Mount Virtus

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

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Home Archives for My Life

9/20/2007 By Ben 1 Comment

For Rent to DNC Delegates?

Today the Rocky Mountain News runs a story about metro-Denver area residents advertising their apartments or homes for rent during next year's Democratic National Convention, and the outrageous prices they're demanding: Toby was one of 61 people in the Denver area with ads posted on Craigslist as of Wednesday, offering up their homes or apartments for rent during the week of the convention. Prices ranged from $1,200 for a one-bedroom Capitol Hill apartment, up to $50,000 for a two-bedroom historic loft in LoDo. Sure, you could try to stay in one of the 17,000 rooms the Democratic National Convention Committee has blocked off for the 35,000 people expected to flock to the convention. But wouldn't you prefer a little more room to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, National Politics

9/13/2007 By Ben Leave a Comment

See Free Market Cure, Sept 19

Having written about health care reform a few times in recent months, I would like to bring your attention to a FREE opportunity to see the Colorado premiere of an exciting new film: Free Market Cure by independent filmmaker Stuart Browning. The event is sponsored by the Independence Institute, home of my day job. Details from the press release: The premiere will be on Wednesday, September 19, at the Shwayder in the Mizel Center for Culture and Arts at 350 S. Dahlia Street in Denver. The movies and Browning's commentary will begin at 7 p.m. and will be followed by coffee and dessert. The event is free and open to the public but seating is limited so reservations are requested. Please contact Kay at 303-279-6536 or kay@i2i.org. If you've … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, My Life

8/30/2007 By Ben Leave a Comment

Save the Males?

Just wanted to give a little shout out to Jessica Corry, a good friend of Mount Virtus, who has started as one of the featured diarists at the Denver Post's new Politics West site. In fact, I just came across this excellent piece she wrote on behalf of my "endangered" species. I know we need a lot of help, but ... "Save the Males"? Seriously, she makes a very important point, often overlooked because of its political incorrectness. Check it out. … [Read more...]

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

8/17/2007 By Ben 4 Comments

Yankees Fan Dealing with Disappointment

It appears my last post has stirred up a little East Coast angst in my friend David Harsanyi, the genial libertarian and Denver Post columnist who for the most part is a very sensible, stand-up sort of guy. (Nobody's perfect.) Well, I may have dashed my chances at getting a free galley copy of his new book Nanny State to review - though there is no denying Harsanyi's ability to use clever and shameless self-promotion. I didn't realize that Harsanyi and I both shared a past as sportswriters - albeit he got to cover the World Series, and I was busy writing about high school track meets and Division II college football. The best part of this exchange is the sweet, sweet memories of last October and the Yanks' demise at the hands of the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Random and Miscellaneous, Sports and Leisure

8/17/2007 By Ben 1 Comment

Taking it to the Yankees

Though many on the team have been feeling under the weather, the Detroit Tigers came out on top of the New York Yankees last night, 8-5. Nothing like heading into the heart of the Evil Empire to win the first of a critical four-game set (unless it turns into a four-game sweep of the Bronx Bombers in their own backyard). And as the struggling bullpen is healing up and returning to normalcy (you can't come back soon enough, Zoom), let's go back out there, keep up the momentum, and beat the Yanks! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Sports and Leisure

8/3/2007 By Ben Leave a Comment

Friday Tiger Fan Ramblings

Baseball seasons are long for a reason, but these are the times that try Detroit Tigers' fans souls. For a group of fans used to years of futility, the sudden rise to dominance can bring us to a state of insecurity in the wake of their recent 3-8 road trip. Injuries have taken their toll on an overworked, underprepared bullpen, while nearly all of the normally potent lineup has gone cold at once. Somehow, though, they cling to the narrowest of leads in the American League Central division. After a day off, they have their opportunity to turn things around by coming home to play their next 3 series at Comerica Park. It's easy to get impatient when things aren't going your team's way during the long baseball season. But perspective … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Sports and Leisure

7/23/2007 By Ben 1 Comment

More Horn Tooting

El Presidente is tooting his own horn, having climbed to the top of the most recent rankings of influential Colorado political blogs. The other horn noise you hear comes from a tailgating Mount Virtus, close on his bumper at #2. El Presidente won't be able to ease off the accelerator too much with such friendly competition. More interestingly, seven of the top 10 on the influence meter are right-leaning blog sites. I'm not sure if this fact says more about the nature or the quality of the political debate or more about the secret methodology used to create the rankings. Regardless, you as a reader are part of the success. Thanks for your continuing visits. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, My Life

7/5/2007 By Ben Leave a Comment

On TV with the AG

As explained here, I will be guest alongside Colorado Attorney General John Suthers on tomorrow evening's edition of Independent Thinking: I2I Education Policy Analyst Ben DeGrow and AG Suthers will join I2I president Jon Caldara to Discuss Supreme Court Victory on Friday's episode of Independent Thinking. The show will disect the legal victory for the free speech rights of workers. The episode airs on KBDI Channel 12 in Denver (Channel 32 in Colorado Springs) TOMORROW (Friday) at 8:30 PM, and on Sunday, July 8, at 11:30 AM. Just remember: it's an episode labor union leaders don't want you to see. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Education, General, My Life, National Politics

6/29/2007 By Ben Leave a Comment

Colorado’s Highways are 29th

Interesting fact for the day: according to a newly-released study from the Reason Foundation, Colorado ranks 29th in the nation for the quality of its state highways - but still considerably higher than the only other two states I've lived in for any length of time (Michigan and Pennsylvania). Follow the link to find more information. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Random and Miscellaneous

6/25/2007 By Ben Leave a Comment

Fleeting Influence

The new rankings are out, and I'm shocked to say that somehow Mount Virtus has climbed the rankings to #1 in Blog Net News most influential Colorado political blogs. Frankly, I'm humbled. Of course, fame and influence are both fleeting. So I don't expect it to last. But I'll savor it for one week, at least. Also encouraging, my friend Michael at Best Destiny creeped up the ladder a bit to #9. … [Read more...]

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

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Inside

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  • Colorado Ballot Reviews
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  • 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
  • Right Wing Nuthouse
  • 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
  • Free Republic
  • Heritage Foundation
  • Jefferson County Republican Party
  • Mackinac Center for Public Policy
  • Mark Steyn
  • Michael Medved
  • Rush Limbaugh

Colorado Blogs

  • American Kestrel
  • Bob Agard
  • Colorado Charter Schools
  • Colorado Peak Politics
  • Colorado Pols
  • Colorado Right
  • Conservative Libertarian Outpost
  • Coyote Gulch
  • Ed Is Watching
  • Free Colorado
  • Jeff Crank Show
  • Mark Hillman
  • Patient Power
  • PirateBallerina
  • Protein Wisdom
  • Reagan Girl
  • Rocky Mountain Alliance 1.0 (Archive)
  • Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0 (Archive)
  • Rossputin
  • Stop the ACLU Blog
  • The Spot (Denver Post)
  • We Stand Firm

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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