As my first complete calendar year of blogging comes to a close, I decided for a little self-linking retrospective, featuring the two most momentous, interesting, illustrative, or off-the-wall posts from each month. Some summon memories of meetings and activities generated by my blog, a few by the general affairs of life, and most from the things I read on the Internet. The topics range from critiques of Democrats in the Colorado statehouse to observations of national & international events, from tiny trifles to happenings of great significance, with touches of humor and personal hopes dashed in to round things out. This post is as much an exercise for me as for any of my readers. For the few of you with patience and interest, I give … [Read more...]
2nd Annual Beethoven’s Birthday Blog
Following in the spirit of this day's post from last year, a happy 235th anniversary of the birthday of the great Ludwig van Beethoven. This year, consider one of the master's all-time great works, the bittersweet pinnacle of his composition career: the Ninth Symphony, and the theme of joy. It's a familiar tale: an aging Beethoven, ill and deaf, conducting the orchestra and chorus in the premiere of his Ninth Symphony, conducting even after they had ceased to perform, after they had reached the end of the stunning new work, after the audience had already begun to applaud, continuing to conduct until a singer turned him around so that he could see the thunderous cheers that were resounding throughout the hall. The image is deeply … [Read more...]
Food for Grateful Thought
President Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation (October 20, 1864): It has pleased Almighty God to prolong our national life another year, defending us with his guardian care against unfriendly designs from abroad, and vouchsafing to us in His mercy many and signal victories over the enemy, who is of our own household. It has also pleased our Heavenly Father to favor as well our citizens in their homes as our soldiers in their campus, and our sailors on the rivers and seas, with unusual health. He has largely augmented our free population by emancipation and by immigration, while he has opened to us new sources of wealth, and has crowned the labor of our workingmen in every department of industry with abundant rewards. Moreover, he … [Read more...]
Surveying the ‘Sphere on the Roberts Nomination
The President's nomination of John Roberts to fill Justice O'Connor's vacancy on the Supreme Court - the first such change in 11 years - is such an intriguing and momentous development that I thought I'd take a moment to survey what some of the leading bloggers are saying about it. Kind of a snapshot in time. My own opinion? The President made the best of this selection, and good conservatives can join reasonable centrists and even people on the center-left of the political spectrum to applaud it. But here's what others are saying (in no particular order) - first, from the Right: The gents at Powerline are ecstatic: It's a great day for conservatives and for America. Thanks to President Bush for nominating the best person for the … [Read more...]
Songs for Snowy International Reflections
A log from snowed-in metro Denver... Have Americans again lost interest in international events? Has too much time passed since 9/11 and the subsequent Afghanistan and Iraq wars so that people think we've achieved some sort of detente, normalcy, or new Pax Americana? Have we overcome the naivete - so typical of our nation - regarding threats from abroad and political developments a half a world away? Many of those who spend lots of time online know that there are dozens of excellent bloggers keeping us regularly attuned to events in Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran, Afghanistan, North and South Korea, China, and elsewhere. Their work is tremendously appreciated, as I must confess my own tendencies to get absorbed with national and even … [Read more...]
Calling Denver’s Center-Right Bloggers
What are you doing this Wednesday evening? Have you been looking for a way to commemorate disgraced Dan Rather's swansong as CBS Evening News anchor? The Independence Institute is hosting a farewell party for Rather, and you're invited: Join us for “Happy Hour” on Wednesday, March 9th at 5:00 PM at Jackson’s All American Sports Grill in LoDo as we say a tearful good bye to legendary anchorman Dan Rather. Following Rather’s final farewell, Jay Ambrose, former editor of the Rocky Mountain News, will address the liberal bias in the mainstream media. RSVP to Rachael by calling 303-279-6536 or rachael@i2i.org The Center for the American Experiment in Minnesota is hosting its own dinner forum to mark the occasion, with Powerline's … [Read more...]
Good News from Jared
Fellow RMA member Jared has received his wife's blessing to pursue a commission as a Naval Reserve Intelligence Officer. Read all about it. Memo from Mount Virtus To Jared: Way to go! You are truly blessed with a courageous and supportive wife. May you find God's will as you pursue your commission, and may your efforts be rewarded. Speaking frankly, this American citizen would be proud to know you're in the nation's service. All the best! Ben … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday, Big Brother
No Orwellian references in the title. My big brother, living in Wisconsin, turns 30 today. Just thought I'd share that with you all and wish Brad a "Happy Birthday!" … [Read more...]
A Quarter Century Ago
Was it really 25 years ago today that a once ragtag band of amateur US hockey players coached by Herb Brooks turned the international sports world on its ear with an amazing 4-3 medal round victory over the invincible Soviet machine? You can almost hear the echo of Al Michael's voice: "Do you believe in miracles??? YES!" For a brief while in February 1980, the United States most certainly did believe in miracles. 25 years ago.... … [Read more...]
Forget Presidents Day
If any day in February is worthy of an official government holiday, we should be celebrating TODAY. Why? Because George Washington was born on this day 273 years ago: February 22, 1732. This blog post is neither the time nor the place to extend a full tribute to George Washington, our nation's first President. Yet "First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen," Washington is certainly worthy of the honor and commemoration. No figure in American history deserves more than Washington to have his birthday celebrated by Americans in our time. (And I say this as one of the biggest Lincoln aficionados you'll find.) … [Read more...]