vegas this weekend. The Denver host committee's Steven Farber, a powerful Denver lawyer and moneyman; Mayor John Hickenlooper; and Gov. Bill Ritter are working as many as 50 potential donors - about 20 of them in private meetings - during a conference of the International Council of Shopping Centers at the Las Vegas Convention Center. 'We're close,' Farber said of the committee's requirement to have $7.5 million in the bank by June 1. 'We're getting closer.' Farber said he hopes the Las Vegas trip and a trip next month to Los Angeles will secure the commitments for the more than $40 million in cash and $15 million in services needed to meet Democratic National Committee requirements. The hard work of getting actual deposits will remain. Farber and Hickenlooper already have made a fundraising trip to New York City. Additionally, the mayor has conducted fundraising in San Diego."
"2008 pres"
7:54:42 AM

Water and power subcommittee of the [U.S.] House Natural Resources Committee meeting in Pueblo

From the Pueblo Chieftain, "A congressional committee will meet in Pueblo next week for a oversight field hearing on the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. The water and power subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee will meet at 9 a.m. June 1 in the Pueblo Community College Ballroom. The committee, chaired by Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Calif., will look at Western water projects through the lens of the Fry-Ark Project at 45 years old...

"The hearing, open to the public, will review the congressionally authorized purposes of the project, the role of the project in sustaining farms and communities, and new challenges. It is also designed to be a forum for local officials to review water supply needs and discuss water management challenges and strategies. About a dozen witnesses, including officials from Colorado state government, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, are expected to testify. At least five members of the Colorado delegation have indicated they will attend, Southeastern lobbyist Christine Arbogast told the board last week. They include Reps. John Salazar, D-Colo., and Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., who have both introduced water storage bills. Neither of the bills will be specifically considered at the June 1 meeting."
"colorado water"
7:43:47 AM

Farm disaster on the South Platte

Here's an editorial about the pending farm disaster this year up on the South Platte River, from the Greeley Tribune "reg". They write, "It's time to quit beating around the bush about the water crisis in northeastern Colorado and take some action, because the nonaction to date isn't doing any of us any good. Farmers are frustrated with the lack of legislation in the Colorado General Assembly and lack of involvement by Gov. Bill Ritter regarding water issues. But their indifference will soon take its toll on more than just the farmers. If the governor or the legislature -- or both -- don't move off their collective butts, the economy of the region will go right down the South Platte River -- and into Nebraska -- along with all the water the state has already lost this spring. No action could mean the loss of at least $12 billion to the region's economy. And we're not beating around the bush on this statistic...

"Study isn't needed. Meaningful, prompt resolution is. It's time for the governor and the state legislature to stand up to this handful of zealous water attorneys, who are ringing everything but their pocketbooks dry, and do what is right for farmers fighting to stay in business."
"colorado water"
7:25:37 AM

Whitewater economics

Here's a look at the economic benefits of whitewater rafting to the Poudre River area, from the Fort Collins Coloradoan. They write, "More than 34,500 people a year see the region through the eyes of guides who lead them down the scenic Poudre River during the rafting season's 100 days. Well-educated and affluent, the rafters bring about $3.7 million to the region in direct expenditures, such as the cost of the rafting trip itself, and $9.4 million in overall impact, including overnight stays, meals and shopping, according to a 2006 survey for the Colorado River Outfitters Association.

"That's a decent impact, but a fraction of what's possible, said Jim Clark, president of the Fort Collins Convention & Visitors Bureau, which surveyed out-of-town visitors to Fort Collins last year. The survey showed more than half of rafting customers were from out of town. They came, rafted, and left without spending much at local stores, restaurants or hotels. Of the 55.4 percent of rafters from out of town, only 12 percent stayed in the city overnight and only 14 percent ate here. 'There is an awful lot of opportunity to grow that,' Clark said. Partnerships with hotels, restaurants, microbreweries, campgrounds and other attractions could boost the rafting revenue considerably, Clark said."

Here's a look at whitewater guides from the Fort Collins Coloradoan. They write, "Rafting clients are well-educated and affluent, with average incomes about $100,000, said Blado's boss, Brad Modesitt, owner of Mountain Whitewater Descents, 1329 N. U.S. Highway 287. 'We're dealing with educated people who want to deal with educated guides who can entertain them with humor and intriguing thought,' Modesitt said. 'In the '70s we had the adrenaline seekers. Now people are really looking for professionals who treat (guide work) that way,' Modesitt said. The average education level of Modesitt's seasonal workers is "above a college degree," he said. Mountain Whitewater's guides include teachers, insurance salespeople, master's students, musicians, a couple of requisite ski bums, a fireplace installer and a stockbroker."
"colorado water"
7:12:24 AM

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