Our republic needs more informed citizens, especially these days about our military operations in Iraq. Cut through the hype and the soundbites, and bookmark the new Victory Caucus website on your browser. Unlike in the MSM, you'll easily find facts not only on coalition casualties but on measures of political stability, sectarian violence, and weapons caches found. Moreover, you'll find links to the latest reports from independent journalists (like Michael Yon and Bill Roggio), key military bloggers (like Blackfive and Mudville Gazette), and official U.S. sources. That's only the beginning: you'll find reports from military commanders on the ground, interactive regional maps, reviews of relevant books, and user forums. Thanks to NZ … [Read more...]
Eyes Turning to Fred Thompson – Including Colorado Eyes
As the long race for the White House rolls on, many conservatives find themselves "all agog over Thompson," writes U.S. News and World Report's Kenneth Walsh. His candidacy not yet officially declared, the former U.S. Senator and recognizable actor finds himself at or near the top of most polls among the Republican field. Providing some of the best evidence that Fred Thompson may be the real deal, Politico reports that the Democratic National Committee is using attacks on him to generate fundraising more than a year before the Conventions confirm either party's nominee: Democratic strategists say Thompson's populist style and show-biz allure could prove extremely appealing in a general election at a time when voters are so down on … [Read more...]
Roan Plateau & Dem Priorities
No time for lengthy posts this morning, but quick links on an important timely topic. Echoing Colorado Senate News, Michael at Best Destiny points out the momentum growing for a Republican-sponsored plan to use revenues from drilling on the Western Slope's Roan Plateau to provide a windfall to the state's universities. Michael points out how out of touch Colorado's junior Senator and would-be senator on the Democrat side happen to be on this issue. Meanwhile, Democrat Gov. Bill Ritter, who has made higher education funding one of his leading planks, has stalled and hesitated on the opportunity to support the drilling. But wait, as Michael points out, even the Denver Post says it should go forward soon. Maybe the majority Democrats are … [Read more...]
How to Pay Teachers
An op-ed I penned for the Independence Institute about the misleading Colorado Education Association "Professional Pay" campaign has been published both by the Greeley Tribune and the Colorado Springs Business Journal. Please feel free to check it out and to remember: the debate should first be about HOW we pay teachers, not HOW MUCH. … [Read more...]
Push for Coercive Big Labor Bill Falters on Cloture Vote
No surprises here, but definitely good news. HR 800, also very poorly known as the Employee Free Choice Act, couldn't pass the cloture vote test today in the U.S. Senate. The final tally was 51-48, on a nearly strict party-line ballot. Only Arlen Specter jumped the Republican ship to join the Democrats' effort to reward union leaders with special privileges by denying workers the right to a secret ballot. Workers have the right to choose to join OR not to join a union, and they deserve to keep the right to a secret ballot to make that decision. To learn more, you can also listen to a new iVoices podcast I hosted with Ryan Ellis from Americans for Tax Reform (go here for a direct link to the MP3). The bill hasn't gone away forever, and … [Read more...]
Merrifield: Math & Science Mandates Are So Last Millennium
Yesterday the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) raised admission standards for the state's public colleges and universities, effective in 2010. The final set of standards is less rigorous than originally planned, with no increase in the one-year foreign language requirement and the allowance of a watered-down math course to fulfill the requirement. Still, some weren't satisfied - among them one who believes charter school supporters have a "special" reservation in the torrid nether regions. From 9News: Other opponents worry that creating more emphasis on taking math and science will stifle student creativity. State Representative Mike Merrifield, who is also the chairman of the House Education Committee, told the … [Read more...]
Democrats Attempt to Deceive about Tax Hike Scheme
Earlier this year Colorado Democrats violated the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights by raising your taxes without asking your permission. Then, feeling a bit guilty perhaps, they are caught in a deceitful ad campaign to cover up their folly. Face the State observed the message coming on behalf of Senator Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, but I've also seen the message coming on behalf of Senator Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood. The occasional reminders may seem repetitive, but I want to make sure more and more Coloradans clearly see the danger of having handed the purse strings of state government over to the Democrats. To drive the point home, please read from the following: - June 18: "Consequences of supporting a property tax increase" - June 6: … [Read more...]
Colo. Right-to-Work Initiative? Good Idea, but Unlikely Success
The Rocky Mountain News today reports that paperwork has been filed to place a right-to-work initiative on the Colorado ballot this year. The arguments against it are predictable: [Rep. Michael] Garcia [D-Aurora] said he would oppose efforts to weaken union shops. "Right-to-work laws benefit corporate executives with six-figure salaries, period," he said. "Unions are good for working men and women. "If passed, the right-to-work initiative would make all-union agreements in the state illegal." Garcia argued that the ballot proposal is unnecessary because federal law already prohibits workplaces from forcing workers to join a labor union as a condition of employment. Forcing workers to join, but not forcing workers to pay tribute, … [Read more...]
Schaffer’s Fundraising Figures “Inconvenient Truth” for Left
First, let's start with the good news: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer announced that he raised more than $717,000 in the second quarter (April-June). As pointed out in the campaign press release: Walt Klein, Schaffer campaign consultant said "Schaffer's contributions averaged more than $119,000 a week in the brief time Bob has been a candidate – a remarkable start for the long campaign ahead." There were 1789 individual contributions to Schaffer, with more than 83% coming from Colorado. The full report will be available on July 15th. [Full Disclosure: Mt. Virtus was part of the 83+%, contributing a small amount to Schaffer in June.] Schaffer's $119,000 a week surpasses liberal Boulder Democrat opponent Mark Udall, … [Read more...]
Memo to Those Who Have Yet to Join the Digital TV World
Anyone like me, trapped in the dark ages of having a television set not equipped to receive digital signals, ought to read this (though with more than 18 months to go, it seems hardly the time to panic): On Feb. 18, 2009, tens of millions of televisions that are not equipped to receive digital signals will become useless pieces of furniture. The government is spending $5 million to let owners know so they can do something about it -- not enough, critics say. While the government has committed $1.5 billion for viewers to spend on converter boxes that will translate digital signals for older televisions, it is largely relying on the broadcast industry to spread the word about the changeover. The critics are wrong: It shouldn't be the … [Read more...]
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