by Charles Bonniwell | Oct 21, 2022 | Editorials
There is an old saying in politics that there are two major parties in America and one is the party of evil and the other is the party of stupid. The Republican Party is viewed as the party of stupid and that is particularly true in Colorado. The Republican Party in 2001 was on a roll looking like it would be the dominant party in the state. The Democrats then began changing the election rules to their benefit.
First, they put on the ballot a requirement for all mail-in ballots, which was overwhelmingly rejected by the voters in 2002. But then, with the help of the Republican Secretary of State, no excuse absentee balloting was instituted in 2004. In 2013 with Democrats in control of the Governor’s office, the Senate, and the House, they adopted all mail-in balloting even though the voters had previously rejected it. Did the Republicans then put on the ballot a rejection again of all mail-in balloting? No, of course not. Then in 2016 they had the voters approve semi-open primaries where independents could vote in either major party primary (although not in both).
By 2018, the Democrats and gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis began widespread ballot harvesting, and no Republican has since won any statewide election. It is well known that ballot harvesting is an invitation to voter fraud. What is more shocking is what is allowed with ballot harvesting. Did Colorado Republicans then go to court like in Delaware which found it unconstitutional? No. Did the party support closing its primary by ballot or by the courts? No. Did they support a ballot initiative to outlaw ballot harvesting? No.
Instead the changes have resulted in primaries where independent voters choose semi-Democrats as Republican standard bearers like Joe O’Dea for U.S. Senate and Pam Anderson for Secretary of State. Conversely, Democrats often have single person primaries, and their candidates tend to appeal to their base of voters.
Jon Caldara, The One-Eyed Man in the Party of the Blind
Republicans, like former state party chair and Congressman Ken Buck, call the Colorado system the “gold standard.” Former Republican Secretary of State Wayne Williams goes on television in an ad, paid for by the taxpayers’ COVID-19 funds praising the system, and the spot acted as a political advertisement for Democrat Jena Griswold for Secretary of State.
What have Republicans done to protest the clearly one-sided political system? They have told all their voters to wait until election day and vote in person. Brilliant! It guarantees a lower turnout by Republicans and Republican leaning independents, as with only one day to vote, all type of emergencies can develop preventing even the most ardent person from voting that day.
Conversely, the Democrats urged their voters to vote as soon as possible and give their ballots to trusted Democrat ballot harvesters. Thus, Democrats have a three week Get Out the Vote (GOTV) to get their voters to the polls. Essentially the Republicans have no GOTV as they can’t canvass recalcitrant Republican voters who say they intend to vote in person.
Republicans think ballot harvesting stinks and so they won’t do it. Jon Caldara, head of the Independence Institute, a free market think tank, is at least a one-eyed man in the party of the blind. He wrote a column for the Colorado Gazette (which is controlled like the Independence Institute, by Phil Anschutz) titled “Embrace a Vote Harvesting System.” He makes the obvious point that if one side ballot harvests and the other doesn’t, the one that doesn’t will lose.
But the head of the Colorado Republican Party Kristi Burton Brown doesn’t get it. She has done nothing with ballot harvest or GOTV, at least nothing that is in any manner effective.
Watching elections in Colorado is like watching a heavyweight boxing fight with the Republican Party voluntarily tying one hand behind its back and getting pummeled.
It’s looking more and more like there will be a red wave nationally. But we don’t think it will wash up through the Colorado Rockies. With probably the dumbest state Republican Party in the country, Republicans will likely at most make some minor gains and perhaps win the new 8th Congressional District. It has been said that if Republicans can’t make major gains in Colorado in 2022 it probably will never do so. When you let your opponents write all the rules in their favor and then call it “the gold standard,” you probably don’t deserve to win.
by Peter Boyles | Oct 21, 2022 | Blasting with Boyles
OPINION
By the time you read this I’m sure you’ve already voted or are about to head to the polls and vote in person. Have you gone through this listening to or reading how outfits like The Denver Post, Colorado Sun, or any hot air pro Republican talk show host in Denver putting on their editorial page or website who they think you should vote for.
Doesn’t it sound like they think you’re too stupid to do the work yourself? You’re too dumb to know who to vote for or, better yet, who the hell are these people to tell you how to vote. It’s really a free political ad for the group of people that have screwed this state up so badly in the last 30 years that they think you’ve become stupid enough that you want them to continue.
The late Alan Berg, a real political sage once said on his show, “I don’t vote. Because it only encourages them.”
I think there’s tremendous truth in what Alan said. I had a conversation about Soviet voting. If you read Soviet history, Khrushchev and others always bragged about how the Soviets could vote. And when you do some reading you discover they voted by not voting. Example, Ivan the Agricultural Commissar in the Ukraine is doing a lousy job so none of the factory workers or farmers would go vote and hence the Communist Party would know that people were unhappy or displeased with his performance and unless he was a really entrenched upper Russki they would get rid of him and you would get a new Commissar. Can you see where I’m going with this?
What’s the difference between any of these people? And why is the city of Denver and state of Colorado sliding downhill rapidly?
And so, I urge you not to vote. Stay away from these people. Don’t go near them. Back in the ’60s and ’70s on college campuses and anti-war demonstrations, guys held up their draft cards and burned them. Later we found out a lot of them were just burning their social security cards. They weren’t really doing it but thought of themselves as brave antiwar demonstrators. So, let’s all get together, have a big rally, and hold up your mail-in ballot and light them puppies on fire. That’ll show them. Seeing Michael Bennet’s name turned to ash. Because if he wins, and I certainly believe he will, he’ll continue to turn you into the same thing.
When we all watch the results coming in on election day, remember I wrote this here in the Chronicle. Why is it that every two- or four-years people show up on your television screens endorsed by radio hosts and newspaper columns, and then two or four years later, you’re so pissed off after these people promised you how things are going to change. In the words of Elton John in Honky Cat, “the change is gonna do you good.”
In all seriousness, why do you celebrate an election outcome only to be terribly angry two or four years later at the results of the last one? Stay home. Stay safe.
— Peter Boyles
by Valley Gadfly | Oct 21, 2022 | Valley Gadfly
November is known for Thanksgiving, Veterans Day, and the last full month of the fall season. As the transition from fall to winter starts, we break out cozy sweaters and stylish scarves.
Family and friends get together for celebrations of all the small and big things that life has afforded us. And, of course, the food is to die for. There’s nothing like tasty pumpkin pie.
Here are our thoughtful choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment to help you focus on the upbeat aspects of life despite the challenges, as we reunite with family and friends:
3 With new premieres, red carpets, filmmaker insights, and special guests, plan to see films at the 45th Denver Film Festival, Nov. 2-13. Events are at the Ellie, Denver Botanic Gardens, and AMC 9+CO 10. Information: 720-381-0813.
3 Called one of the world’s best saxophonists, Tod Dickow and the Charged Particles are at Dazzle Nov. 11-12, 6:30 and 9 p.m. Information: 303-839-5100.
3 Catch Grammy-nominated soprano Lindsay Kesselman and the Status Chamber Orchestra at Historic Grant Avenue, Nov. 12, 7 p.m. Information: 303-388-4962.
3 Take the kids to enjoy dance and puppetry at Tiny Tot’s Inside the Orchestra in Boettcher Concert Hall, Nov. 14, 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. Information: 303-534-1937.
3 For a Thanksgiving feast to remember, reserve space at Monaco Inn Restaurant, noon to 8 p.m. Keep the holidays jolly by booking Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve at this long-time holiday hot spot, 5 to 9 p.m. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Enjoy retired life in the newly opened Acoya Cherry Creek at 301 S. Harrison St. Spacious residences have concierge service, rooftop lounge, and greenhouse garden. Independent and Assisted Living services. Information: 720-259-1369.
3 Don’t miss this year’s annual Blossoms of Light — a winter wonderland — at Denver Botanic Gardens Nov. 18 to Jan. 7, 4:30 to 9 p.m. Information: 720-865-3500.
3 The Justice Ginsburg & O’Connor hit story is at the Newman Center Nov. 26 to Dec. 11, Fri.-Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m., Sun. 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-399-2660.
3 Don’t miss this year’s Chili, Booze & Brews fundraiser supporting kids and young adults with cancer being held at Infinity Park Event Center Nov. 12, 6 to 10 p.m. The Morgan Adams Foundation food-beverage competition features Colorado craft breweries, small-batch distillers, and chefs from local eateries to “Bring the Heat and the Hope” in effort to end childhood cancer. Cherry Cricket, Big Daddy’s Burger Bar are among supporting eateries. Information: 303-758-2130.
Sadly, many neighbors don’t have a sense of security as Thanksgiving looms: By mid-2022, 32.8% were unsheltered, 33% had food insecurity, with 47.5 property crimes per 1,000!
Hunger abounds, yet everyone deserves to eat. More: We all deserve to feel safe and secure in our homes, communities, schools, and places of work, plus places of worship.
Thanksgiving is a joyous invitation to shower the needy with love, gratitude, and the importance of helping others. What sound does a turkey make in space? Hubble, Hubble!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Regan Bervar | Sep 30, 2022 | Uncategorized
by Luke Schmaltz
The cruel hand of time spares no one and is well known for putting the squeeze on the nether regions of older men. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) — aka an enlarged prostate — is a fact of life for many but does not have to be the case for all.
Symptoms include an abnormally frequent need to urinate, especially at night, as well as difficulty beginning the urination process, along with a weak stream and inability to fully empty the bladder. The prostate surrounds the urethra, and as it enlarges it applies increasing pressure which can hinder urinary flow and control.
Modern medicine is vague when citing causes for BPH, but according to mountsi nai.org, “The actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown. Factors linked to aging and changes in the cells of the testicles may have a role in the growth of the gland, as well as testosterone levels.”
Western institutional medicine is quick to champion pills and surgery as the premier solutions to BPH. Yet, for those who distrust big pharma and scalpel-happy surgeons, there are a variety of ways to reduce an enlarged prostate and to possibly avoid the condition entirely.
Saw Palmetto Extract
Supplement containing extract from the saw palmetto plant can reduce an enlarged prostate.
The NIH (National Institutes of Health) recently studied the effects of two different preparations of this plant on BPH. The separate tests showed results which were more effective than a placebo. This isn’t entirely convincing, yet American Family Physician (aafp.org) reports, “Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of saw palmetto in reducing symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Saw palmetto appears to have efficacy similar to that of medications like finasteride, but it is better tolerated and less expensive. There are no known drug interactions with saw palmetto and reported side effects are minor and rare.”
Stinging Nettle
The Mt. Sinai Health Library reports that stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years, primarily in Europe, to treat early symptoms of BPH as well as other urinary tract problems. The Stinging Nettle web page reports, “Studies in people suggest that stinging nettle, in combination with other herbs (especially saw palmetto), may be effective at relieving symptoms such as reduced urinary flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, post urination dripping, and the constant urge to urinate.”
Hydrotherapy
Men over 50 can choose natural, non-invasive options for treating an enlarged prostate.
A hot-and-cold immersion practice known as a sitz bath, as reported by Prostate Cancer 911, is a time-tested method for shrinking an enlarged prostate. Men are instructed to prepare two baths side by side. The first bath is heated to 105-155 degrees F and treated with 1/2 cup of Epsom salt while the second is maintained at a chilly 55-85 degrees F and treated with several drops of lavender essential oil. You enjoy the hot bath for three minutes, then endure the cold one for one minute and repeat two more times.
The report also states, “This is a natural way to shrink the prostate and soothe it. Hydrotherapy is commonly used as a method of prostate enlargement treatment, especially for relieving symptoms. A sitz bath increases blood circulation in the pelvic area and eases the constriction of the urethra.”
Exercise
Kegels are simple muscle contractions used by men and women to strengthen musculature in the pelvic region. For men, the practice can help strengthen the prostate and surrounding tissues, and thus increase bladder control. To perform a Kegel, simply squeeze your bladder as though you are attempting to stop the flow of urine mid-stream. Hold for five seconds and repeat 10 to 20 times per day.
Men are encouraged to begin a moderate daily regimen and slowly increase the amount of reps per day rather than overdoing it at the onset — just as with any other type of new exercise. In a report titled Kegel Exercises for Men, UCLA Health states, “Building up the strength in your pelvic floor muscles can help you gain better control of your bladder and urine flow.”
As for comprehensive exercise which engages the entire body, Harvard Health reports, “Based on questionnaires completed by more than 30,000 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, researchers found an inverse relationship between physical activity and BPH symptoms. Simply put, men who were more physically active were less likely to suffer from BPH. Even low- to moderate-intensity physical activity, such as walking regularly at a moderate pace, yielded benefits.”
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
According to a May 2019 Endocrine Extracts report published by Bio Scientifica, “Recent evidence shows that low, rather than high T [testosterone] is associated with BPH/lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).” The report discusses results of a TRT trial in 120 men awaiting BPH surgery.
The subjects who received daily applications of T gel for six months showed improvement; “TRT arm was characterized by a significant decrease in ultrasound markers of prostate inflammation, including arterial velocity and acceleration.” The study concluded, “Testosterone replacement therapy is able to reduce prostate inflammation in men with BPH, metabolic syndrome, and hypogonadism: preliminary results from a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.”
Diet
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) recommends a diet of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cauliflower, etc.), berries, fish, plant-based protein (soy), beans, nuts, green tea, coffee (two cups per day), and cooked tomatoes. The PCF also cautions men over 50 against sugar in any form and processed carbohydrates while opting for moderate consumption of animal-based protein.
Essentially, this is known as the Mediterranean diet. The report also states, “PCF-funded epidemiologist Lorelei Mucci, M.P.H., Sc.D., at Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health notes that people in Mediterranean countries not only eat more vegetables and fruits… they also eat less fatty foods, processed food, and red meat – categories that can ‘increase insulin resistance, increase inflammation, raise cardiovascular risk, and be a part of a dietary pattern that may increase obesity, as well.’”
