For those who are interested and have the time to kill, I will be appearing as a guest at 10:00 this morning (Wednesday, July 15) on News Talk 1310 KFKA's Amy Oliver Show. The topic will be the shifting politics surrounding national teachers unions -- as explained in somewhat greater length in this recent blog post I authored for Ed News Colorado. While the National Education Association is embracing the labor union image more than it has in a long time, prominent liberal critics are making a strong statement to their NEA political allies, telling them to stop blocking effective reform and get out of the way. Click here to listen live at Noon Eastern / 10 AM Mountain. … [Read more...]
Josh Penry Hits the Stump: A Promising GOP Candidate for Governor Emerges
Earlier this evening I got the opportunity briefly to attend a Josh Penry for Governor meet-and-greet session in Broomfield. The campaign is just out of the gate, and the Grand Junction native is busily plowing his way around Colorado. No doubt he's been on a hectic schedule, but Penry demonstrated a good stump speech delivery, staying on message. I am pleased to see him make no bones about the national Republican Party's failure to govern according to fiscally conservative principles, and his clear decision to run against that failing as well as against incumbent Bill Ritter's weak leadership, misguided philosophy, and misplaced priorities. … [Read more...]
All-Star Break: Detroit Tigers Putting the Hurt on Cleveland and AL Central
Mercifully, for the sake of fellow blogger Civil Sense, I haven't harped on the American League Central race in awhile. But the All-Star break is upon us, and a good time for reflection on the standings: 1. Detroit Tigers 48-39 -- 2. Chicago White Sox 45-43 3.5 GB 3. Minnesota Twins 45-44 4 GB 4. Kansas City Royals 37-51 11.5 GB 5. Cleveland Indians 35-54 14 GB It's not looking good for the Indians, especially after the symbolic 10-1 spanking Detroit delivered to them this afternoon. GO TIGERS! … [Read more...]
Making a Case for Limited Government: Long-Term Fiscal Stability Commission
A Thursday afternoon hearing of something known as Colorado's "Long-Term Fiscal Stability Commission" doesn't sound like a spectator event for which you might grill a few steaks or even pop up some popcorn. In most cases you'd be right. But yesterday brought an alternatively cutting, humorous and genial showdown between the intellectual heft and fiscally sound policies of economist Barry Poulson, representing the Independence Institute, and the silver-tongued sob stories of Wade Buchanan from the Left-leaning Bell Policy Center. Okay, so it still doesn't sound like action-packed, thrill-a-minute viewing entertainment. But since we're talking about what to do to keep our state budget sound, revenue stable, services efficient, and taxes … [Read more...]
Make Your Opinions Known, Help Reveal Colorado’s Political Temperature
It's the middle of the summer. The limelight surrounding Colorado politics is hazy. Blogs like this one experience a yawn in their already modest traffic. It's time for something new to talk about. And if you can't report the news or comment the news, it's time to make a little news. And time to take the online temperature of Colorado political activists about the leading issues and candidates of the day -- in our state and nationwide. El Presidente and I have commissioned and fashioned a survey that we hope you will take 10 minutes or so to complete -- especially if you're from Colorado. We didn't want to make another run-of-the-mill quick-hit poll. We want to take it a little more in-depth. Click here to take the July 2009 Colorado … [Read more...]
Bill Ritter’s Car Tax Hits Home
A few days ago Mr. Bob reminded us that Bill Ritter's car tax was a-comin'. Well, count me among the lucky ones who has a vehicle due to have the license renewed in July, and be hit by the tax first. Yesterday the notice came in the mail from the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder. Usually, as the car ages and depreciates, the registration fee drops from year to year. This time it increased by more than 31 dollars. We'll find out what the damage is on the family van in a couple months -- probably about the same, methinks. The signs of Bill Ritter's sagging popularity should only proliferate at this point -- especially among those with newer cars and/or farm tractors. In the meantime, Bill Ritter is soliciting applications for more … [Read more...]
Bill Ritter’s Chance to Jump On Board Union Transparency Bandwagon
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter screwed up with his handling of the Senate Bill 180 veto. Stumbling across a good public policy decision, he provoked the wrath of labor union special interests. Since Bill Ritter has found himself on this sensible path, perhaps he could continue a little longer and throw his weight behind an idea which time has come: financial transparency for labor unions representing state and local government employees. Of course, in doing so, Ritter would have to buck the trend of Big Labor cronyism being advanced by his party leader, President Barack Obama. From my recent Independence Institute op-ed: … [Read more...]
Liberty on the Rocks Red Rocks A Veritable Who’s Who of Local Politics
I go out of town for a week, miss an edition of Liberty on the Rocks - Red Rocks, and organizer Jeff Sacco outdoes himself. Face The State reported on the growing political heft that attended last Monday's meeting. If you live on the west side of the Denver metro area, and you haven't dropped by to one of the meetings yet, now is your chance to get connected. … [Read more...]
Friday Irony: Colorado Wolverine
As a Michigan-born expatriate, I'm fascinated by today's news in the Denver Post that a wolverine has been sighted in the wild here in Colorado for the first time in 90 years:Bob Inman, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Yellowstone Wolverine Program, said the animal, tagged M56 and fitted with a radio collar in December, went on the move in April. He traveled from Grand Teton National Park, crossing busy Interstate 80 in southern Wyoming, to reach timberline in the mountains of northern Colorado. That leaves approximately the same number of wolverines in Colorado as in the so-called "Wolverine State". One was spotted in Michigan about five years ago, the first in well over a century. That's why -- even though I tend … [Read more...]
Looking for a Good Summer Fantasy Read? Try The Way of Shadows
Are you looking for a good summertime fiction read? A fresh story in the fantasy/action genre that is simultaneously fast-paced and in-depth? Then I urge you to buy a copy of The Way of Shadows, the first in the Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks. I love to read, but the fantasy/action genre -- nor fiction in general -- is typically not my cup of tea. Then again seldom do I know the author personally, as in this case. Brent and I went to Hillsdale College together, are fellow Sinfonians. Having that sort of a personal connection with the author made it easy to pick up the book. But once I did, the crisp and colorful storytelling, the unpredictable plot, and the compelling characters were what kept the pages and chapters quickly … [Read more...]
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