by Ashe in America | Jan 16, 2025 | Feature Story Bottom Left
ASHE IN AMERICA — OPINION
Different factions of Americans are living in different realities.
Earlier this month, the nation observed the fourth anniversary of January 6, 2021. Few things are more divisive than the competing narratives of January 6.
The Very Official Narrative, which Rep Jason Crow (D-CO06) spent most of the anniversary propagating, was wrapped in a bow since the day it launched.
After months of denying the election results, President Trump called his supporters to Washington, D.C. When he spoke to these supporters, he urged them to march to the Capitol, where Congress was certifying the 2020 Electoral College.
These calls to march “peacefully” and “patriotically” were “coded dog whistles” to encourage violence and overthrow the government. They did march to the building, where they forcibly entered, assaulted police, vandalized, and stopped certification. Oh, and five police officers died.
Those that believe the very official narrative are confused that the insurrection isn’t disqualifying. Why are the American People so willing to forgive insurrection?
This confusion is easily resolved. The majority of people — and, based on the 2024 election results, of voters — simply don’t believe the very official narrative. Why?
The easiest answer is that the very official narrative is often very officially wrong. The media — and their sources, many anonymous and not authorized to speak on the matter — have lost the trust of the people.
Enter the alternative story: January 6 was instigated by those with institutional power to end all inquiries into a dubious election. The alternative story is not wrapped in a bow. It’s messy and raises more questions than it answers.
Donald Trump said on January 6 to remain peaceful and respect law enforcement. He respected the chain of command at the Capitol, for which the top was Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Trump authorized all resource requests before and during the riot. Pelosi delayed requests from Capitol Police per former Chief Steven Sund.
President Trump did NOT deploy the military, which should be a good thing, but was later presented as evidence in a Colorado civil court that Trump enabled the mob through inaction. Imagine the very official narrative if Trump had deployed the military, outside the chain of command, on U.S. soil that day.
No one was armed, a dispositive fact for the “coded dog whistle” assertion. Violent coups don’t happen without arms but, instead of being dispositive, this fact is simply dismissed. The narrators claim that the plan was to use barricades and “sharpened flagpoles,” and to steal weapons from police… to overthrow the U.S. government.
It’s very silly when considered without the emotional blackmail of dead police officers.
Also, there were no dead police officers. That was always a lie, and now they claim that the five police officers that eventually died, four of them from suicide and none of them on January 6, died “as a result of the riot.” They deceptively continue to claim five dead police officers, on January 6, at the hands of insurrectionists.
In fact, Trump-supporting protesters were the only people to die on January 6, unarmed and at the hands of Capitol police.
Remember the pipe bombs? Congress was originally evacuated over the pipe bomb threats, not the riot. It’s more than four years later and the pipe bomber has yet to be identified or apprehended. The very official congressional committee ignored this, too.
Speaking of the committee, Pelosi was communicating with the Secret Service on January 6, but their texts have gone “missing.” Pelosi was “off limits” and “not a subject” of the investigation. Her communications and decision making have never been produced or examined. Also, her daughter was making a documentary that day. Her hand-picked committee buried public surveillance videos, destroyed files, and tampered with at least one witness, Cassidy Hutchinson.
Messy and in dispute, the alternative story raises many questions. The very official narrative does as well, but it discourages inquiry and demands trust. But trust cannot be compelled or coerced.
That’s how we got here, occupying different realities, bolstered by our varying levels of institutional trust and underscored by some of the facts, but probably not them all. As shown in the image above, Crow claims that the trauma of Congress that day is comparable to serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Check out the comments on his post to see how other veterans responded to that claim.
Public trust matters, and convergence — truth and reconciliation — of competing narratives is required to restore it. J6 is an example, but you can imagine the different realities across many narrative domains: economics, climate change, gender affirmation, education, foreign policy.
Convergence is not impossible, but it won’t be easy — people love their comfortable narratives and resist admitting they got it wrong. And everyone got it, at least, a little wrong.
Nothing worthwhile ever came easy, and restoring public trust is certainly worthwhile. Are we brave enough to face what’s true?
Ashe in America is a writer and activist. Find all her work at linktree.com/asheinamerica.
by Valley Gadfly | Jan 16, 2025 | Valley Gadfly
February is filled with love, reflection, and transition. Songs and music of the season combine the emotional depth of winter with the ever-present hope that spring will soon arrive.
From winter’s chill, to the warmth of Valentine’s Day, February creates an intense emotional landscape. Suddenly we feel all giddy and lightheaded like a “Silly Love Song.”
Here are our heart-to-heart choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment to get you sharing, and caring together. A stormy, swooning February affair to win you a hug and kiss:
Don’t miss the Colorado Symphony tribute to Mel Brooks — including Blazing Saddles film clips plus recent musicals — by John Morris playing at Boettcher Concert Hall on Saturday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Capture the Mardi Gras spirit, New Orleans’ soul, as Lincoln Center artists play Songbook at Lone Tree Arts Center Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. Information: 720-509-1000.
Must see: Swallow Hill’s Valentine Concert by Dakota Blonde — the “Front Range Darlings” — in Daniels Hall Feb. 14, 8 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
Closed after 38 years, the Monaco Inn Restaurant space has become the second location for Lowry’s Italian eatery Pomodoro Pizza & Pasta. The larger Monaco Square space has the same menu as the Lowry site. Information: 303-320-1104.
Make 2025 Stanley’s Year! With 50+ local firms in Aurora at 2501 Dallas St., Stanley Marketplace is a shopping bonanza featuring shops, eateries, bars, gyms, and salons. It’s a family place with daily free events. Information: 720-990-6743.
Denver Brass does hot horn blowing, plus trumpet solos during the Fat Tuesday Festa at the Newman Center Feb. 15-16, 2:30 p.m. Information: 303-871-7720.
With six albums plus an incredible 16 Billboard Number One hits, jazz artist Adam Hawley entertains at Dazzle Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m. Information: 303- 839-5100.
American singer, rapper, and actress Mary J. Blige — a nine Grammy winner — entertains at the Ball Arena on Feb. 25, 7 p.m. Information: 303-405-1100.
Attend the Delores Project Open House & Lunch Feb. 20, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The metro’s largest provider of emergency and extended-stay shelter for homeless women and transgender individuals, it was founded in 1999. Meet staff, tour facility, ask questions during the event at 3450 W. 13th Ave. Information: 303-534-5411.
The third week in February is International Flirting Week. If you believe Paul McCartney’s Silly Love Songs, take them to heart. This is also “An Affair to Remember Month.”
There’s something about love songs that motivates happiness. Possibly the upbeat tempo? Cheerful lyrics, the singer’s voice helps. Impact: Ballads stir emotions, tug at our heartstrings.
Actually, neither true love nor music makes the world go around, but it sure makes life’s high notes seem sweeter. What do you call sweets that can keep a beat? “Candy rappers.”
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com
by Regan Bervar | Dec 17, 2024 | Travel
by Regan Bervar
Walkable: Cherry Creek North is a walkable neighborhood with 600 stores from which to choose.
Denver has no shortage of sprawling neighborhoods across the city, and Cherry Creek North is no different. With hundreds of retailers, and a strong emphasis on small businesses, the district is home to a number of commerce stores and residents alike. With 300 days of sunshine in Denver, chances are it’s a good day to walk the tree-lined streets of Cherry Creek North.
Cherry Creek North has over 600 businesses, with 90% being small or micro businesses. According to Lisa Voss, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Cherry Creek North, Cherry Creek North is more than just a 16 block area, but a neighborhood, a community, and central vibrant district.
“You’ve heard the term the 15 minute city,” Voss said. “We’re not really a city per se, but we are a bit of a 15 minute neighborhood. What that means is everything can happen here. We’re loaded with merchants and services and all kinds of fun, but we also have a post office, a library, and an elementary school.”
Cherry Creek North emphasizes community, safety, and a diverse array of retail and service offerings, and the shop owners in the area bring a sense of community to the neighborhood, with 220 of the 600 businesses being retail and service businesses. According to the small business report, 90% of those 220 retail and service shops are small businesses, and 64% go even further, and are micro businesses with 10 employees or fewer.
“We have what I believe is the largest collection of small and local businesses in one area, probably anywhere in Colorado, so we super celebrate them,” Voss said. “Of course, along with all of our businesses, they’re all very important to us and serve the community in so many different ways, but the ability to really love on small and micro businesses is just really powerful. Small businesses make this beautiful country of ours go round.”
Natalie Statser is the manager of Organic S
Organic Squeeze: They have started their Healthy New Year Campaign with different options for cleanses and promotions to kick off a healthy start to the New Year.
queeze in Cherry Creek North, which opened just over two months ago. The Oklahoma-based company has expanded to open their first branch in Colorado, and found Cherry Creek North to be the perfect location, as the walkable and health-conscious community aligns with their philosophy. Although the company has been together for 11 years, their Denver location is their first out-of-state branch. With their slogan of “healthy tastes better” and their commitment to 100% organic, whole food ingredients, they have felt right at home in the Cherry Creek North community.
“Everyone’s super friendly, they’re active and care about health, wellness, and moving their bodies,” Statser said. “We’re very happy to have expanded here and it matches what our brand offers to people’s lifestyle. It’s a gorgeous neighborhood, I don’t know who wouldn’t want to be in Cherry Creek.”
Statser at Organic Squeeze says that the location is an amazing aspect of the business’ expansion to Colorado, and the people in Cherry Creek are vital to their operations. “Everyone’s very health-minded and lives an active lifestyle, and that makes it really easy for us,” Statser said. “We are 100% organic, and we are really big on doing things better, even if that’s just a little bit better each day. That means
Wine: Vineyard Wine Shop started in 1971 and has had a Wine of The Month Club ever since.
providing easy access for people to have healthy, wholesome foods, and cultivating an environment where it is family friendly and efficient with people’s time.”
Coming up at Organic Squeeze, you can look forward to their Healthy New Year Campaign with different options for cleanses and promotions to kick off a healthy start to the New Year. You can also find them doing pop-ups in local gyms and on their new Organic Squeeze app that makes online ordering for their house-made goods and smoothies a breeze.
A couple of blocks away on Fillmore Street, Cliff Louis is a local business owner in Cherry Creek North, and owns Vineyard Wine Shop which has been in business for 53 years. For the 43 years that Louis has been at Vineyard Wine Shop, he has had a unique look at how the neighborhood and its businesses have changed over the years. The impact of grocery stores selling wine has taken a hit on his local wine sales, but the sense of community you get from a small business is unmatched.
“Our philosophy is we make friends, not money,” Louis said. “Everyone is happy [who visits] and anyone who comes in the store gets personal attention. It’s not like a grocery store where you just grab it off the shelf, we’re a pretty classic, small mom and pop business with a great staff that knows all sorts of things about wine.”
Vineyard Wine Shop was started by Robert Wilson in 1971 and has since expanded from just the basement to the entire building as Louis took over. He values the community aspect of Cherry Creek North, with its mix of local and national stores.
“The location and community for me is perfect; we’ve got all the new apartment buildings, condos, and office buildings coming in, so hopefully we’re becoming their neighborhood wine store.” Louis said. “I’ve seen a lot of changes here, for sure, but pretty much our business has not changed as far as scope. We were a wine store back in 1971 and we’re still basically a wine store today.”
Vineyard Wine Shop has offered their Wine of The Month Club since 1971, which sends wine of all sizes, tastes, and regions to members all over the country. It’s a great way to subscribe to support a small local business, but also get great selections and recommendations from your neighborhood local wine shop.
Organic Squeeze is located at 180 Steele Street. For more information, visit www.or ganic-squeeze.com. For more information on Vineyard Wine Shop, visit vineyardwineshop.com. They are located at 261 Fillmore Street. Learn more about Cherry Creek North at www.cherrycreeknorth.com.
Cherry Creek North is a gorgeous community with hundreds of retail, food, and hospitality offerings, with a strong emphasis on shopping small and supporting small and micro businesses. It’s a great place to catch lunch with a friend, do some holiday shopping, or just wander around and take in the scenery that has been carefully curated to be a safe and beautiful space for the community.
by Charles Bonniwell | Dec 17, 2024 | Main Articles
by Charles C. Bonniwell
Former IEC Commissioner Bill Leone
Denver District Court issued a devastating decision to the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission (IEC) in its almost 10-year multimillion dollar legal battle against the City of Glendale and by implication all home rule cities and counties in the State of Colorado. The court ruled in a decision written by District Court Judge Jill D. Dorancy that the IEC has no jurisdiction over Glendale or its elected officials and employees on ethics complaints.
The IEC was established by a statewide vote on an amendment to the state constitution ostensibly to adjudicate disputes over gift limitations to elected officials and others. But under Chairman Bill Leone (who has since left the IEC) it attempted to break free from virtually all constraints to become a super agency.
Assistant Attorney General Gina Cannan
The IEC had gotten the courts to rule that it was not subject to any ethics rules itself including those pertaining to open meetings and open records. It did so on the theory that since the IEC was adopted as a constitutional amendment it supersedes any prior constitutional provisions as well as any state laws adopted by the legislature. The IEC asserted that Its powers provided in its constitutional amendment could only be constrained by a future constitutional amendment adopted by a vote of the citizens.
To become a true superagency, the IEC had to expand its powers to hear disputes far broader than simply claims concerning gifts to politicians. Leone thought he had found a way to do that by use of subsection seven of the state ethics law, which provides that the IEC can hear claims on public employees of violations of any code of conduct, not just gift bans.
But the same does not apply “to home rule counties or home rule municipalities that have adopted charters, ordinances, or resolutions that address the matters covered by this article.” This exception was a major problem for the power-seeking Leone as the vast majority of Colorado citizens live in home rule cities and counties. Leone and legal counsel for the IEC, Assistant Attorney General Gina Cannan, needed a small home rule city to concede in a case that the IEC alone could decide whether a home rule city’s ethics code was adequate. If not adequate the IEC would have jurisdiction over it. The City of Glendale refused to fold, notwithstanding the fact that legal fees fighting the IEC are exorbitant.
In the end, the District Court ruled that the IEC did not have jurisdiction over the City of Glendale. It is assumed the IEC will waste even more money and time and appeal the decision to the Colorado Court of Appeals. Glendale indicates it hopes that the Colorado Court of Appeals will finally end the IEC’s costly power grab once and for all.
City of Glendale Mayor Mike Dunafon stated with regard to the city’s legal victory: “The IEC exemplifies everything that is wrong and harmful about the administrative state in Colorado. Maybe Colorado can have a Department of Government Efficiency like the one they are doing federally to start to get rid of these state super agencies that are starting to drive people out of Colorado to states with less burdensome governments.”
The IEC has 49 days to file a notice of appeal to the Colorado Court of Appeals.
