Introducing the Pueblo Scout

Having been a Blogger, Citizen Journalist and Photo Journalist for over 10 years now, and now residing here in Pueblo, it is only natural for me to create a page just for this locality.  So be sure to check out “The Pueblo Scout”.  One can view my past work at my pages Marcel Kuemmet Photography, Wisconsin Confidential and Colorado Confidential.  You can also view more photos and opinion, and ‘friend” me at My Facebook page.

Recently arrived  from Denver, I am more comfortable in a smaller community like Pueblo.  I like Denver, I just don’t want to live there.  I plan on heading to a Ranch in central Colorado later next year, but for now I will use my skills and experience to provide an alternative content rich media alternative to the Pueblo area.

http://thepuebloscout.blogspot.com/

The Road to Pueblo, Photos of the first Trip

Here is a slide show of all the photos I took, good and or bad, on the initial trip to Pueblo.

Created with flickr slideshow.

Getting ready to Occupy the Road

As a light rain falls on the windows of this Camper Van, I feel very comfortable as I type this update on the preparations I ma making for my new adventure in Pueblo with Occupy the Roads.  As my departure was delayed until Monday, I will have two stories actually waiting for me upon arrival.  In the mean time I have been working on  my “Road Ready” gear, methods (media and accommodations).   While covering theOccupy Movement, I learned fast how important it is to have your work  flow, and the minimal equipment needed to be able to publish stories, as well as produce (video) from the field.  I often get comments on how I carry an extra monitor with me on the road (if physically possible).  This is a major asset when working with multiple programs at once.  It is imperative that I can view the changes in a given program as I make changes.  Regardless of video, photography, or creating a page like this, having two screens is a big advantage.  As a blogger, I am rarely not multitasking.  Even in sparse, “in the field” conditions, having the right tools will definitely expedite ones ability to create and publish content when time is a definite factor.   
Time will be a factor beginning this week, as I research and publish simultaneously.   Hopefully the preparations I make now will pay off later, although I know from years of experience of working in the field, military or media, one is really never fully prepared, so the more I do now, and  the rougher it is, the better I will be prepared once I get on the road and start to work.
Time will tell if I have chosen the right gear, and developed an efficient enough work flow to keep up and do the work that I feel is very important.  The story needs to be told, and if corporate media won’t or is not allowed to cover it, then it is up to the citizen journalists and free lancers like us to do the job.  As a veteran, I also feel a strong sense of duty to let the people know what is occurring out there.   Wish me luck. 
I also need to mention, if not by name, all of my friends , and special friends (you know who you are) that have been helping and assisting me in a variety of ways.  Thank you. 

Does Colorado’s Legal Cannabis Relate to it’s drop in Violent Crime?

Every advancement in a modern developed society begins as an experiment. It will often face tooth and nail opposition from those unwilling to learn, be educated or understand the science, and social reality.  For the rest of us, we move on.

Play faster … FASTER! 
Now that it is generally accepted here in Colorado that the use of Cannabis does not cause humans to turn into murderous, ravenous zombies with a relentless craving for 32nd notes, those in the business of caring have noticed a few other interesting statistics.  One of those statistics is that in most metropolitan areas such as the greater Denver area, , and throughout the state as a whole, violent crimes a re down.  Way down.  But how, or even does does it, correlate to the legal status on Cannabis, or Marijuana, in the State of Colorado.

Cause and Effect
It would be hard to prove that these numbers are related in any scientific way, but many of the folks I know in these parts would attribute it to the fact that many Coloradoan's just  don’t want to fight, cause … like … we .. were just  about …to ..like ..  pack another one man! 
I don’t mean to make that much of a joke of it.  It’s like .. well, like that.

The Science
Among those who study such things .. there may be a consensus to disagree.  With little hard science out, especially studies that bring the relationship of Legal Cannabis and crime, one can can still look at simple numbers of each in comparison with previous years. 
According to Joseph Chisarick, of the Guardian Liberty Voice,  “Compared to the January-April period from 2013, 2014 has seen an overall reduction in both violent and property crimes since legalizing marijuana.  Read more at http://guardianlv.com/2014/05/colorado-marijuana-sales-up-crime-down/. As Matt Ferner put it in his article for the Huffington Post, “Denver is home to the vast majority of the state's operational recreational marijuana dispensaries, which have generated tremendous sales revenue since sales began on New Year's Day -- $14 million in just the first month of sales alone. The city's crime data echoes similar data from a recent report in the peer-reviewed publication PLOS ONE, which found that the legalizing of medical marijuana causes no increase in crime, and may even reduce some violent crime, including homicide”.

Personal Experiences
Most of my experience so far has been in the greater Metropolitan Denver Area.  Other than one incident that could directly be attributed to a truly dangerous and illicit substance, I haven’t witnessed any truly hostile behavior in any normal situations.   As I travel throughout the state, it will be interesting to take note of any variations in local policy as well as general attitudes.  The laws from county to county can very greatly here in Colorado.  I have noticed a general easy going attitude among the people where ever I have gone in my time here in Denver.  Unlike many of the places I have been, a sense of contentment. 
A sense, of relief that the society we live in is catching up to the people who live in it.

Occupy the Roads, a Background of Social and Economic Justice

For years now the group Occupy the Roads has toured the United States (4 times) educating Americans about the social and economic injustices which oppress people or destroy resources of the earth for profit.  With over 170 cities visited, the group is known to encounter the same issues where ever they go.  The problems that oppress the 99% are common throughout the entire Nation. 
Their mission is to educate Americans, through the use of their 31 ft RV, now a billboard for Occupy Movement, WikiLeaks and Bradley/Chelsey  Manning.
The group travels the US to talk and educate about the social and economic injustices which oppress people or destroy resources of the earth for profit and help to make change for the betterment of society.
With their media specialist on leave, I have been invited to fill in, and cover their progress as they establish a new base of operations in Pueblo, Colorado.  I will do so here, on their webpage, and try to establish a blog page for continuous updates to that, twitter, and of course their Occupy the Roads Facebook page.
Look forward to more on Occupy the Roads more here. 

Mission to Pueblo, Occupy the Roads & the “Crestone Project”

 When there is a story, you usually have to go to it.  See it, experience it, and be part of it.   This is the case for this story.  Every endeavor requires a base of operations if it is to be successful.  In this first case, that endeavor is a group called “Occupy the Roads”. 

Mission One
Now headquartered in Pueblo, CO., the group was started during the heyday of the Occupy Movement inspired by the original Occupy Wall Street campaign. 
I have agreed to join the group, help build the structures they are currently working on at their new base of operations in Pueblo County, and cover their progress in this blog.  I should have my first report on this out on the night of Monday, September 22. 

Mission Two, “The Crazy Calf Ranch”
Then, in late November or early December, the “Crestone Project” will begin.  This will consist of literally moving to Crestone,CO, and beginning the construction of a medium sized guest  ranch.  It will eventually consist of a small lodge and cabins for guests.  It is a private endeavor being started by a friend. 
It will, eventually,  raise a small herd of beef cattle, have chickens, a few hogs, and of course, horses.  But starting out, we will arrive with a tiny camper, at a baron piece of land, at the beginning of the winter season, in a desolate wild.  I will have a friend with me, a fellow Army Veteran, who has excellent construction skills, and has extensive cattle experience.   He will help with the initial construction of the buildings, out-buildings, and fencing until March, when he will be moving to another Ranch in the same part of the state.
Now the story goes, even though it hasn’t happened yet, that our first calf, T-Bone, was a little off.  He had issues.  He would roll on his back like a dog and run face first at full gallop straight into a post. 
Thus the name, “The Crazy Calf Ranch”.

Internet time out
Now due to the fact that my internet access will be limited, and I will be “pre-composing” most of my email and Facebook posts, as well as these postings, this blog will be the current prime source of information on the near term progress of the “Occupy the Roads” group, and   Crestone Project, I.E., the construction of the Crazy Calf Ranch, as well as any points of interest I may encounter in South West Colorado. 
This project should be the source of events of character, and make for a series of interesting blog reports.  I am looking forward to the adventure.

Gophercon Brings Go Language Users to Denver

Less is more.  It is a saying that one may consider applying to musical notation or progression. 
The saying can apply to speeches, love letters, news articles, and a variety of endeavors in

which TMI, or too much information, is a bad thing.  One would not think that it would apply to a computer coding language.  It does. 

GO

The Go programming language is the perfect example of an “elegant” programming language.  Designed for ease of use and simplicity of application, the Go language implementation percentage is growing. 
And why should we care.
If you prefer to have an enjoyable and rewarding online experience when you log on to do some research, or search for a subject, or just want to see who makes a good product, you do.  It’s the programming language that’s quietly working in the background to provide you with that experience. 

A Gathering of Gophers
The downtown Denver Marriott was the site of the 2014 Gophercon Convention, a convention of coders from around the world.  Gathering to hear lectures and learn new things, go language users got to see the latest and greatest and how to use it in their work creating content and applications for the rest of us to use and enjoy. 
In February of 2014 members of the Go community had a series of talks in the Go Devroom.  The complete video series of the talks is available here as a YouTube playlist.

I often get frustrated with the internet, and the over loading of flash applications, ads, redirected searches and basically making my online life difficult and frustrating.  It’s good to know there are a lot of smart folks all over the world working to make the experience a more pleasant one. 
In the video below,  I interview some of those people, and explore what they got out of the convention.

The Denver 420 Rally of 2014; A Celebration of Democracy

In the first days after the American Revolution, there was much confusion of what this new freedom and new Nation would be made of.  There was much disagreement on the formation of the new nation and it’s powers.

We The People
According to Digital History, How revolutionary was the American  Revolution; “Above all, the Revolution popularized certain radical ideals--especially a commitment to liberty,  equality, government  of the people, and rule of law. However compromised in practice, these egalitarian ideals inspired a spirit of reform. Slavery, the subordination of women, and religious intolerance--all became problems in a way that they had never been before”.   The Americans were facing the reality of the victory they had just won.  It would be some time, years even, before the start of a consensus would begin to form among what many of us would now call the Founding Fathers.   A consensus of just how to administer this thing they are calling a “Democracy”.  It started a little rough.

The Will of the People
Fast forward to today, for the first time in the modern history of the Nation, an entire celebration of something that has been prohibited ever since, occurred without a hitch, and made a modest, but loud statement; “we’re here, and we’re OK”.  One may consider the smooth transition to a legal Marijuana market shocking by historical standards.  Usually throughout history, when such huge changes are made, there are always several bad starts and notorious incidents that tend to cause at least limited consternation among many.  There will always be growing pains. 
As the will of the people of the State of Colorado have endorsed, and all things being equal, the means shall be and has been instituted that the now legal marijuana of Colorado must be manufactured, managed, sold and consumed in accordance with regulations governing their safe and proper use.  One of those is the ban on public consumption.  Long a tradition of the 420 Festival for all of it’s history, but also the foundation of the core of the statement of the assembly of Americans that state clearly “I will not stand for it, and I will exercise my rights regardless”.  Now that a victory of those rights has been won, with that also comes a responsibility.  That being said, as anyone who walked the festival can tell you, the traditional statement was made this year as well.  It’s like the smell of victory was in the air. 

This is the City
As it should be, the safety official’s first concern was just that, safety.  Although a small statement was made by officials in the fact that the number of citations issued greatly increased, when compared to the overall numbers in attendance, the percentage is miniscule.  It was obvious to anyone with a trained eye for trained personnel, the first mission was to maintain a safe environment and prevent a repeat of the violence of last year.  The first mission was to maintain an environment for these Americans to safely exercise their rights.  With record numbers from all over the country, it all went off without a hitch thanks to the organizers and safety officials.  

The Final Toke
Most corporate media is going to tell the American people and the world that this Denver 420 Festival was just about a bunch of stoners, celebrating getting stoned, while getting stoned.   It was way more than that.  It was a celebration of and by the potential and real profits that can and are being made off a bunch of stoners, celebrating getting stoned, while getting stoned.
On the serious side though, what the Festival did show, was that compared to the equivalent gathering in which alcohol would be consumed, it was a peaceful and trouble free affair. 
All and all, as almost everyone involved this year have shown, such an event can not only occur, and be a peaceful, profitable, and safe event, but also be good for the community as a whole.  Apparently, the people were right.

Denver 420 Festival, Day One

Under Larimer Street there are tunnel’s that were used once for patrons to move from building to building in order to avoid being arrested for consuming alcohol, then an outlawed substance. Eventually reality settled into the thinking of the National Leadership and the prohibition was repealed. 
In Denver, a Celebration that has occurred for years in an “illegal” environment, has for the first time started in a “Legal” environment.  Sort of. 
Now that the recreational use and possession of Marijuana is legal, and in the system with rules in place (such as the  banning of the consumption of Marijuana public), things are a little more complicated.  The fact that last years Festival was marred with a shooting, is also cause for local authorities and Safety Officials to have a greater presence.  Statistically I am not sure of more arrests were made this year that in the past, but we didn’t really see anyone in the main festival area have any trouble at all.  We did see the arrest of a person on a warrant.  
This is the fist day, I included only a raw video clip from earlier today.  I will have a full video out tomorrow or early Monday with a full run down.

Gophers Hold Worldwide Conference in Denver

The Languages of the future will bring our species onto the next stage of human evolution.  Many of those future languages will not only facilitate the communication of human to human, but from human to machine, and from machine to human. 
One of those languages now being deployed worldwide is The Go programming language.  With Google, Bit.ly, Heroku, Iron.io, SoundCloud, dotCloud and Canonical deploying to varying extent the programming language throughout the planet’s servers, the programming language’s  use is growing. 
On April 24-26, 2014, the GopherCon 2014  event is being held in Denver at the Marriott Denver City Center.  A full list of upcoming activities can be found  at http://www.gophercon.com/activities/. 
We will be covering the event and I will try to get some interview time with the organizers and interview some of those who are currently deploying the language.
If you would like to assist or contribute, you can here.

 

 

Nancy Roble Hortman receives "Service to Mankind Award"

On April  17 2014, the  Arapahoe Sertoma Club presented Nancy Roble Hortman, Founder and CEO at ACTS Resource Center, with their "Service to Mankind Award".  As stated on their website, S E R T O M A is an international service organization of business, professional and civic-minded persons dedicated to the betterment of the human community, locally, nationally and abroad. Sertoma is a terrific way to connect with your community. The three syllables (Ser-to-ma) are an acronym for SERvice TO MAnkind..

For more information about Sertoma and its community clubs, visit www.sertoma.org or call (877) 737-8662.

 

ACTS of Denver starts the Official ACTS Resource Center Blog

The ACTS Rescource Center of Denver is a community resource center in Denver, Colorado.  It runs a local Food Bank, and a Veterans Assistance Program who’s  mission it is to support homeless Veterans in their reintegration back into society by providing transitional housing, basic needs, and resources.

The new ACTS blog page will be the place to go do get news and updates for the ACTS Resource Center.  With new changes, an  updated website, and a new introduction video (below), remember to always check here to see what’s new  and what’s going on. 
Events and outside news that affect the Center will also be featured here.

Below, in cooperation with Marcel Kuemmet Photography, and Colorado Confidential, is a new Introduction video.