Aspen’s Ruin: The Woke Left’s Impact
How Woke Liberals Ruined Aspen: A Bitingly Sarcastic Tale
By Glenn Beaton
On Christmas Eve in 2019, The Aspen Times made a grave mistake. They fired their most beloved columnist, Glenn Beaton. For seven years, Beaton had been entertaining readers with his column, “The Aspen Beat,” which fearlessly took on the woke pieties of the famous mountain town and its privileged left-wing elites. But now, in his new book, High Attitude: How Woke Liberals Ruined Aspen, Beaton delivers the full story of the resort town with his signature biting sarcasm.
The story of Aspen begins 150 years ago with a somewhat eccentric idea called “free silver.” This idea proposed that the government should buy large quantities of silver to create an easy money supply. And for a while, it worked. Aspen, originally known as Ute City, had some of the world’s largest silver deposits, leading to a population boom of over 12,000. However, when Congress repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1893, the demand for silver plummeted, and Aspen became a quasi-ghost town with only a few hundred residents at the turn of the 20th century.
After a long period of decline, Aspen experienced a resurgence after World War II, with skiing becoming the new silver. Beaton vividly recounts the story of Army veterans and Chicago businessmen coming together to create a ski resort. In 1947, Aspen opened its first modern chair lift, one of the longest in the world. The town transformed into not just a place, but a prestigious brand known worldwide.
However, Aspen faced another downfall in the 1960s with the rise of drug abuse and moral laxness. Beaton astutely points out that while America has moved on from the ’60s, Aspen has not. The non-enforcement of drug laws by a series of sheriffs has allowed rampant drug use in the town, contributing to a suicide rate double the national average.
Beaton delves into the lives of notable figures in Aspen’s history, including the tragic suicide of Hunter S. Thompson, the “gonzo” writer who is still idolized in the town. He also examines cases of murder and law enforcement negligence, such as the shooting of Spider Sabich by his movie star girlfriend and the escape of Ted Bundy through an unlocked jailhouse window. The Kennedys’ disregard for skiing rules resulted in the death of one of their own. The wild antics of Charlie Sheen and Lance Armstrong further illustrate the out-of-control behavior of the privileged left-wing elites.
While the story of Aspen’s decline into wokeism is undeniably sad, Beaton’s humorous writing in High Attitude makes it bearable to read.
Listen to this author’s recent interview with “The Federalist Radio Hour” here.
Thomas J. Baker is an international law enforcement consultant. He served as an FBI Special Agent for 33 years in various investigative and management roles, tackling the challenges of crime and terrorism. He is the author of “The Fall of the FBI: How a Once Great Agency Became a Threat to Democracy.”
How does Glenn Beaton argue that woke liberals have influenced the decline of Aspen?
Ile Aspen was once a thriving and prosperous town, it has been ruined by the influence of woke liberals. In his new book, “High Attitude: How Woke Liberals Ruined Aspen,” Glenn Beaton explores the history of Aspen and its decline under the watch of privileged left-wing elites.
The story of Aspen begins 150 years ago with the idea of “free silver.” This concept proposed that the government should purchase large quantities of silver to create an easy money supply. Aspen, originally known as Ute City, prospered due to its abundant silver deposits, leading to a population boom. However, when the Sherman Silver Purchase Act was repealed in 1893, the demand for silver plummeted, and Aspen became a quasi-ghost town.
After a period of decline, Aspen experienced a resurgence after World War II, with skiing becoming the new silver. Beaton vividly recounts the story of Army veterans and Chicago businessmen coming together to create a ski resort. In 1947, Aspen opened its first modern chair lift, solidifying its reputation as a prestigious brand known worldwide.
However, according to Beaton, Aspen faced another downfall in the 1960s with the rise of drug abuse and moral laxness. He astutely points out that while Aspen was once a thriving town, it has become a haven for woke liberals who have ruined its charm and prosperity.
Beaton criticizes the privileged left-wing elites who have made Aspen their playground. He suggests that their woke pieties and political correctness have stifled free thought and expression in the town. He argues that the cultural and political dominance of these woke liberals has silenced dissenting opinions and created an atmosphere of intolerance and self-righteousness.
In “High Attitude,” Beaton uses his signature biting sarcasm to point out the absurdity of woke liberal ideals. He highlights how their influence has taken away the authenticity of Aspen and turned it into a caricature of itself. The book serves as a scathing critique of the woke movement and its impact on a once-thriving community.
While some may argue that Beaton’s views are biased and reflect a lack of understanding of the progressive movement, his book provides an interesting perspective on the challenges faced by small towns like Aspen. It raises important questions about the balance between preserving a town’s history and character while embracing progress and change.
In conclusion, Glenn Beaton’s “High Attitude: How Woke Liberals Ruined Aspen” offers a biting and sarcastic tale of Aspen’s decline under the influence of privileged left-wing elites. While some may disagree with Beaton’s views, his book prompts a discussion about the impact of woke liberalism on small communities and the importance of preserving a town’s identity without stifling free thought and expression.
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