And most of that “much” comes through a little device in my hand that I am guilty of inviting into my cranium before my eyes remove the blur to focus on safely getting out of bed. Isn’t that the case in your house?

Back in the good old days, many would reach for a cigarette or their water first thing. And while certainly a big gulp of H20 is a healthy thing first thing in the morning, I’m beginning to think perhaps cigarettes are healthier than our bedside technological connection.

Because when I think about it, cellphones might be the biggest scourge on the American way of life – outside of those convinced our elections are being stolen by the other side.

Especially you Tina toddlers.

Which brings me to something which keeps screw-worming its way into my grey matter. The matter of Tina Peters. Personally, I think Pontius Polis should have made staying out of anything politics as a condition of her commutation, but then that would negate the sole reason he commuted her sentence, because Jolly Jared KNEW she’d stick her nose right back under the republican tent, and that would be the best thing democrats could run for office on. Yup. Tina’s back and is working to be more of a menace than ever.

That’s because our Pontius one recognizes the one thing republican leaders in our state refuse to admit. A very large percentage of republicans want nothing to do with Tina, as proven by her failed run for state chair along with that pesky court case and its fallout, because she is cannon fodder for dem dominance in 2026.

But back to the worm infestation at 609 North Ave., Suite 5. In case you are wondering, that is the location of the palatial palace of punditry known as the office of The Business Times. It’s the location where I receive phone calls (although those can follow me around the globe with that little handheld thing no one can survive without) and emails espousing anywhere from jokes to criticism to threats (including to my daughters) for putting ink on paper about what’s on my mind. I also from time to time get letters.

And all of them are frighteningly on queue. Oh, and 99 percent are anonymous.

Like this last letter I received, which ironically came the same day after I had morning coffee with a friend and the topic of Tina was touched upon. It’s almost as if I spoke the idiocy of this letter into existence. Pretty much convinced that’s the only super power I have. Then again, I write in the hopes folks will think about my words. For this lost soul, it appears they’ve been pondering my propensity of punditry in perpetuity.

I don’t have to mention my love of alliteration, do I?

But this letter was special as it was about a column I wrote back in February about Mesa County’s most famous (now) ex-con, and it came with a caveat slathered in irony:

“These comments are going to remain anonymous. My grandfather taught me that writing a letter to the editor was the sign of a deranged mind! Enough said –”

To that I’ll add, anonymous letters are the sign of a chicken you-know-what who doesn’t have the courage of their convictions. Or a sure sign of cognitive dissonance. Or both. Given the notes on my column, I’ll go with a heavy dose of both along with paraphrasing Ronald Reagan in saying this person just doesn’t realize that what they think they know just isn’t so.

But I’m not gonna get caught up in the minutiae of every little thing wrong with Tina’s takes on the 2020 election in Mesa County other than to say: No one cares about the vote in Mesa County from six years ago that went pretty much exactly as expected. Even with that knowledge (known as denial in Parts Unknown republican circles), which doesn’t require a password to obtain, this person still insists the old talking point how Tina wasn’t allowed to present evidence at her trial. The fact is, she presented evidence, all kinds of “evidence.” It’s just that the judge determined that “evidence” had nothing to do with the charges filed, so it was not allowed.

I agree with the judge. I’ve seen Tina’s “evidence,” and besides it being not relevant to the trial, there’s actually no “there” there. So there.

Then came the old, “Do you know her personally?” with the added, “Why are you the mudslinger now?” Have to admit, that’s a new one. For the record, my anonymous, tardy reader, I prefer the term “muckraker,” which was coined over a century ago, so knowing it should have made your reading list by now. Then again, not sure reading is your strong suit. Because I wrote in this column that I know Tina and had met with her a couple of times, you know, personally, which is how one actually meets with people they know personally.

Next came the oft quoted, “Tina was just doing her job.” Reminiscent of certain soldiers in the past “just following orders.” Ironically, two of Tina’s soldiers who were “just following orders” testified against her. Then again, for some reason Tina’s supporters believe Tina’s “job” included breaking the law. I used the term cognitive dissonance for a reason, and this dear reader made notes showing it to a T.

Also included was the typical rant of calling me a hater, which is barely worth noting anymore.

But my favorite part from Captain Anonymous must be their claim Tina needed a voice for the truth. I’m gathering this means Tina’s truth didn’t have a news source in town willing to be that voice, and it was “so sad” to them, because they “thought they had a chance of getting the truth” out to Mesa County in The Business Times.

I must admit, that’s news to me. Fact is, Tina never approached The Business Times for anything at any time during her time destroying faith in Mesa County’s election process – or any aspect of the job of clerk and recorder. Instead, she chose to let all of her “pillow talk” hit the masses out of Minnesota. Imagine that. The biggest story in Mesa County history and the only folks allowed to tell it were her Minnesota Marionette money masters.

Honestly, I think those notes were simply setting up their little “truth” insult. Then again, we probably would’ve had questions trying to get to the truth of what Tina did. Truths that were proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a local courtroom. And Tina, and this author, along with too many others, simply cannot have that.

The truth is Tina committed crimes and was found guilty and sentenced based on that guilt and her behavior before, during and after the trial. And then Pontius Polis commuted her sentence to give Colorado democrats something to run on – with assured victory in most cases – for the coming election.

That’s not much of a story. But The Business Times’ publisher just told it.

In Truth and freedom.

Craig Hall is owner and publisher of The Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com