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Who’s at Samsphere Denver?

I forgot to recap the Samsphere Denver established blogger participants, and now it's small-group discussion time. Here's the whole list of bloggers, with those in my group highlighted in bold:CONFIRMED BLOGGERS Anthony Surace at Rocky Mountain Right Denise Mund at Colorado Charter Schools Brian Schwartz at Wakalix John Martin at The Drunkablog Ray Thomas at The Thoma$ Report Randy Ketner at Night Twister Ben DeGrow at Mount Virtus Michael Sandoval at Slapstick Politics Ross Kaminsky at Rossputin Jon Caldara at The Cauldron Brad Jones at Face the State David Harsanyi at David Harsanyi Jeff Goldstein at Protein Wisdom Patrick Sperry at Conservative Libertarian Outpost Bob Ball at The Daily Blogster Marty Neilson at Colorado … [Read more...]

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Samsphere: Pro-Freedom Bloggers’ Shot Heard ‘Round Colorado

It's April 19, and I'm hanging out at a Denver bloggers convention sponsored by a group named after one of the Founding generation's most vocal patriots. The coincidence? It was 233 years ago today that a band of ragtag patriots on Lexington Green fired the "shot heard 'round the world" that eventually defeated the army of the world's most powerful empire. (Pictures up at Slapstick Politics, who beat me to the idea.) And here today in Denver is a band of ragtag pro-freedom bloggers, ready to counter the heavily-funded Left-wing statists who are working to turn Colorado blue. … [Read more...]

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Cory Voorhis Fundraiser Sunday

I just received this email from a friend. Since supporting Cory Voorhis a worthy cause, and the event is very timely and in the neighborhood, here goes:18 months ago, federal agent Cory Voorhis was accused of breaking the law for bringing to light a dangerous practice of plea bargains for illegal immigrants. Just last week, a jury found him not guilty of those charges. But even after being found innocent, he and his family still face over $250,000 in legal bills. This great American needs our help! On Sunday, come meet Cory and support his Legal Defense Fund! Bring your friends and forward this message to help spread the word. Where: Abrusci's Restaurant 3324 Youngfield Wheat Ridge, CO When: Sunday, April 20, 2008, 1:00 pm – … [Read more...]

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Unexplored Evidence Rebuts Big Blue Lie Machine Anti-Schaffer Campaign

Over at Schaffer v Udall, I have brought to light evidence that challenges the Big Blue Lie Machine's assumptions and characterizations of Bob Schaffer's involvement with the Northern Marianas Islands issue, which has gotten press coverage in the Denver Post recently. It's a long post, but hope if you have an interest in this issue that you will check it out. … [Read more...]

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Sara Gagliardi’s Bad Mortgage Bill

Rep. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada, my state representative, earned the special distinction of having a bad legislative idea dismantled by the fair-minded editors of the Rocky Mountain News:Perhaps the best thing that can be said about the American Dream Protection Act of 2008, due to be introduced in the legislature at any time, is that it's not likely to be as bad as many of its counterparts under consideration in other states - and in Congress. Unlike those other measures, Colorado's bill addressing home foreclosures, by Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, and Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada, would not require substantial public subsidies. Nor would it place taxpayers on the hook for a massive bailout if the credit crunch intensifies. That said, … [Read more...]

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Friday Event at State Capitol to Highlight Second Amendment Rights

One month after the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case D.C. v. Heller was heard, the Republican Study Committee of Colorado is hosting a discussion tomorrow on the topic of Second Amendment rights:The Second Amendment Rearmed? How Washington, D.C. v. Heller Could Reaffirm the Right of Personal Self Protection in Colorado The Republican Study Committee of Colorado Ad Hoc Hearing Friday, April 18, 2008 1:00 - 3:00 Old Supreme Court Chambers Colorado State Capitol Confirmed Presenters: Dave Kopel, Research Director, Independence Institute Darin Goens, Colorado State Liaison, National Rifle Association Dudley Brown, Executive Director, National Association for Gun Rights and Rocky Mountain Gun Owners William Perry … [Read more...]

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Speaking Out for Individual Workers’ Right to Choose, Free from Coercion

For the second time in the span of a week, I have been quoted in the Rocky Mountain News. Quite astonishing, really, except for the fact that the writers of these stories on all the political battles over right-to-work and other initiatives must be glad to find a different voice than the standard pro-business and pro-labor mouthpieces. I was glad to be able to give a pro-liberty view to the article:"The Labor Peace Act is unique and offers some protection, but it doesn't offer complete protection," said Benjamin DeGrow, an analyst at the Independence Institute. "Anything that best protects the individual worker's right to decide what they want is the right sort of policy." Instead of addressing the argument in the story, the other side … [Read more...]

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What Was All That Money Doing in Ritter’s Inaugural in the First Place?

The problems with Gov. Bill Ritter's $200,000-plus in misspent inaugural committee funds raises more questions beyond his apparent gross lack of oversight. In total, about $300,000 in inauguration funds were spent on campaign expenses. Campaign manager Greg Kolomitz returned the $83,250 that was paid to himself and his company, leaving roughly $217,000 still improperly spent. But a question I have yet to see answered is why so much money was needed in Ritter's inaugural fund in the first place. Seems quite extravagant. A quick trip back in time to the tenure of Colorado's last Democratic governor, Roy Romer, hints at a sharp contrast. From the January 3, 1991, edition of the Colorado Springs Gazette (no direct link available):In … [Read more...]