Archive for the ‘Cultural Conservatism’ Category

Why Decent Souls Will Be Glad to See Congressman Alan Grayson Lose

Posted on October 1st, 2010 in clean government, Cultural Conservatism, National Politics, PPC | No Comments »

One of the silent joys I plan to take on Election Night will be watching the defeat of Florida Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson, truly a despicable figure and, as this NRCC ad puts it (H/T Redstate’s Moe Lane), using his own words to make the case, a “national embarrassment”:

As Hot Air reports, even a liberal MSNBC interviewer had to call Grayson on the carpet for his outrageous attack ad against his Republican opponent Daniel Webster, an ad that took Webster’s recorded comments out of context to make them sound like he said the exact opposite. Watch Grayson dissemble on the cable news program, and you’ll soon join me in rejoicing at his coming defeat.

And if you need a good laugh along the way, watch a good out-of-context spoof ad thrown back in Alan Grayson’s direction.

Blood Money

Posted on September 7th, 2010 in Christianity and Faith, Cultural Conservatism | No Comments »

Imagine if you couldn’t speak for yourself, and there was no one to tell your story for you. Well, now there is.

Crossposted at RedState

Gallup Survey of Institutions: Congress Rock-Bottom, Presidency Falling Fast

Posted on July 27th, 2010 in clean government, Cultural Conservatism, Education, Fiscal Policy, Health Care, Journalism, Judiciary, Labor, liberty, National Politics, PPC | No Comments »

For what it’s worth, if you want a glimpse of the public mindset concerning 16 major institutions in American society, you should check out the new Gallup survey (H/T Mike Antonucci). The following are some salient observations on how favorably Americans view the 16 major institutions: (more…)

Right Online: Great Vegas Opportunity for Conservatives in New Media

Posted on July 16th, 2010 in blogging, Cultural Conservatism, liberty, My Life, National Politics, PPC | No Comments »

Next weekend is the annual Right Online conference, sponsored by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation. Specifically, it will be held Friday and Saturday, July 23-24, in Las Vegas. This is a great opportunity for conservatives who want to learn how they can help neutralize the advantage the Left has accrued in new media and online tools.

A lineup of great speakers is on tap — including members of Congress Mike Pence and Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, John Fund, Judge Andrew Napolitano, and more. Registration is still open.

I’m not able to make the trip (family reasons), which depending on your perspective might be all the more reason to go. But definitely give it a close look and find a great excuse to make a summertime visit to Vegas and learn how to make a difference at the same time.

Western Conservative Summit: Reflections and Ruminations

Posted on July 12th, 2010 in clean government, Cultural Conservatism, liberty, National Politics, PPC | 1 Comment »

Joshua has a great rundown of this past weekend’s Western Conservative Summit. I was there for most of the day on Saturday, but unfortunately not able to catch the festivities of Friday evening or Sunday morning. Judging especially by the descriptions of the Michelle Bachmann and Arthur Brooks presentations, I regret missing them most of all.

The personal highlight for the lovely Mrs. Virtus and I was the opportunity to hear Dennis Prager’s enlightening and insightful address. He brings a lot of well-stated wisdom to the table, along with a genuine self-deprecating humor that endears him to the crowd. Even having heard his American Trinity discussed before, the speech never lost my attention. It was an excellent evening.

A very special thank-you goes out to John Andrews of the Centennial Institute for including the Rocky Mountain Alliance as an event co-sponsor and for inviting our participation. I didn’t expect to be summoned onto the stage before the Prager speech — along with the new media crew of Joshua, El Presidente, Kelly Maher (her site recently had a makeover) and Amanda Teresi — but the additional blog exposure is always appreciated. And it added to the evening’s enjoyment. (more…)

Don’t Delay: Register for July 9-11 Western Conservative Summit

Posted on June 28th, 2010 in blogging, Christianity and Faith, clean government, Cultural Conservatism, liberty, My Life, National Politics, PPC | No Comments »

The Rocky Mountain Alliance of Blogs (of which I am a member) and People’s Press Collective (to which I am a contributor) — not to mention the Independence Institute where I work — are all among many co-sponsors of the upcoming First Annual Western Conservative Summit on July 9 to 11 in the south metro Denver area.

Put this one on your calendars. There is a fantastic and diverse collection of speakers slated to come, including: (more…)

Bob Beauprez Backs Lang Sias, Raises Questions about Relevance, Judgment

Posted on May 11th, 2010 in clean government, Colorado Politics, Cultural Conservatism, liberty, National Politics, PPC | 2 Comments »

In one of Colorado’s most head-scratching political moves of the year, former GOP Congressman and wildly unsuccessful 2006 gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez announced his endorsement of 7th Congressional candidate and Republican newcomer Lang Sias. The first reaction I and many of my politically aware friends had pretty much boiled down to: Huh???

When Tom Tancredo and Jimmy Lakey threw their support behind Sias, they carefully avoided trying to draw distinctions among the Republican field. Not so Beauprez: (more…)

Politically Correct University’s Robert Maranto Tonight at LOTR Red Rocks

Posted on May 3rd, 2010 in Book Reviews, Cultural Conservatism, Education, liberty, My Life, PPC | No Comments »

Just how politically correct are today’s colleges? Are the faculties at American universities really as ideologically imbalanced as you have heard? What are the effects of that imbalance on students and their futures? Are there any promising and politically achievable reforms for academia?

If these questions pique your interest, then you should look at obtaining a copy of the new book The Politically Correct University, a collection of insightful essays on a range of topics under the theme. Even better, if you live in the Denver metro area, you can meet one of the volume’s editors — Robert Maranto from the University of Arkansas’ Department of Education Reform — this evening at Liberty on the Rocks Red Rocks: (more…)

Taxpayers for Liberty: Who Is This Group Playing in U.S. Senate Race?

Posted on March 10th, 2010 in clean government, Colorado Politics, Cultural Conservatism, Fiscal Policy, General, liberty, My Life, National Politics, PPC | 1 Comment »

Update: Scanned copy of the March 5 Taxpayers for Liberty letter posted below.

Yesterday I received a strange mailing from a group called Taxpayers for Liberty. (Many of my fellow conservative, politically-active Colorado friends likely received the same.) It’s a self-described 501c4 organization with a Denver P.O. Box and an executive director named Andrew O’Neill — I’m almost positive it’s not this Andrew O’Neill.

I will take time later today to scan and post the four-page letter, along with the attached questionnaire and reply form, so you can see the mailing for yourself. It looks a lot like your standard political fundraising letter, with short paragraphs and heavy on underlined text and bullet points. Suffice it to say, the group Taxpayers for Liberty is very fond of Ken Buck, while railing on Jane Norton for not returning the questionnaire and Tom Wiens for filling out the questionnaire identically but having a voting record, or something like that. (more…)

37 Years of Roe v Wade: Time for Hope, Renewal to Continue Fight for Life

Posted on January 22nd, 2010 in Christianity and Faith, clean government, Commemorative, Cultural Conservatism, General, liberty, My Life, National Politics | No Comments »

One day after a refreshing U.S. Supreme Court victory for free speech, today we mark the 37th anniversary of Roe v Wade — a somber occasion for our nation. I recommend to you a well-written “In Memoriam” by Red State’s Erick Erickson. A couple key passages:

The truth that these children are biologically human and biologically distinct from their mothers is beyond question to anyone who believes in the most basic tenets of science. Why, then, are they declared so totally bereft of rights in our society? The fact that a woman can, with the protection of the law, kill her child on the day of its planned full-term delivery, indicates clearly that the only answer to this question is “physical location within their mother’s womb.” If a child is in this place, it may be killed with impunity; if it is in another, to kill it is murder….

(more…)

London Telegraph Releases New List of 100 Top Conservatives, Liberals

Posted on January 15th, 2010 in Cultural Conservatism, General, liberty, National Politics, PPC | No Comments »

Just in case you missed it, an interesting and provocative series by the Telegraph of London. Following up their 2007 lists, this week they have released new lists of America’s 100 Top Liberals and 100 Top Conservatives. It’s sure to spark some debate from across the Pond (over-rating Matt Drudge jumps to the top of my mind) … anyway, check it out.

Kevin Miller’s National Freedom Initiative: A Reincarnation of Frank Meyer’s Fusionism?

Posted on December 23rd, 2009 in Christianity and Faith, clean government, Colorado Politics, Cultural Conservatism, Education, Fiscal Policy, General, History, liberty, My Life, National Politics, PPC | No Comments »

In his latest offering, former state legislative leader Mark Hillman praises the “freedom nationally, virtue locally” National Freedom Initiative of Colorado’s own Kevin Miller — not the first time it has crossed my path. It was last year about this time I wrestled a lot with the role social conservatism should play, and something that never strays too far from my mind.

Therefore, I’m very intrigued by this initiative — which, of course, is not altogether new, but rather a very sensible clarification and reformulation for our current political context. The opportunity definitely is there:

  • To educate many social conservatives on the vital and wholly compatible value of liberty and limited government
  • To build a strong bridge between the Right-leaning faith-based community and the Tea Party & 9/12 movements (where I’m sure a lot of overlap already exists)
  • (At the least) To have ongoing, important debates that can help hone views and broader strategies heading into the 2010 election and beyond

Just maybe, Miller is vying to be the Frank Meyer for a new generation of the conservative movement. For more, watch Miller and state senator Ted Harvey hash out the issues on a recent episode of Independent Thinking with host Jon Caldara (parts 1 through 3): (more…)

Monday Quick Hits: GOP Unity, Church & State, Cold Fraud of Climategate

Posted on December 7th, 2009 in clean government, Climate Hysteria, Cultural Conservatism, General, History, liberty, PPC | No Comments »

After a busy weekend, all I have to offer are a few worthwhile reads for a Monday:

New Al Gansee: Lighthearted Reading to While Away Thanksgiving Break

Posted on November 25th, 2009 in Cultural Conservatism, General, liberty, My Life, property rights, Random and Miscellaneous | No Comments »

No politics today, nothing that juicy or intriguing to break the fast on the eve of Thanksgiving. If you’re bored over the holiday and looking for some amusing reading — especially if you’re looking to stage a new play or produce a new movie — then check out the two-act script I completed earlier this year titled Al Gansee: The Shot Heard ‘Round Cambria.

The synopsis will give you the flavor:

In the early 1960s, a tiny Midwestern farm community has been transformed into a Marxist workers’ paradise upon the return of a charismatic native son and his Russian KGB companion. Now leading a Socialist Union that bears his name, Chief Comrade Al Gansee confronts the desire for territorial expansion and transmission of his ideals. Gansee, his wife Mary Beth, his KGB “left-hand man”, a 10-year-old Amish pyromaniac girl and the rest of the eccentric band of modern-day utopians march off to the Battle of Cambria and an infamous gunshot that promises to transform the lives of its participants and the once sleepy community for years to come.

So without further ado, here is Al Gansee: The Shot Heard ‘Round Cambria in its entirety (as always, for easy reading, click “Fullscreen” to begin): (more…)

A Grassroots Escape Clause in the New Colorado GOP Prosperity Platform?

Posted on November 24th, 2009 in clean government, Colorado Politics, Cultural Conservatism, Fiscal Policy, General, liberty, PPC, Random and Miscellaneous | 3 Comments »

So some Colorado GOP leaders have crafted a Prosperity Platform and rallied behind Scott McInnis as the gubernatorial candidate.

Meanwhile, some in the grassroots remain thoroughly unconvinced and stand behind hard-working longshot Dan Maes. The issue is not the rhetoric or the substance of the 20 governing principles that has earned skepticism or even ire. It’s some of the cast of characters involved that many understandably still have a hard time trusting. I’m not all the way there yet myself.

What might help make the Prosperity Platform more palatable is an escape clause — and by that I mean not for McInnis, but for us. So the issue is an agreement to fulfill the 20 principles. What happens if he is elected and then reneges, works actively against one of the 20, or simply delays any serious effort to implement one or more particular actions? What then? Where does that leave the grassroots who are expected to work hard on his behalf? (more…)