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Home Archives for Ben

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Meeting Erick Erickson and a Little Colorado Blogging Reciprocation

Not so long ago, when I attended Samsphere in Chicago, I made quite a few new good blogging acquaintances. Most of them I only became aware of their blog through the Sam Adams Alliance's introduction of the list of participants. But one of a few who I already knew by reputation was Erick Erickson, the managing editor at RedState - one of the most well-trafficked and successful conservative websites around. I was glad for the opportunity to meet Erick and to discover that he wasn't a self-absorbed self-promoter, but rather a very down-to-earth guy with a passion for building the conservative, limited government cause. He talked to the crew about applying the spirit of servant leadership to blogging, and it's something he clearly believes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, My Life Tagged With: Erick Erickson, Joshua Sharf, Red State, Rima Barakat Sinclair, Samsphere

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

What are Colorado Dems Hiding?

Based on stories like this one at Colorado Senate News today, it's all but apparent that Colorado Democrats have no real interest in open, transparent government:A Republican staffer was ejected from a Senate Democrat caucus meeting today at an eatery near the Capitol, raising concerns by Republican leaders that the ruling party might be debating public policy in private--a violation of state law. By law, when two or more members of the General Assembly meet to discuss legislative business--regardless of the location--other members of the public cannot be refused entry. There are no exceptions for members of an opposing political party or the news media. The meeting had been announced on the Senate floor today by Democrat Sen. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Education, General Tagged With: Colorado Senate News, Democrat Party, law-breaking, open government, State board of education

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Letting a Felon Back in the Classroom: An Instructive Example from Tennessee

Ken the Blue Collar Muse details an interesting story about a former Tennessee high school football coach, years after pleading guilty to racketeering charges and having his teaching license revoked, then lying about his past to get a teaching job in Michigan, has had his license to teach reinstated by the Tennessee Board of Education. Here's how Ken brings the story home:Lynn Lang should not be licensed to teach. Tennessee educators gave him a pass simply because a period of time had passed. Despite a felony conviction and deceiving Michigan’s Board, Tennessee says Lang is fit to teach in Tennessee. I’m still trying to find out if he is. Even if he’s not, the fact he could be is outrageous. He was banned from coaching for life. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education, General, Labor Tagged With: Blue Collar Muse, Lynn Lang, school choice, Teachers Union Exposed, Tennessee Board of Education

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Support General Petraeus

Texas Congressman Michael Conaway, member of the House Armed Services Committee, has a great online petition you can sign as a way to respond to the Left-wing anti-military smears General David Petraeus has endured:In response to these attacks, I would like to present the General with a petition that includes signatures and comments from citizens who support both our efforts in Iraq and the men and women in uniform who are currently making such immense sacrifices for victory. We must show solidarity behind our heroic military and make our voices of hope and support louder and stronger than those of the radical anti-war groups. We must illustrate that the efforts of the military in this successful surge have not gone unnoticed. We must … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, National Politics, World Events Tagged With: General David Petraeus, Iraq, petition, Rep. Mike Conaway

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Wings-Avs: Where I Part Company

Having moved from Michigan, I have lived in Colorado for six years. I have adopted every local Denver professional sports team, but one. As the playoff series between the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche is about to begin, this reflects my sentiment well:Colorado? The Avalanche? The return of the rivalry? Another playoff series between two great hockey traditions -- ours, which is based on heroes Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay and Steve Yzerman, and theirs, which is based on Dr. Evil, Claude Lemieux. I'm not a huge hockey fan, but I enjoy the NHL playoffs when I get a chance to sit down and watch them. And I do plan to sit down and watch as much of this series as I can. Go Red Wings! Go Hockeytown! Looks like I've just given the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

A Liberal Blogger and the “Bill Clinton Defense” of Him to be Ignored

Found: a visual explanation for why liberal Colorado blogger David Thielen suddenly finds the views of Republican State Rep. Douglas Bruce so appealing. It's the "Bill Clinton defense," you see - minus the polished delivery. Bruce's self-serving analysis comes up lacking in logic, tact, and good judgment. Henceforth, it's time to ignore Doug Bruce. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General Tagged With: Bill Clinton defense, David Thielen, ignore, Rep. Douglas Bruce, self-serving analysis

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Democrat Leader Ken Gordon Let Off Hook for Anti-Vietnam Vet Slur

When it comes to making over-the-top comments in the Colorado state legislature, Face The State reports that Doug Bruce is in good company these days:On the Senate floor Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon, D-Denver, outraged fellow lawmakers by using a debate over a joint resolution in support of Armenian Genocide Day of Remembrance to launch a political attack. Gordon specifically suggested that American soldiers calling Vietnamese citizens "gooks" during the Vietnam War was akin to the dehumanizing tactics (MP3) used by those guilty of the genocide of American Indians or jews [sic] in World War II. But there are four key differences between the Doug Bruce and Ken Gordon incidents from what I see: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, World Events Tagged With: Doug Bruce, Face the State, John Ingold, Ken Gordon, Mike Kopp, Rocky Mountain News, Shawn Mitchell, Steve Ward, Vietnam

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

“What Do Ya Got There?” “It’s My Secret Ballot.” “Not Anymore It Ain’t.”

The ironically-named Employee Free Choice Act is the name of the Big Labor special interest legislation to take away workers' rights to the secret ballot. EFCA has been beaten many times, but like a bad dream it keeps coming back. What's the big deal, you say? Would you want this guy looking over your shoulder when you vote? (H/T Fred Dooley) … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, Labor, National Politics Tagged With: Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, Employee Free Choice Act

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Blogger Protection Act of 2008

Over at Craig Sprout's Montana Politics site, Congressman Denny Rehberg explains why the Blogger Protection Act of 2008 is needed:Exempting Internet speech from FEC regulation was right thing to do, but the fight isn’t over. As easily as this rule was created in 2006, it can be removed by a new Administration. That’s why the Blogger Protection Act is necessary. It’s critical my House colleagues and I move quickly in making this protection permanent. This is something all bloggers can get behind, regardless of their political and philosophical orientation. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, General, National Politics Tagged With: Blogger Protection Act of 2008, Craig Sprout, Montana Politics, Rep. Denny Rehberg

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Setting the Record Straight

I saw this post from The Colorado Index earlier in the week. Busy at the time, I just shook my head and moved on. But when Rossputin - the subject of the post - brought it to my attention again, I decided it was worthy of a quick response. A watcher is entitled to his opinions and to the manner of delivering those opinions, but a couple factual corrections are in order: 1. A watcher wrote: "'Blogger Extraordinaire' Ross Kaminsky - the self promoter who admits he doesn't read conservative Colorado blogs...." Fact: The implication behind the use of "Blogger Extraordinaire," which was used twice in this post, was that it was a title Ross chose for himself. In fact, it was the Samsphere promoters who devised and used the label. To my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, General, My Life Tagged With: dispute, facts, Rossputin, Samsphere, The Colorado Index

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Inside

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    • Colorado Ballot 2008
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  • Mary and Jacob: From the Forgotten Dust
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  • Passion and Purpose:
    The Rise & Fall of Al Gansee
  • The Westfield Gardener
  • What I’m Thankful For
  • Writer / Editor For Hire

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.

Recent Posts

  • AI-Enhanced Cyberbullying: The Dark Side of Teen Innovation
  • My Baker’s Dozen of Top 2023 Reads
  • Common Learning Disabilities in Children
  • Tips to Teach Kids to Set and Achieve Goals
  • The Christmas Music Countdown You’ve Been Looking For: 2022 Edition

Colorado News

  • Colorado Senate News
  • Complete Colorado
  • Independence Institute
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  • The Colorado Observer

National News and Politics

  • Drudge Report
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  • National Review
  • Politico
  • Real Clear Politics
  • Reason
  • The Washington Times
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Blogs Extraordinaire

  • American Thinker
  • David Harsanyi’s Blog
  • E!! The True Conservative Story
  • EIA Intercepts
  • Evangelical Outpost
  • Hugh Hewitt
  • Instapundit
  • LaShawn Barber
  • Lileks
  • Little Green Footballs
  • Michelle Malkin
  • NRO's The Corner
  • Power Line
  • Red State

Completing the Blogroll

  • Alarming News
  • Black Five
  • Blogs of War
  • Eduwonk
  • Flypaper
  • Fraters Libertas
  • Historical Conversations
  • IMAO
  • Jay P. Greene
  • Mike Anderson
  • Mullings
  • Professor Bainbridge
  • Right Thinking
  • Right Wing News
  • Right Wing Nuthouse
  • Shot in the Dark
  • Talking Points Memo
  • Virginia Postrel
  • Volokh Conspiracy

Christian Commentary et al.

  • Kevin Pierpont
  • Sharper Iron

Conservative and GOP Sites

  • Backbone America
  • Cal Thomas
  • Colorado Republican Party
  • Colorado Republican Study Committee
  • Dennis Prager
  • Denver Metro Young Republicans
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  • Mackinac Center for Public Policy
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Colorado Blogs

  • American Kestrel
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Other Sites

  • Technorati
  • Word Press

Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

  • Reclaim the Blue
  • The Business Word
  • The Daily Blogster
  • View from a Height

To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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