Michael D Brown

Dan Maes earned the right to be the Republican nominee for Governor in Colorado.

Possessing a right is separate and distinct from exercising that right.  I have a right to burn the American flag.  However, I choose not to exercise that right.

Colorado and the Nation as a whole face a significant turning point in the 2010 mid-term elections. 

The country yearns for elected officials with strong beliefs in limited government, lower taxes, individual responsibility, a strong national defense and a return to Founding principles.  But we also yearn for elected officials who understand the governing processes by which those principles can be implemented.

Campaigning is a separate and distinct process from governing. 

The 2011 Colorado legislature and Governor will face a monumental task of redistricting congressional, state senate and state house districts.  They will face crucial issues on spending, taxation, immigration, water, and a plethora of other issues that will determine the direction of Colorado for years.

I want someone in the Governor’s office who understands the intricacies of coalition building, trust, negotiation, the legislative process, and, most importantly, the ability to communicate to all Coloradans a basic understanding of the choices the state faces.

Mr. Maes has shown through his campaign that he lacks the ability to communicate under pressure, and, most importantly, has violated the trust of campaign contributors and supporters.  And, unfortunately, he has shown that when under pressure, he lacks the judgment to handle difficult situations, as evidenced by the sloppy and perhaps illegal attempt to categorize, re-categorize and ultimately, return what may or may not have been a campaign contribution or personal gift from an 83-year old woman.

I strongly criticized Scott McInnis on my radio show for the handling of the Rolly Fischer matter when he mistreated the elderly Mr. Fischer and attempted to shift blame to him for Scott’s own poor judgment.  Similarly, I criticized Mr. Maes on my radio show last night for his mistreatment of Freda Poundstone’s generosity and his bungling of that issue.

Judgment, or the lack thereof, is a trait that all voters should consider when looking at candidates trying to earn their votes.  Mr. Maes has evidenced a lack of judgment that will make governing very difficult, if not impossible, if he is elected.  His failure to understand the judgment issue itself is evidence of a lack of judgment.

Let me state right up front that the language in this video is obscene.  So be forewarned and do not listen with the speakers on your computer turned up loudly if you have children or others in the room. Likewise, don't listen if you're offended by use of the "f" word.  

However, if you continue, you will find an insightful visualization of risk.  Too often in America we understand little of the risks we face or the odds of something bad - or good - happening to us.  How many purchase lottery tickets knowing that the winning combination for the jackpot can have odds in the millions-to-one? How many are fearful of flying, or being mugged, or being murdered, or, as this video points out, becoming autistic through the use of vaccines?

The purpose of showing this is not to enter into the debate regarding the efficacy of vaccines or, for that matter, the risks of autism associated with vaccines.  Instead, I'm posting this video because it is a great visualization of putting risk into perspective.  So as you watch it, think of whatever phobia or fear you have (lightning strikes, bear attacks, plane crashes) and then check out the odds of that catastrophe happening to you, and remember this video.

While the language Penn & Teller use is over-the-top (and, in my opinion, unnecessary) nonetheless this a great example of the misuse and misunderstanding of statistics and risk in modern American society.

Spotted on the wall of a public toilet in China.  

Quick, what does it say?

“Use of Party newspapers and magazines as toilet paper is strictly forbidden.”

Draw your own conclusions.