I'm a little late getting Wyoming Rep. Cynthia Lummis's August recess schedule up on the blog. So much going on during the dog days of summer.
Here's the remainder of the schedule:
Douglas
Wednesday, August 12, 3 p.m. – Cattlemen’s Conference; 4 p.m. – Interview with KKTY Radio; 5:30 p.m. – Ag BBQ and Ag Hall of Fame Award Banquet Dinner at State Fairgrounds.
Gillette
Thurday, August 13, 5 p.m. – Gillette Chamber of Commerce Mixer
Torrington
Friday, August 14, 11:30 a.m. – Interview with KGOS Radio; Noon – Town Meeting at EWCC Fine Arts Building, 3200 W. C Street; 1:30 p.m. – Visit Cavello Motor Company; 2:30 p.m. – Goshen County Care Center.
Wheatland
Friday, August 14, 5 p.m. – Town Meeting at Platte County Library, 904 9th Street
Douglas
Saturday, August 15, 10 a.m. – State Fair Parade
Cheyenne
Monday, August 17, 9:30 a.m. - Interview with KGAB Radio; Noon – Interview with KGWN TV; 12:30 p.m. - Interview with KFBC Radio
Casper
Tuesday, August 18, 2 p.m. – Tour Wyoming Medical Center
FMI: http://lummis.house.gov/index.html
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
AM 760 hosts "real town hall meetings" in Colorado Aug. 20 & 27
My evening drive time in Cheyenne isn't very long, maybe 15 minutes at most. But during that time, I listen to Mario Solis Marich on AM 760 Progressive Radio out of Denver-Boulder. My favorite segment is "Video Clips (pronounced "cleeps") of the Day." Usually it's made up of the latest "audio clips (cleeps!) of the day" from various wingnuts: Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin, etc.
This afternoon, Mario was promoting his "real town hall meetings" of Colorado Democratic Congressional reps Ed Perlmutter and Jared Polis. He invited listeners to register for the Aug. 20 meet-up with Perlmutter and the Aug. 27 meet-up with Polis. However, you must sign up in advance and you must be a registered voter in the district your delegate represents. Mario plans to sign up an equal number of Repubs, Dems and Indies. Only those registered will be allowed in the door. You'll be called upon by a moderator to ask your question, which you don't have to submit in advance.
Mario hopes to filter out all those carpetbaggers paid by insurance congomerates, those loudmouths who are shouting down the speakers. It's possible that yelling and screaming still may erupt, but less likely under this format.
Good luck, Mario. I'll be listening.
FMI: http://www.am760.net/pages/mario_solis-marich.html
This afternoon, Mario was promoting his "real town hall meetings" of Colorado Democratic Congressional reps Ed Perlmutter and Jared Polis. He invited listeners to register for the Aug. 20 meet-up with Perlmutter and the Aug. 27 meet-up with Polis. However, you must sign up in advance and you must be a registered voter in the district your delegate represents. Mario plans to sign up an equal number of Repubs, Dems and Indies. Only those registered will be allowed in the door. You'll be called upon by a moderator to ask your question, which you don't have to submit in advance.
Mario hopes to filter out all those carpetbaggers paid by insurance congomerates, those loudmouths who are shouting down the speakers. It's possible that yelling and screaming still may erupt, but less likely under this format.
Good luck, Mario. I'll be listening.
FMI: http://www.am760.net/pages/mario_solis-marich.html
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Laramie Co. Democratic Grassroots Coalition holds milk can dinner Aug. 15
The Laramie County Democratic Grassroots Coalition is holding a milk can dinner on Saturday, Aug. 15, 1-4 p.m., at North Clear Creek Picnic Area on Southwest Drive in Cheyenne.
Admission is $10. Reservations are required. Call Katherine at 307-630-5058 or e-mail Linda at lpstowers@yahoo.com.
Prize drawings and a 50-50 raffle will be held during the event.
Mary Lou Marcum reminds attendees to bring along their recipes for the LCDGC Cookbook.
Admission is $10. Reservations are required. Call Katherine at 307-630-5058 or e-mail Linda at lpstowers@yahoo.com.
Prize drawings and a 50-50 raffle will be held during the event.
Mary Lou Marcum reminds attendees to bring along their recipes for the LCDGC Cookbook.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Fearmongering Religious Right again targets National Endowment for the Arts
Bill Berkowitz reports in Talk To Action that the Religious Right is once again going after the National Endowment for the Arts:
Arts groups and arts funders used to run scared when the Religious Right engaged in its Know-Nothing diatribes. But we're beyond that nonsense. Ralph Reed and the rest of these fearmongering self-righteous nincompoops showed their true colors during the George W. Bush era, when they thought they owned the world and every American's soul. These buffoons have nothing to do with Christianity and everything to do with fear and hatred. We are afraid no more. Go crawl back into your holes!
Read entire Talk to Action article at http://www.talk2action.org/story/2009/8/9/125211/1420
It used to be that the mere mention of the National Endowment for the Arts would immediately draw fire from the right. In the 1990s, "Defund the NEA" became a rallying cry that was regularly heard in the halls of Congress. Direct mail packages, designed by conservative public relations pros and delivered directly to your mailbox by the U.S. Postal Service, claimed that the agency supported anti-Christian and pornographic art projects. Demonizing the NEA was a fundraising tool that kept giving and giving and giving.
Over the past decade, however, in part because the agency appeared to consciously distance itself from funding controversial art projects, and in part because the Christian Right moved on to other issues (abortion, same-sex marriage, immigration), fighting funding for the NEA was no longer at the top of their agenda.
Concern over how President Barack Obama's stimulus money is being used is again focusing attention on the NEA. A July 30 Fox News report www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/29/stimulus-funds-art-houses-showing-pervert-revues-underground-pornography/) pointed out that some stimulus money (the Recovery and Reinvestment Act) earmarked for the NEA, wound up stimulating an NEA-funded "pornographic" film project, a long-running pansexual performance series, and a dance production featuring naked dancers.
Arts groups and arts funders used to run scared when the Religious Right engaged in its Know-Nothing diatribes. But we're beyond that nonsense. Ralph Reed and the rest of these fearmongering self-righteous nincompoops showed their true colors during the George W. Bush era, when they thought they owned the world and every American's soul. These buffoons have nothing to do with Christianity and everything to do with fear and hatred. We are afraid no more. Go crawl back into your holes!
Read entire Talk to Action article at http://www.talk2action.org/story/2009/8/9/125211/1420
"Sunday Night Films Not Seen in a Theater Near You" Aug. 16 in Laramie
Nancy Sindelar sends this from Laramie:
Sunday, August 16, Laramie: Double Feature -- Rick Steves' Iran Yesterday and Today and Fallout: Coming Home from the War in Iraq.
The Laramie Film Society and the Wyoming Peace, Justice, and Earth Center (publishers of Nancy's nifty newsletter) are cosponsoring the "Sunday Night Films Not Seen in a Theater Near You" series for the third summer. Proceeds are used to upgrade the projection and sound set up at the library.
Films begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany County Public Library, 310 S. 8th St. Get information at www.film.laramie.wy.us or http://www.ghosttownmovie.com/#/home. Free, soda and popcorn provided, donations accepted.
Sunday, August 16, Laramie: Double Feature -- Rick Steves' Iran Yesterday and Today and Fallout: Coming Home from the War in Iraq.
The Laramie Film Society and the Wyoming Peace, Justice, and Earth Center (publishers of Nancy's nifty newsletter) are cosponsoring the "Sunday Night Films Not Seen in a Theater Near You" series for the third summer. Proceeds are used to upgrade the projection and sound set up at the library.
Films begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany County Public Library, 310 S. 8th St. Get information at www.film.laramie.wy.us or http://www.ghosttownmovie.com/#/home. Free, soda and popcorn provided, donations accepted.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Ask the Wyoming Garden Answer Man
Dear Wyoming Garden Answer Man:
I have ants in my zucchini blossoms.
--Distressed in Cheyenne
Dear Distressed:
And I have flies in my eyes, but you don't hear me complaining. Seriously, ants are usually going after the nectar. Late on weekend nights, you can hear them singing off-key after imbibing too much of the sweet stuff. It's not a problem unless they start eating through the flowers, or your maturing zukes takes on strange shapes. A Wheatland gardener reported zukes in the shape of Rush Limbaugh's head. If that happens, leave a bowl of cheap beer over by the petunias and that should lure the ants away.
Dear Mr. Wyoming Garden Answer Man:
Is it true that "watched tomatoes never ripen?" Or is that an old wive's tale?
--Green Tomatoes in Lander
Dear Green Tomatoes:
First of all, you are woefully out of step with the times. The expression "old wive's tale" is both sexist and ageist. I prefer "gracefully aging spousal unit's tale." or possibly "active female older adult who happens to be in a monogamous relationship with a person of the male gender's tale." But that's a mouthful. Let's move on to the expression "watched tomatoes never ripen." Who has time to watch tomatoes ripen, you old fart!
Dear WGAM:
My pole beans are growing like crazy. They have climbed up the 12-foot trellis on on to the roof. They've pried shingles off the roof and throw them at the birds. Some of the vines have invaded my TV cables and now all I can get is The Gardening Network and Lifetime. Help!
--Inundated in Jeffrey City
Dear Inundated:
You don't often see that sort of behavior in a legume. Perhaps it's the uranium in your soil, or maybe you have nurtured these beans overmuch, causing in them delusions of grandeur. Don't forget -- you're the boss. I suggest you dig up the plant and immediately consume the beans as an act of revenge and/or hunger. There have been cases of rampaging pole beans that have actually snatched the shovel from the offending human and smashed in his/her skull. These are rare cases. But, as you know, vegetables flourish amongst the rotting remains of flora and fauna.
I have ants in my zucchini blossoms.
--Distressed in Cheyenne
Dear Distressed:
And I have flies in my eyes, but you don't hear me complaining. Seriously, ants are usually going after the nectar. Late on weekend nights, you can hear them singing off-key after imbibing too much of the sweet stuff. It's not a problem unless they start eating through the flowers, or your maturing zukes takes on strange shapes. A Wheatland gardener reported zukes in the shape of Rush Limbaugh's head. If that happens, leave a bowl of cheap beer over by the petunias and that should lure the ants away.
Dear Mr. Wyoming Garden Answer Man:
Is it true that "watched tomatoes never ripen?" Or is that an old wive's tale?
--Green Tomatoes in Lander
Dear Green Tomatoes:
First of all, you are woefully out of step with the times. The expression "old wive's tale" is both sexist and ageist. I prefer "gracefully aging spousal unit's tale." or possibly "active female older adult who happens to be in a monogamous relationship with a person of the male gender's tale." But that's a mouthful. Let's move on to the expression "watched tomatoes never ripen." Who has time to watch tomatoes ripen, you old fart!
Dear WGAM:
My pole beans are growing like crazy. They have climbed up the 12-foot trellis on on to the roof. They've pried shingles off the roof and throw them at the birds. Some of the vines have invaded my TV cables and now all I can get is The Gardening Network and Lifetime. Help!
--Inundated in Jeffrey City
Dear Inundated:
You don't often see that sort of behavior in a legume. Perhaps it's the uranium in your soil, or maybe you have nurtured these beans overmuch, causing in them delusions of grandeur. Don't forget -- you're the boss. I suggest you dig up the plant and immediately consume the beans as an act of revenge and/or hunger. There have been cases of rampaging pole beans that have actually snatched the shovel from the offending human and smashed in his/her skull. These are rare cases. But, as you know, vegetables flourish amongst the rotting remains of flora and fauna.
"Shakespeare in the Rain," Part II
Last night, I witnessed my second "Shakespeare in the Rain" performance of the summer.
In July, we watched the Wyoming Shakespeare Company perform in the rain at Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. The Lander-based troupe continued "Richard II" through a summer shower. More worrying were the lightning strikes flashing all around Lions Park. But the show went on as audience members huddled under umbrellas -- if they remembered them -- or trees -- as we did. Not bright, considering the lightning, but who were we to desert these stalwart thespians?
Yesterday evening, Chris, Annie and I drove over to Pando's Pond (officially City Park) to watch Shake in ChyWy perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This is a new troupe, directed by Carey Junior High teacher Angel Katen and performed by local actors, some home from college for the summer. The makeshift "theatre" resides among the terraces at the park's south end. The troupe hung homemade banners along the terrace walkway. No microphones, so the players had to speak loudly over passing trucks and Harleys.
The clouds gathered and thunder rumbled as we picnicked. I bought a root beer float from a booth staffed by the Carey dance team. The performance began and the players complted the first 10 minutes before the sky unleashed rain and a nasty salvo of lightning.
Angel announced: "We're moving to Carey Junior High. Please follow us."
We gathered our picnic and chairs and made a beeline to the car. Drove a mile through the deluge to Carey, meeting up with a daughter of a family friend.
Consider the hubbub part of the performance. A volunteer theatre trouple needs flexibility and persistence. We were in a our seats but a few minutes before the play resumed.
I've seen the play performed a couple of times before. I saw the recent movie and the old black-and-white version. I've read the play, the first time as an eighth-grader at Our Lady Of Lourdes grade school. I couldn't make heads or tails of it back then. Sister Theresa couldn't help as she probably hadn't read it or -- if she had -- didn't get it. She may have been outraged by the queen of the fairies falling in love with an ass who really wasn't.
Who knows? But this version was so much fun and so well-acted. As I sat watching the show, I marveled at the longevity of Shakespeare. New theatre troupes keep popping up. Shake in ChyWy is brand now this summer and the Wyoming Shakespeare Company is only ten years old. One can't go through a season in Wyoming without a half-dozen Shakespeares on the playbill. Hollywood loves The Bard.
I can't really call myself a fan. I love many of the plays, but I don't want to read them again. In fact, I didn't read them all during my time as an English major. But my daughter Annie does. After the show, she borrowed the script from one of the actors. Our friend MacKenzie (Mac), working as a horse wrangler this summer to pay for her next year at University of Tennessee, spends some of her off time reading Shakespeare. What's the matter with kids these days? Reading "Richard II" and "Midsummer" while they could be wasting their time in front of the PC as I am doing right now?
Love that Tom Rush '60s song: "Kids these days/they don't value a dolla'/don't like to chew/but they sure can swalla'."
Forgive the terrible rhyme. It takes dedicated chewing to read Shakespeare on a summer day.
In July, we watched the Wyoming Shakespeare Company perform in the rain at Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. The Lander-based troupe continued "Richard II" through a summer shower. More worrying were the lightning strikes flashing all around Lions Park. But the show went on as audience members huddled under umbrellas -- if they remembered them -- or trees -- as we did. Not bright, considering the lightning, but who were we to desert these stalwart thespians?
Yesterday evening, Chris, Annie and I drove over to Pando's Pond (officially City Park) to watch Shake in ChyWy perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This is a new troupe, directed by Carey Junior High teacher Angel Katen and performed by local actors, some home from college for the summer. The makeshift "theatre" resides among the terraces at the park's south end. The troupe hung homemade banners along the terrace walkway. No microphones, so the players had to speak loudly over passing trucks and Harleys.
The clouds gathered and thunder rumbled as we picnicked. I bought a root beer float from a booth staffed by the Carey dance team. The performance began and the players complted the first 10 minutes before the sky unleashed rain and a nasty salvo of lightning.
Angel announced: "We're moving to Carey Junior High. Please follow us."
We gathered our picnic and chairs and made a beeline to the car. Drove a mile through the deluge to Carey, meeting up with a daughter of a family friend.
Consider the hubbub part of the performance. A volunteer theatre trouple needs flexibility and persistence. We were in a our seats but a few minutes before the play resumed.
I've seen the play performed a couple of times before. I saw the recent movie and the old black-and-white version. I've read the play, the first time as an eighth-grader at Our Lady Of Lourdes grade school. I couldn't make heads or tails of it back then. Sister Theresa couldn't help as she probably hadn't read it or -- if she had -- didn't get it. She may have been outraged by the queen of the fairies falling in love with an ass who really wasn't.
Who knows? But this version was so much fun and so well-acted. As I sat watching the show, I marveled at the longevity of Shakespeare. New theatre troupes keep popping up. Shake in ChyWy is brand now this summer and the Wyoming Shakespeare Company is only ten years old. One can't go through a season in Wyoming without a half-dozen Shakespeares on the playbill. Hollywood loves The Bard.
I can't really call myself a fan. I love many of the plays, but I don't want to read them again. In fact, I didn't read them all during my time as an English major. But my daughter Annie does. After the show, she borrowed the script from one of the actors. Our friend MacKenzie (Mac), working as a horse wrangler this summer to pay for her next year at University of Tennessee, spends some of her off time reading Shakespeare. What's the matter with kids these days? Reading "Richard II" and "Midsummer" while they could be wasting their time in front of the PC as I am doing right now?
Love that Tom Rush '60s song: "Kids these days/they don't value a dolla'/don't like to chew/but they sure can swalla'."
Forgive the terrible rhyme. It takes dedicated chewing to read Shakespeare on a summer day.
"Small-state" senators with big-time clout
Great article about the U.S. Senate by Nate Silver on fivethirtyeight:
Read entire article at http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/08/real-problem-with-senates-small-state.html
As you all surely know, the Senate is not a terribly democratic institution. A voter in Wyoming -- population 533,000 -- has about 70 times more ability to influence the Senate's direction than one in California -- population 36.8 million. And the lack of representativeness can be particularly acute when the Senate is conducting business at the committee level. Max Baucus's "Table for Six," for instance, which may very well determine the fate of efforts to reform health care, is made up of members who collectively represent about 6.5 million people, or around one-fiftieth of the country's
population.
Read entire article at http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/08/real-problem-with-senates-small-state.html
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Wyoming Jefferson-Jackson dinner Sept. 26
The Wyoming Democratic Party's 2009 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner & Banquet will be held in Riverton at the Holiday Inn on September 26. The evening will kick off with a VIP Cocktail Hour with featured guests (to be announced) beginning at 5:45 p.m. and dinner is scheduled for 7 p.m. Individual tickets or tables of eight are available.
You may register and buy tickets at www.wyomingdemocrats.com or state party HQ at 1-800-SAY-DEMS.
Brianna Jones, Communications Director, Wyoming Democratic Party, (307) 752-5288.
You may register and buy tickets at www.wyomingdemocrats.com or state party HQ at 1-800-SAY-DEMS.
Brianna Jones, Communications Director, Wyoming Democratic Party, (307) 752-5288.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Sen. Mike Enzi's August recess schedule
Here is Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi's schedule during the August recess (from a press release on his web site):
Notice how the press release opens and closes with this phrase: "Individuals interested in attending speaking engagements must contact the event organizers."
Wonder why?
The only truly public forum I ses on the list is the one in Gillette on Aug. 24. Enzi's family moved from Sheridan to Gillette when he was a kid. He lived there a long time, and once was mayor. This will be a hometown crowd. Wonder if any teabaggers will show up to disrupt the proceedings?
Highlights of Enzi’s schedule are provided below:
**Individuals interested in attending speaking engagements must contact the event organizers. **
Hulett, Jackson - Monday, August 10
Enzi plans to participate in the 8th Annual Challenger Learning Center Golf Scramble at Devils Tower Golf Course in Hulett from 7:15 - 11 a.m. Following the golf tournament Enzi is scheduled to travel to Jackson to tour Alces Technology (650 W. Elk Ave.) from 2:15 - 3:00 p.m. From 3:15 - 4:00 p.m. Enzi plans to tour Square One Technologies (3500 So. Park Dr.) and from 4:15 - 5:00 p.m. Enzi is slated to tour the Alzheimer Care Clinic (555 East Broadway, Suite 218).
Jackson - Tuesday August 11
Enzi plans to take to the links to raise money for the Congressional Award program, which encourages youth to serve their communities and grow as individuals. The annual Congressional Awards Golf Tournament will be held at Teton Pines Country Club in Jackson.
Douglas - Wednesday, August 12
Enzi is set to attend the Wyoming Agricultural Hall of Fame Awards presentation and picnic at Riverside Park (420 West Grant).
Douglas, Cheyenne - Saturday, August 15.
Enzi plans to celebrate the Wyoming State Fair by participating in the annual parade beginning at the intersection of Fifth and Hamilton streets in Douglas at 10 a.m. After the parade, Enzi plans to present at the Wyoming State Historic Preservation
Office’s 2008 Centennial Ranch Awards at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in the Pavilion next to the museum from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Enzi plans to stop by the day long Cheyenne Sons of Italy Chapter annual Bocce ball tournament from 5-6 p.m. at Frontier Park (Indian Village at 8th and Carey).
Casper,Riverton - Monday, August 17
From 12-1 p.m., Enzi is scheduled to be the luncheon speaker at the Casper 5 Trails Rotary Club’s weekly lunch at the Parkway Plaza (123 West E St.). Enzi plans to speak about reforming health care and the cap-and-tax proposal. Organizer: 5 Trails Rotary Club (contact: Bill Sullivan 307-232-1211).
Enzi plans to attend the Central Wyoming College Intertribal Education and Community Center Groundbreaking (2660 Peck Ave.) from 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Riverton, Lander - Tuesday, August 18
Enzi is scheduled to tour the Riverton Community Health Center (511 N. 12th St. E #B)
from 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. After the tour from 3:15-4 p.m., Senator Enzi plans to tour the Wyoming Catholic College (163 Leedy Dr.).
Casper - Wednesday, August 19
Enzi plans to speak at the Petroleum Association of Wyoming’s Annual Meeting at the Parkway Plaza Hotel (123 W. E St.) in Casper from 10-11:45 a.m. Organizer: Wyoming Petroleum Association (contact Bruce Hinchey 307-234-5333). Following the speech Enzi is slated to speak to the Casper Lions Club from noon-1:15 p.m., in the Wyoming Room of the Parkway Plaza. Organizer: Casper Lions Club (contact: Frank Stewart 307-234-1461) Enzi plans to speak about reforming health care and the cap-and-tax proposal at both events.
Evanston - Thursday, August 20
Enzi is scheduled to tour the roundhouse railroad complex (1440 Main St.) from 10:45-11:25 a.m. followed by a visit to the Evanston Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Wyoming Hall at the Best Western Dunmar Inn (1601 Harrison Dr.) from 12-1:15 p.m. Enzi plans to speak about reforming health care and the cap-and-tax proposal. Organizer: Evanston Chamber of Commerce (contact 307-783-0370). Following the luncheon Enzi plans to tour the Evanston Hospital (190 Arrowhead Dr.) from 1:30-2:15 p.m. Then Enzi is scheduled to tour Carbon Fiber Technology (1375 Union Road) from 2:30 - 3:15 p.m.
Rock Springs - Friday, August 21
Enzi plans to tour the Sweetwater County Hospital (1200 College Dr.) from 10-10:45 a.m., followed by a tour of the Western Oil Technology at Western Wyoming Community College (2500 College Dr.)from 10:55-11:40 a.m. From 12-1:15 p.m. Enzi is scheduled to speak at the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce luncheon, location to be determined. Check www.enzi.senate.gov under the Wyoming events tab for updated location. Enzi plans to speak about reforming health care and the cap-and-tax proposal. Organizer: Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce (contact 307-362-3771).
Gillette - Monday, August 24
Enzi has accepted an invitation to speak at the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce forum from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Gillette College Health Science Building (300 W. Sinclair). Enzi is one of several speakers that will discuss health care reform. Organizer: Campbell County Chamber of Commerce (contact: Tracy Williams 307-682-3673).
**Individuals interested in attending speaking engagements must contact the event organizers. **
All plans subject to change due to weather and the Senate schedule. Check Enzi’s Web page www.enzi.senate.gov for schedule updates and additions.
Notice how the press release opens and closes with this phrase: "Individuals interested in attending speaking engagements must contact the event organizers."
Wonder why?
The only truly public forum I ses on the list is the one in Gillette on Aug. 24. Enzi's family moved from Sheridan to Gillette when he was a kid. He lived there a long time, and once was mayor. This will be a hometown crowd. Wonder if any teabaggers will show up to disrupt the proceedings?
Teabaggers rehearse their lines for Obama visit
Teabaggers have time on their hands and they plan to "be out in full force to protest President Barack Obama's health care initiatives during his visit to the Bozeman area next week." according to Channel 7 in Bozeman.
Obama is planning a visit to the Bozeman area on Friday, Aug. 14. So-called highly-placed D.C. sources confirmed Wednesday that Obama will attend a fundraiser for Sen. Max Baucus at the Yellowstone Club Big Sky next weekend.
Should be a quid pro quo for that gig. Obama will attend fund-raiser if Baucus stops being an obstructionist on health care reform. No deal, no speech.
The Bozeman Tea Party group leader Bob Adney said that his members will join a town hall forum if one is held during Obama's visit.
Funny thing, the idea of screening attendees at public events is a Bush/Cheney trick. Not sure if Obama's people do the same thing -- it would be a shame if they did. The Secret Service and FBI have to do their jobs to keep dangerous people from the event. A few screaming wingnuts are not dangerous. Annoying as hell but not dangerous.
During his visit, Pres. Obama also will visit Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Grand Junction, Colo.
By the way, jhwygirl at 4&20blackbirds broke the news about the Obama visit on Tuesday. Kudos to this always-alert ex-Wyomingite.
Obama is planning a visit to the Bozeman area on Friday, Aug. 14. So-called highly-placed D.C. sources confirmed Wednesday that Obama will attend a fundraiser for Sen. Max Baucus at the Yellowstone Club Big Sky next weekend.
Should be a quid pro quo for that gig. Obama will attend fund-raiser if Baucus stops being an obstructionist on health care reform. No deal, no speech.
The Bozeman Tea Party group leader Bob Adney said that his members will join a town hall forum if one is held during Obama's visit.
"It's said, it's going to be a town hall, so I hope they're not going to screen participants for only people that support Obama. I really hope it is an honest and true town hall with lots of different people, and that they'll answer tough questions. But that's something we'll see. Hopefully it's not just a staged, you know, beauty pageant up there," Adney said.
Funny thing, the idea of screening attendees at public events is a Bush/Cheney trick. Not sure if Obama's people do the same thing -- it would be a shame if they did. The Secret Service and FBI have to do their jobs to keep dangerous people from the event. A few screaming wingnuts are not dangerous. Annoying as hell but not dangerous.
During his visit, Pres. Obama also will visit Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Grand Junction, Colo.
By the way, jhwygirl at 4&20blackbirds broke the news about the Obama visit on Tuesday. Kudos to this always-alert ex-Wyomingite.
Protect an American tradition and attend Congressional town hall meetings
I'll be there as a card-carrying member of the WPEA/SEIU.
WyoDems' Petersen: "Ashamed and disappointed" in Wyoming senators
From today's WyoDems press release:
Contact: Brianna Jones, brianna@wyomingdemocrats.com, (307) 752-5288
Wyoming Democratic Party Chair Leslie Petersen issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to confirm President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Sonia Sotomayor:
“Today’s confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor is a historic event for the U.S. Supreme Court and for the American people. Our nation’s highest court will gain a sharp mind and a highly experienced justice to its bench. Her dedication to the court and commitment to the Constitution have been proven throughout her expansive legal career as a judge, a litigator and a prosecutor. With more judicial experience than any justice on the court in the last 70 years, she couldn’t be more prepared to rise to the monumental task of serving our country as a Supreme Court Justice.
"On this day we would also like to pause and appreciate the life of Judge Sotomayor as a remarkable citizen. Her achievements and hard work are humbling proof that the American Dream is alive and achievable. Judge Sotomayor will be the first Latina and only the third female to serve on the Supreme Court, making her a strong role model and an inspiration to millions of Latino and female Americans. Today is a great day for the American people, and I congratulate Judge Sotomayor and wish her the best of luck as she embarks on this important journey."
We are ashamed and disappointed that neither of our Senators voted for this outstanding woman.
Contact: Brianna Jones, brianna@wyomingdemocrats.com, (307) 752-5288
Thursday, August 06, 2009
In the Rockies, better blue than red
I live in the libertarian-minded Rocky Mountain West. I'm a resident of Wyoming, the second-most conservative state in the nation. Utah (not surprisingly) is numero uno, followed by our Cowboy/Equality/Coal State and then Idaho. We make up a red ultra-conservative misshapen Balkan province among a region that's trending blue. This according to the latest Gallup Poll.Blame my liberalism on shallow Wyoming roots. I moved my family here in 1991 from Fort Collins, Colo. Before that we were a decade in Denver, now reliably blue. In fact, the entire state of Colorado now leans Democratic. Kind of amazing, when you consider that the eastern plains and the Western Slope are very conservative. But even Colorado Springs showed some gains in Democratic Party registration last year. You know all about the Springs: Focus on the Family, Ted Haggard, born-again indoctrination at the Air Force Academy. A heavy military presence, with booming Ft. Carson, NORAD and Peterson AFB.
I've lived in two solidly Democratic states: Massachusetts and Maryland. I spent most of my formative years in Florida, now in the "Leaning Democratic" fold after the 2008 elections. It's an odd place. Talk about your Balkanization. The reliably blue south (even younger Cubans are coming over to the Dems) and the Redneck panhandle, more 'Bama and Mississippi that beachtown Florida. Central Florida is a toss-up, but a very vocal group of born-agains bumping up against Yuppies emigrating from the Rust Belt.
I love Florida, for all those reasons and others too numerous to mention. Odd thing is, my eight brothers and sisters, all Floridians, are almost all diehard Republicans. The most liberal is my nurse sister in Tallahassee; the most conservative my retiree entrepreneur surfer brother in Daytona. Sometimes the others vote Dem, sometimes Repub. They either register Repub or Independent. None of them are like me -- a lifelong Dem. I did register as an Indie during college in the 1970s, but still voted for Jimmy Carter.
So why don't I just try to fit in here in Wyoming? No fun. It's also against my religion -- Catholic Socialist. That's not really a religion, just a fun label I hang on myself. In Wyoming, you can use those Repub buzzwords to get people fired up. You know, socialist, community organizer, liberal (the "L" word), even plain old "Democrat." It's fun.
But my beliefs are serious. I could never register Repub because it's the only game in town. Some of my friends admit this. Nobody to vote for in the Democratic primaries! The Wyoming Democratic Party is pathetic! You guys don't know how to party! O.K., I've never heard the last excuse, but it's probably true.
When you're in mixed company in Wyoming, the likely assumption is that you're all in the same conservative club. Doesn't take long for the Obama cracks to start. Best way to nip them in the bud is to raise your pointy little head and declare your support of Obama and your belief in "Hope" and health care and alternative energy and possibly socialism. Most Wyomingites are low key. Most of the time the conversation will go in a new direction. "How about them Pokes," referring to the Wyoming Cowboy football or basketball teams. There hasn't been much to admire in the past few seasons, but it can get things moving in a new direction.
I did get in a few dust-ups prior to the 2008 elections. And most people seem to know me well enough now that they steer clear of sensitive topics. Even my family has taken to cloaking their anti-Obama public comments on Facebook.
But this won't last. We're in the midst of a huge battle over major topics. This August recess is already off to a wild start, with Know Nothing corporate stooges interrupting town hall meetings by their Reps and Sens. This probably won't happen in the second most conservative state in the U.S. Our three-person Congressional delegation is reliably red. Obama today did mention Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi as one of the few Senate Repubs willing to talk turkey about health care reform.
But one never knows about the future. Former conservative stalwart Montana has moved into the "competitive" camp, according to Gallup. That's due to new immigrants from blue states. And Montana Democratic politicians are a lot like Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal. Some coaster liberals call them Dems in Name Only (DINO). I prefer pragmatic and cagy. Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Sen. Jon Tester are also in this category.
But Wyoming Democrats have made some gains, mostly in the state's few urban areas, such as Cheyenne and Casper, and resort areas such as Jackson.
Jake Nichols, writing in this week's Planet Jackson Hole, talked about some dangerous blue trends.
“People are starting to vote the right way [in Teton County],” said Bill Luckett, executive director of the Wyoming Democratic Party. To Luckett, the RIGHT way is a left-leaning voter core begat in liberal Teton County and trending through the state.
A Houston TV station took notice of this red state’s blues. “Wyoming has turned into an unexpected — and nagging — headache for the national GOP, which now finds itself forced to commit scarce resources to the lone House seat in one of the reddest states on the map,” KHOU-TV reported. The news piece attributed Democratic gains in part to Wyoming’s fierce independent streak – witness two-term gubernatorial incumbent Dave Freudenthal’s popularity – but conservatives are still worried.
Last week, the National Republican Congressional Committee announced it was adding Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) to its Patriot program — a watch list of the party’s most vulnerable incumbents.
One thing I know after 18 years in Wyoming: there's no "left-leaning voter core begat in Teton County and trending through the state." Liberals begat in Teton County don't move to other parts of the state. They move there from another place, and either stay put through pluck and good luck and trust funds, or move back to the coasts -- or to Taos or Aspen. The blue trend I see in Laramie County, on the opposite corner of the state from Jackson, is home grown. Dem voters here may be from other states. But they didn't pass through Jackson to get indoctrinated into the true Dem faith. Cheyenne Dems have a tendency to view their Teton County brothers and sisters with a jaundiced eye. It's often said by conservatives and liberals alike that Jackson is not a part of this state. An alternate reality, I suppose, where everyone can afford season ski passes and Volvos.
But the trend is clear. Urban areas are trending blue. Resort areas are trending blue. Cities and towns with a more educated citizenry are trending blue. The West is trending blue. And finally, the Rockies are trending blue. If you live in a state that includes some sliver of the magnificent Rocky Mountains, your future lies with the Dems.
For the entire Gallup Poll article, go to http://www.gallup.com/poll/122003/Political-Party-Affiliation-States-Blue-Red-Far.aspx?CSTS=addthis
Sunday, August 02, 2009
So proud of my health insurance company
Cigna Corp. is my health insurance company with the State of Wyoming. The company gobbled up our old insurance company, Great West Life, in the interest in making even more ungodly profits.
I'm wondering how much of this record profit goes toward the corporate chieftains so they can deny coverage to people like me.
Tom Murphy reports this in Business Week mag:
I'm wondering how much of this record profit goes toward the corporate chieftains so they can deny coverage to people like me.
Tom Murphy reports this in Business Week mag:
Health insurer Cigna Corp. said Thursday its second-quarter profit jumped 60 percent on a more favorable interest rate and other items but, like other major health insurers, enrollment tumbled as employers cut jobs.
The Philadelphia company said it earned $435 million, or $1.58 per share, up from $272 million, or 96 cents per share. Revenue fell 8 percent to $4.49 billion from $4.86 billion. Adjusted profit from operations grew 3 percent to $313 million, or $1.14 per share.
Analysts expected a profit of 96 cents per share on $4.8 billion in revenue, according to Thomson Reuters. Cigna includes results from one of its discontinued businesses in its adjusted profit, but many analysts do not in their projections.
Cigna operates health care, group disability and life and international business segments.Its results reflect solid contributions from each portion "and, in this challenging economic environment, demonstrate the benefit of our diversified portfolio of businesses," Chairman and CEO H. Edward Hanway said during a conference call with analysts.
Cigna shares rose 9 percent, or $2.50, to $9.43 in Wednesday morning trading.
Cigna said 40 cents per share of its profit came from its guaranteed minimum income benefits business, which took a large charge in the first half of 2008 and had been a drag on past earnings.
Cigna discontinued that business and its variable annuity death benefits in 2000. The insurer operates both in run-off mode, meaning it seeks no new business for them. Equity market declines led to charges from both businesses that hurt Cigna in recent quarters.The insurer also said a decision to freeze its pension plan also helped in the second quarter, providing a benefit of 11 cents per share.
Total enrollment fell to 11.2 million, down from 12.1 million in the same quarter last year. Cigna said premiums and fees for its health care segment, the largest portion of its business, fell 7 percent to $2.85 billion due to the enrollment decline.
Company officials said during a conference call with analysts that the decline was higher than expected, but they attributed 80 percent of it to employees losing health insurance, not employers dropping Cigna as a benefits provider.
The company raised its full-year adjusted profit outlook, to $3.80 to $4 per share. That tops analysts' profit expectations of $3.71 per share. In June, Cigna had projected earnings of $3.70 to $3.90 per share. The new outlook assumes that capital markets will remain stable for the rest of the year.
However, Cigna now expects a larger membership decline. It forecast a 5 to 5.5 percent decrease in enrollment, compared with an earlier forecast of a decline of 3 to 4 percent. Enrollment at the start of 2009 was roughly 11.7 million people.
First Ladies lend muscle to arts support
America's First Ladies are charged with promoting the boring stuff: Arts, culture, education and gardening -- to name a few.
It was Hillary, not Bill, who attended D.C.'s arts events in the nineties. When I was in D.C. from 1993-95, Hillary presided over the NEA's annual National Heritage Fellowship awards and almost all other arts and humanities awards ceremonies. She attended concerts and plays and ballet performances. Sometimes Bill tagged along.
Laura Bush, a librarian and book-lover, worked with the Library of Congress to launch the annual National Book Festival on the National Mall. The next one is scheduled for Sept. 26 and features one of our own, mystery writer Craig Johnson.
Laura's husband, Pres. George W. Bush, is known to have read at least one book.
Michelle Obama takes her role seriously as Arts Educator in Chief. When designers across the U.S. came to D.C. for the annual National Design Awards, Ms. Obama dispatched them to five museums to conduct free public lectures. So these designers headed off to museums: Bill Moggridge, designer of the world's first laptop; Calvin Klein's Francisco Costa; Calvin Tsao and Zack McCown, both interior designers. They spoke about cothes designs, architecture, sustainable neighborhoods, engineering and jobs. Later they returned to the White House for lunch.
Here are some quotes from Ms. Obama's speech, as reported by AP:
Knowledge combined with imagination will lead us out of the crises posed by global warming and endless war. Well, maybe not the latter. But engineers and designers will design fuel-efficient buildings and cars and aircraft. Our local library received 2008 National Library of the Year honors for its role as a great library with helpful, knowledgeable staff. Also, its LEEDS-certified and the landscaping consists of native, low-water plants. We have a new library in Pinedale made of rammed earth and a library addition in Lander that uses alternative energy including geothermal. Those huge windmills going up east of Cheyenne are a marvel of engineering and design. I'm still waiting for a small rotary windmill for my roof. Maybe I should say an affordable rotary wind generator.
Too bad those First Ladies take care of the boring stuff. That's also true on thje state level. Governor Dave Freudenthal is a lawyer and former prosecutor who also refurbishes old sheep wagons. His name is on the proclamations for the annual Governor's Arts Awards. But he always credits his attorney wife Nancy with having the artsitic taste in the family. She appears regularly at arts and humanities events. She also was the catalyst behind the state's first Arts Summit in 2007.
Roberta "Bobby" Hathaway pushed her husband, Gov. Stan Hathaway, to establish the Wyoming Arts Council in 1967. She was on the first board. Sherri Geringer, wife of Gov. Jim Geringer, wrote the intro for the WAC's 30th anniversary publication, "Portrait of the Arts in Wyoming."
These are smart and powerful women. Hillary Clinton came within a gnat's eyelash of being the Democratic Part's presidential nominee. Wyomingites talk about a possible gubernatorial run by Nancy Freudenthal. Her husband's two terms expire next year and Gov Dave is being coy about seeking a third term.
So, when Michelle and Laura and Hillary take on a project, it will get done. And stay done.
It was Hillary, not Bill, who attended D.C.'s arts events in the nineties. When I was in D.C. from 1993-95, Hillary presided over the NEA's annual National Heritage Fellowship awards and almost all other arts and humanities awards ceremonies. She attended concerts and plays and ballet performances. Sometimes Bill tagged along.
Laura Bush, a librarian and book-lover, worked with the Library of Congress to launch the annual National Book Festival on the National Mall. The next one is scheduled for Sept. 26 and features one of our own, mystery writer Craig Johnson.
Laura's husband, Pres. George W. Bush, is known to have read at least one book.
Michelle Obama takes her role seriously as Arts Educator in Chief. When designers across the U.S. came to D.C. for the annual National Design Awards, Ms. Obama dispatched them to five museums to conduct free public lectures. So these designers headed off to museums: Bill Moggridge, designer of the world's first laptop; Calvin Klein's Francisco Costa; Calvin Tsao and Zack McCown, both interior designers. They spoke about cothes designs, architecture, sustainable neighborhoods, engineering and jobs. Later they returned to the White House for lunch.
Here are some quotes from Ms. Obama's speech, as reported by AP:
"An educational foundation is only part of the equation. In order for creativity to flourish and imagination to take hold, we also need to expose our children to the arts from a very young age."
She said Albert Einstein had it right when he said imagination is more important than knowledge. "We need to ensure that our children have both — knowledge and imagination. I know I want that for my girls. They deserve to have access to a good education and access to ideas and images that will spark their creativity."
She also spoke of her efforts "to break down barriers that too often exist between major cultural establishments and the people in their immediate communities."
"So we've been sending a lot of role models out there in the far reaches of this city and then inviting kids to come back here to the White House. That's been a big part of the messages of every single event that we've done here at the White House. These kids who are living just inches away from power and prestige and fortune and fame, we want those kids to know that they belong here, too ... and in the museums, and in libraries, and laboratories all over this country."
"What I love about design is the artistic and scientific complexity that also becomes useful: A laptop, a bridge, an outfit, a garden. All drawn from a thousand wells of inspiration and yet grounded in the basic principles of math or science."
Knowledge combined with imagination will lead us out of the crises posed by global warming and endless war. Well, maybe not the latter. But engineers and designers will design fuel-efficient buildings and cars and aircraft. Our local library received 2008 National Library of the Year honors for its role as a great library with helpful, knowledgeable staff. Also, its LEEDS-certified and the landscaping consists of native, low-water plants. We have a new library in Pinedale made of rammed earth and a library addition in Lander that uses alternative energy including geothermal. Those huge windmills going up east of Cheyenne are a marvel of engineering and design. I'm still waiting for a small rotary windmill for my roof. Maybe I should say an affordable rotary wind generator.
Too bad those First Ladies take care of the boring stuff. That's also true on thje state level. Governor Dave Freudenthal is a lawyer and former prosecutor who also refurbishes old sheep wagons. His name is on the proclamations for the annual Governor's Arts Awards. But he always credits his attorney wife Nancy with having the artsitic taste in the family. She appears regularly at arts and humanities events. She also was the catalyst behind the state's first Arts Summit in 2007.
Roberta "Bobby" Hathaway pushed her husband, Gov. Stan Hathaway, to establish the Wyoming Arts Council in 1967. She was on the first board. Sherri Geringer, wife of Gov. Jim Geringer, wrote the intro for the WAC's 30th anniversary publication, "Portrait of the Arts in Wyoming."
These are smart and powerful women. Hillary Clinton came within a gnat's eyelash of being the Democratic Part's presidential nominee. Wyomingites talk about a possible gubernatorial run by Nancy Freudenthal. Her husband's two terms expire next year and Gov Dave is being coy about seeking a third term.
So, when Michelle and Laura and Hillary take on a project, it will get done. And stay done.
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