Marilyn* Musgrave and Her (You've Got to be Kidding) Base

ColoradoPols posted on Colorado Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave's maneuvers in the US House to preclude the requirement for trigger locks for hand guns. The following is just a sample of the "red" thought as opposed to "George" thought. May God have mercy on us all. Note: You may note that all of the posters on this string post anonymously except for me. Silly me...


Posted by JoseSixPack June 30th, 2006 at 5:02 am
Women and minorities (see 1930’s/’40’s Jews, or today’s Christian Sudanese) are the ones who MOST need trigger lock-free weapons in EVERY home and lots of them.

One of the things - and I’m not kidding - that keeps our own @0vernment fom creating more easily triggered “emergency” martial law plans is a well-armed citizenry.

Look it up - they are creating such lockdown plans for the citizenry over things like bird flu. BIRD FLU! If a widespread pandemic breaks out, you leftie dopesmokers can go around with trigger locks, but I’ll be cocked and loaded for when the trash of society comes to loot my abode.

Hey if it’s sucha good idea, why don’t you Stalin types runa trigger lock ballot measure? That would be fun - can we play? Please, aw, come on!!

(Disclaimer: I still believe all referenda are a bad idea even if it drives kooks like me to the polls in droves.)


Posted by Hammer June 29th, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Aristotle, you showed your colors when you invoked the famous left wing argument: “Even if it only saves one life”. What about banning abortion (and don’t give me that “stick to the subject” garbage because you can’t understand the point!). It would save millions of lives yearly. What about banning automobiles? You could save over 50,000 lives yearly in the US alone. Bystander is right. Guns kept for personal protection should be kept loaded, and trigger locks in a stressful situation can lead to accidental discharge. Gray in the mountains, 10 seconds is a death sentence in a home invasion. JoseSixPack, I agree. The family that shoots together stays together! Coldawg, show off your ignorance with your slander. Progressiveforrubenstein (was it the moronic coffin ads that sold you?), gun owners are not fearful. The Culture of Fear is made up of left wing protectionists who feel empowered when they try to dictate our lives. Get over yourselves Lefties, because none of you will get out of this life alive! Forget “if it only saves one life” wimpiness. “Live free or die” is still the best motto to live by!


Posted by Gecko June 30th, 2006 at 7:50 am
Oh yeah, gun locks are probably a good idea, for idiots. Not for me.I raised three boys to adulthood. I have a loaded pistol in my nightstand, in my wife’s purse, in the drawer in my livingroom, and a loaded shotgun by the back door.Paranoid? No. Prepared. Let some dope smoking crack addict try to get in my house or garage. The dogs will wake me and he’ll be a “make my day” statistic.Teach your kids how to respect a gun. Just like my dad taught me to respect a skil-saw. If you lose your respect for it, you will lose your digits. Lose your respect for a gun, and you will lose your life.Simple. But then maybe liberals can’t understand the concept of self reliance. They need Ma Govment to run every fucking aspect of our lives………………


Posted by George June 30th, 2006 at 8:27 am
Oh, my… I don’t really care about gun locks. The children in my house are the four-legged variety and my .38 and .45 are loaded and ready for action. What I do care about is Colorado’s shame in actually sending to the United States Congress two ignominious flatlanders (flatlanders=those who would be as comfortable living in Topeka as well as Loveland; those who still believe the world is flat; those who consistently ride the hot button train ala GW); yes, “Potted Plant” Allard and the blond “Musk Ox” Musgrave (Lordy, she’s put on weight!) remain Colorado’s shame. Shall I quote the Musk Ox: “Mandating gun buyers to pay for a gun lock is not makinng America safe. It just is making guns and self-defense and personal protection more costly.” Ah, your misplaced adverb grates, madame Ox. So does your consistent, predictable shameless play to the inveterate base whose holy mantra remains: “My gun don’t kill people, hoss, people kill people.”

Yup, queers, guns, wetbacks and fetuses (who, by the way become children who, incidentally, occasionally find their daddy’s .357 under the mattress and shoot their play pal in the f’ing head ’cause daddy’s got these f’ing rights under the Second Amendment and all and you can pry this gun from my… You get the point!); yup, it’s playin’ to the base, stupid.

Marilyn “Musk Ox” Musgrave just simply needs to hang it up. She is shamefully inept as a U.S. Congresswoman and really, really needs to get on that Jenny Craig thing–you know, a diet.


Posted by Scubaman June 30th, 2006 at 10:34 am
2849 children and teens die from handguns (mostly teens in gang wars who probably would know how to unlock the gun) and some idiot wants 150 million gun owners inconvenienced? Punish the very few irresponsible parents who let a child kill itself - not the entire population! Marilyn Musgrave is a courageous legislator and I salute her - and will certainly not vote for the incompetent running against her.


Posted by George June 30th, 2006 at 12:05 pm
Scubaman does entertain. Certainly, as he says, “…parents who let a child kill itself…” is a reasonable place to hang your hat. I’m sure there are parents all over the country who let children kill themselves with handguns: “Here yah go, Johnny. That’s the trigger, that’s the barrel, thems the hollow points. Now, get your ass out there in the street and kill yor’sef!”

Right? Certainly!

Brilliant! Simply brilliant!

But wait! There’s more. “Marilyn Musgrave is a courageous legislator…” Oh my God, I’ve never viewed her that way. I’ve never considered the courageousness of a legislator who does pretty much absolutely nothing except play to their base. (The gay marriage thing is coming up again in July, right?) Well, you go girl. We salute you. Ain’t nothin’ really more important in Congress than tap dancin’ to your base. Ain’t no queers in the flatlands anyhow!

*This post used to be titled: "Marilyn (Musk Ox) Musgrave and Her (You've Got to be Kidding) Base." But "Musk Ox" was a little over the edge, me thinks. I'm sure she's sensitive about her weight and it benefits no one to make such tacky albeit fairly accurate observations.

Double Crested Cormorant - Rocky Mountain Park Lake

Double Crested Cormorant - Rocky Mountain Park Lake, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

This marvelous creature was sunning itself on the banks of Rocky Mountain Park Lake this morning. Seldom have I been able to get this close to these guys.

Sinking To New Low - Farting In Your Cubicle

Sweet Melissa

Sweet Melissa, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

This week's mandatory pic of Sweet Melissa. She gets a rawhide chew only about once a month now (that's what's sticking out of the right side of her mouth). Ah, ecstasy is a rawhide chew!

Ignoble Catholic Bugaboos

An article in the Rocky Mountain News this past Wednesday, "Catholic Church pushes for ballot measures on abortion, marriage," written by Jean Torkelson, tells us that Chaput's Catholic Church is busy inculcating its 370,000 sheep with an ignoble rhetoric of fear with regard to samesex (let's just make it one word, shall we) marriage and late term abortion, both of which will appear on the Colorado ballot in November.

Archbishop Charles Chaput declares in the article that, "If these important measures do not get on the ballot in November, we will have failed to add to our state laws a strong measure of respect for our families and new life." Chaput's forum: the Denver Catholic Register.

The article also reports that Colorado Springs (Jim Dobson country) Bishop Michael Sheridan is writing a series of articles addressing the ballot measures for the Colorado Catholic Herald.

Last week, Bishop Sheridan's rhetoric instructed his sheep that freedom of religion itself is in jeopardy if the anti-samesex marriage amendment does not appear on the November ballot. Indeed, Sheridan wrote, "If same-sex marriage is legalized here, churches that refuse to perform these 'weddings' could lose their tax-exempt status ... and any religious teaching which condemns homosexual acts (would be) considered hate speech and is punishable by imprisonment. This reduces the Christian view of marriage and sexuality to bigotry."

The Constitution of the United States of America

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The website, U.S. Constitution Online, notes with respect to the First Amendment that, "In my opinion, the single most important part of the Constitution. Some of the first colonists of the nation for which the Constitution was written had been seeking to escape religious persecution. The constitutions of several of the states prohibited public support of religion. And above all, the many varying sects of Christianity in America required that to be fair to all, there could be preference to none. It would have been disgraceful for anyone to wish to leave the United States because of religious persecution. So they decided it best to keep the government out of religion. Now, this is not to say that the United States was not or is not a religious one. Religion plays a big role in the everyday life of Americans, then and now. But what they were striving for is tolerance... something I fear contemporary Americans are lacking."

Bishop Sheridan should be absolutely embarrassed and his sheep, his flock should be outraged with the Bishop's patronization of their intellect. One of the components of the foundation of this great country, a substantial piece of the bedrock of this nation is the concept of the separation of church and state. Granted, Dubya has managed to cross that line in providing federal funding to religious institutions to do "good works." My only problem with that is, of course--and I would challenge anyone to refute this--those federally funded "good works" through religious entities surely, undoubtedly, indubitably (three adjectives should be sufficient) come with, oh, shall we say a little preachifyin', a little "good time" smile toward the altar of Christian redemtion. Certainly, brother, we'll ladle ya'll up some soup and give ya'll a mattress to rest your weariness, but first, well, can I hear an Amen!

If Colorado Catholics believe that churches--regardless of denomination--will lose their tax-exempt status because they won't perform samesex marriages and that their stand against what they consider bibically condemned homosexuality will be considered "hate speech" and punishable by imprisonment; yes, if Colorado Catholics believe this cock and bull bugaboolian (what a great new word!) bullshit from Bishop Sheridan is "gospel" then shame on them. Shame on them for forgetting what country they live in. Shame on them for forgetting the promise of the Constitution. Shame on them for allowing the "princes" of their church to condescend, to raise demons where there are none, to blaspheme the divinely inspired imperative that the human mind should, must think for itself.

I grew up Catholic. I must admit I was never able to wrap my mind around the three persons in one thing: the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Who is the Holy Ghost, by the way? Believing in these kinds of propositions require blind faith, which, sorry, I've never really been able to succumb to. Yeah, I know. I need no reminder of the essence of Christian belief.

If Tertullian gave voice to fact-in-faith that the, "...blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church...," then let me suggest that the ignoble bugaboos promulgated by the Catholic Church are the stuff of hypocrites and the dull-witted whose egos understand (and long for) the logic of theocracy; whose hearts have turned their backs on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

This is the United States of America, for Christ's sake people. We have a Constitution. We have the First Amendment. Do you really believe Chaput's and Sheridan's fearmongering trump those sacred documents? Do you really?

Cheney - The Dark Side - PBS Frontline Tonight

If you care, go to www.pbs.org/frontline for time and station.

Read the Boston Globe teaser on the program

Big Blue Bear - Hick and Rick Fumble - Don't Get Grease on my Street!

The Big Blue Bear and the Dying Grass Saga

There was an article in one of the Denver dailies (can't remember which one and can't find it online) that reported the big blue bear sculpture ("I See What You Mean") that stands peeking into the glass face of the Colorado Convention Center (that's David standing at the base of the wonderful piece) has attracked so many folks to want stand next to it for picture-taking purposes that the grass is dying from the trampling. The media story reported that the folks at Denver's Theaters and Arenas Division just didn't anticipate that such a thing would happen; didn't realize so many folks would want to have their picture taken next to the bear. So, they--the Hickies (Mayor Hickenlooper troops)--are going to resod the area around the big blue bear.

I had a silly thought that the dying grass at the feet of the big blue bear might be caused by something else; bears do need to wee wee occasionally. But, that's silly. It's not a real bear, for heaven's sake.

But, Theaters and Arenas brilliant resolution to handle the dying grass issue is interesting, isn't it. The sod is dying because so many people want to stand on the sod, next to the big blue bear, to have their pictures taken. So, will replacing the sod preclude the folks from standing on it to have their pictures taken, which thus, yes, will, once again, slowly kill the new sod? I don't think so. DUH!

But, such are the Hickies. What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result.

Anyway, I love the big blue bear.


Hick Fumbles

The Rocky Mountain News has been quite responsible (unusually so, given their sick infatuation with Mayor Hickenlooper) in reporting quite a number of serious lapses in Hick's administration. For example, there was the loss of a file cabinet by Denver's Election Commission that contained voter registration data, including social security numbers, on about 150,000 Denver residents. A Hickenlooper appointee, Clerk and Recorder Wayne Vaden, is a member of the Election Commission and directs the day to day operation of that agency.

Contradicting the Election Commission's claim that they became aware of the loss of records just recently was this story indicating the City Attorney advised the Election Commission of the lost records months ago.

Then, there's a post (included verbatim, below) from the website, ColoradoPols, that questions Hick's City Attorney's diligence in this whole mess:

FYI. Apparently Councilwoman Marcia Johnson's aide learned of the situation. According to press reports, Johnson sent an email to the City Attorney expressing concern. This was the first of April. That is where the story gets interesting. The only thing that seems consistent is that Finnegan acknowledges getting the email. But then the accounts constantly change.

First it was reported that Finnegan says that he emailed Vaden on April 7. Vaden and other Commissioners and senior staff, claim they never got an email. Later it was reported that actually Finnegan had not sent the email. He says he thought someone else in the City Attorney's office sent it. Now, apparently he is saying that he thinks he spoke to Vaden about it.

Whatever actually happened, the Commission eithedidn'tdn't know or were lying because they continued to deny that any records were missing until early June. As I stated earlier, the real issue here is that frankly even if Finnegan had actually sent an email (which apparently he did not) that was not enough. This is potentially a serious enough issue that a much more aggressive action was warranted, certainly a much more aggressive action with regard to ensuring that the Commission was indeed aware of the missing records.

The blog, "Heartbroken Tiger," provides some inside information on Hick's Election Commission fumble.

Then, lordy, there's this in this morning's News with regard to highly placed officials at Denver International Airport ripping off the system by taking unauthorized leave and trips to Hawaii on the City's dime. Yes, Denver International Airport is an agency of the City and County of Denver. It's management is appointed by the Mayor. But, then, as Hick has announced on other matters, he really doesn't think the "buck" stops on his desk.

Oh, what a tangled webb we weave.


Rick Garcia Fumbles

The City Councilperson who represents the district in which David and I live is Rick Garcia. The following is an email I sent to Councilman Garcia on March 7th, 2005:

Councilman: As a constant supporter of the proposed improvements to Berkeley Park via the excellent Master Plan recently completed, how is funding for even the most modest of improvements going to be gained, when the Mayor is reluctant to place anything on the ballot except bond funding for the "justice center?"

Also, a stop light or four-way stop at the intersection of Julian and 32nd Avenue would be very, very helpful for pedestrians. I'm amazed that someone has not been killed at the intersection, given the amount of traffic, both cars and people who utilize that particular intersection at all times of the day.

Thank you for your consideration of these issues.

Garcia's response came on March the 7th, 2005:

George, great questions. First, I will begin pushing for a parks and recreation bond issue to fund the bigger items suggested in the Berkeley Master Plan. These issues usually come about once every 7 to 10 years. We are scheduled for a capital improvements bond probably in the 2007 range. The smaller and less complicated items in the plan will be advanced as Capital Improvement Project items in the annual parks process. Regarding the Justice Center bond issue, I was adamant that the bond capacity proposed to fund this project would not lock up all GO funding for other projects in the city. The Justice Center financing program does leave a fair amount of GO funding available without increasing current property tax rates. Of course, the Mayor and Council could also requests a tax increase to fund additional projects like parks improvements, but that would require a vote of the people as well.

The 32nd and Julian site has been problematic with high volume and fast traffic for some time. The request for a 4-way stop-sign as been made in the past to Public Works. For whatever reason, PW has not seen the need. I will however, request another review and attempt to see this through myself. I will follow up with you. Thanks, Councilman Rick Garcia

Great response. I was hopeful that my councilman would, as he promised, follow up with me. However, the next communication between us came more than a year later (June 9th, 2006), as follows:

Councilman: Since it's been over a year since the below exchange in which you noted, "I will follow up with you," suffice it to say, I'm still waiting. Another issue: Is fifty or more percent of the Highland Park grass deliberately being allowed to die by Parks? Yes, some sprinklers are operable but, apparently, most aren't and it appears no irrigation system maintenance is being done. Other parks are, of course, showplaces, adorned with flowerbeds and gorgeous lawns. Highland Park seems to be Park's neglected stepchild. Yes, yes, I know about the Highland Park Master Plan. But, as we both know, that plan encompasses--at this time--a veritable dream. Can you also advise (as you noted in your prior communication) what efforts are being made to put a bond issue to the voters that would include most, if not all, of the improvements contained in the Berkeley Master Plan?

Thank you

To date, I have not heard back from Councilman Rick Garcia. Should I be a little irritated with that? I think so. Yes, I think I will be irritated.

Don't Be Gettin' My Street Greasy

In a prior post I recounted David's and my trek to Denver's La Plazza dell'Arte festival in downtown Denver this past Sunday.

The owner of one of our favorite restaurants was one of three food vendors at that event. As he was grilling up his fare, a young man from Denver's Wastewater Management Division (why Wastewater and not Street Maintenance, I have no idea!)--with clipboard in hand--approached him and said, "You're going to get grease on my street. You need to cover the street so you don't get grease on my street."

Now, I was an insufferable bureaucrat for twenty-three years myself and I know the bureaucratic temptation to view public facilities with a possessive eye. But, I never did. I understood that public facilities belonged not to me--as a public official--but to the people, the citizens, the taxpayers. Indeed, the city is the people.

Our restaurateur friend pacified the bumbling, officious, self-important bureaucrat by throwing towels on the street within his little twelve foot square vending space. And, no, I don't care if there was a condition of the permit allowing our friend to vend food upon a city street that required "protection" for the surface of the street from food oil spills (Jesus, man... How many oil-leaking clunkers pass over that street in a day anyway). No, I don't really care. What I care about is that the lame-ass, officious little son-of-a-you-know-what bureaucrat understands that the damned street ain't his. It's mine and yours and yours and yours and yours and... Well, it's the people's street, Goddamnit!

Question though: Why is that one block of Larimer Street (Dana Crawford's crown jewel) paved in concrete, when most every other street in Lodo is paved with asphalt??? Legitimate question that, I believe, probably has a legitimate answer.

La Piazza dell'Arte Festival

Denver's Larimer Square (Lodo) was the scene of the fourth annual La Piazza dell'Arte festival yesterday and today.

From the event web site: "HISTORY - The event follows street painting traditions that originated in 16th century Renaissance Italy when artists began transforming asphalt into canvas using chalk. The artists were called "madonnari," after their customary practice of recreating chalk paintings of the Madonna. Historically, madonnari were known for their life of travel and freedom, making their living from coins received from passers-by."

David and I hiked downtown from our West Highlands home this morning. The street painting with chalk was really incredible. Here are a few shots: (Remember, these are chalk drawings on the street!)

La Piazza dell'Arte Festival - Continued

Just a few more shots:

I Ain't No Georgia Peach - Georgia's 8th District Congressman, Lynn Westmoreland

Westmoreland appeared on Stephen Colbert the other night. Why do these guys agree to do this? I mean, are they just stupid? Um, well, YEAH!

NOTE: Press "Enter Now" in the middle of the page to see the video.

Columbine Remembrance

Suz At Large provides a very eloquent, heartfelt picture of yesterday's memorial service at Columbine High School. Give it a read.... Good stuff.

Hickenlooper Question

Since you're buyin' this guy's snake oil, would you buy a used car from him?

Now, don't get mad! Just asking.



Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper in a 2006 photo. (Post / Craig F. Walker)
Denver Post

It's Playin' to the Base, Stupid!

Ed Stein's cartoon from this morning's Rocky Mountain News is, or course, worth a thousand words as was Mike Keefe's (see below) of several weeks ago.

How stupid is the Republican party. Or, indeed, how stupid does Dubya and his minions believe the American people to be?

Election years just seem to bring out the "best" in politicians.














And, Suz At Large reminds me of another of Mike Keefe's insights from yesterday.

Sweet Melissa

Sweet Melissa, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

Thought I'd hark back just to March for this week's Sweet Melissa pic. In spite of a record 102 yesterday, you do remember the three sublime inches of snow we had in March. Ah....

Sunday, Bloody Sunday

This eerie parody of U2s, "Sunday Bloody Sunday," performed by our esteemed leader, Dubya, is almost frightening. His henchmen, including the nodding Congress, seem somehow evil... But, then, that's just me... :-]

The words:

Yes...
I cant believe the news today
Oh, I cant close my eyes and make it go away
How long...
How long must we sing this song?
How long? how long...
cause tonight...we can be as one
Tonight...
Broken bottles under childrens feet
Bodies strewn across the dead end street
But I wont heed the battle call
It puts my back up
Puts my back up against the wall
Sunday, bloody sunday
Sunday, bloody sunday
Sunday, bloody sunday (sunday bloody sunday...)
(allright lets go!)
And the battles just begun
Theres many lost, but tell me who has won
The trench is dug within our hearts
And mothers, children, brothers, sisters torn apart
Sunday, bloody sunday
Sunday, bloody sunday
How long...
How long must we sing this song?
How long? how long...
cause tonight...we can be as one
Tonight...
Tonight...
Sunday, bloody sunday (tonight)
Tonight
Sunday, bloody sunday (tonight)
(come get some!)
Wipe the tears from your eyes
Wipe your tears away
Wipe your tears away
I wipe your tears away
(sunday, bloody sunday)
I wipe your blood shot eyes
(sunday, bloody sunday)
Sunday, bloody sunday (sunday, bloody sunday)
Sunday, bloody sunday (sunday, bloody sunday)
(here I come!)
And its true we are immune
When fact is fiction and tv reality
And today the millions cry
We eat and drink while tomorrow they die
The real battle yet begun (sunday, bloody sunday)
To claim the victory jesus won (sunday, bloody sunday)
On...
Sunday bloody sunday
Sunday bloody sunday...

Dubya "Curious George" Raps

Highland Park - Shameful Neglect - Heads Up Councilman Rick Garcia

Highland Park is located in Northwest Denver at 32nd and Federal. The park consists only of about two square blocks and is anchored at the northeast corner by the Woodbury branch library. The park sits at the eastern edge of what is known as the West Highlands neighborhood. West Highlands was, I've read, originally--mid to late nineteenth century--populated with those who abhorred the evil, freewheeling vices of the City of Denver that sat down in the valley of the South Platte river, and east across that river where the lowlands kept council with the devil. The West Highlands neighborhood is, indeed, located upon a rise north and west of the core city of Denver. The neighborhood, from its earliest beginnings, eventually became the home to many, many Italian and Irish immigrants. Later--following a pattern that has been seen in most cities across the country--when the Italian and Irish moved out, the newer immigrants moved in (in this case mostly Hispanic). And--again following that pattern--the neighborhood declined significantly and then gradually became revitalized, as it is today, by the efforts of progressive, egalitarian, mostly young folk who transformed the neighborhood into a trendy, multi-cultural space where Victorian structures are cherished and lovingly restored; where curio and clothing shops, restaurants and coffee houses abound.

Jerome C. Smiley's folksy and utterly effusive, "History of Denver," notes that Highland Park was "new" park as of the writing of that substantial tome. The "History of Denver," was published in 1901. Therefore, I suspect the founding of Highland Park was quite near that publication date.



Sweet Melissa and I used to run the circumference of the Berkeley Park lake every morning. But, then, her hips began to deteriorate--she will be thirteen in September--and, for about a year now, we've replaced our morning run with walkies that eventually, almost daily, lead us to nearby Highland Park.

Let me show you the state of this tiny park's lawn.


And, highland Park's amenities... You'll note the elegant "restroom" facilities; the playground equipment and the basketball hoops that were not so long ago erected upon the ruins of what were once tennis courts.

Now, let me repeat a part of an earlier post with regard to Denver's Parks: "Barnes-Gelt also tells us that the manager of parks and recreation, Kim Bailey, is one of the diamonds in the Hickenlooper administration because she's reactivated five of Denver's water fountains. This, in Barnes-Gelt's mind, is a rejuvenation of Denver's City Beautiful legacy from the dawn of the twentieth



century. (These are not the fountains that provide you with a drink. These are the fountains you, um, watch.)I love those fountains. But, guess what. The infrastructure of all Denver's parks is in horrible shape. There is no money in the honey pot to improve those components of a public parks and recreation operation that provide, not prettiness, but usefulness to the citizens of Denver. I guess one's meditation might be enhanced by the sound and sight of a fountain in a park. But, truth is, fountains are one of the most costly, maintenance intense endeavors a municipality can undertake."

May I suspect that the tiny Highland Park's irrigation system is pretty much kaput? May I suspect that the immense amount of money Denver's Manager of Parks and Recreation, Kim Bailey, has authorized to get those lovely fountains working (ala "City Beautiful") could have been used to revitalize the Highland Park irrigation system? May I conclude this evocation of a bygone era where lovely spraying fountains defined a "beautiful" city has little worth, little credence when the basic infrastructure of the Denver park's system is for shit?

One other thing about Highland Park that disturbs me is this protective cover (for, I assume, an above ground irrigation gadget) on a concrete pad that was installed not very long ago. Now, when it was first installed it was level. Now, as you can see, we've sunk into the ground on the left side about an inch or inch and half. If a vendor provided this pad and cover, has Parks pulled their bond? Clearly the work was substandard. If Parks did this job themselves, then, well... What can I say.

Okay, finally... Hey, Councilman Garcia, good buddy, whadaya think? What's goin' on with Highland Park? Yeah, I know you've got your priorities. I know you've (with citizen input) come up with a "Master Plan" for Highland Park that is--and I know you would agree with me--a fairy tale on paper designed to please the masses (an opiate of the people) that will never, ever get off the ground until a general obligation bond issue is passed. But, hey, can't we just water the lawn in that tiny two square block park? Huh, can't we?

Olbermann Takes on Nutcase "Screech" Coulter

Press "Launch" to see video.

An Expectation of Gay Sex Knocking on the Front Door

My friend Suz At Large shared this post from another site.

Our salvation is in our humor. This just hit the spot.

Sweet Melissa

Sweet melissa, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

This week's Sweet Melissa appearance. Such a noble nose!

Jon Stewart v. Bill Bennett - Gay Marriage

Fags and Flags

In case you haven't heard, the vote in the United States Senate to invoke cloture on SJ Res-1, the so-called, "Protection of Marriage Amendment," did not receive the required sixty votes to pass. Therefore, for all intents and purposes, the kowtow to far right fundamentalistic Christians--protect marriage, ya'll--to amend the United States Constitution to that particular end, is dead. For now, at least. It's a good bet that Colorado's Senator Wayne "Potted Plant" Allard will bring the issue to the floor again and again and again. After all, it's the only thing the pitiful dullard does all year for the flatlanders up north. (Note: According to my definition, you can live up north and not necessarily be a "flatlander." A "flatlander," by the way, still leans toward the belief that the world is flat and, in addition, would be as comfortable living in Topeka, Kansas and in, oh, say, Loveland, Colorado.)

The supporters of this ignoble attempt to pullback and reign in their Christian wingnut base (a base that threatened wholesale abandonment of their Republican Party come this November if the amendment were not put on the table again) gained one yea vote over the 2004 totals. 2004: 48yea, 50 nay. 2006: 49yea, 48nay. Once again, 60 votes were needed to pass this ridiculous bill. Interestingly, however, there are three additional Republicans in the Senate this year as opposed to 2004.

It is important to note that DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act--which Bill Clinton signed, by the way (and, indeed, wasn't it Bill Clinton under whom the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," abortion was accomplished!) establishes the definition of marriage as solely between one man and one woman. DOMA also evokes the power of Congress under the "Effect" clause of Article IV, Section 1 of the constitution, known as the "Full Faith and Credit Clause," to preclude the necessity of any state to honor the marriage of a same-sex couple that occurred in another state. Citing the realities of DOMA in one sense obviously precludes the necessity for an Amendment to the United State Constitution and, in another, begs for the larger argument which Justice Kennedy noted in Romer vs. Evans that, "We must conclude that Amendment 2 classifies homosexuals not to further a proper legislative end but to make them unequal to everyone else. This Colorado cannot do. A State cannot so deem a class of persons a stranger to its laws. Amendment 2 violates the Equal Protection Clause, and the judgment of the Supreme Court of Colorado is affirmed." You may recall Amendment 2 was a successful referendum that precluded all legislative, executive, or judicial action at any level of state or local government designed to protect the status of persons based on their ``homosexual, lesbian or bisexual orientation, conduct, practices or relationships."

So, sue me, if I cannot see the compatibility of DOMA with Romer vs. Evans. Isn't there still the larger issue to be resolved? Are gay folk "equal" under the promise of the United States Constitution?

As to an amendment to the United States Constitution with regard to flag desecration... This is, of course, another hot button issue that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (you remember him, don't you, making a diagnosis on the Senate floor in the Terry Schiavo case? Real class act.) is brining up next in order to, yes, solidify that God-fearin' base for this November's elections.

My view of this one--although I was surprised how abhorrent I found it when the Fred Phelps folks showed up from Topeka (you know, the "God Hates Fags" good Christian folk who picket funerals of fallen soldiers!) and three or four of their group stood on American flags, walked on the flag, scuffed their feet on the flag. It bothered me. It still bothers me.

But, an amendment to the United States Constitution limiting that particular expression of free speech (as flag desecration has been found to represent is prior SC decisions)? Nah, I just don't see it. Those who desecrate the flag should, ahem, be punched in the Goddamn face. The Constitution doesn't need to deal with this ignominiousness behavior. Let a vet handle it.

Dubya Pontificates on Border Issues (While "Guest Workers" Hop the Fence Behind Him!)

Sloan's Lake - American White Pelicans

Sloan's Lake - American White Pelicans, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

Pelicans on the lake this morning. Magnifiscent birds.

Mike Keefe's Cartoon - Denver Post June 3, 2006

Mike Keefe's Cartoon - Denver Post June 3, 2006, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

Yup, Keefe nails it again.

Sweet Melissa

Sweet Melissa, originally uploaded by George In Denver.

A little snooze on a hot day. (Obligatory weekly Sweet Melissa pic.)

Colorado Senator Wayne Allard's Colorado Cadillac, Perhaps?

And, The Battle Begins

Okay. The battle is about to begin. The premiere photos (four each) above are Colorado Senator Wayne Allard, Dubya's buttboy, who introduced the so-called "Marriage Protection Amendment" in the United States Senate.

The next pic is of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist who has recently announced that the most important issues facing the American people in the 2006 elections are the Marriage Protection Amendment and an amendment to the Constitution that would outlaw desecration of the flag. Guess what base he's appealing to?

Now, the last pic is our leader, George W. and his kissin' cousin Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, who also is workin' the hot buttons, "defense of marriage amendment," and flag burning.

Incidentally, Time Magazine today identified Senator Wayne Allard as the "The Invisible Man." The article reads, in part: "In a Senate full of ambitious members, Colorado Republican Wayne Allard is so bland that his critics have dubbed him 'Dullard.'"