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Home Archives for 2008

Archives for 2008

11/24/2008 By Ben 1 Comment

What I’m Thankful for #17: The Grandest Music and Musical Genius

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. I have appreciation for many different kinds of music. Today I express my thanks particularly for the grand elevating pieces of music that lift the human heart upward, hopefully in expression of praise to the Creator: from Handel's Messiah to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The chorus at the end of the latter … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, My Life Tagged With: Beethoven, Boulder, brief moment, choir, Christmas music, Colorado, composer, Creator, crescendo, Hallelujah Chorus, Handel, heart, household, Messiah, Messiah Singalong, mind, music, musical genius, musical value, Ninth Symphony, Ode to Joy, orchestra, Scripture, soul, sounds of heaven, sublime moments, thankfulness, Thanksgiving, tradition

11/23/2008 By Ben 1 Comment

Do Social Cons and Libertarians Have More in Common Politically?

Lately I feel like I've been doing a lot of refereeing and discussion about the libertarian-social conservative debate. Along those lines, I believe my readers would gain a lot of insights from this American Thinker essay by libertarian Randall Hoven:Social conservatism is taking a beating lately. Not only did it lose in the recent elections, it is being blamed for the Republican losses. If only the religious right would get off the Republican Party's back, the GOP could win like it is supposed to again. I beg to differ. I'm anything but a social conservative. In nine presidential elections, I voted Libertarian in six. I am a hard core "limited government" conservative/libertarian; I want government out of my pocket-book and out of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, Colorado Politics, Cultural Conservatism, General, My Life, National Politics Tagged With: American Thinker, Bible, clearer perspective, common, conclusion, conservative, debate, essay, evidence, excellent points, GOP, humility, influence, insights, libertarian, limited government, love of liberty, political alliance, Randall Hoven, religion, Religious Right, Republican Party, social conservative, wilderness

11/23/2008 By Ben Leave a Comment

Susan Greene: Conservatives Need Not Apply for CSU Chancellor

Susan Greene at the Denver Post scoffs at the idea of retiring U.S. Senator Wayne Allard serving as president of Colorado State University:The National Education Association has graded him with an "F." And the American Association of University Women has rated his work with a "zero." "Sen. Allard is a kind and humble man. But his voting record on educational issues has not received passing grades," says former at-large University of Colorado Regent Jim Martin. "To appoint him would not be in the best interest of the institution or the state." Allard's environmental record — most notably, his doubts about humankind's part in climate change — also would besmirch the university. In other words, Greene is hanging a sign on the door … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Education, General Tagged With: advanced degree, American Association of University Women, argument, Bruce Benson, cocktail party denizens, Colorado State University, Denver Post, environmental record, federal government, gauche, Jim Martin, National Education Association, qualified, quality of education, regent, scoffs, skepticism, Susan Greene, Wayne Allard

11/23/2008 By Ben 1 Comment

What I’m Thankful for #16: Faith of the Martyrs and Divine Peace

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. We have no guarantee of domestic peace and harmony for all time. I am thankful for the freedom of worship, but recognize that it may not be a permanent condition for my own lifetime. American Christians have been remarkably blessed. The level of persecution faced by the most faithful here is small … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, My Life, World Events Tagged With: Apostle Paul, church history, domestic peace, early believers, faith, freedom of worship, harmony, highest price, martyrs, matchless peace, peace of God, persecution, Philippians, prayer, Roman coliseums, Stephen, Sudan, thankfulness, Thanksgiving

11/22/2008 By Ben 2 Comments

Victory in Iraq

I'm late in getting to it, but now is a good time to acknowledge November 22, 2008, as Victory in Iraq Day. Zombie has details. It has been a long, hard slog over there, and we owe the men and women who served there more than we can repay. Those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq most certainly have not died in vain. Victory In Iraq: The Obamamedia may not notice for many, many weeks. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, National Politics, World Events Tagged With: Iraq, notice, November 22, Obamamedia, victory, Victory in Iraq Day

11/22/2008 By Ben 1 Comment

What I’m Thankful for #15: Cinnamon

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. Did you think every entry in this series was going to be utterly serious? Well, first of all, you probably haven't been paying attention. But even if you have, there should be little doubt left. I am very thankful for cinnamon - the tastiest, most succulent, appetizing flavor. Can I get an Amen? Think of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Random and Miscellaneous Tagged With: cinnamon, cinnamon doughnuts, cinnamon log, cinnamon rolls, natural stimulant, serious, tasty, thankfulness

11/21/2008 By Ben 5 Comments

What I’m Thankful for #14: Blessings (and Responsibilities) of Children

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. There is a divide between parenthood and non-parenthood that you don't really get until after it's thrust upon you. It seems to be one of those well-known secrets of the generations that doesn't completely make sense to try to explain to the uninitiated. But I will weakly try to tag it as a unique … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, Education, General, My Life Tagged With: all bets are off, blessed, burden, combination, conveniences, curious wonder, definition, effective parents, generations, glimpses, hassle, hopes, imagination, individuals, investment, learning, Mrs. Virtus, natural fallen state, newcomer, novice, our own kingdoms, parenthood, patience, plans, positive fruit, prayers, priorities, Psalm 127, reference, reminder, Scriptures, secrets, tears, thankfulness, Thanksgiving, time, tremendous responsibility, understanding, uninitiated, womb

11/20/2008 By Ben 3 Comments

Colorado GOP Should Heed Kafer and Hillman, Not Parker and Huckabee

This week's two prime examples of self-serving guns on the Right pointing inward? On the one hand, Kathleen Parker caricaturing and lambasting me and millions of evangelical Christians:To be more specific, the evangelical, right-wing, oogedy-boogedy branch of the GOP is what ails the erstwhile conservative party and will continue to afflict and marginalize its constituents if reckoning doesn't soon cometh. Simply put: Armband religion is killing the Republican Party.... It isn't that culture doesn't matter. It does. But preaching to the choir produces no converts. And shifting demographics suggest that the Republican Party -- and conservatism with it -- eventually will die out unless religion is returned to the privacy of one's heart … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, clean government, Colorado Politics, Cultural Conservatism, Fiscal Policy, General, National Politics Tagged With: annoying, armband religion, Beltway cocktailk parties, caricaturing, Colorado, culture, demagogic, economic populism, evangelical Christians, Faux-Cons, fiscal conservative, former presidential candidate, GOP coalition, gripe, humility, influential voices, Jon Henke, Kathleen Parker, Krista Kafer, lambasting, leaders, Liberalism, libertarianism, Mark Hillman, Mike Huckabee, political action, political wilderness, preaching to the choir, privacy, publish, religious faith, Republican Party, reservation, Right, right-wing, Ron Paul, self-serving guns, shifting demographics, shut up, social conservatives, tax increase, Time magazine

11/20/2008 By Ben Leave a Comment

What I’m Thankful for #13: Thoughtful Surprises

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. This is an easier kind of surprise to write about than "the surprises God sends my way". And it's quite a surprise that I'm even writing about it. Yesterday, out of the blue and completely unexpected, a co-worker gave me a very thoughtful gift: a baseball autographed by future Hall-of-Fame relief pitcher … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Sports and Leisure Tagged With: Baseball, Branch Rickey Award, co-worker, Denver Rotary, Detroit Tigers, free agent, generosity, Hall-of-Fame, Mrs. Virtus, relief pitcher, surprises, thankfulness, thoughtful, Trevor Hoffman

11/19/2008 By Ben Leave a Comment

House Education Appointments Uninspiring: What Will Storyline Be?

Last week I pondered in a Denver Post op-ed what the effect might be of the statehouse Democrats elevating pro-public school choice Rep. Terrance Carroll to Speaker of the House:Carroll is set to appoint fellow Democrats to the House Education Committee. In recent years, the committee, largely stacked with handpicked union favorites, has killed or watered down many K-12 education bills deemed unacceptable by the union. CEA may lose some of its leverage to bottle up education reform in committee. Well, yesterday came the revelation of the House Education Committee assignments. Michael Merrifield retains the chair, with Judy Solano as the vice-chair. Overall, the membership of the committee appears to move scarcely a whit in the direction … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Education, General Tagged With: Carole Murray, Colorado Education Association, commentary, Democrat, Democrats, Denver Post, education reform, House Education Committee, Judy Solano, legislative session, majority Democrats, Mark Waller, Michael Merrifield, newly-elected legislators, op-ed, parental empowerment, passing judgment, public school choice, Randy Baumgardner, Republicans, revelation, school accountability, school choice, solutions, Speaker of the House, statehouse, story lines, Terrance Carroll, union favorites

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About Me

Ben DeGrow
Grateful and growing Christian, devoted husband and father of 3, public policy analyst, returned to Michigan by way of Colorado, conservative writer, lifelong learner, Detroit Tigers fan.

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