Update, 3/1: Jeffco Public Schools has posted a response letter from Dr. Benke. I think it about says it all. The story of the heroism of Deer Creek Middle School math teacher David Benke is a compelling one. A Jefferson County schoolteacher like many others who went to work yesterday, placed into an unexpected moment of high stress and great danger to those around him, he acted as we all would hope to act under similar circumstances. His initial action to stop the shooter at Deer Creek very well may have saved lives. By all accounts, he also is a man far less interested in his own instant fame than in the well-being of his students who were subjected to this violent attack. For all these reasons, it is fitting and proper to … [Read more...]
Recommending Lewis Lehrman’s Lincoln at Peoria for Honest Abe’s 201st
On this 201st anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, no lengthy tributes are needed -- I don't even have time to replicate the modest one I wrote last year for the bicentennial. I did, however, want to take the occasion to recommend a book to you that was recommended to me by fellow RMA blogger Don Johnson about Christmastime. Lincoln at Peoria by Lewis Lehrman highlights the great turning point in Abraham Lincoln's political career, the awakening that resulted from the Kansas-Nebraska Act and his powerful October 1854 speech at Peoria, Illinois, which sharpened the distinctly antislavery focus that led to his key role in forming the Republican Party, debating Stephen Douglas in 1858 and ultimately serving as President during our … [Read more...]
Six Years of Mount Virtus Blogging
Another year has come and gone. Today Mount Virtus is 6 years old, which perhaps puts me in the ranks of Colorado's political blogging ancients. I have a few graying hairs to show for it. My blog's 6th birthday also means 99 years ago today one of our greatest Presidents -- Ronald Reagan -- was born. It's also Waitangi Day in New Zealand. But that's neither here nor there. … [Read more...]
37 Years of Roe v Wade: Time for Hope, Renewal to Continue Fight for Life
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 … [Read more...]
Recent Plights of Penry and McDaniels Give Me a Little Pause about 33
There's no stopping the forward press of time. I'm not so sure about turning 33 today, but at least my name isn't Josh. A few months ago the combination of age and name seemed so charmed. They were a pair of Colorado wunderkinds: one 33-year-old Josh making strides towards one of Colorado's most powerful positions, the other 33-year-old Josh newly occupying the other. Josh Penry was making giant strides toward the Republican nomination for governor. Then one day in November the plug suddenly was pulled on his campaign. Now he isn't even running for re-election to his own state senate seat in 2010. What's going on? But he's on Cloud Nine compared to Josh McDaniels, who yesterday felt the bitter sting of missing the playoffs in his … [Read more...]
Happy 239th Birthday, Beethoven
Yes, me and Schroeder both... In honor of the great Ludwig von Beethoven's 239th birthday, why not pop in a CD or MP3 and take in one of his symphonies: maybe the overlooked 1st, the mighty 3rd, the classic 5th, the serene 6th, the passionate 7th ... or if you have a lot of time on your hands, the transcendent 9th? Blasts from the past: - Happy Birthday, Ludwig (2004) ... in case you want to know why Beethoven is such a big deal - 2nd Annual Beethoven's Birthday Blog (2005) ... including the famous Lucy / Schroeder exchange - Happy Chanukah / Beethoven's Birthday (2006) ... with a few interesting ideas for musical blends … [Read more...]
Fondly Remembering My RMA Friend Jim Cannon One Year After His Passing
Today brings a difficult reminder of how quickly time passes. It was exactly one years ago that the Rocky Mountain Alliance lost a charter member, and I lost a good friend and Christian brother: Jim Cannon. From our point of view, he left us all too soon. But God knew just when to bring him home. I am thankful for the opportunity to have known Jim, and for the positive impact he had on my life. Here is the eulogy I was honored to deliver at Jim's memorial service last December. And here is a passage from Revelation 21 to lift our thoughts heavenward: … [Read more...]
Happy Thanksgiving
A few items to commend to readers:Michelle Morin has eloquently recounted the historical origins of Thanksgiving Mr. Bob has posted a nostalgic video of a Thanksgiving greeting from our former president Ronald Reagan. Don't forget you can find my 2008 series of "What I'm Thankful For" on one convenient page With that, I'll leave a Thanksgiving meditation from Scripture, Psalm 145 (with passages that caught my attention highlighted in bold):1 I will extol You, my God, O King, And I will bless Your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation … [Read more...]
Celebrating the Independence Institute’s Silver Anniversary This Evening
This evening the Independence Institute celebrates its 25th anniversary with a sold-out Founders' Night dinner featuring keynote speaker P.J. O'Rourke. It should be a good family reunion of sorts. Count me as one of the crazy, freedom-fighting cousins. No one in the area is better at leveraging the media spotlight than my boss Jon Caldara. Witness today's perfect-pitch feature by the Denver Post's Jessica Fender:Asked what has allowed Colorado's free-market think tank, the Independence Institute, to live long enough for a 25th-anniversary celebration tonight, the organization's famously bawdy president offers a joke. "Embezzlement," says Jon Caldara. "Embezzlement and glossy black-and-white photographs of politicians in compromising … [Read more...]
Finding a Home for “What I’m Thankful For”: Reflecting One Year Later
Last year at this time I was in the middle of writing a 20-part blog series on "What I'm Thankful For." While I have no plans in reprising the series for 2009, I have created a new permanent page on the site with links to each post -- from "The Legacy of My Grandparents" to "Vision" and everything in between. Eleven days until the official Thanksgiving holiday, and it's never too early to start reflecting on the need for more gratitude in each of our lives. … [Read more...]
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