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Science Denial Conference Ends in Riot

in Local Flavor/Politics by

At a conference of science deniers last weekend, hosted by no less an institution than the Colorado School of Mines, representatives from CU Boulder’s Gender Science Department and Colorado Springs College of the Bible’s Geology Department literally came to blows over what subjects to exclude, and which to include, under the greater body of knowledge of Science.  While each touted pre-dispositions of ideology as taking primacy over verifiable truth, both sides paid lip-service to the scientific method, but only in support of their pre-ordained notions.

Gender vapid spokeshuman for CU Boulder’s Gender Science Department Dr. Wagglesnicks, commented, “Gender is nothing more than a social construct created by an oppressive white-supremacist capitalist patriarchy!  I don’t care what DNA says, we at CU have recognized no less than 72 different genders, and any person can flow from one to any one OR MORE of the others at any time, for any reason, including no reason at all.  However, we assert that a preponderance of evidence in the geological as well as the biological record shows that the earth is some 2.6 billion years old, and that we evolved from single-celled organism to apes over the course of hundreds of thousands of years and then evolved into homo sapiens like you and xus [a form of the second-person plural pronoun]. Anyone who disagrees with that assertion is at best a fool, and at worst, a nefarious peddler of pseudo science.”

After Dr. Wagglesnicks’ fiery opening statement, the spokesman for Colorado Springs College of the Bible, Reverend Cleatus Crowley angrily declared, “Don’t y’all call me no homo!  I’m not like you; I read Leviticus and I obey it!  As for this nonsense of the earth being 2.6 million years old, now THAT’S a bunch of baloney.  How do I know?  It’s in the Bible!  God said it, and God doesn’t lie.  Here are some truths that I can tell you: we’re just short of 6000 years old, God made the Earth in six days, and He made man from mud.  Then, he made woman from Adam’s rib.  That’s why men have one rib fewer than women.  Now THAT’S valid science.  As for this gender nonsense…well, it’s just nonsense.  Be a man or be a woman, and that’s it.  Just ask a police detective when there’s DNA at a crime scene, the first thing they tell you is whether it’s from a man or a woman.”

At this exchange, Wagglesnicks retorted even more angrily, “Homo sapiens is binomial nomenclature for human being- a basic term of biological categorization! And, when police collect DNA evidence from crime scenes, and they tell you that it’s a male or a female, they’re not using basic terms of categorization, they’re acting from unconscious bias that we at the Gender Science Department categorically denounce and repudiate. Anyone who disagrees with us is an oppressive member of the fascist patriarchy which has asserted its power to keep down the disadvantaged and marginalized.”

At this point, witnesses describe a descent into violence atypical for the School of Mines campus.  While it is unclear who started it, fists flew as did chairs.  After extensive hurling of insults and missiles, campus security was called in.  Amid loud chants of, “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry!” in reference to TV personality and talk show host Jerry Springer by amused students and passersby, the fracas was finally disentangled and arrests were made.

The Focopolitan Tribune managed to contact a spokesman for the Colorado School of Mines.  Dr. Farouk Ikani had the following to say, “How in God’s good name did we ever give these people permission to have their ridiculous conference here?  This is a SCIENCE college, not a battleground for the ideologically possessed!  Both sides need to spend their time in the can and get some sense kicked into them!  To the CU fuckwits out there: you’re born with a gender.  If you don’t like it, fine!  Choose the other gender, and maybe get a sex-change operation.  Then be happy with it, but don’t go around telling me that there are 72 different gender pronouns and you can turn from one into another and then feel insulted when I call you by the wrong one!  As for you religious nut jobs, get your heads out of your ever-loving asses.  I thought I saw the worst of you at the Creation Museum in Kentucky! Both of you need to realize this: Science is real, and you approach it by studying the evidence and then coming to a conclusion, not the other way around. Instead what you’re both doing is having your ideology possess you, instead of you possessing your ideology!”

Reverend Crowley and Dr. Wagglesnicks, among others, are currently being held at the Jefferson County jail on multiple counts ranging from: battery, disturbing the peace, assault, reckless endangerment, and others.  Reverend Crowley is in the men’s ward, and it is unclear where Dr. Wagglesnicks is as officials are debating where to house xim [the third-person singular].

Biker Gang Clubhouse to Open in Place of Closed Bisetti’s

in Arts and Entertainment/Business and Economics/Local Flavor by

This past January 31st, Focopolitan mourners carried a mock coffin from Bisetti’s restaurant all the way to Grandview Cemetery, FoCo’s poshest, most exclusive burial ground, in a requiem for that beloved staple of Fort Collins dining. Marching to Frederic Chopin’s Marche Funebre, and under the lugubrious light of a super blue blood moon, the people shared their memories of the times they had at the four decades-long institution. After hearing about the: many dates, wedding receptions, business deals, bar/bat/bax (for the transgender Jew) mitzvahs and meals that folks had there, people invariably asked, “So what’s gonna go in there now?”

It wasn’t a half hour after the doors of our beloved Bisetti’s closed for good, that a sign went up announcing the soon-to-be open new establishment: a local, biker bar. Focopolitan Tribune reporter Ludwig Schnee happened to be passing by when some of the new tenant-cum-patrons of the space were unloading wrenches, power tools, oil pans, bottles of booze, and various-sized boxes that read “Harley Davidson” on them. One of the leather-bound, burly men carrying parts into the closed Bisetti’s took the time to speak with Schnee. “We’re coming in here in order to have a place to gather at, booze it up, raise hell and change the oil of our Harleys.”

The Focopolitan Tribune crew attempted contact with various concerned institutions from neighboring stores to security services to umbrella business organizations, inquiring about the opening of the new establishment and got a surprising degree of positive feedback. In an email, one member of the Business Organization of Old Town (BOOT) stated, “People talk so much about diversity here, but nobody ever does much, so we would like to invite the new owners to our next luncheon. We would love to have one of them on our board of directors. That would sure bring some diversity to our community.” While some were concerned that the biker gang is part of the Hell’s Angels, the group is actually a local phenomenon calling itself Phuck the Poudre. Why they opted for such a name is unclear, but we hope to inform our readers of that sometime in the near future.

The Trib crew were unable to contact Fort Collins Police Services officially, but a passing security-for-hire officer spoke anonymously, “Hell, yeah! Finally we can get some action here other than canning bums and slamming drunk college students onto the pavement! These guys are actually gonna keep me, the police, the jail and the courts in business!” College students themselves seemed enthused. A CSU sociology major, Colleen Middleton, had this to say, “It’s so exciting; can’t wait to see the place up and running!” A small squeal ensured.

Tim Ashbury, the owner of the bar, and its bartender, seemed pleased with himself. As he stood in front of the entrance, he smiled. “Now this is a proper place for a bar; right in the fuck sakes of things! I can’t believe no one’s tried this before me.” As he stared up at the building, he had this aside to Schnee. “Gonna have to white-trash up this awning though.

North Korean-themed Restaurant Keeps it Real With Not-So-Secret Ingredient

in Business and Economics/Local Flavor by

Fort Collins’ foodie scene is one of the nation’s most diverse.  But when Seung-Hui Kim, aka Tommy Kim opened Pyongyang Palete, Colorado got its first ever North Korean eatery.

Mr. Kim, originally from Seoul, South Korea purports to be a North Korea aficionado and a great admirer of the Kim Dynasty, which has ruled North Korea since 1945.  When asked to comment about his restaurant, he said, “10,000 years of life to the Great General Kim Jong-Un and long live the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as North Korea is officially called) and the memory of the dear leader, Kim Jong-Un and the Great Leader Kim il-Sung.  My intentions are to bring the superior cultural cuisine of the great land to the pitiful imperialist shithole which is Northern Colorado.  Though our menu is heavy on naengmyeon (buckwheat noodles, usually served cold) dishes, we have specialty gogi-gui (typical Korean barbecue), with a special local ingredient.”  He winked at your stunned reporters.  Offering reporter Buck Humingbird a bowl of what appeared to be stew, Ms. Humminbird politely stuck to the buckwheat noodles.  When pressed about the secret ingredient to his infamous gogi-gui Mr. Kim referred to the Fort Collins Coloradoan’s article from Dec. 31st which noted the abandonment of around 100 domesticated rats at the Prospect Ponds Nature Area.

“The people of DPRK are a resourceful bunch, and they’ll eat anything that has legs except for a table, and anything that has wings, except for an airplane.  This includes such capitalist cast-offs as rats, and such capitalist pets as dogs.  Incidentally, the Larimer County Humane Society has totally blackballed me, and these animal rights wankers keep boycotting my joint and giving me all kinds of shit.  In any case, if your own farm or ranch property ever has a prairie dog problem, drop me a line!”

Although the food is definitely distinct and quite different from what is usually on hand in FoCo, it was surprisingly awful. A line of people still stood on the sidewalk an hour after your reporters sat down, though it is imagined that this may turn into a line of animal rights picketers before long. While the naengmyeon is palatable, don’t try the “secret” jeongol if you have cat allergies nor the “nuclear North” noodles unless you like your hair to stand on end. Up-to-date life and health insurance recommended especially when trying “Chongjin Choice,” which features the aforementioned special ingredient.

Bird Nuisance Plagues Old Town Lights

in Local Flavor by

There are many local traditions here in Fort Collins that are beloved by residents, and visitors, alike. During this season the Old Town Christmas lights are one such happening. While the Lighting Ceremony went off grandly, this year officials are being plagued by a new nuisance that seems intent on making sure that the lights stay off.

“It’s a stupid parrot,” grumbled one official to FoCo Tribune reporter, Buck Hummingbird, as the two stood at the intersection of College and Mountain. “We’re used to having replace lights and possibly reposition strands because of wind and such but this fucking bird…”

The brightly-colored avian menace has taken it upon himself to single-handedly try and destroy the Old Town lights.

“I don’t know if he’s pissed off about the lights at night or we put a strand too close to his nest but he is one determined little piece of….THERE HE IS!” The official took off running.

Apparently, the Lighting Committee has had a hard time trying to catch the flying destroyer even with near-constant surveillance and the position of strategically placed bird traps.

So, what is the parrot doing?

“He’s a smart one. He knows how to twist individual lights off; he just pops’em off and flies off with the light to who knows where. He’ll finish off a set of flights in minutes like this! He’s also repositioning strands; figures he’ll probably kill himself if he bites through them so he just kicks’em away. And don’t even get me started on how encrusted he makes light strands with his poop.” The actions leave dark spots in an otherwise perfect tableau of light, while also costing the city money to replace the missing bulbs.

“We even had an incident where a biker got twisted up in a strand he had managed to move.” This was the event that precipitated the Committee’s action to rid Old Town of the parrot.

He has become a delight for tourists who seemed concerned that the cold weather may harm the fellow. Your intrepid reporter stood by a group who tried to get selfies while he sat preening himself on a cool, sunny weekend afternoon.

“Isn’t he adorable?” gushed one woman from Pennsylvania. “You don’t see many free-flying birds like that in Colorado I bet. Will he be okay when it snows? I mean he’s not from around here obviously so where does he go when it gets cold?”

Committee officials have teamed up with biology experts from CSU and animal rights activists, as well as local volunteers, to try and catch the bird.

Julie Harmful, one of the activists, had this to say, “We’re concerned that he’ll hurt himself but also that someone may hurt him as well. We want to be able to get him away to a warmer place where he can be taken care of as we near colder temperatures. Everyone is concerned about him and rightfully so.”

Missing bird posters have also been placed in vet offices and pet stores throughout the city in the hopes that he is actually someone’s pet that accidentally escaped. Julie teared up, “He’s probably missing his carer.”

Officials would just be happy to be rid of what is becoming an expensive menace.

“I mean seriously,” replied the official as he returned from trying to catch the parrot, “what the hell did we do to him that he goes after the lights?”

The parrot did not return your reporter’s inquiries.

Area HOA Proposes Landfill for Old Hughes Stadium

in Environment/Local Flavor by

In an imperial-like gesture of bigness, representatives from the The Ponds community proposed an unorthodox solution for the lingering questions about what to do with Hughes Stadium.  After numerous discussions that addressed such issues as open spaces and affordable housing, it appears that a number of residents of The Ponds have come to a consensus that the area near their upscale neighborhood ought to become a landfill.  The group, calling itself YIMBY, for Yes, In My Back Yard, reached out to the Focopolitan Tribune in order to voice their ideas.

In a prolonged phone conversation with reporter Ludwig Schnee, spokeswoman Deb van Diemen of YIMBY stated, “It has come to the public’s attention that the Larimer County Landfill is going to max out any day now.  It is clear to everyone in Fort Collins: something needs to be done about this!  For us to accommodate all the trash that a growing middle-class population produces, we can only do so with sacrifice.  Yes, I said it- SACRIFICE!  We agree to sacrifice the nice views that we have for a new landfill for us to throw ‘away’ all the Chinese-made plastic trash that we and our lower-income neighbors buy, keep for six months, and then pitch.  Let’s face it: we live in Consumerville, USA, and we’re not better here in FoCo just ‘cause some of us say that we shop ‘local.’  We produce no less trash than people in Littleton, Junction or the Springs.”

Surprised at this statement from a person who obviously lives in an upscale neighborhood, our reporter asked about the effect on property values.  Ms. van Diemen replied, “ As we at YIMBY see it, it’s a win-win situation.  The city and county get a new landfill, the fees from our trash-haulers go down, and although our property values might go down some, that’s okay, they won’t plummet… and don’t forget, if your property value goes down, so do your taxes.  There is no downside to this.”

Wanting to find out more, our intrepid reporter went to the area and inquired a little more about the matter.  Residents were surprisingly candid and unanimous about the matter.  Resident Todd Reynolds remarked, “This is gonna be great!  Our lower-income neighbors will be able to walk their way to the local dump every afternoon and recycle just like us.”  He added, “I’ll bet they’ll be waiting for every dump truck that arrives just to see what our side of Overland Trail threw away- recycling at its most basic.”

It is unclear how city, county and state laws will affect this proposal.  The Larimer County Board of Commissioners and Fort Collins City Council have not officially replied to Focopolitan Tribune calls, but a local official, speaking to this newspaper on background had the following to say, “We are excited to see such civic pride expressed in a rather, unusual way. This will take some time to review and even then we need to look at existing state, municipal and federal laws to make sure it would be feasible.  I know that they [YIMBY] are excited, but we don’t want them to jump the gun, so to speak.  I’m just glad I don’t fucking live there!”

House Cleaner, Landscaper Unimpressed With “Welcome” Sign

in Local Flavor by

Jesus and Mercedes Sandoval-Velasquez are a brother and sister team who struggle to make a living in Fort Collins.  Recent immigrants from Jalisco, Mexico, the two work as a landscaper and housecleaner respectively.  Driving a seventh-hand 1998 Ford pickup, financed from a tote-the-note lot, the working-class duo immediately look out of place in the blue-blooded Fort Collins neighborhood known as Old Town West, where homes are known to sell for seven figures.  For all the obvious exclusivity of Old Town West, Jesus and Mercedes are puzzled to find a small, but visible placard that reads “No matter where you are from, we are glad you’re our neighbor.” in Spanish, English and Arabic.

Focopolitan Tribune reporter Ludwig Schnee caught up with the duo while riding his bicycle and asked each about their reaction to the politically correct sign, and got the usual, “Yo no hablo ingles.”  Fortunately for us at the Trib, Schnee is fluent in Spanglish, intelligible to all parties in the conversation.

Jesus did little to hide his annoyance at the supposed welcome: “The only Spanish-speakers this welcomes are the $10-an-hour Mexicans that have to weed-whack around these pinche signs and clean your houses.  We are about as far from being your neighbors as can be, in a city like Fort Collins.  Mercedes added, “We’re not neighbors!  We don’t see these signs at the trailer park where we live at!  Our whole family works to rent the trailer where we, mani, papi, my three brothers and sisters, our six nieces and nephews and a fat, psycho Chihuahua live in.”  She added, “This sign don’t do nothing for nobody except the people who put it on their lawn.  They put it there to feel good about themselves.  The only Latinos who lives (sic) here are that pinche Brazilian family two blocks that way, and they don’t even speak Spanish!  The husband is like and executive at Swift or some shit like that…”  Jesus interjected, “Armando, our nephew works there… fucking rich assholes.  Okay, we gotta work now.”  Applying earplugs and turning on his weed whacker, Jesus gets to work trimming the edges of the Mountain Avenue home’s front lawn, releasing a smell of fresh-cut grass and gas fumes.

The middle-aged couple who lives in the home where Jesus and Mercedes work were not available to be interviewed, but another Mountain Avenue couple, who also display the same sign on their lawn granted our reporter an interview.  “This sign is more than a symbol of our inclusiveness and the neighborly love we feel towards the marginalized and the misunderstood.  It’s a symbol of our resistance to the wave of bigotry that has taken over our country over the last six months or so.  Kind of like the Sanctuary Restaurant movement, you’ve heard of that, right?”

His wife spoke up, “We’re also thinking of buying it as a welcome mat for our door and have a matching set.  We just hope it’s not made in China or some sweatshop in India.”

Northern Colorado Chapter of Ku Klux Klan to Include Asians

in Local Flavor by
Citing lagging membership due to their elderly following, the Northern Colorado chapter of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan announced in a press release last Tuesday that it would open its ranks to Asian-Americans, “But we’re only taking about slants.  We still hate dune coons and mud people,” stated the chapter’s Kleagle.
The Klan has had a long and proud tradition in Colorado over the past century, which includes such notables as five-term Denver mayor Benjamin Stapleton.  In the decades after the heyday of the Stapleton Years, the Klan saw a steady decline of participating members.  During the Civil Rights era, J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI infiltrated the white supremacist group sending its highest-ranking members to prison and the movement to the margins of American politics.  Membership in the Klan dropped precipitously.  Since then, the Klan has not fully recovered its prominence either in Colorado or in the US.  The recent inclusion of Asian-Americans into its ranks is a new and innovative attempt on the part of the KKK to regain its stature, at least in Colorado.
In a phone interview with the Focopolitan Tribune, the Kleagle, or head recruitment officer of Northern Colorado, who requested anonymity said, “Sometimes I feel that we at the KKK don’t get the respect that we deserve for our part in forging the Centennial State.  When they closed down the old Denver airport, we lost the last public thing named after one of us in all of Colorado.  At least the neighborhood’s still named after him… And the Black Lives Matter movement might even change that.  We have to do something about this.”  He further lamented, “They don’t make bigots like they used to here in Colorado, and all the ones that stuck ‘round are dyin’ off.  It’s too bad that Coloradans just don’t value hate no more.  Folks here is just too damn tolerant and inclusive, and we’ve got to put an end to that.  What am I supposed to do?  I reckon I could move down South, but I’d feel like I’m abandoning the cause of bigotry in my beloved Colorado if I did that.”
He added, “We’re seriously thinkin’ of includ’n’ Jews if the Asians doesn’t grow our numbers.  Regardless, we still hate: immigrants, beaners, spicks, Indians of both kinds, faggots, lezzies, trannies, half-breeds, sand niggers and of course real niggers.”  When asked if this new inclusiveness would undermine the Klan’s identity as a racist organization, the Kleagle simply stated, Back in the day, we wouldn’t include Catholics, but now we do.  Just ‘cause we’re includ’n’ more people, don’t make us no less racist.  Back in the early days [of the Ku Klux Klan], who even thought of hating Mexicans or Muslims?  Who’d ever even heard of transgendered people, dykes or fags?  Now, we’re proud to say that nobody in ‘merica hates ‘em more than us.”
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