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Mayor touts safe city after 2 weekend shootings

Gun violence isn't repeat of 1993, Hickenlooper says

Published June 23, 2008 at 7:42 p.m.

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Do you feel safe in LoDo?


Mark Tabullo-Zuniga was killed in the shootout.

Mark Tabullo-Zuniga was killed in the shootout.

Andres Castillo was seriously wounded.

Andres Castillo was seriously wounded.

Jason Jackson, 28, leans against his car while talking on the phone next to J.P., 28, and Blaccwell Jones, 25. The three were spending time across the street from Bash, an 18-and-up club in LoDo where an argument apparently led to a shooting outside that eventually left a man dead.

Brian Lehmann / The Rocky

Jason Jackson, 28, leans against his car while talking on the phone next to J.P., 28, and Blaccwell Jones, 25. The three were spending time across the street from Bash, an 18-and-up club in LoDo where an argument apparently led to a shooting outside that eventually left a man dead.

Debra Winn, a paralegal at Mills and Weitzenkorn, came into her office Monday and found a bullet on the floor. "I heard about the shooting over the weekend and saw the parking lot where it happened, but I didn't expect a bullet to go through the wall (shown above)."

Brian Lehmann / The Rocky

Debra Winn, a paralegal at Mills and Weitzenkorn, came into her office Monday and found a bullet on the floor. "I heard about the shooting over the weekend and saw the parking lot where it happened, but I didn't expect a bullet to go through the wall (shown above)."

CORRECTION: This story should have said that total criminal offenses in the Union Station neighborhood increased 6.6 percent from 2005 to 2007, from 852 to 908.

Mayor John Hickenlooper promised Denver won't experience another "Summer of Violence" and vowed Monday to crack down on criminals who wield weapons after two unrelated weekend shootings shocked the city.

"If you use a gun in Denver, we're going to do everything we can to put you behind bars as long as we can," the mayor said at a news conference flanked by Police Chief Gerry Whitman and District Attorney Mitch Morrissey.

Police identified Mark Tabullo- Zuniga, 23, as the gunman who died in a confrontation with police early Sunday in a parking lot at 18th and Market streets.

Andres Castillo, 27, who was also wounded in the gunfire, is listed in serious condition at Denver Health Medical Center.

The mayor also announced the arrest of a suspect in a Friday drive-by shooting that wounded an 8-year-old girl as she walked with her aunt in the Curtis Park neighborhood.

'Let me be clear'

The "Summer of Violence" refers to 1993, when several high-profile homicides made headlines and put the city on edge.

"Let me be clear: This community will not accept violence - not a day of it, not a week of it, not a month of it and certainly not a summer of it," Hickenlooper said.

"Denver's a safe community," the mayor said as he opened the news conference and reminded reporters that crime in the city has declined for two straight years.

Hickenlooper cited statistics showing that overall crime in the city dropped 10 percent in 2006 and 11 percent in 2007. At the same time, Hickenlooper said he was deeply concerned about the two recent shooting incidents.

"While the overall trends are encouraging, we are concerned about every individual act of violence - and the havoc it wreaks on its victims and on our community's sense of security," the mayor said.

The lower downtown shooting was half a mile from where the city will be hosting the Democratic National Convention in two months, but the mayor downplayed any heightened concern related to the convention.

"If this happened six months ago or a year ago, when it happened, where it happened, it doesn't change it a bit," said Hickenlooper, who described the two recent incidents as "isolated."

Hickenlooper said he would encourage LoDo bar operators to meet to discuss possible solutions to the chaos that often erupts when bars close.

He said Denver will put more gang officers on the street through a $612,000 federal grant received recently by the Denver Police Department and promised a crackdown on gun crime.

Whitman said neither weekend crime appeared to be gang-motivated or involved a confrontation between gangs. He refused to say, however, whether any people involved were affiliated with street gangs.

Whitman identified the two gang unit officers involved in Sunday's fatal shooting at 18th and Market streets as Sgt. Vince Lombardi and officer Jason Simmons.

Officer in earlier shootings

Lombardi, a 19-year department veteran, has been involved in two previous shooting deaths and was cleared in both.

Simmons has been with the department four years. His shirt was ripped by shotgun pellets in the incident, Whitman said.

Lombardi and Simmons were among eight officers patrolling that part of LoDo just before 2 a.m. Sunday when they tried to break up a fight in a parking lot.

Tabullo-Zuniga, armed with a shotgun, and another man using a handgun exchanged gunfire.

Simmons and Lombardi confronted Tabullo-Zuniga and he fired in their direction, police said. The two officers opened fire in return.

Whitman said Tabullo-Zuniga handed the shotgun to Castillo, whom police shot when he allegedly refused to drop the weapon.

Whitman said the officers fired 11 rounds.

Police are still looking for a third man involved in the original shootout. Four bystanders suffered non-life-threatening wounds from shotgun pellets.

Despite the shooting, Whitman said he had no plans to increase patrols in LoDo, which he said has the highest police presence in the city during certain hours.

He said there are up to 25 uniformed officers in LoDo as bars close and another 10 or 15 off-duty officers working inside various clubs.

Denver police Lt. Ron Saunier said at least one person hurt by shotgun pellets had been at nearby Club Bash, a hip-hop venue, prior to the shooting. The club is open to the 18-and-over set.

Club owner Mike Bertinelli said the shooting surprised him, since things have been going well regarding security in the area.

Bertinelli said he doubted any of the people involved in the shooting had been at the club at 1902 Blake St. because police had not asked to view security tapes.

"If any witnesses had come out of Bash, I would have gotten a call asking for surveillance tapes," Bertinelli said. "If someone stubs their toe down there, they ask for surveillance tapes."

Laura Orlik, 24, and her fiance, Cooper Potter, 25, both of Denver, sell hot dogs on Rockies game days or weekend nights across Blake from Club Bash.

Both said they have seen fights and even weapons as people have exited Club Bash. Still, business is brisk and they said they have no plans to relocate.

Staff writer Hector Gutierrez contributed to this report.

Shooting deaths involving Sgt. Vince Lombardi:

* July 2001: Lombardi was among seven Denver police officers who shot and killed Richard Vaughn Dutson Jr., 39, a purse-snatching suspect who had rammed a police car twice while driving a stolen vehicle in the 100 block of Park Avenue West. Police fired 50 shots, hitting Dutson at least 15 times. The district attorney's office cleared the officers of any wrongdoing.

* November 1992: Lombardi and Detective Dennis Chavez shot and killed Miguel Angel Ochoa, 24, a Mexican citizen, after Ochoa allegedly pointed a gun at them. Ochoa was shot in the back while the officers were working off-duty as security guards at a bar in the 2200 block of Larimer Street. The district attorney's office said the shooting was justified. Ochoa's parents sued in 1993, accusing the officers of negligence. The case was settled out of court in 1995 with a payment of $35,000 to Ochoa's family.

LoDo neighborhood crime profile

LoDo is within the Union Station neighborhood, for the purposes of crime statistics. The city does not calculate the crime rate per 1,000 residents - or its ranking among neighborhoods - because the population is too low. The Union Station neighborhood recorded the sixth-highest number of assaults in 2007 and the 29th-highest number for auto thefts. The neighborhood data:

Total offenses 2005 2006 2007 852 963 908

Change from 2005 to 2007 6.6%

Change from 2006 to 2007 -6% BREAKDOWN 2005 2006 2007 Homicides 1 1 1

Sex assaults 7 8 6

Burglaries 71 65 45

Auto theft 119 91 75

Robberies 28 39 39

Assaults 64 59 67

Two men involved in shootout

* Mark Tabullo-Zuniga, 23, who was killed Sunday, was arrested in 2003 in Denver on drug charges. Those were later dismissed, but he was also arrested on domestic violence charges in Lakewood in 2006. It was not known Monday what the disposition of those charges were.

* Information on Andres Castillo, 27, was not available late Monday. He remains in serious condition at the Denver Health Medical Center.

Comments

  • June 22, 2008

    12:56 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    an_artist writes:

    gang violence is creeping up right under our noses once again. why is our mayor not addressing this problem? let's recap, shall we?

    - two men shot at gas stations in southwest denver.
    - a little girl caught in the crossfire at curtis park.
    - gunbattle at 18th and market?

    these are just the incidents that i can recall off the top of my head at the moment. wake up folks. let's not repeat 1993.

  • June 22, 2008

    1:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    surferon writes:

    Don't forget the shooting in LoDo around the New Year's time frame. At the time I remember the city saying that was not gang related. Hmmm, makes me wonder if that's the city lying in order to not scare people away from going to the 16th Street Mall and spending money there.

  • June 22, 2008

    1:19 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    surferon writes:

    BTW- Does anybody know if all these people were in the same bar/club? Is this something that started at some establishment and the spilled out or was this just another random act of stupidity?

  • June 22, 2008

    1:29 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jaybyrd writes:

    so who needs LODO? One can pary at the Highlands Ranch Towne center or the Belmar Towne center, or the AMC 24 area off-Broadway. LODO is a long way to travel just to get shot.

  • June 22, 2008

    1:45 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    rickg19611 writes:

    Hickenblunder is too busy touring the country, begging fatcats to pay the bill for the idiotic Democrap party, than to do his job in Denver.

  • June 22, 2008

    1:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ifyem writes:

    Jaybird-Stay in the burbs bud, we need fewer knuckleheads around Denver anyways!!! There is a lot more to Denver than LODO!!

  • June 22, 2008

    2:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    aztlan99 writes:

    I left LA for this? Jesus Christ!!! Here comes the SUMMER OF VIOLENCE 2 (the sequel)!!!!!!!!!

  • June 22, 2008

    2:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bjjdenver writes:

    As someone who frequents the downtown club scene, and has since the early 90's, this in NO way surprises me.

    What does surprise me, is that this doesn't happen far more often. I have also worked in bars when I was younger, and I understand the problem that gangs and ignorance breeds.

    First, the security at many establishments, is a joke. There is commonly no dress code and the bouncers are ill equipped to deal with more than a stumbling drunk. Not only do many places allow gang type behavior, there are some that cater to it. Then you bring in the South Suburban person that comes in, gets loaded and thinks they can spout off to just anyone with no consequences, it just adds fuel to the fire.

    As for police presence, it is very high downtown. Unfortunately, many times these officers are distracted by scantily clad girls and spend to much time flirting with them and not doing much police work. It is not uncommon for there to be upwards of 6-10 patrol cars with their officers, all parked at 14th and market, while many other areas have zero presence.

    Anyone who thinks the answer is to stay out of downtown, beware, the Highlands Ranch area is getting to be pretty sketchy itself. Same goes for the North side of town, as well as the traditionally bad areas.

    And Yella, where is this gay gang you talk about? Do they have rainbow bandanas? I want to watch out for those guys! Seriously, making an ignornt remark like that, only distracts from your valid points. Completely uncalled for.

  • June 22, 2008

    2:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bjjdenver writes:

    sorry, typo, meant "ignorant".

  • June 22, 2008

    2:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    R8R_H8R writes:

    And every time the Mayor wants to put more policemen on the streets, and beef up the gang task force, the republicans cry FOUL! These slow-thinkers want lower taxes at any cost, then cry like a baby, un-able to comprehend the consequences of their limited thought. Lower taxes equals lousy services. Especially when the republican party spends what money there is available on pork-barrel crap that makes their cronies richer and is no benefit to the average american citizen. This is not rocket science. Not real hard to think this through.

  • June 22, 2008

    2:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    B_Man writes:

    bjjdenver-
    Speaking of "ignorant" statements, what happened, did your scantily clad girlfriend leave you to speak with a cop? Its always the cops fault, we all know that.

  • June 22, 2008

    2:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bjjdenver writes:

    Bman--

    Actually one of my best friends is on the gang unit in Denver. I am in no way "blaming" the cops that are on the streets. rather, I am in that area and see it with my own eyes. I have the utmost respect for anyone who puts their life on the line for inadequate pay.

    This is solely the fault of the morons that think guns and violence is the answer. However, before making your accusation, why don't you go down there some Friday or Saturday after Midnight, and tell me I am wrong.

    Unfortunately, these officers are restrained by our need for them to be reactive instead of proactive. They simply are stationed incorrectly and have to wait for a situation to develop before they can do anything. That is just the way our society wants it.

  • June 22, 2008

    2:57 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    theairdog writes:

    Another great idea Artstarzz!

    Oh wait! That's right. Most of the Gang-bangers already have records and can't legally possess guns. Imagine that! They flout the Law.......

    Or were you thinking of passing a law against bullets that the Criminals would respect? (See definition of Criminal - One who breaks the law)

  • June 22, 2008

    3:24 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    aurorabugsbunny writes:

    To Yella and Atzlan99-----Yella--All 'gangs' did not originate in Compton. With all the people coming into this country everyday, we are getting all kinds of gangs. More ruthless than you can imagine.

    A99-You left LA because of gangs??? Hmm...did you think any fairly large city in the U.S. was exempt from them?

    Gangs are everywhere, and the numbers are growing. Scary isn't it??

  • June 22, 2008

    3:36 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    colohigh5 writes:

    GO BACK TO LA

  • June 22, 2008

    5:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    buzzman writes:

    never to go anymore to lodo except for lunch-lived in big D my entire life-not worth the BS and potential problems

  • June 22, 2008

    6:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    hikingartist writes:

    I'd rather be camping myself, ahem, without a gun.

  • June 22, 2008

    9:24 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Scott writes:

    I just heard on Channel 31 that a lady whose car was parked with in the crime scene area had her car ticketed by the Denver Parking Nazis because the meter had expired! This lady had nothing to do with the murder other than her car happened to be parked in the area! She had wanted to move her car, but the police did not allow her until they processed the crime scene ... which makes perfect sense. However, the Denver Parking Nazis, in the quest to leave NO car unticketed, quickly wrote a ticket for this car that was depriving hissonor Lickenpoor from yet more revenue.

    Once again the Denver Parking Nazis strike!

    Scott

  • June 22, 2008

    10:14 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mtnmike293 writes:

    This incident is reflective of what has been a long history of an out of control gang problem. These gang banging clowns have no respect for themselves or others. Never have and never will. The sad part is when the police show up and end this thing they did not have the opportunity to eliminate more of the problem than just the one low life fool that is on his way to gang bang heaven. RIP Hood Boy.

  • June 22, 2008

    10:28 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    swimoutpassthebreakers writes:

    Go ahead artstarzz ban my bullets.

    http://www.expertvillage.com/video/67...

  • June 22, 2008

    11:19 p.m.

    snuffalupagus writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • June 23, 2008

    5:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    YourLocalHero writes:

    Hey sunffalupagus,
    They were actually blacks from Aurora that frequent club Bash. Nice try though.

  • June 23, 2008

    7:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mexcellent writes:

    Hey snuffalupagus,

    Let me buy you a beer.

  • June 23, 2008

    8:20 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    inyourownwords writes:

    I'm unclear as to why the writer of the article felt it was relavant to the story to repeatedly mention the upcoming DNC convention. We all have our personal views on the convention-how is it responsible to interject them into this piece?

    Praise and best wishes to the officers who responded to the crime and put their lives on the line.

  • June 23, 2008

    9 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    tm3869 writes:

    Where did the article say anything about where they live or what color they were or exactly what club they came out of, snuffalupagus and Hero?

    Did the tv newws report tat?

  • June 23, 2008

    9:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    tm3869 writes:

    ooooops, I meant "that"

  • June 23, 2008

    9:36 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    temurlan writes:

    inyourownwords, you are correct. I don't care about the convention at all. I care about that area being safe for us, all year round.

  • June 23, 2008

    9:43 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Denverite91 writes:

    To the idiot who said lower taxes equals crappier service. It sounds like to me two police officers breaking up a gun battle among multiple people without any innocent victims facing major injuries is pretty good service to me. You can put as many police officers on the street as you want and you would have still had the same situation and the same outcome.

  • June 23, 2008

    9:44 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    American100 writes:

    GOOD SHOT OFFICER!

  • June 23, 2008

    9:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    OhBrother writes:

    Ummm, yeah when I go out downtown it's usually the meat head suburban jock types that are binge drinking, causing problems, fighting and getting cuffed. Not just black and Mexican people create violence, last time I checked villains and evil acts were around long before 93'.

    Either way, maybe having all locations let out and close at exactly the same time adds to this problem. Regardless of where your coming out of you instantly blend in with a drunken crowd thus creating a dangerous situation

  • June 23, 2008

    10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rjbaloha writes:

    LODO is what your wallet looks like after paying parking charges and for entertainment and shopping. The area is not any more dangerous that other areas in the Denver metro area. The gangs have infiltrated all these areas, ie Highlands Ranch, Cherry Creek, etc. There are estimated to be over 20,000 gang members in the Denver metro area. Soon this place will be called Little Los Angeles as more criminals are caught and released there to move to new cities like Denver. The police are doing a good job but their hands are tied. Let them do what is necessary to clean up the streets. No new prisons needed either. Use barbed wire on the plains and be sure to order plenty of PINK underwear for them to wear.

  • June 23, 2008

    10:02 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    redwhiteandBLUE writes:

    Gangs ? It's just people that have beef with each other, and run into each other at places..like LO-Do.

  • June 23, 2008

    10:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    expatman writes:

    Did I miss something? I didn't see the ACLU mentioned in the article. How about a round of applause for the NRA and the "an assault weapon in every home" crowd.

  • June 23, 2008

    10:54 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    OhBrother writes:

    expatman-
    "How about a round of applause for the NRA and the "an assault weapon in every home" crowd"

    clap, clap, clap! maybe the "an assault weapon in every home crowd"
    isn't the same as "the assault weapon in every CROWD crowd" but hey I'm sure it all seems like yada yada yada to the anti gun groups. Just a quick FYI but the types that usually bring guns ( I said usually but most certainly not always) with them to the club aren't card carrying NRA members. Another shocker for you might be that more than NRA members have guns, criminals also don't get permits carry

  • June 23, 2008

    10:59 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jay writes:

    i was wondering...how does denver's lowering crime rate compare the rates of other cities with similar sized metro areas?

  • June 23, 2008

    11:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    blacksho89 writes:

    R8R-

    Where did you find a Republican in Denver?

  • June 23, 2008

    11:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Diff writes:

    Crime rate in major cities and in most States have trended down.
    (just saw a report on that somewhere... )
    LoDo has been on my list for places to avoid for a few years and just moved up to near the top.
    1) it is full of mostly punks and and self important urbanites who are no fun to be around anyway...
    2) it's expensive1
    3) now it is becoming as dangerous as north east Denver and old central Aurora.

    I am still just imagining a great city....

  • June 23, 2008

    11:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Big_D writes:

    Denver is not that bad and if you want to hear the real cries try to raise any taxes to put more police on the street. You get what you pay for in police and if Denver is short they can pay for more. This sure as heck isn't the worst town I've heard of and the comparison to LA is laughable. At least the police in Denver do not have neighborhoods they will not tread.

  • June 23, 2008

    11:48 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jay writes:

    i think after traveling to a few other cities that people realize how safe denver really is.

    not everyone can afford to live near downtown any longer and i think lots of folks like to disparage that which they can't have.

    the point still remains that the federal gov't gutted local law enforcement funding after 9/11 and the citizenry doesn't want to pick up the local tax revenue slack...so who's to blame for the low or undermanned police presence?

    one guess....i think they're running for a third term...

  • June 23, 2008

    11:59 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MaxInEnglewood writes:

    Horrible crime, but honestly compared to most cities Denver isnt that bad at all. Those complaining are probably suburbanites that dont visit Denver often.

  • June 23, 2008

    1:17 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    doyoueatspam writes:

    In all honesty, does the average person really care if bad people shoot and kill each other? I care about when innocent people/bystanders are harmed during these kinds of events, hence why the Police had to get involved, but wouldn't the world be a much better place than having these incompetents ruining it for good people? I was on the 16th Street Mall last night around 9:00 pm when two punks (say in their early 20s) almost got into a fight with many people walking by unaware of their angst for each other. Who knows if one of them, or both, had a knife or a gun, or both, and used it on the other person, and potentially injuring or killing innocent people during their joust, just so they can publicly display their anger. I hate to admit it, because people should have a second chance in life, but it gets way old when this kind of crap happens in full-view of areas where people can be harmed and I really don't care when these kind of people are killed.

  • June 23, 2008

    1:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    M2 writes:

    My heart goes out to his family.
    My thank you goes out to the DPD.

    You reap what you sow.
    Enjoy being dead. I hope it was worth it.

  • June 23, 2008

    2:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    redwhiteandBLUE writes:

    So...who were all these people ? The guy that got killed and all the others ? Inquiring minds want to know.

  • June 23, 2008

    2:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Marshdale writes:

    Tommy: Just what the hell do gang bangers have to do with the ACLU. The ACLU is there to protect our liberties. Remember it was the ACLU who fought for the KKK's right to peacefully assemble. They are not just some left wing org. I think you need to read a little more.

  • June 23, 2008

    3:08 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    anthony1979 writes:

    The Bash Night Club needs to be shut down, Theory as well. I like to have fun just like anyone else in their '20s but those clubs are nothing but trouble. Maybe if each club would allow only a percentage to be minority maybe that would work -if you think this is a racist comment -I'm a Hispanic male. It shames me that my people and other people of color have a hard time knowing how to act. RIP the two IDIOTS shooting at others and cops in crowded areas...at least no one INNOCENT died.

  • June 23, 2008

    4:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    aztlan99 writes:

    I lived in LA for many years (Puro Lynwood Varrio ese!!) and all I can say is this city is like LA in the sense that you are only safe if you are white. The proof is that we are not safe from our own kind. We (minorites) have never known how to have a party and kick back right. Maybe i will move to Minnesota.

  • June 23, 2008

    4:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Diff writes:

    Fresh
    Ja und den ve vill hav a saf zity!
    Ud all da bad peopel vill be gone zfrom here.

    and if you happen to be wearing the wrong color hat and a cop takes you for a gang member, so he blows you brains out - what then?
    What if it happened to be your 11 year old son, how would that work?
    The cops could say he should have known better and not been wearing a red hat -

    The stupidity level and reached yet another high mark here today.

  • June 23, 2008

    5:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    redwhiteandBLUE writes:

    Mr. Hick.............

    Crack down on illegal aliens while you're at it!!

    Lets not forget the illegal killer of Officer Donny Young,
    He left a widow and children Sir!

  • June 23, 2008

    5:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bxwatso writes:

    A few thoughts, for those who care to read so far down on this list:

    1. AFAIK, not a single violent incident was caused by someone with a carry permit. I think this proves that carry permits at least cause no harm.

    2. All of the shootings in LoDo were by patrons of dodgy dance clubs. AFIK, not a single LoDo shooting in the past 13 years was by a patron of a restaurant or simple bar.

    In short, Mr. Mayor, I think the problem is not guns, but porrly managed dance clubs. Patrons of some dance clubs get dangerously intoxicated on booze and drugs. The clubs need to start being held responsible for the extremely intoxicated people they let loose on the streets. These people are beyond control and amped up, not just too drunk to drive.

    If there were a law allowing the liquor license to be taken away from a bar for the repeated bad behavior of its patrons, I suspect the bar owners would take notice and control whom they serve and who deals drugs at the clubs.

    Unfortunately, there is no such law and Bash, Hush, Lotus, and the others will not behave responsibly.

    It is only a matter of time before an innocent bystander is shot. I live a block from the Hush shootings and a bullet could very well have gone through my window while I slept. If someone is shot in his or her sleep, there will be hell to pay.

  • June 23, 2008

    6:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    cleekmaker00 writes:

    No matter what circumstances or social groups are involved, the bottom line is that it comes down to two sets of ideals:

    'street' ideals vs. 'normal' ideals.

    Street ideals mean that if someone does something wrong to you, your friends or family, then the sole response is retaliation. Look out for you and your own; don't care about anybody else.

    Normal ideals are what most citizens cater to - someone does something wrong; let justice mete out the punishment.

    Unfortunately, it doesn't matter who's involved or what ethnic group is involved. Street ideals in most neighborhoods (and we all know what neighborhoods we think of) take precedence over normal ideals most of the time. It's been that way for decades.

    The sad thing is... that's how people were brought up. So taking guns or bullets away won't do anything; it's the street way of thinking that has to be dealt with, so everyone else can be safe.

  • June 23, 2008

    6:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    rurude writes:

    YourLocalHero;

    Take a look at the pics of the parties involved. You shouldn't just judge before all the information is on the table. I am black and live in Aurora...I never party downtown.

  • June 23, 2008

    7:04 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shaggy writes:

    Mr Mayor Sir,
    I concur with redwhiteandBLUE,
    Start cracking the whip on illegals and get rid of the sanctuary city policy that Mayor Webb created.

  • June 23, 2008

    7:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shaggy writes:

    I might add that pena supported as well.

  • June 23, 2008

    7:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shaggy writes:

    At least pena got rich by having his friends pre-buy a bunch of land where DIA stands today and then con Coloradans into building the Airport conveniently where his buds bought all the worthless land for pennies on the dollar.

    Ohhh and pena made a pretty dollar on that con job.
    pena = worst scum to ever have his name related to Denver

    I'm being nice!!!

  • June 23, 2008

    7:45 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shaggy writes:

    LoL Gene,
    What I really find scary about DIA is that Damnnnn Blue horse with the red gleaming eyes that fell on and killed it's so called artist that we all have to look at on our way to board our planes.
    Not forgetting the children who also have to endure those red satanic eyes before they board a plane to Grandmas house!!
    Not a good Omen for somebody who's about to take off.
    Thank goodness most travelers don't know the story behind the pathetic, horrific display!!!!

  • June 23, 2008

    8:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ES writes:

    Funny thing about the DNC. There was a major riot because gang members in Louisiana were upset at the protesters. The protesters blocked all the routes for the gangs to sell drugs. The gangs shot their 9mm into the protesters and started a riot. The protesters blamed the police (not the gang members) of shooting into the crowd.
    The media reported the gang members side of the story (no surprise) and the riots continued for several days.

    Listen Mayor. You are helpless to stop violence and keep up with your political connections with the Democratic Party. The Democratic party wants to free criminals instead of protecting the public. Your party is indebted to the ACLU and slaves to them. So shut your mouth and stop acting like your tough on crime.

  • June 23, 2008

    8:56 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    EastVail writes:

    Whoa. Hickenlooper looks pissed.

  • June 23, 2008

    9 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jay writes:

    "The Democratic party wants to free criminals instead of protecting the public."

    come on.

    let's try to keep it between the ditches.

  • June 23, 2008

    9:13 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bxwatso writes:

    I just thought about an exception to my dance club theory. The P.F. Chang's New Year's murder was not related to a dance club. It was a lying in wait murder.

    So, let me rephrase my point. All of the LoDo shootings in the heat of passion were related to patrons of dodgy dance clubs.

    Also, the blue horse is the least artistic, ugliest, and most objectionable thing I have ever seen in public in Denver. Wow, what an amazingly horrible, offensive, pointless piece of garbage. Denver should donate it to Aspen or something.

  • June 23, 2008

    9:32 p.m.

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    rickg19611 writes:

    Hickenlooper? Isn't he the ex-mayor who left Denver months ago to be Obama's lapdog roaming the country, meeting with Democrat fatcats, begging for money to pay for the Democrat drunkfest in August?

  • June 23, 2008

    9:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    davies writes:

    Hizzoner: "If you use a gun in Denver, we're going to do everything we can to put you behind bars as long as we can."

    Forgive this sheet-kicker from Canon City for asking, but is it not possible to use a gun legally in the City of Denver?

    Also, I've seen some comments here about immigration, but no inquiries as to the residency status of these fine gentlemen. Now some will leap to say: "You racist bigoted pig! Just because they have Hispanic surnames, you assume they are illegal aliens!" to which I reply:

    No I don't. That's why I would like to know their status.

  • June 23, 2008

    10:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    davies writes:

    bxwatso: Interesting posts. I hope you stick around for awhile.

  • June 23, 2008

    11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    redwhiteandBLUE writes:

    Shaggy
    Thanks ..I thought for sure I'd get deleted hah! still there.

  • June 23, 2008

    11:20 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    redwhiteandBLUE writes:

    It was brought to my attention that Bash nightclub is the only club with no dress code. So, it attracts these type of individuals.

    Other clubs have to wear collar shirts. No t-shirts allowed.
    Bash ages 18-up, Beta now is 18-up. All others are 21-up.

  • June 24, 2008

    3:44 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    I really hope this summer, and the premier events that will showcase the crown jewel of the Rocky Mountains, Denver, will show the world, America is a great nation of many diverse opinions and yet a united peoples, undivided in pursuit of freedom. I love to argue, debate, yell and stomp; my rights end at the tip of my fellow countryman's nose. Destuction of that which belongs to all of us, our city, is wrong and selfish to impose against the will of our nation as a whole. Many people of great diversity carry our flag with honor, to hand to our children the greatest gift and measure of mankind, freedom. The freedom to debate uncensored, without violence, that which governs all citizens who chose to unite arms. Our nations greatness rests of on the civility to hear the opinion of all freemen, great and small, rich or poor, blind to prejudice, without violence or bloodshed. I would truly love to be a citizen of Monaco. The royalty and the civility of gentlemen, still reigns in all matters among the citizenry. Instead, I live in the most powerful nation on earth, where we all kick each others muleskins bald, while slapping the chops of the rest of the world together as brothers. All of us with the same gift in hand: freedom. I hope we really become, that which those before us died to make come true for all men, of all nations: a melting pot of many, united against all who assail our freedoms. This most powerful and great nation, was paid for with the blood of our nations forefathers, who held this great sacred honor as our inheritance. Celebrate, debate, and argue, have manners and respect for all; observe the rules established, that facilitate this great dialogue of debate, that we as Americans enjoy so much.

  • June 24, 2008

    4:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    I worked for men who shot phonebooks with .45's to secure the attention of those in the room, thier opinion ruled. I carried out thier directives to the best of my ability. These men, powerful and wealthy, brilliant amongst the judgements of thier peers. They never suffered to repeat themselves, they suffered no fool. America, look at the your citizens and fellow counrtymen; we have the greatest minds in all of humanity here in America! We rule, we kick the world's muleskins bald! This nation belongs to all of us, stand up when her colors pass by, many died died with that flag and a dream in hand. Just don't let anyone destroy her assets...

  • June 24, 2008

    7:20 a.m.

    Hambone writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • June 24, 2008

    7:29 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jtriska writes:

    Denver is safe???? Ha! I will never spend a dime of my money in that terdhole of a town after dark. It's ok Mon.- Fri. 9am.- 6p.m. After that it's left to the thugs, bums, ho's and gun toting loser wannabe's that are too afraid to put up their dukes and get a whoopin. Hate to burst your bubble Hickster but it is only going to get worse.
    Let me take another looksie here at the perps. Scrolling....scrolling.......Whoa, what a shock!!! Messicans. One died HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. You deserved it. Hope it hurt like hell.
    Judge, jury, executioner. PERFECTION!

  • June 24, 2008

    7:40 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    gary writes:

    The City of Denver reaps what it sows...a sanctuary for illegals and gangs.

    The Hick can talk...but he needs to kick...the illegals out and start enforcing the laws!!

    Nuff Said!

  • June 24, 2008

    7:51 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    gr8fuldude writes:

    Proof that our fathers were right when they told us that nothing good can happen after midnight. Go home and get a good night's sleep already.

  • June 24, 2008

    8:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Willis writes:

    Why is this 'bar' not held liable?
    You would think that after all of the 2am killings occuring after these nice folks leave the bars that something would be done about it...
    take the BAC off of the dead bodies, if they were intoxicated shut down these classy establishments.

    but you don't want to hurt the revenue pulled in by the late night bar scene.

  • June 24, 2008

    8:56 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    timeandagain writes:

    artstarzz -

    You are a very poor advocate for Obama. His biggest hurdle in the upcoming election is going to be his perceived elitism. As a supporter, I think it is a mistake to tie your support of him into an email that is laced with an elitist attitude and uses the word "redneck" 78 times. Please slow down...

  • June 24, 2008

    9:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    temurlan writes:

    Philly murders last year 500+. Denver murders last year 54.

    Philly population: 1,555,000. Denver population: 580,000.

    So under the Hick's plan we should have around 150 murders annually.

    Enough said.

    Nobama 08

  • June 24, 2008

    9:07 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shaggy writes:

    "If a republican talking he is lying . vote Obama in 08"

    Typical of Obama groupies.
    They have no idea what Obama has planned for everyone nor can they name one accomplishment of his but they think he is their messiah.
    They don't know that Obama has the biggest mass tax increase America has ever seen.
    They don't understand the reason we have such outrageous gas prices is because the Democrats have refuse to let us drill and refine our own oil.

    In a wierd sort of way I hope their plastic messiah gets elected.
    4 years of his Extreme socialistic liberalism should be enough to wake up Americans enough to never ever elect a Liberal Democrat again.

  • June 24, 2008

    9:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mytwosense writes:

    Yiota, I don't think that the solution to ending gang activity - responsible for much of the recent violence - is as simple as cracking down on illegal immigration.

    What they need to do is keep gang members away from each other, and thus, they won't be a gang anymore.

    And here is where law enforcement technology can step in:

    Convicted gang members should be required to wear an electronic monitoring device for at least three years. There is actually a form of such monitoring now available that sends instant alerts to law enforcement whenever the device wearer moves out of an authorized zone, or even too close to the vicinity of a past gang cohort.

    A lot of these gang members, thugs that they are, actually have no choice but to stay in the gang if they want to stay alive. Well, wearing such a device would give them a real excuse to stay away from their past gang members. "Hey, I'm under court order to stay away from you and they'll know if I don't."

    What citizens need to do is urge our legislators to enact such programs. The technology is there, and so is the funding. It would be cheaper than just sending these people back to jail (where they actually meet more gang members) and a more surefire way to keep gang members away from each other.

    (By the way, this form of electronic monitoring should also be required for convicted sex offenders, in my opinion.)

  • June 24, 2008

    9:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    timeandagain writes:

    artstarzz -

    Again, stop your public support of Obama. You are a terrible advocate and you say things that even make me question the people with whom I will be voting on a candidate. Leave the Obama advocacy to others PLEASE!

  • June 24, 2008

    9:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shaggy writes:

    artstarzz,
    Do you understand that Obama wants to nearly double the tax on capital gains from the present 15% to 28%?
    That effects everyone, not just the rich.

    It has been proven over and over that when you lower capital gains the economy sprouts, raise them and the economy suffers.

    I am sure all of you Obama supporters have done enough research to know this is indeed Obamas plan.

  • June 24, 2008

    9:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mytwosense writes:

    And let me just clarify that I don't mean this surveillance should take the place of jail time, at all. What I'm suggesting is that after they serve their sentences, they should be fitted with these devices. A lot of gang members go right back to their old gangs after serving their time in jail; I think this would be one of the most effective ways available to prevent this.

  • June 24, 2008

    9:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    hinona writes:

    The City of Denver has the power to revoke or suspend liquor liscences when it deems a place, usually a bar, is a public nuiscance.That's what it is. Club Bash is the hangout for the gangsta's . Just look at the photo on page 4 of todays rocky. 3 hoods "hangin". Not looking for anything good to happen.

    The groups that hang there are looking for trouble. Get rid of the s**t that hangs out there. Rap, hip hop, etc. just invite trouble.

    What a diservice to the P.D. mentioning that the office involved was involved in two other shootings. I only wish he were involved in many more.

    Mayor Hick has his head up his a** when he talks about a safe city.

    Go begging for funds for the DNC!! Instead, do your real job and run a safe city.

  • June 24, 2008

    9:35 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shaggy writes:

    Another thing artstarzz,
    Do you understand that Obamas plan to put a windfall tax on Oil companies profits will be passed onto us, the consumers vis higher price at the pump?
    Oil companies make an 8 to 10% profit on Oil for doing all the work.
    The Federal Government makes 15% profit on Oil for providing nothing.
    We don't hear them complaing about their record profits do we?

    btw, most companies who only make an 8 or 10% profit are put out of business. In other words their profit margins are totally within reason.
    Obamas plans would send our economy into a tail spin that we may not be able to recover from.

  • June 24, 2008

    9:45 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    augustwest writes:

    hello,

    Mark Tabullo-Zuniga used a shotgun. it wasn't gang related? sure. it's not hunting season is it? was his gun registered? extremely doubtful. we won't find out from this reporter.

    2 gang cops broke up the fight? but this wasn't gang related.
    right.

    Tabullo-Zuniga lived where exactly? what do people know about him?what was his criminal record? we don't know.

    perhaps the reporter can go beyond the police dept's press release.

    wait a second, that would require thought and some real investigative journalism.

  • June 24, 2008

    9:49 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    hillbillygoth writes:

    Gee, let's see here. Shootings in LoDo, an 8-yr old girl in Curtis Park, two in Aurora..and each perp listed has an Hispanic name.
    Really??? Sure Hickster, closing the bars before 2am and tougher gun laws will certainly deter our wonderful non-English speaking populace from running amok with their unregistered shotguns in our illegal-friendly sanctuary city!

  • June 24, 2008

    9:54 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SickNTired writes:

    artstarzz .. Mean time (meanwhile?) people are killing each other. Stop selling bullets. That is what kills people.

    So are people killing people or are bullets? Make up your mind. Rosie O'Donnell's spoon isn't what's making her fat! Nor, for that matter, is your pencil making you misspell.

  • June 24, 2008

    10:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rickg19611 writes:

    ""If you use a gun in Denver, we're going to do everything we can to put you behind bars as long as we can," the mayor said at a news conference "

    So... according to Hickenlooper, if you run down the street hacking thousands with a machete, then it will be considered a lower priority crime. Typical Hickenliberal.... focus on the gun.... ignore the criminal.

  • June 24, 2008

    10:02 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mytwosense writes:

    Shaggy: "Do you understand that Obamas plan to put a windfall tax on Oil companies profits will be passed onto us, the consumers vis higher price at the pump?"

    Are you saying that the individual oil companies will jack up prices in direct proportion to the amount of profits they lost due to a windfall tax?

    "Oil companies make an 8 to 10% profit on Oil for doing all the work. The Federal Government makes 15% profit on Oil for providing nothing."

    Providing nothing? What about the millions of acres of public land (YOUR land, Shaggy!) that oil companies extract resources from??

    Shaggy: "btw, most companies who only make an 8 or 10% profit are put out of business. In other words their profit margins are totally within reason."

    No one is complaining about their profit *margins.* And you're wrong that an 8 to 10% margin would put most companies out of business. It's not an uncommon margin, actually.

    But back to oil *profits.* You might be interested in this article, where it's noted that:

    "If Exxon Mobil were a country, its 2007 profit would exceed the gross domestic product of nearly two thirds of the 183 nations in the World Bank's economic rankings..."

    and...

    "Exxon Mobil's profits are 80 percent higher than those of General Electric, which used to be the largest U.S. company by market capitalization before Exxon left it in the dust in 2005. The new economy? Microsoft earns about a third as much money. And next to Exxon, the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, looks like a quaint boutique, with annual profits of about $11 billion."

    http://www.usnews.com/articles/busine...

  • June 24, 2008

    10:11 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BJG writes:

    Mayor Loopy needs to do something soon or HIS business in LoDo will be the next scene of a shooting. Closing the bars before 2 am will not help if people are allowed to drink too much. LoDo the "happy place" has now become a problem. Since Loopy took all of the cops off the streets of Denver, except in LoDo and there are still problems what's he gonna do?

  • June 24, 2008

    10:21 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shaggy writes:

    Twosense"Are you saying that the individual oil companies will jack up prices in direct proportion to the amount of profits they lost due to a windfall tax?"

    Sure they will and they have every right to do so.
    That would be like uncle sam coming to my business and telling me they want to single me out and make me pay more than the guy down the street.

    Twosense"Providing nothing? What about the millions of acres of public land (YOUR land, Shaggy!) that oil companies extract resources from??"

    The oil companies PAY to lease it, Uncle sam profits from leasing out (your/our/taxpayers land.)
    Maybe if they would let them lease out millions of acres of land that actually contain Oil we could begin the process of getting off of foreign oil and begin pumping BILLIONS into our economy and not a bunch of sand fleas over seas.

    And finally, I am a business owner and a 10% profit is not exceptional unless the business is high volume like Oil companies are.
    The last two examples you posted mirror my statement about high volume.

  • June 24, 2008

    10:28 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dbsturgeon writes:

    Simple, potential solution to this particular tinderbox: Let the bars set their own hours like in real cities. The problem and danger with downtown in general and Lodo in particular is that all of the drunks stagger out of all the bars at 2 a.m. No quantity of police can control all of that... Then all cars have to be off city streets by 2 as well, forcing some folks to drive who shouldn't... Try to catch a cab at 2 a.m. as well... Probaby 1 out of 3 vehicles on the road coming out of Lodo is DWAI at least...

    So, let the bars stay open. Some might choose to close earlier. Some will cater to the late night crowd. Stagger the flow...

  • June 24, 2008

    10:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mytwosense writes:

    Shaggy, you state you're a business owner. When you set prices for your services or products, do you look over what you had to pay in taxes the previous year, and raise your prices to exactly make up for that amount?

    Also, every time you have a new expense, do you raise your prices accordingly to make up for that expense?

    Just curious. Because I'm wondering how you haven't eventually priced yourself out of the market if raising prices is the only way you deal with taxes and new costs.

  • June 24, 2008

    10:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mytwosense writes:

    Yiota: "Mytwosense, the problem with locking up gang members is that gang life is extremely prevalent inside the jails and prisons. So putting them in jail only increases or continues their involvement with gangs."

    Agree. Many people don't realize this, either, so their only solution is to build more jails and prisons. Very expensive for the taxpayers and we're ultimately paying for a breeding ground for gang members to network with other gang members. And like you said, they have gangs in jail, too.

    "The ankle braclets are an interesting idea, but I think a gang member would just cut it off."

    Actually, they've made significant advances here. Some of the devices are virtually tamperproof now, and if they are removed or even attempted to be removed, law enforcement gets an immediate alert.

    I'm not saying it's a solution that keeps someone from *initially* joining a gang...but it's probably one of the most effective solutions to break up a gang once it's been started. And over time, that will have a real effect on the number of practicing gang members.

    Of course, other solutions must be in place to keep someone from joining in the first place. And I really believe we have to address some societal problems there. A lot of teens join gangs because, for better or for worse, they're seeking some kind of identity, affiliation with others, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if most of these kids come from some very dysfunctional homes where they don't get that sense of security. Gangs are a poor substitute, but it may seem like that's all there is an alternative.

  • June 24, 2008

    10:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mytwosense writes:

    artstarzz, I didn't state that about your solution. YIOTA did, in referencing one of your earlier posts in a response he was making to me about gang activity.

  • June 24, 2008

    10:54 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    hikingartist writes:

    Vince Lombardi? Wasn't he coached by Sleepy Jim Crowley, one of the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame? I don't know about you, but I would not tangle with a guy that has been coached by one of the Four Horsemen. I mean, the coach could just be pestilence, but then again he could be death, you just don't know.

  • June 24, 2008

    10:55 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jay writes:

    "most companies who only make an 8 or 10% profit are put out of business"

    this is completely ignorant.

    a 6% net profit margin per year is fantastic. 8% is an extra week of vacation. 10% is breaking out the dom on new years.

    get an economics education shaggy.

    oh....and since when is being a handyman "owning a business"?

  • June 24, 2008

    11:10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shaggy writes:

    You want to see the price of Oil really sky rocket?
    Vote Obama as President and let him pull the pull out of Iraq so the Oil heads can beblown up by the terrorists.
    Better yet, pull the troops let Iran move in and fill the void, which they said they would be very happy to do so.

    Oh and someone please tell Obama that Pakistan is our allies and we shouldn't nuke them if we find out Osama is there like he said he would do.
    Obama is an idiot.

    MyTwoSense,
    It is obvious you are not a business owner.
    If I raise my prices tooo high, my customers will go else where or just decide they can do with out.
    The problem with Oil is we just can't do with out and we just can't go somewhere else.
    Oil companies will sell to the highest bidder.
    If we flood the markets the supply would be there thus the price of crude would go down.
    Yes I have had to raise prices because I have under gone two price increases from my vender's.
    I cannot sell something that I cannot make a profit on, I will be bankrupt within a week.
    When Oil prices rise, the whole market follows. The end result is a weak economy.
    btw, the weak dollar has much ado about the prices we are paying at the pump.

    anyhoo, it is too hard to explain it all in a blog.

    jay you are simply a blithering idiot. Most companies who make a small profit such as an 8 or 10 percent will be out of business.
    You don't have a fricking clue what you are talking about.
    You are a recruiter for christ sakes.
    What the hell do you know....answer..nothing about business...actually nothing about many many things.

  • June 24, 2008

    11:14 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jay writes:

    "Vote Obama as President and let him pull the pull out of Iraq so the Oil heads can beblown up by the terrorists."

    debunked myth

    "pull the troops let Iran move in and fill the void, which they said they would be very happy to do so."

    debunked myth

    "Most companies who make a small profit such as an 8 or 10 percent will be out of business."

    that's "net profit margin" shasggy...and yes...debunked myth

    same old stuff from you my friend

  • June 24, 2008

    11:15 a.m.

    Shaggy writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • June 24, 2008

    11:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shaggy writes:

    jay you have never debunked anything...ever.
    You have a real problem with inconvenient facts!!!
    Most flaming Liberals do...

  • June 24, 2008

    11:23 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mytwosense writes:

    Shaggy, actually I do run my own business. And I'm simply asking you if the ONLY way you deal with new costs and taxes is by raising your prices. I didn't ask you if you'd ever done this, I asked you if this is your only method of dealing with new costs and taxes.

    The reason why I'm asking you this should be clear, too: Because you are making absolute statements that businesses always pass on new costs and taxes to the consumer. This is a typical statement of supplysiders who adamantly oppose corporate taxes.

    But it's simply not the case and if you truly own your own business, you would never make such an ignorant statement.

    Sure, *sometimes* there is no choice but to raise prices. However, as a business owner, I also know that I can't price what the market won't bear. In those cases, I need to figure out *another way* to offset new costs instead of raising my prices. Often such efforts are going to be focused on drumming up more business, not penalizing my existing customers with constantly increasing prices. Or adding new services, or looking for a less expensive supplier, or even changing a production method.

    That being said, I wouldn't put it past the oil companies to externalize any new taxes in full to customers. They can get away with it, too, because we really don't have much choice when it comes to finding a cheaper gas station to go to, do we? Gas prices are pretty much the same across companies; they only vary by market locale and not much at that.

    Without price being a competitive advantage, the monopolized oil industry can do whatever the hell they want at this point.

    And people like you applaud this state of affairs - and suggest we increase drilling to feed this anti-consumer system. It's like keeping a predator at bay by throwing it all the food you have left in your kitchen!

  • June 24, 2008

    11:54 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shaggy writes:

    Excactly TwoSense,
    I do not always raise my prices. I would be out of business if I priced myself out of competition.

    I am in direct competition with Home depot.
    I can tell you they are in the 40 to 50 % range on many of their goods. I know, I deal direct with their same exact vendors, same exact products. I get the same exact prices that they do, so I have no problem beating their prices by 20 to 30% and still have a decent profit margin.

    Remember I did not say ALL businesses, I pointed out that volume stores are a different breed but I will also bet anyone on here that Costco and Sams club have a much higher % increase than 10%.
    Why do I know this?
    I compete on some of their products as well, I know exactly what they are paying for them.

    Yiota,
    jay has a problem debating what I call "inconvenient facts".
    Gets him every time.
    He has become to think "inconvenient facts" are conspiracy theories spouted out by Conservatives.

  • June 24, 2008

    noon

    Suggest removal

    jay writes:

    yes...willful ignorance is exactly the type of debate tactic you like yiota.

    alright, let's go over them again, kids.

    "Vote Obama as President and let him pull the pull out of Iraq so the Oil heads can beblown up by the terrorists."

    obama's policy stance in iraq will in no way allow the "oil heads" to be "blown up by the terrorists". he simply wants to take some of our combat troops out of iraq so they can fight the folks who actually had something to do with 9/11. wouldn't it be nice if we could fight folks who consisted of more than 5% al qaeda? sounds like a pretty good idea to me...and the majority of the country.

    http://www.barackobama.com/issues/pdf...

    http://www.pollingreport.com/iraq.htm

    "pull the troops let Iran move in and fill the void, which they said they would be very happy to do so."

    no one is going to completely pull out of iraq. we'll have a significant military footprint in that country for decades. the iranian boogeymen aren't going to "move in and fill the void". we're not the only folks that have a vested interest in one of the largest oil reserves on the planet. have some commonsense. the process of dividing up the oil from iraq won't even begin for years and will continue for year so relax. no one is going to leave the keys to iraq in the ignition.

    "Most companies who make a small profit such as an 8 or 10 percent will be out of business."

    again...take an economics class. 8 to 10% net profit margin is fantastic. if you're going out of business because of those kinds of returns then you're not smart enough to be in business in the first place and should probably stay away from heavy machinery. capitalistic darwinism at its finest.

  • June 24, 2008

    12:14 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MeAgainstMachine writes:

    Artstarzz - here is a little info you may wanna brush up on. You need to quit trying to fuel the fire between races with your whitey and redneck rants. You can't deny good ol' fashioned statistics.

    http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide...

  • June 24, 2008

    12:24 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shaggy writes:

    "if you're going out of business"

    jebus jay, do ever read anything I say or do you just read what you want it to say????
    Where in the hell did I say I was going bankrupt idiot?

    I have been in business for close to thirty years bud and I know all about profit margins and competing with competitors carrying the same exact stock.
    I always price search my competitors, I know exactly what they are paying for goods and what they are selling those same goods.