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Home Archives for Ben

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Co-hosting Backbone Radio Sunday: Bloggers Take Over KNUS Airwaves

This Sunday evening from 5 PM to 8 PM I will be guest co-hosting Backbone Radio on AM 710 KNUS with fellow bloggers Joshua Sharf and the Peoples Press Collective's Tom James (not only local bloggers, but Leadership Program of the Rockies Class of 2006 takes over). With very few guests, it should be a good three hours of enlightening discussion and entertaining political banter. Go here to listen live. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, General, liberty, My Life, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Senator Mark Udall Making His Case to be Added to “Dirty Politician Filter”

Way to keep it classy, Mark Udall! From a 9News report (H/T Complete Colorado):Sen. Mark Udall is wading into a hotly contested special election on behalf of a fellow Democrat, and it's his use of the word "tea-baggers" that has upset some conservatives. The fundraising e-mail is on behalf of Martha Coakley, a Democrat, who is facing Republican Scott Brown in a tight race to replace the late Sen. Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts. Udall's e-mail reads, in part, "Martha's opponent is receiving millions of dollars in support from far-right tea-baggers across the country, claiming him as one of their own."... A campaign representative for Udall, who is not up for re-election until 2014, issued a statement in response to an inquiry by … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, Health Care, liberty, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Too Much “Transparancy” in Secretary of State’s New Campaign Finance Site?

Update, 9:00 PM: They fixed it. That's responsive, same-day government service for you! First of all, I have to commend to you the Secretary of State's work in creating the new TRACER campaign finance website, which is a more user-friendly, valuable tool than its predecessor. On the lighter side, while it's imperative for candidates and committees filling out important disclosures to cross their t's and dot their i's, someone should have checked on TRACER's main page to ensure the same level of accuracy: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, clean government, Colorado Politics, General, My Life, PPC, Random and Miscellaneous

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Help Haiti Earthquake Victims

Everybody knows about the devastating earthquake in Haiti, so I don't need to recount If you can find it in your heart and the means to provide, will you please join me and thousands of other generous Americans in giving to one of the worthy organizations out there that provide urgent relief? Two of the causes I recommend: World Vision provides "life-saving relief supplies – including food, clean water, blankets, and tents — to children and families devastated by the earthquake and aftershocks in Haiti." Project C.U.R.E. delivers "much-needed medical relief." And, of course, please keep the victims, rescue workers and families in your prayers. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, liberty, My Life, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

GOP Candidate Ryan Frazier to Report Strong 4th Quarter Fundraising

If nothing else, Democratic Congressman Ed Perlmutter's timing is pretty good. He officially pulled the plug on rumors that he might step up and run for governor, so he can focus on a tough race to keep his seat. Today word has leaked to Mount Virtus that Perlmutter's top Republican challenger Ryan Frazier had a strong fundraising quarter to close 2009: More than $215,000 brought in from October to December with more than $275,000 cash on hand. But deeper inside the numbers, the more telling information is that 90 percent of Frazier's contributions came from in-state sources, and more than 98 percent came in as contributions from individuals. Compared to incumbent Ed Perlmutter, who through the previous fundraising period has raked in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, liberty, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 3 Comments

Dan Maes’ Fundraising Really Starts to Take Off… After 4Q Reporting Period

Update, 1/19: (H/T Business Word) According to Denver Post political editor Curtis Hubbard, Maes' 4th quarter campaign take is actually lower than the previous quarter. And his campaign treasurer "seems to be missing in action" to turn in the report. It almost goes without saying that this adds up to seriously bad news for the upstart candidate. Perhaps the biggest knock against the upstart Republican gubernatorial campaign of Evergreen businessman Dan Maes has been his weak fundraising. He only pulled in $12,194 during the third quarter, from a total of 37 contributors. No one realistically expects Maes to achieve fundraising parity with frontrunner Scott McInnis (who brought in $544,779 and $479,575 in the two recent reporting … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, liberty, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Pick Your Dem Guv Nominee: Hickenlooper? Romanoff? Kennedy?

Who can keep up with the rumors flying around Colorado as far as which Democrats will step up to the plate to run for governor? If this National Journal posting by Erin McPike is to be believed, we're down to the possibilities of: Denver mayor John Hickenlooper, everyone's odds-on favorite at this point to actually get into the race Former state house speaker Andrew Romanoff, who is being lured from his U.S. Senate primary challenge of the appointed Michael Bennet and may take on Hick head-to-head State treasurer Cary Kennedy, who apparently "may be interested" Of course, if you want to sound off on who may or may not make a more formidable opponent for the GOP, please feel free to sound off on our new survey before Friday, January … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, liberty, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Colorado GOP Leaders Show Serious Face Entering Legislative Session

Yesterday evening the Colorado Republican legislative staff hosted a blogger round (or square as the case may be) table discussion on some of the looming issues on the eve of the legislative session. Topics of discussion ranged from public employee pensions to medical marijuana to government transparency. Rather than provide a recap, I'll point you to the thoughts of liberal blogger David Thielen -- whom I finally met in person and sat next to during the discussion. Though he was outnumbered about 15 to 1, Thielen held his own and was treated well. His Colorado Pols essay reviewing the event was honest, fair-minded and lighthearted -- which: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, liberty, My Life, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Come to Defend Colorado from Obama Care Rally on Tuesday, January 19

There are multiple fronts in which to fight the increasingly unpopular Obama Care legislation being hammered out behind closed doors in Washington, D.C. One is still somewhat of a longshot: to win a 41st vote in the Senate in the January 19 Massachusetts special election. On the same day, Coloradans can help fight Obama Care on another front. Right now headlining the Independence Institute website (disclosure: my employer) is an important announcement: Next Tuesday, January 19, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol will be the "Defend Colorado from Obama Care" rally. Featured speakers so far include I.I. president Jon Caldara and state representative Cindy Acree, with more likely to come. Be there … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, Health Care, liberty, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Avatar Movie Might Do Some Eternal Good in Spite of Itself

A friend brought my attention to this story on CNN about people who have watched the blockbuster movie Avatar developing depression:James Cameron's completely immersive spectacle "Avatar" may have been a little too real for some fans who say they have experienced depression and suicidal thoughts after seeing the film because they long to enjoy the beauty of the alien world Pandora. My first and only reaction was to recollect one of my favorite quotes:If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, also we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world. - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity Profound but true. A realization that marks one of the first steps on a fallen soul's journey into the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, liberty, Movie Reviews, My Life

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Inside

  • About Ben
  • Archives
  • Colorado Ballot Reviews
    • Colorado Ballot 2008
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    • Colorado Ballot 2012
    • Colorado Ballot 2014
  • 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
  • Loveland Politics
  • The Colorado Observer

National News and Politics

  • Drudge Report
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  • National Review
  • Politico
  • Real Clear Politics
  • Reason
  • The Washington Times
  • TownHall
  • Wall Street Journal
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  • World Magazine

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

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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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