http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/group_rss/Sportsmen As sportsmen, we love wilderness. And we believe we have a responsibility to pass on to our children a heritage of wilderness for them to enjoy, and for their children in turn to enjoy. The wheels are moving to enshrine the current occupant of the White House on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. While it's clear the driving force to create this facility is to protect the secrets and offenses of the coWH, it is fun to see some critics having a laugh at W's expense. Still, there is soooo much work to be done correcting the damage he has done. America certainly does not deserve Bush McClone as the next President. Reprinted from an admired source (with a few choice edits) with an encouragement to share. The George W. Bush Museum is being planned at Southern Methodist U. DALLAS Methodists opposed to a George W. Bush Presidential Library, Museum and Policy Institute at Southern Methodist University here are mounting a last-ditch effort to block a nearly completed deal by throwing the decision to a regional church conference in July. Prominent features of the George W. Bush Library are: 1. The Hurricane Katrina Room, which will be perpetually under construction. 2. The Alberto Gonzales Room, where you can't remember anything and practice the phrases "…yes Mr. President…whatever you want, Mr. President." 3. The Texas Air National Guard Room where you don't even have to show up. 4. The Walter Reed Hospital Room, where they don't let you in. 5. The Guantanamo Bay Room, where they don't let you out. 6. The Weapons of Mass Destruction Room, which no one has been able to find. 7. The Iraq War Room. After you complete your first tour, they make you go back for a second, third, fourth, and sometimes fifth tour. 8. The Dick Cheney Room in the famous undisclosed location, complete with shooting gallery. 9. The Airport Men's Room, where you can meet some of your favorite Republican Senators. 10. Last, but not least, there will be an entire floor devoted to a 7/8 scale model of the President's ego. To highlight the President's accomplishments, the museum will have an electron microscope to help you locate them. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqTV http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqTV/commentary#comments Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:49:25 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqTV Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 128 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqTV/ Two things strike me as important lessons following the GOP coup of elevating Bruce Benson to CU President: that this could have been foreseen in the GOP indignation to removing BB from the Metro State Board, and that this is the price Colorado pays for GOP dominance of any governing board like the CU Regents. The end result remains that Colorado has reduced the CU President from being a distinguished post for an accomplished leader in high education to an opportunistic prize for a marketing driven and profit focused political activist. Every Congressional District nominating assembly/convention must take a closer look at candidates for CU Regent. Removing the GOP Regents currently representing districts of Democratic members of the US Congress should now receive higher priority. The holder of a CU Regent's seat does matter. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqD4 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqD4/commentary#comments Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:06:46 MST http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqD4 Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 2 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqD4/ OK, so this is a copy-cat of a great idea that kicked-off in Aurora. The Colorado Confidential story http://www.coloradoconfidential.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3472  enticed me that this is a "too good to be true" idea that I don't want to see fade off as a one-time shot (pun intended). Considering the current season, I am familiar with a phenomenal indoor shooting range in Loveland.  With sufficient interest I am ready to organize and evening or Saturday Shooting Liberally event in Northern Colorado. All that I need is just a handful of ProgressNow responses.  Then, I'll kick this off and be ready to place announcements in the Loveland newspaper to generate more interest. Like the original organizers in Aurora I am encouraged that this is a program to demonstrate that Liberals and Progressives do support the Second Amendment to the US Constitution; without bowing to radical NRA proliferation of cheap handguns and automatic weapons.  I've got some ideas to roll into the agenda on environmental protection, water quality, safety and private property rights/respect. This is also a rare opportunity for "Sportsmen for Progress" to have a get-together.  An opportunity to whittle-away at the GOP's perceived exclusivity on gun rights is very valuable.  I'll even consider inviting Northern Colorado Democratic political candidates to participate. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqDm http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqDm/commentary#comments Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:28:17 MST http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqDm Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 257 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqDm/ Update - May 6. RNC Treasurer Tim Morgan is the latest signator of a "lost" beg letter. This is the key propaganda clause - Democrat presidential candidates and the Reid/Pelosi-run-Congress have promised to repeal the Bush tax cuts, retreat from teh War on Terror and increase the size of government through their one-size-fits-all health care plan. Plan your counter-agruments (AKA, the truth) accordingly. OBTW - I decided to support the USPS by stuffing the entire contents of my latest Val-Pack mailing into their postage paid return envelope (2 1/4 oz). ************ Original Post ********************* It's hard to tell what going on at the Republican National Committee (RNC) on December 5, 2007. While Robert M. "Mike" Duncan (RNC Chairman) was hoping to create a profitable fundraising campaign, it appears that he missed the mark and has provided dedicated Democrats and Progressives with a good laugh. Holiday parties around the country are likely producing the same experience as a recent gathering of mostly Democrats in Larimer County. We went around the room comparing who did, and did not, get Mike Duncan's plea for donations. Be it amazing, perplexing or even pathetic, a large number of us had that letter at home, or had even brought it to the party as a conversation piece. There was an abundance of humor and criticism available after many eyes picked through this correspondence. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqKZ http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqKZ/commentary#comments Wed, 26 Dec 2007 18:14:20 MST http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqKZ Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 1 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqKZ/ Admittedly, there is a certain personality type that thrives on anonimity and obscurity. I would hope that someone active on ProgressNow would not be part of that group. So it continues to perplex me when I see piles of "User from, ????" as the name on so many member profiles and blog comments. All of the Groups seem to be over-run with legions of people named "User from, ????" (Oh, and Bobby and Michael and Alan and John K are always there too.) Can it really be that hard to create a pen-name - nickname - logon name, etc? Consider that I'm so non-creative that I just use my real first name and last initial. I'm not even fun enough to be neon, or something colorful like that. Point is folks, put a little effort and fun into this. I know your parents and grandparents didn't want to you to be known as "User from." http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cq3f http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cq3f/commentary#comments Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:47:13 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cq3f Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cq3f/ Take a look at Cara DeGette’s Colorado Confidential report on Colorado GOP demon-in-chief Dick Wadhams’ most recent speech in Colorado Springs - Link “Wadhams: Off the Mat and into the Game … Again.”  Then we can try a basic lesson in opposition research, and what it means to beat “Dick-Wad” by studying his own speech.   There is no doubt that Wadhams has every intention to push the Colorado GOP into 2008 along his classic fear and smear line.  This report gives clear indicators that he has begun to pick-out his favorite Democratic gaffes with full intent to twist and distort them to fit his warped ambitions.   The danger lies in the probability that what he released in Colorado Springs is only the start of his fear, smear and distortion campaign plan.  Keep and eye out, and check your closets, that there are other stories that the Wadhams machine will twist to taint Democratic candidates and Progressive issues to mislead and manipulate the electorate.  Or, at least the gullible media that seems so obsessed with his commentary. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqr5 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqr5/commentary#comments Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:34:50 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqr5 Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 2 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cqr5/ Colorado's 4th Congressional District representative Marilyn "Miracle Make-over" Musgrave is moving into high-risk territory this Sunday, July 15th. At 6:00 PM she'll be one of the Newsmaker guests on "Your Show" produced by 9News and broadcast on Channel 20 (Channel 9 - lite). There are a couple of possibilities: 1) That MM's supporters, special interest contributors and staff handlers have been banking up a massive number of soft-touch question submissions for this show, or 2) She has made MASSIVE miscalculation by agreeing to this appearance, and we have a unique chance to deliver a lesson in reality to MM. Folks it's time to stand-up, brush off those stacks of Marilyn Makes Me Mad press clippings and put MM back in your cross-hairs (OK, make her your target for Progressive indignation for all of the non-hunters/vets). This is just too easy to pass up. Here's the link to the webpage Link A short down scroll reveals the "Your Turn" boxes. Either one will activate a pop-up from your email to send your question to 9News. Don't miss out on the chance to vote in their poll on the Iraq War. The "pull-out" position is currently leading against the current occupant and the Senate Republicans. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqc3 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqc3/commentary#comments Fri, 13 Jul 2007 11:50:00 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqc3 Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 2 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cqc3/ There's reason to be skeptical of the reports of the primary challenge to Angie Paccione for the Colorado 4th Congressional District Democratic nomination. For several hours today more than 100 experienced and enthusiastic supporters gathered at a Fort Collins picnic to officially kick-off her 2008 campaign. "Angie for All of Us" is the 2008 slogan. In addition to that, Angie presented enticing hints that the 2008 pursuit of the 4th CD will include new faces to round out an experienced campaign staff. Judging by the raised hands she already has over 100 experienced campaign volunteers and fundraising donors ready to carry the fight to unseat Marilyn Musgrave. Several campaign facts and analysis points made by Angie Paccione seemed to encourage an already enthusiastic crowd. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqJB http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqJB/commentary#comments Sat, 30 Jun 2007 21:48:17 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqJB Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 2 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqJB/ I discovered this story while scanning through the "Democratic Party Builder" blogs. High praise to "Retired Army" for breaking this out. Our wise neighbor David often enlightens us with his "required reading" messages. This one qualifies as required viewing; if you have the fortitude to watch it straight through in one sitting. Link http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqns http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqns/commentary#comments Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:50:02 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqns Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 1 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cqns/ Here’s a “Way to GO!” for David Brock (President and CEO, Media Matters for America), and the Campaign for America's Future.   They have completed a new report that is a welcome relief for those of us who must content with friends and family members who are afflicted with the worst cases of Radical Republican Right WingNut –itis.  The typical Right WingNut relies on a foundational ideal of an American conservative majority.  From there they promulgate all sorts of outrageous and dangerous policies.  Thanks to Media Matters for America and the Campaign for America's Future, we now have proof that the WingNuts are way off the mark. The hard work now is to put he pressure on the media (yes, I know Faux Noise is a lost cause), politicians and those irritating (but still beloved) friends and family.  Here’s the highlight summary provided by Media Matters for America. The role of government -- 69 percent of Americans believe the government "should care for those who can't care for themselves;" twice as many people (43 percent vs. 20 percent) want "government to provide many more services even if it means an increase in spending" as wanted government to provide fewer services "in order to reduce spending." The economy -- 77 percent of Americans think Congress should increase the minimum wage; 66 percent believe "upper-income people" pay too little in taxes; 53 percent feel the Bush tax cuts have failed because they have increased the deficit and caused cuts in government programs. Social issues -- 61 percent of Americans support embryonic stem cell research; 62 percent want to protect Roe v. Wade ; only 3 percent of Americans rank gay marriage as the "most important" social issue. Security -- 43 percent of Americans say we are spending too much on our military; 60 percent feel the federal government should do more about restricting the kinds of guns that people can purchase. The environment -- 75 percent of Americans would be wiling to pay more for electricity if it were generated by renewable sources to help reduce global warming; 79 percent want higher emissions standards for automobiles. Energy -- 52 percent of Americans believe "the best way for the U.S. to reduce its reliance on foreign oil" is to "have the government invest in alternative energy sources;" 68 percent of the public thinks U.S. energy policy is better solved by conservation than production. Immigration -- 57 percent of Americans feel "most recent immigrants to the U.S. contribute to this country" rather than "cause problems." 67 percent of Americans feel that "on the whole" immigration is a "good thing for this country today." Health care - 69 percent of Americans think it is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure all Americans have access to health coverage; 76 percent find access to health care more important than maintaining the Bush tax cuts; three in five would be willing to have their own taxes increased to achieve universal coverage. » Read the Report and Spread the Word! http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqp4 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqp4/commentary#comments Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:31:38 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqp4 Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 1 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cqp4/ Here we go again…a good Democratic initiated bill is rapidly approaching passage, and of course, Colorado Representative Kevin Lundberg (R-Berthoud) must resort to fear, smear and irrational exaggeration in his opposition Link . Lundberg is the champion of all causes of the radical rightwing regardless of the harm it would cause in Colorado, and this is no exception. Senate Bill 34 is an important measure that closes a dangerous gap in Colorado's concealed weapons law, and restores vital authorities to County Sheriffs. The highly suspicious practice of a Colorado resident applying to an out-of-state law enforcement entity to get concealed weapon permit will end with its approval. All Coloradoans should be suspicious of someone who would bypass applying to the local Sheriff, or defy the denial of a concealed carry permit by getting one mail-order from Florida (or other places). This is no threat to the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution; it's just wrong. From its inception this has been recognized as a good bill Link . The opposition of Lundberg and other Radical Right WingNuts is clearly irresponsible. Thankfully, there appear to be enough favorable votes for this bill to go to Governor Ritter and become law. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/C2XQ http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/C2XQ/commentary#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:30:15 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/C2XQ Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 2 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2XQ/ We had a little fun with 'Foxy' the fox today... NO, not That Kind of Fun! We heard that Frontier was doing a Campaign Interview style promo for the 'Foxy' Frontier's Favorite Animal at the Civic Center today across from the City Hall. So we thought this would be great test of our Concept of Instant Vigils. We flew downtown and did a 'one indian' to their 'circle the wagons' maneuver. The media types applauded my arrival but grumbled later when they had trouble getting a shot without our signs in the background. Our sign on one side said. Call Foxy and tell her to Stop the Iraq War and impeach Bush and on the other side Call Foxy and say Stop the War and impeach Bush. Amazing the amount of eyeballs these signs got. It was Fun... you all shoulda been there. Maybe next time, eh! Join Us. Impeachment can be fun. John WeeklyVigilsToImpeach.Us Link ProgressNowAction Member Link http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/kennedyjohn/C2vS http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/kennedyjohn/C2vS/commentary#comments Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:14:58 MST http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/kennedyjohn/C2vS John H Kennedy http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/5e4c96e6db734362f3_l5hmv2v71.jpg John H Kennedy 2 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2vS/ The arrogance and twisted logic of some Colorado Republican RadicalRightWingnuts is nearly sickening. Now it is reported that Democratic State Senator John Morse is being criticized for having the gall to introduce gun legislation. Cara DeGette has posted a report to the "Colorado Confidential" web about more Colorado radicals exposing their bias and inability to accept good ideas no matter the source. The merits of Senator Morse's bill go beyond his own assertion of "This is just common sense..." Respectfully, it goes to the issue of protecting State and local sovereignty to pass laws providing equal protection and accountability to all of the citizens/residents of the State. In addition to it being highly unethical (maybe they just want the cash) for out-of-state authorities to fulfill mail-orders for a concealed weapon permit, there is absolutely no reason why Colorado should be compelled to accept this practice. The opposing arguments stretch the limits of logic and reason. In recorded testimony in now appears that the Colorado State Shooting Association, the National Rifle Association, and the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners want to bestow blatant authority for out-of-staters to defy Colorado Law. Their pursuit of the most lenient and porous enforcement is purely hypocritical. Imagine their conduct if Colorado were facing the prospects of adopting an even more stringent outside standard. No, we know they would raise even more vehement and vitriolic opposition. This is quite obviously a loophole that needs to be closed before a preventable tragedy occurs. There are times to be responsible and pro-active. Senator Morse has caught a live one that should not be allow to squirm loose because a few misguided kooks don't get the picture. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/C2cC http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/C2cC/commentary#comments Tue, 30 Jan 2007 09:58:05 MST http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/C2cC Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2cC/ Senator Allard is boasting in his latests email newsletter of 16 new bills that he's introduced to start his final two-years in Congress; a wildernes designation bill for Rocky Mountian National Park is not on the list. Maybe, the good Senator is still holding his last bill that carefully avoided the provisions of the REAL 1964 Wilderness Act. There is still time to tell Senator Allard that only a wilderness bill that includes Rocky Mountain National Park in the full protection of the 1964 Wilderness Act is acceptable. Placing the fate of the park in the discretion of the Interior Secretary, as in the 2006 Allard-Musgrave bill, falls too short. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/C2WF http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/C2WF/commentary#comments Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:27:58 MST http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/C2WF Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2WF/