L E T T E R S
March 27, 2007
The other headlines
Headlines shout jubilantly, "Republican backing of Gonzales ebbs," and- "Gonzales' GOP support erodes."
Let's get some perspective on this While U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales may be generating good ink for reporters, he isn't jeopardizing your opportunity to feed, clothe and shelter you or your family.
Frankly, I'd rather read headlines stating, "Republican AND Democrat support of Steve McCormick erodes." Why? Well let's start with explaining who Steve McCormick is. He's the head of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a group that wields more control over America than a hundred Alberto Gonzales's combined.
How? Well, it's said that over the past several years TNC has gained control of more land and water than any other entity in the world. These guys are seriously messing with agriculture and resource production in the United States.
For evidence of TNC's reach, just look at what's happening in Colorado. Rightful users of water are told, "Stop using the water NOW!" Why? Because the federal government's Endangered Species Act (ESA) now demands use of mostly all water everywhere in America.
The ESA started with noble intent, but was high jacked by groups, like the Nature Conservancy, who found it as a means to get control over your land and water.
We have governors and senators who tout the wonders of bio fuels as the saving grace towards energy independence. Simultaneously, they allow ESA to plunder and usurp state water rights. Denying water to crops used for this type of fuel production, will of course, stop this fuel production.
Seated next to any ESA program you'll find groups like TNC. They will tell you they're not there, and although their documents appear to contradict their actions and they are never questioned.
Then there's Pinon Canyon in the South East corner of Colorado. The Army had ample training ground in the Pinon Canyon area, but thought they might want to expand. Seated at the left hand of the Army, the Nature Conservancy secured $7,000,000 from the federal government to...help the Army.
Subsequently, the Army and TNC decided they wanted the entire South East corner of Colorado for purposes both decline to define.
Their on going pursuit of all this land and water, trample the human rights of the Indigenous of Pinon Canyon and surrounding communities.
Why don't these activities compel investigation?
Where's that human rights activist who would speak out in behalf of the Pinon Canyon residents?
When celebrities including Ed Asner, George Soros, Jessica Lange and Tim Robbins plow millions into their "Celebrities Against Iraq War" campaign, don't they see their hypocrisy when gifting money to groups that support expansion of military training grounds?
Wouldn't you like to see a bold headline: Sen. Chuck Hagel states " McCormick, we cannot have this cloud hanging over your credibility!" Or read - Sen. Diane Feinstein claims "Nation not well-served by TNC's destruction of resources." Or - Senator Alan Specter demands "McCormick should not stay on." Or under a picture of Susan Sarandon scratching her head, the caption "Why does the Nature Conservancy support the war in Iraq?"
Roni Bell Sylvester
March 27, 2007
Support Republican Glenn Vaad
Representative Glenn Vaad, is working on a bill that would allow the state to turn over many of its highways and "much of the money to maintain them - to local officials to return the process of planning and paying for roads to their level."
Rep. Vaad's idea may be a good one, if it honors the Constitution of the State of Colorado by re-introducing Article XV Sec 11: No street railroad shall be constructed within any city, town, or incorporated village, without the consent of the local authorities having the control of the street or highway proposed to be occupied by such street railroad.
Somewhere along the way - critical decision making powers were stripped from County Commissioners. This would be a proper step towards returning control of such activities, back to the people.
A good bill along this line, would most certainly take away the power of one individual (Example--Ray Wells) to cloud titles and needlessly disturb 4,000 families and properties, and hopefully stop bold stealing of this type.
Roni Bell Sylvester
March 27, 2007
Thank you
In reading Tuesday's Greeley Tribune, we find the "Water Users Defense" committee is meeting today with Ag Commissioner John Stulp. This is great news!
Arnold Good, John Meininger et al, we commend you for following up on the Thursday Wiggins meeting with Governor Ritter.
Your help in bringing attention, and truthful, factual information regards the real and practical applications of water to our Colorado powers that be, is needed and greatly appreciated.
We also thank Dr Chuck Leaf, for bringing his wealth of hydrological engineering facts, to Ag Commissioner John Stulp.
The antidote to vigorous actions by shikepokes who lust over opportunity for us to fracture, weaken, cave, and give up all our rights, is to keep our decent, honest, knowledgeable people in front.
Courts only interpret law. Attorneys and judges have little or no knowledge as to the reality of how the Platte River works.
They are as ignorant on Platte River realities, as Jimmy Pflueger was when he covered up the spillway on Kaloko Dam in Hawaii. Without this correctly incorporated engineering release, the Kilauea Reservoir burst, and the ripple affect was loss of 7 lives and irreparable damage to thousands of acres of land.
We can't begin to get our arms around the ripple affect of what could happen if courts are allowed to continue covering the spillway of our rights, and allow law...not engineering... to prevail.
In Wiggins, I personally promised Governor Ritter hand delivery of a proclamation requesting he: "convene the General Assembly by proclamation, for the purpose of: Removing water rights administration from the courts and politics, and reinstating administration of water rights to Water Authorities- - State Engineers." Little did I know, that Gene and Janet Kammerzell would gather over a hundred signatures that night, allowing carriage of them to the Governor's office -- Friday the 23rd.
Had time opportunity shone upon us, our collective efforts would of brought Governor Ritter thousands. And ultimately, we shall, for you can download the proclamation posted on www.GoodNeighborLaw.com - - sign it and send on.
Thanks to each of you who signed, and will sign the proclamation.
Getting water out of the courts and back on the fields is at an emergency level. We've never seen one darn good thing grow out of a courtroom battle. Contraire to that, are the many beneficial uses we the consumer receive, from the thousands of products grown on properly watered fields.
The luxury of time to play games, wait for protocol, or jockey to be king or queen of the hill has passed. Therefore, each sound effort, whether singularly or in masse, whether a part of an organization on acting independently, should be illumination of the facts that back up the importance of getting water back in the wise hands of rightful applicators.
This, and only this, should stay our goal.
Thank you,
Chuck and Roni Sylvester
March 18, 2007
Justice for all
Everywhere, billboards, television, newspapers, magazines, websites, you hear and see the many ways you can acquire property.
Opportunity to own property is the incentive that drives us to working hard, and getting a good education. In America your right to acquire, possess and protect your property is celebrated as the American Dream. Too often lately, protecting ones property becomes such a full time job, that little time is left for the income generating job. Such is the case in South East Colorado.
For well over 150 years, the Indigenous of Pinon Canyon have built strong communities, raised first rate crops and cattle, guarded antiquities, conserved the land and water, and most importantly they nurtured terrific children.
Things were going pretty well there, until 1983, when the U.S. Army came in with eminent domain and secured quite a chunk of land. With promises from the Army never to expand or fire live rounds, the South East Coloradans hunkered down, re-adjusted, and moved forward. Today, some twenty years later, the Army partnered with a group called The Nature Conservancy and declared want of more land.
Once again, the looming possibility of unjust displacement is placing cruel stress on the backs, hearts and minds of these fine Indigenous people. One has suffered a stroke and others are breaking under the weighty decision of paying attorney's or buying crop seed. Dealing with such scary unknowns, is presenting very real human health and rights issues.
To compound matters, South East Colorado was hit by a devastating blizzard, and the United States Department of Agriculture denied aid.
While the Colorado State Governments and the Federal Government can't circumvent nature, it is their duty to rein in any manmade action that jeopardizes the well-being of the Indigenous of Pinon Canyon. A good start would be to:
a) Seek other locations, such as Nevada, for expansion. Nevada's infrastructure and topography are key components to Army's expressed needs for military training. And since Federal Government owns most all of Nevada, little or no private property would be interrupted.
b) If, after exhaustive searching of all possible locations in the U.S., S.E. Colorado is still targeted as the place Army wants, Army should posthaste provide: Exact number of acres they deem necessary for only...military training; projected number of years for alleged need.
c) Army promises full reclamation of any land used, returning land to original owners in its original form.
d) Army offers a reversionary clause whereas upon vacancy of said site, original owners will have first option to re-purchase their land at the same price Army originally paid.
e) Army promises not to disrupt any area considered to hold historical value, including such antiquities as petroglyphs, pictographs, Native American burial grounds, Graves of any Indigenous of Pinon Canyon.
f) Army promises to honor NEPA's Human Dimension - Custom & Culture, Equity analysis, Takings, Civil Rights, Disportionate burden, Environmental Justice, Social Well Being, and Cultural Stability.
g) Army will involve the Indigenous of Pinon Canyon and commissioners of any county that may or may not be affected, and honor their right to review and either deny or consent any further action.
h) Army will adhere to the Constitution of the State of Colorado, Article II Sec. 15, and absolutely extricate from any partnership that might put into "question whether the contemplated use be really public."
i) Also under Article II Sec. 15, Army will promise "That private property shall not be taken or damaged for public or private use, without just compensation.
What can you do? Help your elected public servants enforce justice for all.
Roni Sylvester
March 10, 2007
Dear Senator Salazar,
Thank you for what appears to be some honest effort on getting Pinon Canyon resolved.
Leasing land from private landowners may be a good idea.
The looming possibility of unjust displacement has placed cruel stress on the backs, hearts and minds of S.E. Coloradoans. This, is a real human health issue. We know first hand the impact banks in NE had on agriculture producers, when they called notes due simultaneously. Those actions pushed many farmers over the brink and into suicide. Others suffered from stroke, heart problems, and family breakup.
This matter must be resolved expeditiously.
There must be complete extrication of any involvement with any non government agency in this matter/
For the Federal Government to give the Nature Conservancy $7,000,000 to partner with the U.S. Army for any reason what-so-ever, is so bad we can't even begin to imagine what Sen. Allard and Rep. Hefley were thinking.
The Federal Government and the State of Colorado government should partner with each other, and as a part of the extrication of TNC from Army's plan in S.E. Colorado, request TNC return the $7,000,000 to Federal Government, so Army may escrow said money to have available if in event land purchase by Army is determined as a need Or, you could place the $7,000,000 in your proposed "economic development fund.
Other locations for expansion must be examined, and proof shown that with out any question what-so-ever, S.E. Colorado is the ONLY place in the United States that meets requirements for allegedly needed military training, before Army proceeds.
The federal government owns most of Nevada, the infrastructure and topography are key components to Army's expressed needs.
If, after all of the before mentioned is exhausted, and Army moves forward in S.E Colorado, PLEASE include in agreement with Army - and Army ONLY, the following.
a) Army provides exact number of acres they deem necessary for military training ONLY.
b) No family is to be displaced because of any buffer zone, corridor, wetland, ESA, etc.. If such is determined necessary by the Army, and ONLY the Army - then agreements for pre-existing property owners must be made between them and the Army.
We cannot stress enough, the importance of having ONLY THE ARMY involved in S.E. Colorado!
c) Army provides a projected number of years, in good faith, they allegedly need for said military site.
d) Army promises full reclamation of any land used, returning land to original owners in its original form.
e) A reversionary clause whereas upon Army's vacancy of said site, original owners will have first option to re-purchase their land at the same price Army originally paid.
f) Army promises to act in behalf of Army, and Army only, and extricate from any non-government agency that may or may not be presently involved.
g) Army promises not to disrupt any area considered to hold historical value, including such antiquities as petroglyphs, pictographs, Native American burial grounds, Graves of any Indigenous of Pinon Canyon.
h) Army promises to honor under NEPA, the Human Dimension - Custom & Culture (Equity analysis, Takings, Civil Rights -
Disportionate burden, Environmental Justice, Social Well Being, and Cultural Stability) and provide completed studies to the Indigenous of Pinon Canyon for their review and approval before moving forward in any manner.
Thank you,
Chuck & Roni Sylvester
March 7, 2007
HB 1069 passes through committee
Hello all-
Congratulations, you have won round 1! Thanks to the fantastic testimonyby Chuck and Roni Sylvester and others we won a hard fought battle. Chuck gave a very compelling testimony and was instrumental if not the onlyreason for changing the swing vote in our favor. Way to go Chuck! It was a 6-5 vote in the state, veterans, and military affairs committee and
will move on to the entire house probably on Monday for a second reading. Thefight isn't over, and I will be working very hard tomorrow working on theentire house for a yes vote.
Please call me if you have thoughts or comments regarding HB 1069 andmoving forward. My phone is not working up to standards this week, soplease leave a message and I will call you back. I check my messagesfrequently throughout the day. Congratulations again
Cathy Calderwood
President
Mountaintop Leadership Consulting
www.mountaintopleadership.com
"helping you chart your course to the top and beyond"
March 3, 2007
I would like to thank the folks that were responsible for putting on this great meeting. Also, to thank the F.F.A. people and all the great speakers at the meeting. I would recommend that the recital of "The Death of Common Sense," be sent out to every email in all of our address books and request that it be sent on so that it may reach everyone in the nation.
Now with this said, I would like to express my opinion. We are asking the great people of our military to lay down their lives to bring some semblance of freedom to countries all around the world, while the citizens of this great republic stand by and let all our elected officials, who have sworn an oath to defend the constitution, slowly take away the freedom's of the citizens of this great republic. I recommend that the citizens of this great nation, contact all their family and friends and ask them to call their friends, and ask them to call all their elected representatives, both state and federal, to do their constitutional duty and bring this great nation back to what it was intended to be , a republic, by the people and for the people.
You have my consent to pass this message on.
Many Thanks,
Ed Meyer
March 3, 2007
Click here for a letter of regret from Congressman John Salazar
March 2, 2007
One of my pet peeves is people who's whole thought process is eating the equity out of everything, leaving no value, and only hollow shells. - Warren
March 2, 2007
"I'm sorry there was no response from the station. Though I'm an employee, I don't have much influence. I still mentioned it to them, but I think they opted to do something more fluffy for the Oscar's. After all news is still just entertainment." - George
March 1, 2007
Dear Ms. Sylvester,
I’m sorry we were unable to get something to you before your event, but Mr. Giuliani has been traveling since the beginning of the week.
I wish you a successful meeting.
Sincerely,
Mary Pat Fortier
March 1, 2007
Deer in Head Lights.
Roni -
Many of us here in the Puget Sound and Washington State are infuriated and outraged at the inept role of "our" political leaders to step up to the property rights movement not to mention the constitution. Dan Woods of the WA Farm Bureau said that 76% of the vote in the State is controlled by the Seattle urban area up and down interstate I5 freeway corridor.
These people in the city live in an altered reality. In fact they create everyone's reality in WA State. I have lived in this State for 30 years. My wife works in the city. Some of her gal friends and coworkers signed the I933 Property Fairness Imitative and then turned around and voted against it because they swore they read in the initiative that their inter city neighbor could sell out to a commercial developer. i.e. they swallowed the environmental extreme ads of distortion hook, line and sinker.
Even our own hard core property rights people including myself are frozen in frustration, like a deer in head lights. We have no national or state leaders that are effectively leading this movement either. There are a number of key people who are doing a Herculean job. But where are the leaders of freedom, for God sake? We need at least 50 of Representative Ron Paul, ideally 500! Nobody can move forward without energizing, brilliant, far sighted leaders in this movement. We need them on the road 24 X 7 speaking to us and revitalizing us and giving us all some direction.
Our three "silver bullets" here in WA State to install constitutional judges in WA high Courts, to force the State to honor the State Constitution, i.e. "Private property shall not be taken for private use..." and to kill the GMA imposed CAO were all killed.
We got 40% of the vote on the Property Fairness Initiative though. So not everyone bought into the Green Government lies. Even the WA Voters pamphlet was grossly distorted by WA State Office of Financial Management which responded to Governor ---- thumbs down. Even the State run University of Washington generated one sided distortions against the Property Fairness Imitative.
The entire government here + the democratic party + the environmental extreme + the 76% of the people in Seattle + the Seattle media have successfully developed the equivalent of a closed political union shop. The voting public cannot see the truth and we cannot get the truth to them. When we do, the government complex distorts it so much that the Seattle voters respond in fear and vote down our freedoms.
The eastern environmental complex has 10 billion dollars and that is an out dated number so they can essentially push any distortion to these Seattle people they wish and the Seattleites will buy it. They have not experienced the pain of taking...yet. I just heard Mayor Nickels wants to increase the City of Seattle from 675,000 to 1.5 million.
We are what we experience and what we fear.
Thanks for all you do!
Jack Venrick
Enumclaw, WA