Friday, September 21, 2007

Pseudonymously Yours

There are very good reasons for anonymity.

It’s been passed to me through the rumor mill that some elected officials have declined to have their written words posted on this blog, even though their writings would be posted in their entirety so that there could be no concerns about taking things out of context.

The concern of the elected officials has something to do with the fact that people can post on this blog anonymously. Why this is a problem is beyond me. Certainly if an elected official publishes something in the newspaper a great many people see it and discuss it without any opportunity for the official to respond to criticisms at all. In a public forum setting, an official may or may not know who is asking a question or making a comment, so the anonymity shouldn’t matter.

Indeed, anonymous comments on political matters is in the finest traditions of America. The Federalist Papers were published anonymously, and they are considered amongst the most important literature regarding our government and Constitution. One reason they were published anonymously was to keep the discussions focused on the issues, and not on the personalities and possible motives of the people who wrote them.

This reason is still valid regarding issues in Pueblo. I have frequently seen the established “curmudgeons” of Pueblo tuned out because people figure they’ve already heard everything the individual has to say, and the individual is regarded as an eccentric, at best. The individual’s identity interferes with his or her message.

Another reason this blog provides anonymity is because individuals need to be able to freely express their opinions without retaliation from employers, friends, and in-laws. And without incurring an “eccentric” label.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

A New Feature — an Events Calendar

Activities at a Glance….or something like that.

In our effort to continue improving the way information is disseminated here, we’ve added an Events Calendar to the blog.

You’ll notice a new button in the navigation bar under the banner. It says “Calendar”. Clicking on it will take you to the Events Calendar portion of the blog.

In this area, organizations and groups can show people dates, times, locations and agendas for events or meetings that they feel would be beneficial for their organization, group or the people of Pueblo.

Dates with events scheduled for them will appear in red with the title of the event listed in that day. Clicking on the event title will take you to a screen with information about the event. Clicking on the date will take you to a screen showing all the events scheduled for that date. Clicking on the arrows to the left and right of the month name will take you to the previous or next month.

If your organization has an individual registered with Pueblog as a co-author, they can make entries to the Events Calendar.

For details on how to use or publish in the Events Calendar, contact the BlogMeister by clicking on the Contact button in the navigation bar under the banner.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

It’s Official….

...at least publicly.

Susan made her public announcement of running for the Colorado State Legislature’s 46th District, in the heart of Pueblo.

You can follow the campaign and ask her questions or make comments at the web-site established to support the campaign.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Apologies

It’s been a while….

...since I was regularly posting items of interest here. The Lord knows there’s been a slew of things to bring up for consideration of late.

I apologize for that.

I’ve got an explanation. But I can’t divulge it at this point. In another fortnight, all will be blatantly obvious.

Sunday, March 26, 2006

New Feature—Polls

More fun. More Games. More Polls.

Added a new feature to Pueblog; POLLS.

We’ll be getting a better handle on this in the future, but for now, we’ll just try to keep it simple.

Later, we’ll try to get it to be more functional and serve our various purposes.

The first one is to ascertain where our readers are coming from. So, take a moment and particiapte by checking it out in the left side-bar….

Thursday, March 23, 2006

2010 Discussions

Whole lotta shak’n go’n on.

Had an interesting discussion with various folks today. All about how to wake-up and shake-up the community using the «HORROR!» web.

The situation is that the 2010 Commission seems to have ‘fallen asleep’. Something to do with the idea that the local governments, city and county, don’t seem to think that a citizen overwatch organization can have much affect on what is going on around them. [Note: That’s my ‘personal opinion’.]

However, in light of what the blogosphere has accomplished over the last five years, I beg to differ. And, furthermore, I think that if the 2010 Commission, as well as its subsidiary Task Forces, seize upon this media, we can ALL do a lot of good for the community.

More to follow as things ‘develop”.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

New Commenting Rules

New technologies. New opportunities.

Added a new technology to the blog that will help prevent the nefarious activities of some particularly vile spamming bots.

With this technique, anyone is not allowed to comment here without registering as a member. However, they’ll have to enter a special password to get their comment posted.

If you DO decide to register, you will no longer be required to enter said special password in order to comment.

Enjoy….

UPDATE “Password Disabled” [231522 Feb 06]: There’s a small problem with the password system. I’m working on it. In the meantime, you can post anyway.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Hello One-View

Message in a bottle…..Found!

Stumbling around on the Pueblo Chieftain’s efforts at 21st Century communications, I discovered your message of last April, in which you wrote….

I’m hoping some of you know Chuck Pelto, northside resident? Could you please let him know the Pueblog has issues, such as being able to post???? I also am in the historic north side, and have some ideas I wanted to share with him, but can’t!?

Sorry that (1) you could not post and (2) no one bothered to pass on to me your situation.

I tried to reply to your message, however, for some strange reason, the Pueblo Chieftain’s arcane attempt at communications in the 21st Century would not allow me to either reply or send you an e-mail.

Because of that, I’m obliged to reply to you in this medium….

You can post comments here. But, at the moment you need to register. I ask this because there are nefarious people on the web who like to post rather unsavory and totally unrelated items in the comments section. By requiring registration, I can keep such off-topic comments from flooding any discussions. All information disclosed as part of registration will be kept confidential, to the best of our abilities.

We look forward to your contribution to Pueblog.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

On the Other Hand….

....this is interesting.

Just got off the phone from talking with Congressman Salazar’s office ‘help’.

They were of no help whatsoever.

I was alerted by an item from Glenn ‘the Blogfather’ Reynolds that the House of Representatives was to vote on turning over control of the interent to the UN TONIGHT.

Almost, but not completely, stunned by this report, I called Congressman Salazar’s offices in Pueblo to (1) ask of them his position on this matter and (2) give him my opinion of this [not ‘no’, but ‘h—- no!’].

Unfortunately, none of the multitude of sweet-young-feminine-things I wound up talking to, either local or long-distance had ANY CLUE as to what our John was thinking on this matter. Not to mention how he would vote. Indeed, one individual, who was indirectly presented as John’s Chief of Staff in his DC offices, tender years that she bore, thought the vote was not tonight. This contrary to a realiable source of information.

So, I gave the sweet-young-thing my opinon of turning over control of the internet to a bunch of rapcious, nefarious, bribe-taking, brothel running bureaucrats. I tried to be ‘polite’. I think I succeeded as the distaff did not beat me about the head and shoulders, afterwards. Indeed, she added her support to the position. To the sweet-young-thing, too.

The first question I have of MY Congressman is, “Are you a sexist? Are there any ‘men’ on your staff?”

The next question is, “Why doesn’t anyone other than YOU know what’s going on?”

I await your reply to my questions. And, I’m looking forward to see how you voted on this, issue. As well as on others.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Thank God…

...THAT’s almost over with…..I hope….

The last two months have been interesting. And that’s an euphemism. We hope to have the activity wrapped up, for all intents and purposes, next week.

Now back to reality. Or whatever it has become in our abscence.

Lots of interesting things have been happening, both here and abroad. I’ll try to address them as the opportunities present themselves. Some of these items involve the following:

[1] The recent Supreme Court decision of Kelo v. New London; or is Parkview going to get City Council to declare Acension Episcopalian Church ‘blighted’ so it can enlarge it’s campus?
[2] Is it hot here? Or what?
[3] What’s with this signage ordinance?
[4] Why are we thrashing around on trash and recycling?
[5] Who’s running for what?
[6] The Hollywood cunundrum; or why is it hardly anybody is going to the theaters, despite the heat.

And lots more. It will be good to get back to life here. Beats the heck out of life, such as it is, in Denver.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Troubles In ‘Paradise’

There’s TROUBLE. Right here in River City….

Chuck Green has an interesting editorial in today’s Pueblo Chieftain. The reverse side of the Pueblo coin. Last week he editorialized on why this is a great place to live. Today, he shows us the other side of the coin. Listing the flaws in the object that makes it less than perfect condition. And the list is interesting.

• The ‘ugly’ face of downtown people see as they whiz past on I-25.
• I-25 exits that drop people into ‘ugly’ neighborhoods.
• Inadequate ‘signage’ that fails to promote this place properly.
• A self-esteem issue. Heh….
• Resistance to change.
• Highest teen pregnancy rate in Colorado.
• A disregard for the historic aspects of the city.
• Apparent dysfunctional industry attracting activities.
• An apparent collection of skeletons in a closet; some of which are about to open the door and step into the living room. Presumably to dance a merry jig for eveyrone’s entertainment.

I can’t speak to the secrets he’s referring to in the last bullet. I don’t know what these skeletons look like. He does and I look forward to watching the dancing and commensurate excitement that will result.

I can speak to some of the other issues he mentions. And I think I will. And I invite others to chime in with their opinions. This blog has been established for such a discussion as this. It’s the ideal place for people to actually get a ‘letter to the editor’ published. And in such a fashion as for the whole world to see; that which bothers to look here.

Over the next few days, I’ll address the various bullets. I hope others here have the courage to contribute their thoughts.

Friday, February 18, 2005

New Domain Name Coming

We have a winner.

Someone has submitted an idea for a domain name for the blog that meets all the criteria requested earlier. Not only that, it is much more clever than the original. A great play on words.

In light of all the other numerous suggestions offered, this one stands head and shoulders above them.

We’ve begun implementation of the new domain name with the hosting service provider. We’ll arrange that your current URL will automatically advance you to the new domain name, when fully implemented.

Stay tuned….

Thursday, February 10, 2005

The Fun Just Keeps On Come’n On

Change is Life’s way of keeping you off balance.—Chuck Pelto

Sorry for not posting for so many days. Especially in light of the fact that there is so much in the Pueblo Chieftain to be offered up for public discussion. [Note: You REALIZE that YOU can make comment here, under an assumed name, that can be shared with everyone in the world who stumbles upon this site; don’t you?] But, as someone once said, “Nothing endures like change.” I find that one of the more pithy comments on the nature of Life.

We had just such a ‘change’ over the weekend. The distaff’s best female friend passed away and she is the indicated executor on the estate of a dysfunctional family ‘left behind’. I suddenly find myself being secretary, technical support guy and ‘Odd Job’ [less the ‘killer’ hat and solid gold Rolls.] Not to mention that some of the scenes I’ve witnessed/been involved with would fit well in a Neil Simon serio-comedy Broadway hit.

So the dust has hardly settled. Indeed, some more gets kicked-up just about every few hours. But at least I can get a computer and link working.

There are interesting things going on around this wonderful town. I think I’ll be blogging on them once I can get my feet back on the ground and a good night’s sleep.

Friday, February 04, 2005

New Sidebars

More and better things to see and do and places to go/stay.

I’ve expanded the sidebars (see left-hand side of the blog at the main level). I’d like to tout some of the great places to go, things to do/see and places to stay in town. So I’ve added some sidebar boxes to assist in that.

If you can recommend any others, I’ll be happy to try them out for myself, as best I can. Send an e-mail to ADMINISTRATION.

And Thanks!

Thursday, February 03, 2005

‘Headlines’ In the News

Not enough coffee before checking the state of the world, via the web.

Susan is off to the conference on historic preservation and I’m batching it. Sipping my coffee, listening to Vivaldi and catching up on the things that have transpired while I slept.

Here I was checking the Drudge Report. The screen has scrolled down a tad and the first row of text I read…

UKRAINE MAY HAVE SOLD MISSILES TO ‘GLOBAL WARMING’ SCIENTISTS

Say WHAT?!???!?

Flashbacks to the funky James Bond-esque days of the 60s with James Coburn as Our Man Flint. Evil scientists thinking that mankind has run amok and is ruining the planet are determined to slap mankind down. Now, in the 21st Century a group of them have procured weapons of mass destruction. Got them cheap at a Going Out of Business sale from a cash-strapped country. With them, these miscreant masterminds are determined to achieve their goals of world domination. It’s for our own good they would nuke us.

Where’s Flint!

Scroll down a little further and I see there is a break between the words TO and ‘GLOBAL’. Two different columns. Two different stories. Phew…..

Down to get more coffee. It’s going to be a long day….