Mount Virtus

"Happy to come back to Michigan, but I miss the mountains!"

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Home Archives for My Life

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

On Air This Sunday to Discuss Survey of Colorado’s Political Temperature

Those of you in the Denver metro area (or perhaps chained to the Internet) who are bored this weekend can listen to a pre-recorded conversation as I talk to Brad Jones on Face The State weekend radio about the recent surveys of Colorado's political temperature co-created by El Presidente. Tune in on Sunday either at 5:30 AM or 12:30 PM to AM 710 KNUS for the on-air conversation. If you miss it, I'll post a link to the podcast later. … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Jon Caldara Groupies of the World, Unite on October 8 at Golden Hotel

Pay attention, all you Jon Caldara groupies. Next Thursday is your big chance to schmooze with Jon and "the good folks behind our TV show Independent Thinking." A $10 donation to KBDI gets you into the Golden Hotel on October 8 from 6-9 PM for this special event. Come if you can (it won't be Friday night, so no need to be stuck in front of your TV set watching medium-brow local PBS public affairs broadcasting), and spread the word. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, liberty, My Life, PPC, Random and Miscellaneous

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

9/11 Plus 8

Update: Michael at Best Destiny and Rossputin share their separate recollections of 9/11/01 and where our nation is eight years later. Eight years ago today, with no substitute teaching job awaiting me, I slept in. My dad woke me. The TV was already on with scenes from the World Trade Center. The horror unfolded before my eyes. Minutes after I started watching the second plane hit the South Tower. Everything changed in a moment. It was a long day that grew into a long week. Looking back, I can only think: Never forget. Stand strong. Never falter. Never surrender. In that spirit the Colorado State University College Republicans are making a special commemoration today: … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Candidate Luke Korkowski to Bike through Mountains, Sets Himself Apart

When you are in the bottom tier of candidates in the crowded primary field for Colorado's Republican U.S. Senate primary nomination, you have to do what you can to attract attention. Enter the physically fit and environmentally responsible grassroots candidate Luke Korkowski, who today announces: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, liberty, My Life, National Politics, PPC, Random and Miscellaneous

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

“Rasmussen is a heck of a bigger deal than Ben DeGrow”

Westword blogger Michael Roberts reports on the results of our survey of Colorado's political temperature released yesterday. The flattering comparison that titles the post, which comes from Scott McInnis for Governor spokesman Sean Duffy, now adorns my "Who Writes This Blog?" page. After all, fame is fleeting.... For the latest and greatest comprehensive polling data out there, check out Rasmussen Reports. … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 4 Comments

The Deadline Approaches: Time to Send a Message with Your Money

We're two days away from the close of the political fundraising quarter. And maybe you've been getting harassed by the same amount of emails and other contacts as I have, urging you to give before the next reports come out. But I'll repeat it, too: If you have a clear favorite in one or more of Colorado's Republican primary races or you just want to tell the NRSC and Washington bigwigs to take a hike, nothing sends a message like a campaign donation. If you're like me, you aren't going to come close to making the max contribution ($1,050 for governor and other statewide races, or $4,800 for U.S. House and U.S. Senate). But if you want to earn the right to complain, you ought to put your money where your mouth is. A multitude of 10 … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Enjoying (and Sweating Out) the Tigers’ and Rox’ Late-Season Chases

If you live in my world, politics largely has taken a back seat this week. My two MLB teams -- the Detroit Tigers and Colorado Rockies -- are respectively locked in the races for the last two playoff berths. Last night, in probably the most consequential game of the Tigers' regular season so far, ace Justin Verlander got it done and the team survived some last-minute cardiac-inducing pressure from the ever-pesky Minnesota Twins. Meanwhile, everyone in Colorado knows about Chris Iannetta's 11th-inning pinch hit walk-off homer to take down the Brewers at Coors Field. Result? With five games to go, Rockies have a three-game lead and a magic number of three to claim the NL wildcard, and the Tigers have a two-game lead and a magic number … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, liberty, My Life, Sports and Leisure

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Idea for Michigan’s Budget Impasse: Stop Harassing Baby-Sitting Moms

Creating a little 2007 deja vu, the state of my nativity has officially shut down non-essential government operations as Republicans and Democrats bicker over the budget and a daunting $2.8 billion deficit. Welcome to Fiscal Year 2010: Oh Michigan, my Michigan... It won't solve the impasse by itself, but one part of the state budget that could be chopped is the Department of Human Services, at least the office that harasses moms who watch neighbor kids for a half hour a day while they're waiting to catch the school bus. Sheesh! … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Health Czar Video

The Sam Adams Alliance presents a lighter look at the rough life of a government health czar and the new Moolah for Medicine program. I think you'll find it four minutes well spent -- I can tell you the cute and feisty Baby Virtus sure got a kick out of watching this video: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, Health Care, liberty, My Life, National Politics, Random and Miscellaneous

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Thank YOU, Ernie Harwell

I'll admit it. I'm a fool for baseball. And one of the greatest reasons I love the game so much walked out onto the field at Comerica Park this evening -- Ernie Harwell, 91 years young, diagnosed with terminal cancer, but as optimistic and gracious and gentlemanly as ever -- to say thank you:"It's a wonderful night for me," Harwell said. "I really feel lucky to be here, and I want to thank you for that warm welcome. I want to express my deep appreciation to Mike Ilitch, Dave Dombrowski and the Tigers for that video salute and also for the many great things they've done for me and my family throughout my career here with the Tigers. "In my almost 92 years on this Earth, the good Lord has blessed me with a great journey, and the blessed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, Commemorative, General, My Life, Sports and Leisure

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Inside

  • About Ben
  • Archives
  • Colorado Ballot Reviews
    • Colorado Ballot 2008
    • Colorado Ballot 2010
    • Colorado Ballot 2012
    • Colorado Ballot 2014
  • Mary and Jacob: From the Forgotten Dust
  • Mount Virtus?
  • 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
  • Hot Air
  • National Review
  • Politico
  • Real Clear Politics
  • Reason
  • The Washington Times
  • TownHall
  • Wall Street Journal
  • Weekly Standard
  • 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
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  • 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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  • Heritage Foundation
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  • Mackinac Center for Public Policy
  • Mark Steyn
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  • Rush Limbaugh

Colorado Blogs

  • American Kestrel
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  • Patient Power
  • PirateBallerina
  • Protein Wisdom
  • Reagan Girl
  • Rocky Mountain Alliance 1.0 (Archive)
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  • Rossputin
  • Stop the ACLU Blog
  • The Spot (Denver Post)
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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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