GreeleyReport.com - Greeley's New Media balance

Why Evil Persists

A number of good proposals have come to committee this session, but have been repeatedly shot down.  Senator Renfroe proposed the elimination of red light cameras based on hard data proving that they are nothing more than hazards and revenue generators.  The bill failed in committee.

Another committee failure was a bill that may directly impact you.  Demoncrats have decided to try and hyper-control daycares, down to the number and color of crayons, types of food, and the educational qualifications of those working in a daycare, whether religious, private or otherwise.  Bills designed to return these decisions back to parents and grandparents failed in committee as well.

Why did they fail?  They failed because there are people that don't believe you and I should be free.  Riesburg's replacement in House District 50, Dave Long, may be new to the statehouse, but he sure votes like a liberal tyrant.  Renfroe and a group of others are consistently pushing for more liberty and less restriction on you, the citizen.  But they are in the minority.

Every time we have an issue like this arise, it's because we voted these people into office.  Some think you are smart enough to vote for them, but too dumb to live your own life.  So they must force more and more regulation upon you.  This fall, remember their dirty deeds.  Dump them!  Let's bring in senators and representatives that will get out of our back yards.  Are you ready for a breath of fresh air?

Mikey Comes To Windsor

Demoncratic Senator Michael Bennet will come to Windsor to push for Federal handouts.  He wants the wind energy credits to be continued, giving more money to companies like Vestas out of your wallets, so that other competing companies may be hindered in the process.  Such is the liberal viewpoint of free market economics.

Hopefully Bennet will show up today, when the gale-force winds are at full strength.  Today is a day that shuts down the turbines because of the overly-exuberant nature of...mother nature.  They don't work well on days like this.  But then again, neither does big-government.  It should be a perfect fit.  There will be a photo opportunity, a news story, a time to gather data for a speech on the floor of the Senate in D.C., and a good time will be had by all.  Except you.  You will pay for every dime of it.

Should subsidies continue for wind energy?  No.  Solar?  Absolutely not.  How about oil and gas?  Nope.  Coal?  No.  The markets must be unshackled from government again.  But in the meantime, Vestas (and Windsor) is the big winner in Democratic politics today.  Batten down the hatches.  The handouts can't last forever.

So Far, A Collective Yawn

The District 6 school drama has slowed down with the departure of Brett Reese from the board.  But the pattern seems to be eerily similar to others from years past.  Children are failing with remarkable regularity, graduation standards have been lowered and not raised, the district is poised to ask for more money from the community (it's for the nice buildings this time, and maybe for curriculum), and regardless of who is on the board the district continues to slouch toward mediocrity.

Last Fall three new members were added to the board: Doug Lidiak, Logan Richardson and Scott Rankin.  So far these three have voted in lock-step with Judy Kron, Linda Trimberger, and Julia Richard.  Superintendent Ranelle Lang still has a huge bloc of power, and almost nothing has changed.  But since Reese (the lightning rod and catalyst of the group) is gone, it seems the city is once again content.

Are you happy with our schools?

• Do you like the fact that half the students presently enrolled don't meet minimum standards?
• Do you think the district deserves more money?
• Do you believe it's right that the district can hold you and I hostage over spending money on curriculum and textbooks when it's a fundamental need?
• Do you think Lang deserves the extravagant salary she receives?
• Do you believe the curriculum should be controlled by a closed group of teachers and administrators without any parental control?

If you believe these things, then do nothing.

However, if you are fed up with years (yes, years) of garbage, then we need more than the "cope-with-the-existing-garbage-and-ask-for-more-money" mentality.  It's obvious Trimberger, Kron and Richard won't do anything.  Now we are concerned the three new board members will join them in the collective yawn.  The time to shake things up is now.  Reese is gone.  Who will stand up now?  Who cares?

President's Day

Today is President's Day, a day when we honor all U.S. Presidents.  Actually, this celebration was once two holidays; one for George Washington (the father of our country), and Abraham Lincoln (the unifier of our country).  No longer are stores and businesses closed for this holiday (except for some Federal offices and banks).  Instead, life glides past the remembrance of these great men.

Washington guided the Continental Army to victory against the greatest military force in the world at that time, guaranteeing the early freedom of the United States.  He was a true statesman that rejected his own appointment as a new king, and was elected our first President.

Lincoln rose from the ashes of repeated defeat to lead the Union through the war between the states.  He freed the slaves and sought to unite the nation, despite his glaring override of states rights.  Killed for his views, he is still seen as one of the most luminary presidents in U.S. history.

Today, Martin Luther King garners more attention and more media support than either of these leaders.  Today, Obama sits in the White House, surrounded by his socialist and communist czars, reigning with total control over the land that was once free and the home that was once brave.  (Even the Republican-controlled House of Representatives rarely stands against him.)  What would these two great presidents say of our times today?  I suspect they would have a great deal to say, and do.  Perhaps we need to consider that as we honor them. Happy President's Day.

The Spy In Your Back Yard

The relaxing of FAA regulations to enable drones unfettered access to the nation's skies opens a pandora's box of privacy and property right concerns.  Drones can be anywhere, used for nearly anything (as this CBS News report from Grand Junction describes), and can also be bought by anyone.

To further investigate this, Sam Hill checked into the possibility of buying a drone himself.  He wanted a camera drone that would record activities on camera, taking still shots and even video.  He had to look no further than Amazon's website.  Drones were available there, controlled by an iPod, and could be used to record virtually anything on the ground.  Do-It-Yourself Drones (link here to their site) is doing a booming business in this area as well, and can show you how to "observe" anything you want using a drone.

It may be argued that the concern over drones in the hands of governmental authorities is no cause for concern, that they need probable cause in order to use one in a case.  However, we may soon see that change.  With thousands of pages of new regulations enacted each year you (and I) are undoubtedly breaking some kind of a law right now.  If the government has an agenda, all they need to do is say they had a probable cause, launch a drone, and find the infraction.

It's true that drones have excellent uses.  But they are also dangerous, because the government has overstepped the Constitution and the law with impunity.  It is up to citizens to push government back.  As Ronald Reagan famously stated, "the government is not the solution, it is the problem."  We need to remember that, because the eyes in the skies may be looking at us.

Dirty, Filthy "Green" Dumped In Your Back Yard

Yesterday, liberal Demoncrat Senator Michael Bennet decided to play his green card.  He partnered with a RINO from Kansas and introduced a measure that would extend the wind energy credits that are needed to keep Vestas afloat.  After all, Vestas is a great, green energy company.  Right?  Wrong!

According to Vestas itself, the waste generated from the production of each blade is nasty, toxic stuff.  It never decomposes.  Never!  According to inside reports the Windsor plant produces about 40 blades each week.  Each blade produces approximately one ton of waste that is taken to landfills around Northern Colorado.  Forty tons of waste is dumped in our area weekly, by this so-called green company.  What is in it?  Fiberglass resin, hardened resins of other kinds, epoxy, glues, hardners, vinyl, plastic, etc.  And it never decomposes!

So when Senator Bennet proposes the tax credit be pushed through, he looks green.  But Vestas isn't green at all.  It makes Bennet and Vestas and Obama look good.  In the meantime, who pays for this huge taxpayer subsidy for these jobs?  You do!  Who endorses the landfill disposal of this eternal trash?  You do.  Who looks the other way when the flight paths of various birds run directly through these wind farms, killing thousands of birds annually?  You do.  Congratulations.  This is what happens when the government subsidizes and controls business.  It looks green, but you get the trash.  (Link here to Vestas data.)

They Lost Him?

A high-ranking criminal from Mexico was recently arrested and detained in Smith County, Texas.  He had more than $60 thousand dollars in cash with him as well as a shotgun, and was arrested along with his wife and held in the local lock-up.  Then the Feds stepped in.

When the local police began to check the firearm possessed by this man, the U.S. State Department called.  ATF, ICE, FBI and Homeland Security all showed up.  The county was told to turn the criminal over (as well as his evidence) to the Federal authorities, and they complied.  Oops!  Now, he's missing!

When the Federal government becomes the problem, you have clear-cut tyranny.  Was the gun a part of the fast and furious scandal?  Was our government in cahoots with the Mexican government in protecting this man somehow?  We don't know, and that's the problem.  Our government has become the problem.

We should be screaming at the top of our lungs for heads to roll in all of these departments.  Now!  But they are protected by the Obama administration.  You know, the administration that is suing the state of Arizona and siding with Mexico on immigration policies.  It's that administration that is threatening county sheriffs, and trying to control and manipulate every facet of your life.  That's the one.  They just lost a national criminal, after local authorities did their job.  Heads need to roll.  Now.  If not we must assume our own government is in collusion and treat them accordingly.  (Link here to corresponding story.)

Who Voted For This?

An extreme overhaul of the FAA (Federal Aeronautics Administration) was recently passed by the Obama administration, that will use satellites to assist with air traffic control.  The wrangling over this bill took 5 years, and there were 23 temporary bills passed to keep the FAA afloat during all of the controversy.  In fact, the FAA was shut down for 2 weeks at one point, just because of the acrimony.

What were the sticking points that took so long to pass?  First, there was the issue of ensuring air traffic safety.  People in the air are vulnerable, and there was much debate on whether to use satellites and new technology, when older, more stable manual process had a solid track record.  But there were other issues and agendas in this bill as well.

One of them involves the tracking and use of drones, unmanned aircraft, in the United States.  The Federal government wants to use drones for various things, and so does law enforcement.  Law enforcement wants drones for air tracking of various thugs and thieves in their surveillance measures.  A little drone in the sky isn't as easily noticed as a squad car on the street.

But the drones are also wanted by Federal bureaucracies.  The EPA wants them, to track what they may think is illegal waste dumping on private property.  The department of Agriculture can use them to hover over private farm land and snap pictures of crops, acres used, even water consumption.  Get the picture?  Big brother is about to really watch you, because the uses of drones by government are virtually endless.  And who are they intending to watch?  You!

So who voted for this piece of legislation?  Actually, local Republican Cory Gardner did.  It joins his votes for the continuation of the Patriot Act and the NDAA debacle in his hall of infamy.  Make no mistake.  Just because somebody is a Republican, doesn't mean they are for freedom and true liberty.  Check it out for yourself.  Then ask yourself what the difference is between the Republican and Democratic candidates.  Sometimes, there won't be much difference at all.  And that is the huge tragedy.  Because of the, Big Brother is watching you.

Vestas. Not Good.

Greeley Report thanks the local readers for their insights and contributions.  This story is your information, shared with the public.

More information has been gleaned about the direction of Vestas during 2012.  Their performance during 2011 was weak.  In fact, the Chief Financial Officer (not the CEO) has resigned.  The chairman of the board of directors will not run for reelection, nor will two other board members.

In a recent meeting with employees, Vestas encouraged them to contact their senators and representatives, and push for passage of the production tax credit (PTC).  Although Vestas does not directly benefit from this utility company subsidy, their connections and benefits are unmistakable.  They need this, to survive.  Wind turbines cost around $4 million to produce.  The PTC gives utilities roughly $2.2 million per turbine.  You can do the math, and connect the dots yourself.

Shouldn't Vestas continue to receive government subsidies, pay employees well, and create green jobs and energy?  After all, government subsidies are rampant, spreading from farm and ranch to the medical industry.  Government tentacles even subsidize alcohol plants.  But these government funds are really your money!  You pay, the government takes their chunk out of the pot, and then they spend (and print more empty dollars) to give to whatever segment of society they deem worthy.  It is truly redistribution of wealth.  Your wealth.  Your children's wealth, controlled by the hands of tyrants, pickpockets and thieves.

When we realize this, we also start to realize this government handout program has to stop somewhere, and sooner or later, it must get to everywhere!  The Federal government is literally controlling huge segments of local industry through handouts.  But it cannot continue.

So, as the government picks their winners and losers for the year, which businesses will fail?  Which will succeed?  Shouldn't it be free markets that dictate the terms?  If we radically cut government subsidies across the board, we would find out soon enough.

Watch Out Windsor

Today there are so many crimes and so little time.  There is the story of the supposed Obama exceptions made for Catholics on his Obamacare plan (that isn't a retraction at all, but actually strengthens his power in this area).  There is the supposed "bailout" of the mortgage fraud industry, where only $2,000 will actually get to the homeowners themselves.  But the local story that we will look at today is the emergence of a potential "Solyndra" case in our own back yard.  It involves Vestas, in Windsor.

Vestas is a wind turbine manufacturer, and one of the emergent "green energy" companies.  However, in the past year 5 of their executives (including their CEO) have resigned, citing financial issues, declining demand for their products, and a tough market.  Now, they say they may lay off over 1,000 workers including many in Weld County, if they don't get a renewed governemnt grant from the Federal government.  Ah!  So that's it!  All of those high-paying, green jobs have once again been funded by the government!  That means that you and I are subsidizing every salary.

Brace yourself, Windsor.  You have a green energy company in your back yard right now.  But by June, you might lose hundreds of high-paying jobs.  Unless of course, you ascribe to Obama and his green policies.  This is a link between local business and vitality, and the Federal handouts.  Solyndra couldn't make it without the Federal government.  How many other companies are in the same boat?  It's time to find out.  Perhaps you will discover government tentacles in places you never expected.  Windsor, you may seem conservative in your views, but Obama is about to either whack you, or be your benevolent dictator.  How do you like that feeling?

What's The Catch?

Thanks to a frequent reader for this information.

Do you remember the battle royal over extending the payroll deduction "tax break" for two months?  It appeared that Obama caved in, and the sound of rejoicing was heard around the beltway.  However, what did the RINO's give up in return?  We find out now.

A new fee has now been located, tacked on to Fannie and Freddie mortgages.  This "fee" will be paid over the life of the loan, and it replaces the lost monies that would have been generated by the payroll tax.  How clever.  Bury a fee in another area, run it for 30 years on somebody else, don't tell the public, and all is well in Washington.

The nation should be outraged at the Republicans and the Demoncrats over this one.  Our Federal senators and representatives need to be grilled on how this was passed into law, and what their vote was on this "fee."  It's just political self-protection, searching for ways to move private money into Washington coffers.

What will they do next?  Will they try to bury the mortgage fraud cases with sweetheart deals that prop up the too-big-to-fail banks again?  Oh!  That's happening today?  Well, of course it is.  No wonder we the people are fed up with both parties.  (Link here for the CBS story.)

Santorum Takes Colorado

Colorado was supposed to be a Romney state.  Until last night, that is.  Contender Rick Santorum came from the East to unseat Romney as he campaigned in Nevada, ignoring the Colorado supporters that gave him victory here in 2008.  Santorum swept three midwestern states, leaving Romney to count on his faithful supporters in Arizona (strong LDS support) and Michigan (land of his father).  He may win there, but Santorum has changed the Republican race once again.

Perhaps the most surprising shock of the evening was the lackluster performance by Ron Paul.  He seemed to have strong support in Ft. Collins when he spoke there recently, and certainly has the name recognition.  He did not fare as well as Gingrich.  The Santorum vote was clearly a difference-maker, and Colorado may be viewed as a swing state, depending on how the race moves from here.  Of course the results are non-binding in a straw poll, but it does make for interesting news as a more conservative candidate than Romney and Gingrich takes tonight's stage.  Did his appearance here change things?  Who knows?

Weld County Stands For Freedom

Yesterday the Weld County commissioners officially opposed the recent National Defense Authorization Act, saying it oversteps the U.S. Constitution.  They effectively nullified its operation within Weld County with their actions, and while some may criticize their actions as political grandstanding, others laud it as a bold response from local government.

The commissioners took deliberate steps, consulting with legal counsel and making sure their stance was codified in certain terms.  Should other counties or states follow in their steps, Weld County could be used as a blueprint for their actions.

It's good to see government exercising its authority for the rights of the people.  Weld County is frugally managed and has zero debt.  They have inserted "In God We Trust" into county status.  Now they formally oppose NDAA.  These are excellent steps!  It's good to hear some good news for a change.

Romney Snubs Weld, Santorum Visits

According to eyewitnesses in the UNC ballroom, Saturday night was an eventful evening for Weld County Republicans.  Presidential candidate Rick Santorum greeted Republicans at the annual Lincoln Day dinner, and spoke to sustained applause.  As Republican Representative Cory Gardner discovered, it was a tough act to follow.  He spoke to lackluster applause later in the evening.

However, according to other sources, some of the real drama occurred during the preparation for the meeting.  Other Republican presidential candidates began calling in their attempt to sway the local Republican crowd.  The Lincoln Day dinner was one of two this weekend, in Colorado.  Romney wanted to send a representative while he travelled to Nevada, when he found out Santorum was coming.  Instead, Weld County Republicans extended an invitation to Romney as well, which he refused.  He chose Las Vegas; Santorum chose Weld County.

Santorum did manage to stir many in the party, and bring fresh name recognition for himself.  Will Romney's snub and Santorum's visit impact the Presidential race in Northern Colorado?  Stay tuned.

Dump Obama

Greeley Report received this newstip from a reader.  You are the eyes and ears to news in this region.  Thanks!

Greeley Report received an item via e-mail that has been attributed to Former Senator Dave Schultheis.  Schultheis continues to be an advocate for many conservative issues, but also understands Obama's dangers.  The following information is worthy of consideration and action.  Do it!

Let's copy and send this to the Secretary of State's Office TODAY. Email it to: elections@sos.state.co.us OR fax it to: 303-869-4861

Mr. Scott Gessler
Colorado Secretary of State

RE: REMOVE Barack Obama From Your Ballot!

Dear Mr. Gessler,

I’m writing to ask you to please REMOVE the name of Barack Hussein Obama II from your State’s presidential election ballot, due to his ineligibility to serve in that office under Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the U.S. Constitution.

The U.S. Supreme Court has made clear, in cases such as Minor v. Happersett, 88 U.S. 162 (1875); Shanks v. Dupont, 28 U.S. 3 Pet. 242 242 (1830); and United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 (1898), among others, that a “natural born Citizen” is one who is born on U.S. soil to U.S. citizen parents. Barack Hussein Obama II has publicly admitted his father, Barack Obama Sr., was a Kenyan native and a British subject whose citizenship status was governed by The British Nationality Act of 1948. Barack Obama Sr. NEVER became a U.S. citizen. Therefore, Barack Hussein Obama II is not now, and never CAN be, a natural born citizen of the United States.

Jurisdiction falls squarely on your shoulders as head of the State’s office that conducts elections, and it is your sworn duty as a person of honor and a public servant to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution. That Constitution that is now under attack and assault by the Democratic National Committee for having failed in their responsibility to submit an eligible candidate for inclusion on this State’s ballot. Please, do the RIGHT thing: REMOVE the name of Barack Hussein Obama II from your State’s presidential election ballot, due to his ineligibility to serve in that office under Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the U.S. Constitution. Thank you.

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]

You Can't Have It Both Ways

This past Sunday the Roman Catholic church got out their big guns, and fired back against the Obama administration in church.  The priests and bishops read letters stating the church opposition to the latest Obamanation, where the administration is forcing their moral views on every Catholic and Catholic hospital and charity regarding contraceptives, abortion and early pregnancy.  It's horrible.

However, these same Catholic hospitals and charities were more than pleased to support Obama's universal healthcare mandate as long as it was forced on everyone.  Why?  Because it guaranteed them big money!  They would be in the governmental loop, so to speak, and they were invited to be one of Obama's buddies in that debate.  Now the debate has shifted and it illustrates a perfect point.  You can't have it both ways.

Either you believe the government should butt out and people should be free, or you climb into bed with the globalists.  The Catholic church was counting on Obama leaving them alone while he harmed others instead.  But sooner or later the government comes calling, even for those that used to be its friends.  Tyrants have voracious appetites, so this should come as no surprise.

Sam isn't bashing the Catholics alone.  Many other religious groups have tried to play this angle themselves for many years.  It doesn't work.  We either need liberty at any cost, or we will live in tyranny and slavery.  The argument between the church and the state this past weekend is only the tip of the iceberg.  If the government came after the Catholic church, sooner or later they will come after you.

Brett Reese Resigns

Greeley Report has agreed to publish Brett Reeses thoughts and columns unedited through the years.  The following is received from him and is presented, verbatim.

"I have learned much in my 2.5 years on the school board for Greeley District 6.  Here is some of the education I’ve gained, as I worked to improve the education in this significant district.

Almost half of the budget of the State of Colorado is spent to educate our children.  Yet 1/3 of the students entering 9^th grade in D6 will not graduate.  Of those who do graduate, most will require remedial college coursework if they are brave enough to open the doors to college.  Millions of dollars spent.  Where did it go? 

I ran for this office, in part, to find the answer to that question.  While I was successful in opening the books of the district, we already knew the answer.  Huge sums are spent on services, programs, and levels of management that don’t actually teach your child 2+2 or the difference between verbs and nouns.  A perfect example is the upcoming day of training at Greeley West featuring a transgender speaker/blogger.

In this time of economic hardships, families and businesses are tightening their belts.  Lean times force businesses to prioritize and reorganize for efficiency.  I have learned in school districts this doesn’t apply. The worse our children score on comparative tests, the more need there is to raise taxes to start new programs, hire more PhD’s and expand the superintendent’s kingdom. Little did I realize how protected that kingdom was when I entered this arena.

The voters elected me based on my platform to become more effective without more taxes.  I entered a board consisting of current and former educators naturally opposed to that objective.  This, of course, led to many 1-6 votes and eventually meetings where I was not allowed to speak or give my ideas.  I naively thought that we could reason together to see how to improve education without simply throwing money at it.  I offered ideas for businesses to mentor students. I recommended disallowing cell phones and music players in all classes. I encouraged various ways to continue using existing buildings and less expensive ways to remodel them. I encouraged interviewing more applicants for every teaching and administrative position, opportunities to save money on insurance, and so on.

Yes, Greeley has economic and racial challenges.  But there are similar school districts around the country that have made huge turnarounds.  I read their books and suggested similar ideas in our district.  I wrote articles to the Tribune with what I had learned and exciting innovative ideas, only to be denied and ignored.  Instead, when the reporters asked for interviews, they misquoted and misrepresented what I said.  Seeing how the board members weren’t going to hear me and their friends in the press were going to intentionally misrepresent and edit my statements, I then utilized the Greeley Gazette to air my views accurately. 

My two and a half years on the board have made three things clear to me.  First, Dr. Lang has hired an army of administrators and principals who understand allegiance to her is their only truly necessary competency.  Second, Dr. Lang clearly needs replaced with a performance-oriented superintendent who is able to admit, not justify, deficiency.  Third, without competition, any substantive educational benefits will never, ever occur.  We should eagerly accept charter school applicants.  In fact, we should actively seek out new charter schools, for-profit schools, vocational-tech schools and aid private schools. The schools doing the best would be given more, replacing those that are failing. Attach the highly-coveted per pupil state funds to the students/parents so they can choose the best schools whether it’s vo-tech or magnet.  Drastic improvement would follow immediately.  What I’ve observed is Dr. Lang’s plans for improvement always require large sums of additional taxpayer money.  They are complex and confusing, delaying and excusing.  The final results are impossible to evaluate and after years pass, nobody is held accountable…and nothing has changed. Everything from poor test results to parental complaints are dealt with either through fear, by sweeping it under the rug, assigning a citizen’s clown committee or enforcing quiet attrition.  A good example is in how the statistics are massaged to appear different than they are.  Did you hear? Graduation rates have improved this last year! The school’s self-promotion machine has gone into high gear!  They don’t include the fact that last year’s school board LOWERED the number of credits required to graduate.

What I’ve learned in my time on the board is that D6 has been doing so much so wrong for so long, both fiscally and academically, that without a dramatic change of direction, our students will continue to fail.  We hoped that new members elected to this board in November would help make that change.  However, the new members of this board, like previous members before them, have been wined, dined, and re-educated through day-long orientations.  I fear that their campaign statements have already dimmed in memory. New members, please insist on integrity, look behind the veil, focus on real measures of improvement, allow options to the bureaucratic machine! 

If you are a parent in D6, the biggest favor you could do for your child is to pull them out of this district.  There are great online home-school groups and many schooling alternatives, and even other nearby school districts.  School choice and competition is the only long-term solution, not only for our schools, but, I believe, our nation.

For so many who support me so loyally, thank you.  To pursue improvement of our local schools, I have neglected my beautiful wife and little girls. I have ignored some unfortunate people who are accustomed to being ignored by society.  I intend to remedy these things now.  It’s become obvious that my continued efforts, money and time in this effort with this board will not result in the changes that are necessary.  I have done my best, but I have done all I can.  I leave the remaining task to those on the board and those who I pray will come in the future."