I have been remiss in not blogging about this sooner, but many of my readers probably aren't aware of an innovative new website created by the Independence Institute (full disclosure: where I work), a website created and maintained in part by a lot of intensive labor from my own Mrs. Virtus. If you are a parent of school-age children in Colorado, nor if you care at all about education reform, please pay attention. You can watch this 28-minute video recently aired on Colorado public television to learn more about the School Choice for Kids website (and/or read about some of the site's features below): Add to My Profile | More Videos The School Choice for Kids site contains significant information about every public school in … [Read more...]
On a Transparency Kick
In case you care to read them, below are my two latest published pieces for your perusal, and they strike a common theme: transparency in government. On Nov. 24, the Rocky Mountain News published (printed in the Sunday Denver Post, of all places) my Speakout submission in response to Gov. Ritter's unionization executive order. This Sunday, the Pueblo Chieftain published my op-ed calling for greater online transparency of school district budgets. Want to figure out as a taxpayer just how much your local schools are spending on different items? Think it's easy? Hence, the purpose of the op-ed. So yes, I've been writing on a transparency in government kick lately. It's an important issue more people on both sides of the aisle might … [Read more...]
More to Come
After an extended holiday weekend that included technical problems with this blog finally being resolved (or so it appears), the long silence is over. More to come shortly. … [Read more...]
Dedicated to My Grandpa, 100 Years from His Birth
Though it coincides with the 2007 election, I'm taking a break from politics to commemorate this special day. Today - November 6, 2007 - would be my grandfather's 100th birthday, were he still alive. A full century ago today, my Grandpa was welcomed to this earth. I didn't know him until he was over 70 years old, but only as time has passed have I come to appreciate him more fully. My Grandpa was a man with a tremendous work ethic and incredible moral character. He was honest to a fault. Faced with many difficulties, he showed remarkable loyalty and fidelity to his family. He saved his money, and used it wisely. Yet he was very generous, always willing to help his family or his neighbors. I never knew what to get him for Christmas. He … [Read more...]
Readers Might Consider Poll on GOP Evangelicals Meaningless
I would be lying to say I didn't find poll results like this a little disconcerting: "More than half of GOP evangelicals might consider third-party candidate" if the Republicans nominate Giuliani for President. Except when you look at it closely, it doesn't really say that much. If you threw a party and ordered food based on the number who said they might consider attending, you very well could end up begging guests to take large portions of the leftovers home, or end up putting a lot in the freezer afterwards. Perhaps a more meaningful headline would have read: "Nearly half of GOP evangelicals won't even consider bolting the party, regardless of nominee." That's debatable, I suppose. Regardless, short of a real and specific … [Read more...]
We’ll Miss You, Rick
The Rocky Mountain News reports today what was first news to me a couple weeks ago: former Congressional candidate and rising GOP star Rick O'Donnell is moving to Texas to take on a new career challenge. I first met Rick shortly after I moved to Colorado, while he was working in Governor Owens' office. Though it's highly doubtful he remembers our meeting, some of his advice and suggestions were very helpful to me to help get my roots established and to make important contacts. I later had opportunity to interact with him in several education policy-related venues, and volunteered on his unsuccessful 2006 campaign for the 7th Congressional District. The timing of Rick's run for Congress was unfortunate, as he got swept up in a … [Read more...]
Discovering My Inner FredHead
Having taken this interesting and intuitive quiz, I have discovered that it is indeed Fred Thompson with whom I align most closely on the major issues of the day: My runners up were Duncan Hunter, John McCain, Tom Tancredo, and Ron Paul. Interestingly, the quiz results said I disagreed with both Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani on abortion. Quite a feat, I suppose. I'd be interested to see what the results are for some of my other friends - both blogging and non-blogging. … [Read more...]
Let’s Get Real: Rox Face Uphill, But Achievable, Climb
Ouch. That hurt. Last night's 2-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the World Series was painful, but not fatal. (Regrettably, I missed most of the game, fulfilling a commitment at a Republican event that featured keynote speaker Bob Schaffer.) Nevertheless, I'm here to tell Rockies fans not to panic. The naivete many had coming into the Series is gone, but the most loyal fans know it's a one-game-at-a-time approach now. Let's be realistic: even getting the series back to Boston is an uphill goal at this point, but here's hoping that Baseball with Altitude is a lot friendlier to the home team than to the visitors. And how about a little bulletin board material (albeit from cynical sportswriters) to get the Rox fired up? See you … [Read more...]
Rox Win NL Pennant!!!
The Colorado Rockies secured the National League pennant tonight ... when did you ever think you'd hear these words? And after winning 21 of 22 games? Uncharted territory in Major League Baseball. W... O... W! Matt Holliday is chosen Series MVP, but it could just as well have been one of many others wearing the purple uniform. And how could you be anything but genuinely happy for Todd Helton? Simply un-be-lie-va-ble. I'm in baseball heaven now. October 14, 2006: My Detroit Tigers won 7 straight to claim the American League pennant, the franchise's first in 22 years. October 15, 2007: My Colorado Rockies won 7 straight to claim the National League pennant, the franchise's first in its 15-season history. Like last year's Tigers, … [Read more...]
Rockies 9, Padres 8 (13 inn.)
One of the best baseball games I have ever seen. What a contest from start to finish. Controversy, comebacks, power, pitching, good defense, clutch hitting, and after an improbable ending, the Colorado Rockies are in the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. Un- be- lie- va- ble. And somewhere in it all, Matt Holliday secured a NL batting title (and maybe an MVP), Troy Tulowitzki all but locked up NL Rookie of the Year, and the Rockies broke a Major League team season record for fielding percentage. Closest to most fan's hearts, though, is the fact Todd Helton - the long-time face of the franchise - finally gets to punch a playoff ticket, a fitting tribute to his career. Seeing this city go baseball crazy in October does my heart … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- …
- 55
- Next Page »