Drink with Chuck Plunkett at Liberty on the Rocks

by Mike Krause | 8:37 am, September 10, 2010

Denver Post writer and editorial board member Chuck Plunkett will be the featured speaker at the next Denver Liberty on the Rocks. That’s next Wednesday, the 15th at the Uptown Tavern at 7pm. Come on out and say you drunkit with Plunkett!

Bennet, Markey, Salazar: Do fish live in the sea?

by Amy Oliver | 7:56 am, September 10, 2010

The Denver Post reports that three Democrat members of Colorado’s congressional delegation oppose Barack Obama’s plan for a $50 billion second stimulus.  Those three members — Representatives Betsy Markey and John Salazar along with Senator Michael Bennet — are all involved in tough campaigns to keep their seats in Congress. Bennet’s opposition may be the [...]

Burning the Koran

by Rossputin | 7:47 am, September 10, 2010

[Please see news update on this story at the end of this note]

Several of my friends have sent me their opinions on the plan by a small Florida church to have “Burn a Koran Day” tomorrow, the 9th anniversary of the 9/11/2001 attacks.

One said that “Petraeus and the administration should just STFU”.  (For the uninitiated, that means “Shut the F*** Up.”  He continued: “This theme that it puts our troops in danger is pure bullshit. Our free speech rights in this country do not hinge on the sensitives of Islamic lunatics or anybody else. To elevate just another case of an American exercising his right to be a jackass is to give it power and even worse it gives credence to the ’sensitivities’ of adherents to Islam.”

Another friend offered this: “The church has the absolute right to burn the koran as speech. But the simple minded want to abrogate that right because muslims will behave badly. Oh, NOT MUSLIMS BEHAVING BADLY! No matter how odious the behavior protected I am not willing to subordinate the constitution to accommodate the sensibilities of mulims. Let them behave badly. If need be…kill them and destroy their stuff. Do it with such consistency and force that they make it an article of the faith of Islam.”

I plan to talk about this on the radio show on Sunday (and would love to get your take then).  My take, after not spending too much time thinking about it, is this:

Of course the church has the right to burn the Koran or any other book.  But it’s stupid and it should be condemned for several reasons:

• The idea that it increases risk to Americans overseas is not ridiculous. In my mind, it increases the risk of non-military people, such as tourists in Indonesia, more than our troops.
• It makes American Christians (of which I am not one) look bad to non-Americans.
• It does these things with absolutely no benefit to our nation.

Look, I’m not sensitive to what people think about our nation.  But causing a few or a few dozen or a few hundred or a few thousand more people to hate and distrust America by doing something which has absolutely no offsetting benefit is just stupid.

I don’t like (or even really tolerate) Islam.  I have argued on these pages that the phrase “radical Islam” is redundant, that the religion – more like a political cult – is inherently radical.  So I don’t think I can be called some sort of apologist for Muslims.

I just think that burning a Koran is moronic…but legal.

———————–

UPDATE:

On Thursday afternoon, Terry Jones said he was suspending “Burn a Koran Day” because he had reached an indirect agreement (via a Florida imam) with the founder of the Ground Zero Mosque, Feisal Abdul Rauf, whereby the mosque would be moved.  Soon after, however, Rauf said there was no such deal, and not even an agreement to have a meeting.

At this point, it’s unclear whether the stupid event will remain canceled.  And even if it is, we’re like to see a few Koran burnings by other nitwits who think it sounded like a good idea.

It’s rather remarkable to learn that Defense Secretary Robert Gates called Terry Jones and asked him not to proceed.  Part of me hates the idea of the federal government asking a citizen not to proceed with a First Amendment right, and I’m sure many conservatives will come out with that view.  But I’m not certain it was wrong for Gates to call, as long as there wasn’t a hint of an implied threat from the government (though some might argue that the call itself could feel like an implied threat.) All in all, it’s an extremely difficult – and unncessary – situation.  The short answer: Terry Jones is an idiot.

Avoid the Boulder Marriott

by Rossputin | 7:27 am, September 10, 2010

A friend of mine who was evacuated from his home in the foothills northwest of Boulder has been staying at hotels the previous couple of nights.

He stayed at a Best Western down near Baseline Rd. and the Millenium Harvest House on Rt. 36 at Arapahoe Rd, both of which offered discounts to people who had been evacuated from their homes.

I was quite surprised when he told me that the Marriott on Canyon Rd near 26th St. was not offering a discount to evacuees, so I thought I’d check on it myself.

Turns out he was right.

I didn’t make a lot of other phone calls, but I did verify that the Boulderado and the St. Julien were offering discounts to evacuees.

To the extent that you have a choice, therefore, I can recommend that you avoid staying at or having friends and family stay at the Boulder Marriott and instead consider some of these other upstanding establishments.

Friday Funnies: Sick Puppies at Pols, Barry takes my bet – reaction to Monica Marquez pick for Colorado Supreme Court

by CTBC Director | 7:11 am, September 10, 2010

Reaction to Governor Ritter’s selection of Deputy Attorney General Monica Marquez to become Colorado’s next supreme court justice (replacing outgoing Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey, who announced in June that she would resign rather than be held accountable by voters this November) and concerns expressed by Clear The Bench Colorado regarding her positions on important constitutional questions [...]

Harsanyi Nails It: Tancredo is Unworthy of Calling Himself a Conservative

by Elliot | 7:09 am, September 10, 2010

The following is a must read Denver Post piece by David Harsanyi for anybody considering Tancredo a Conservative.  I’d love to extensively quote from it, but there is simply too much good material within.   Basic point: “Tancredo is no longer a conservative in the way most Republicans would define the idea.” Read the whole thing. I’ll [...]

“Here You Have” computer virus – not a hoax

by Rossputin | 7:03 am, September 10, 2010

Most computer virus warnings are hoaxes, or often viruses themselves.  This is not.

If you get an e-mail with a subject line of “Here you have” or “Just for you”, delete it, do not open it, and especially do not try to open any included attachment.

More info here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20100910/tc_pcworld/hereyouhavevirustriestodeleteyoursecuritysoftware

and here:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/virus-mail-spreads-online/story?id=11596433&page=1

Draw, Don’t Burn

by Ari Armstrong | 5:00 am, September 10, 2010

It occurred to me that it may not be perfectly obvious to everybody why I and many others endorsed and participated in Everybody Draw Mohammed Day but I oppose Terry Jones’s idea to burn the Koran. If you think the two acts are similar or comparable, y…

Bernie Buescher Wants Earlier Primary Election: A Viable Campaign Issue?

by Ben DeGrow | 9:40 pm, September 9, 2010

I recently reported on the Department of Defense (DoD) denying Ritter-appointed Colorado Secretary of State Bernie Buescher’s request for a waiver from the law requiring ballots be sent out to military personnel no later than 45 days before the general election. Less widely reported has been Buescher’s call to address the problem by urging the [...]

Scott Gessler and John Andrews on Regis University Radio Tonight at 6pm

by Jimmy Sengenberger | 4:29 pm, September 9, 2010

GOP Sec of State candidate Scott Gessler and former State Senate President John Andrews to discuss Colorado politics 6-7pm Tonight at KRCX.org ————————— Tonight at 6pm online at krcx.org, host Jimmy Sengenberger of the Regis University Seng Center radio show will be joined by Republican Secretary of State candidate Scott Gessler and former CO Senate [...]

Treasurer for Maes campaign resigns

by completecolorado | 2:35 pm, September 9, 2010

CompleteColorado.com can report that the treasurer for the Dan Maes campaign, Bob Balink, has resigned.  Balink also currently serves as the clerk and recorder for El Paso County.
In an email to CompleteColorado.com, Maes campaign spokesman Nate Strauch said, “Bob resigned citing the commune [sic] from El Paso County to Denver. Everything was left on good [...]

Let’s Talk About Debt Baby

by Jon Caldara | 1:44 pm, September 9, 2010

Got a spare $13 trillion to help Uncle Sam pay off the national debt? Check out Devil’s Advocate this week as I am joined by economist Linda Gorman from the Independence Institute and founder of Mothers Against Debt (MAD) Amy Oliver Cooke to discuss the both the federal debt and deficit, and the debt [...]

Andrew Breitbart to Keynote “We Are The People” Rally in Denver

by Lesley Hollywood | 11:50 am, September 9, 2010

For Immediate Release September 9th, 2010 Andrew Breitbart of BigGovernment.com to replace Janine Turner at Sept 13th “We Are The People Rally” in Denver.  Author/cable news contributor S.E. Cupp also set to speak. BROOMFIELD, Col. – The Broomfield 912 hosted event, “We Are The People Rally” has made a major change to the speaker lineup.  Conservative watchdog, Andrew [...]

Edujobs Bailout Looks Even More Like Ill-Advised Policy as Time Passes

by Eddie | 11:15 am, September 9, 2010

Hey, remember Edujobs? The $10 billion chunk of federal taxpayer change doled out to states for the express purpose of hiring and re-hiring teachers and other employees affected by a nationwide trend of crippling layoffs. What could be wrong with that? (Besides being fiscally irresponsible?)
Yesterday, the inimitable Mike Antonucci of the Education Intelligence Agency highlighted [...]

We know who you are and we won’t forget

by Rossputin | 9:17 am, September 9, 2010

As Joe Harrington’s pull-out-every-stop fanatic drive to support Dan Maes continues, my friend Joe has posted a note to Facebook listing Republicans of some note who have endorsed Dan Maes.

The title and subtitle of the note are:

List of Republicans that need to be voted out of party leadership positions and undervoted at the election.

We know who you are and we won’t forget.

I offered my strong agreement with the subtitle, as follows:

I know who all these people are, too, and I won’t forget – to support them more enthusiastically in the future for recognizing that if the GOP doesn’t stand for good, principled government, then it should be disbanded. The people who are supporting Maes simply because they are Republicans need to realize they are part of the problem.

Thanks to all of the Republicans who endorsed Tancredo – and I say that as someone who is only very slightly positive about Tancredo’s candidacy and who thinks that Tancredo can’t win this election.

I would add to this the thought that many of Maes’ supporters are Tea Party activists who don’t like the GOP, who essentially work against the party structure, and now they’re arguing that the GOP must support Maes just because he’s the GOP candidate.  These are the same people, and I with them, who refused to support John McCain notwithstanding that he was the party’s duly chosen nominee.  The hypocrisy of these people is amazing, though I really don’t think they see it because this is, for them, almost a religious adventure.

For good measure, State Senator Shawn Mitchell offered his response to Joe:

“I guess you better knit my name into your scarf as well, Joseph. I haven’t declared yet, but my best analysis makes me much more favorable to Tancredo than to Maes. Honestly though, you sound like a French revolutionary marking your list for the trundle wagons. Isn’t it possible for any of them–or us–to disagree honorably? Couldn’t good people honestly conclude that even a candidate chosen by the people hid flaws, misrepresented things, and keeps stumbling in fatal ways? Reaching a position different from yours demands excommunication? Please reconsider your position. You don’t have to agree. But do you have to insist your thinking is the only decent, honorable way to see this race and its candidates?”

Leaders Lead. Tom Tancredo, a leader called to action.

by ismith | 8:53 am, September 9, 2010

Over the weekend I attended a Tancredo for Governor Campaign Kickoff event.  The event was held at Pat Miller’s (Tancredo’s selection for Lieutenant Governor) house. Approximately 130 people showed up to support Tancredo’s run for Governor.  In addition there were two camera crews from local stations as well as about four print reporters.   The event brought together [...]

Ritter makes the ultimate PC selection

by Rossputin | 7:57 am, September 9, 2010

Perhaps in an effort to make up for his failed attempt to promote his Hispanic female employee, Stephanie Villafuerte, to be US Attorney for Colorado, our utterly worthless governor has passed over two qualified judges to select Hispanic lesbian activist Monica Marquez to replace outgoing State Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey for a two year term before Marquez must face a retention vote.

Marquez is on the Board of Directors of both the the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association and the Colorado GLBT Bar Association.  In other words, she is a full-fledged kool-aid drinking member of the left’s cult of identity politics and someone who will almost certainly be unable to rule objectively in a case where either the plaintiff or defendant is part of some (obviously oppressed) minority group.

Perhaps more disgusting than the obviously PC and far-left-pandering nature of the pick – which I had hoped Ritter would not make because he’s not running for re-election – is the fact that Marquez was the key attorney who argued (successfully, as she was arguing to a majority of leftist fellow travelers) that “fee” increases are not “tax” increases, even if such fees are not targeted to be spent by the government on particular things, and that therefore the government can effectively ignore the taxpayer-passed TABOR Amendment to the state constitution.  This is a woman who clearly is unfit to hold any office involving the public trust.

In the apple not falling far from the tree category, Ms. Marquez’s father was also a judge, about whom John Andrews wrote in 2006 that he “rank(ed) dead last (37% out of a possible 100) among the appeals court judges in our 1997-2005 scorecard of cases relating to Colorado’s economic growth, prosperity, and job creation.”  Furthermore, Judge Marquez had, according to Andrews, “what amounts to an F grade on his official performance report for retention (but with a strange recommendation to be retained anyway on a 6-4 vote of the commission).”

We’re seeing a trend here with Sotomayor, Kagan, and now Marquez:  judges whose obvious bias (including in Sotomayor’s explicit words) makes them incapable of living in a world where justice is blind.  Instead, if a participant in a case is Hispanic, female, or gay, I’d expect them to have a huge advantage in front of these women.  That very fact should have been disqualifying, but since Democrats are about anything but the Founding Principles of this nation, they are making every effort to destroy it from within while they still have the power to do so.

All we can do at this point is hope that fear of Clear The Bench Colorado will keep Marquez from being as radical as she otherwise might be, since she’s up for retention in two years.  I’m not optimistic.  I’d also note that if the GOP hadn’t selected such a disaster of a candidate, Marquez’s selection would be great fodder for the Republican candidate in the governor’s race.  As it stands, that race is lost for conservatives.

Truth in voting: Markey not a fiscal conservative

by Amy Oliver | 6:30 am, September 9, 2010

Betsy Markey continues her assault on the truth about her voting record. In a post titled “More Bailout Baloney,” Fact Check claims that Markey and several of her democrat colleagues are misleading voters with TV ads claiming they voted against TARP:
What they did was vote for a resolution to block the Treasury Department from getting the [...]

Announcing Reclaim the Blue Radio!

by Al Maurer | 10:23 pm, September 8, 2010

If you read this blog regularly you may have noticed I’ve been blogging a little less lately. That’s not because there’s less to write about but because I’m gearing up for Reclaim the Blue Radio. Starting September 18, I’ll have … Continue reading →

Announcing Reclaim the Blue Radio!

by Al Maurer | 10:23 pm, September 8, 2010

If you read this blog regularly you may have noticed I’ve been blogging a little less lately. That’s not because there’s less to write about but because I’m gearing up for Reclaim the Blue Radio. Starting September 18, I’ll have a show on KZNT 1460 Saturdays at 9am. This medium will help to get the [...]

John Salazar is Not One of Us

by PerlStalker | 8:41 pm, September 8, 2010

Health insurance premiums are going up thanks to the provisions in ObamaCare. The mandated increases in benefits are forcing many small insurers to raise their premiums between one and nine percent. Add to that the number of businesses that are looking…

Governor Ritter succumbs to special interests: Monica Marquez picked to be the next Colorado Supreme Court justice

by CTBC Director | 4:11 pm, September 8, 2010

Well, at least they won’t have to change the monogrammed towels…
Governor Bill Ritter appears to have proved the cynics right (those who argued that he would base his selection on politics, rather than judicial experience) by picking Deputy Attorney General Monica Marquez as the next Colorado Supreme Court justice (replacing outgoing Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey, who [...]

Ritter To Appoint Lesbian Activist Deputy Atty. General Monica Marquez To Colo. Supreme Court

by Laura Victoria | 1:27 pm, September 8, 2010

As anticipated, lame duck Colorado Governor Bill Ritter will appoint lesbian activist, Deputy Attorney General Monica Marquez to replace Mary Mullarkey on Colorado’s embattled Supreme Court, according to a report by the Denver Post’s top political correspondent, Lynn Bartels. Marquez … Continue reading →

Civics lesson 2010

by Rossputin | 12:41 pm, September 8, 2010

Ken Buck’s brief flirtation with repeal of the 17th Amendment provides several instructive lessons for Americans.

For today’s intellectual ammunition, may I suggest my article on the subject for the American Spectator at:
http://spectator.org/archives/2010/09/07/civics-lessons-2010

I Want Your Money – Trailer

by Mr. Bob | 11:50 am, September 8, 2010

Mr. Bob is a contributing author at the People’s Press Collective. Your source for Colorado Politics.

Ben DeGrow Shines Light on Union Opt-Out Periods in Liberty Ink Journal

by Eddie | 10:06 am, September 8, 2010

Did you know that in many Colorado school districts teachers and other employees can opt into union membership and automatic dues payments at any time but that opting out is a much trickier business? It gets even worse: Did you know in a few Colorado school districts non-union teachers and other employees have a brief [...]

Chinook Fund-Columbus Day Protest Link Raises Demand for Transparency in Hickenlooper’s Charitable Giving

by Ben DeGrow | 8:41 am, September 8, 2010

Complete Colorado broke a story late last night that adds another twist to the governor’s race — specifically tying Democratic candidate John Hickenlooper and the Chinook Fund he founded to timely financial support of the “Transform Columbus Day Alliance” and its 2007 Denver protests that led to 83 arrests. Featuring a somewhat disturbing original picture, [...]

Human Events: GOP chances to win CO governor’s race imploding

by Rossputin | 8:39 am, September 8, 2010

Although it’s slightly old news for readers of these pages, I hope you’ll nevertheless enjoy my article for Human Events on the candidacy of Dan Maes.

Please see “GOP Bid for Governor Imploding in Colorado”, Ross Kaminsky, Human Events, 9/8/10
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38894

More on the lawsuit challenging Tom Tancredo’s eligibility

by Rossputin | 7:10 am, September 8, 2010

With a few hours to reflect and a few minutes to talk to one of my wisest political friends (who shall remain nameless here), I have a few more thoughts , both legal and political, to offer regarding the lawsuit filed by Joe Harrington and Marian Olson challenging Tom Tancredo’s right to be on the ballot as a candidate for the American Constitution Party.

First, what precisely is the standing of Harrington and Olson to bring this case?  The answer: they don’t have standing.

It’s extremely difficult for people to gain the standing to sue just by being citizens who claim a rather broad “harm” which is no different than an intangible “harm” suffered by many others.

For example, attorney Philip Berg’s lawsuit challenging Barack Obama’s eligibility to be President of the United States based on Obama’s not proving that he is a natural born citizen was dismissed in 2008 by a federal judge who ruled that Berg lacked standing.  (Text of dismissal Memorandum and Order HERE.)

The odds of Harrington and Olson qualifying under the 3-pronged test laid out in the Supreme Court case of Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife (2002) are vanishingly small.  From Lujan: “When the suit is one challenging the legality of government action or inaction, the nature and extent of facts that must be averred (at the summary judgment stage) or proved (at the trial stage) in order to establish standing depend considerably upon whether the plaintiff is himself an object of the action (or forgone action) at issue. “

A court likely will dismiss this suit in short order based on multiple precedents, including Berg.

As mentioned in the comments below, if there is a specific Colorado statute giving standing to any “elector”, then my analysis of the standing issue would change.  I have not seen the statute, though Joe Harrington says it’s in there.  I’d also add that it shouldn’t take a lawsuit to get the Secretary of State to address a fundamental issue like this.

[I’ll be glad to make a modest wager (perhaps an ethanol-containing libation) with anyone (including Joe Harrington) on the issue of standing. I say the suit will be dismissed for lack of standing by Harrington and Olson.]

Second, this strikes me a bit like an in-kind contribution from Joe Harrington and Marian Olson to Dan Maes.  It appears that Harrington has given Maes the legal maximum $1050, with his wife giving an additional $525, based on the most recent filings with the Secretary of State.  To the extent that this suit is intended to further the political success of Dan Maes – the only person who might have standing to sue and would want to – the cost of the suit could be construed as an indirect contribution to the Maes campaign.  I would point out that there is probably some political benefit to Maes even if the suit gets thrown out rather quickly for lack of standing, and more importantly Joe Harrington clearly believes that.  Therefore, it is reasonable to wonder whether the legal bills should count as illegal in-kind contributions to Maes in excess of the legal maximum contribution which Harrington has already made.

I found the list of politicians to whom Joe Harrington has donated to be rather eye-opening. The list includes, in part: Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Michael Bennet, Andrew Romanoff, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Ron Paul.  You’re free to draw your own conclusions; I offer no opinion on this list, not least because I consider Joe a friend despite thinking he’s gone off the deep end with his anything-goes support of Dan Maes.

Marian Olson, on the other hand, is not a serial political donor directly (though she has given in-kind contributions, such as on THIS report), but rather a serial litigant, having sued the city of Golden at least three times in the past decade.  I guess she finds her name on a legal filing to be the equivalent of 15 minutes of fame. (See HERE, HERE, and HERE.)

Third, is this not just the latest example of Dan Maes having someone else to pay his bills because he can’t?

As mentioned above, the only people whom I can imagine having standing to sue to remove Tancredo from the ballot are other candidates in the race.  Hickenlooper wouldn’t because he wants Tancredo in the race.  Therefore, if the suit would have merit if properly filed (and I do think it could), it should be Maes who files it.

But Maes can’t afford the legal fees and he can’t take contributions from the only guy willing to foot the bill, namely Joe Harrington.  (Also, he might not want to appear to be looking to win by eliminating competition rather than defeating it, though I doubt he’d be particularly troubled about going down that road.) Therefore, just as Maes asked Freda Poundstone for money (I believe her, not him), he now has someone else paying the bill.  To be very clear, I do not believe that Maes put Harrington and Olson up to this even though I assume Harrington, one of Maes’ most vocal supporters, kept Maes in the loop on what he was doing. (It doesn’t matter if that’s the case, though.)  So, it’s not precisely that Maes asked someone else to pay the bill; it’s just that his supporters know that if they don’t pay the bill, he won’t – he can’t.  It’s all the more reason that I can’t help but think of this as a campaign contribution.

As I said in my note yesterday afternoon, just the filing of the lawsuit brings some modest benefit to Maes from Tancredo having to explain, and Harrington and Olson intend that benefit.  While the benefit to Maes will be very small indeed if the story disappears in a few hours when a judge dismisses the case for lack of standing,  Joe Harrington has said that he intends to characterize Tancredo’s candidacy as illegal no matter what our government decides.  It’s a desperate move by an apparently desperate supporter of a desperate candidate and the whole lawsuit should not be treated as anything more.

Harrington and Olson’s obvious lack of standing makes the motion and petition worth less than the paper they’re printed on.

Finally, I would note that if Tancredo’s candidacy really is in violation of the law and the APC by-laws, then the candidacy should be disqualified, as much as I would always err on the side of leaving a candidate in a race if there is doubt.  It seems to me that the APC can create enough of a reasonable doubt in this situation (not saying that “reasonable doubt” is the technical legal standard in this sort of case) that such a disqualification won’t happen.  That said, if it’s clear to Secretary of State lawyers that the candidacy is invalid, they should do their jobs without having to be sued.  I would suggest the Secretary of State lawyers render their own opinion on this issue one way or another, and that the Secretary make a public statement about it and live by it, again regardless of the disposition of this case.  Avoiding the question simply makes the Secretary of State’s office look overly political – which it is, especially this year, especially with a Democrat in charge.

Tancredo Outraises Maes 4-1

by RMR | 12:40 am, September 8, 2010

In Dan Maes’ first month as Republican nominee and Tom Tancredo’s first full month as an American Constitution Party candidate, Tom Tancredo outraised Dan Maes by four to one. During the month of August, Dan Maes raised a paltry $50,201 next to Tom Tan…

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