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"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

Holtzman-Spradley Win Key Endorsement

They say you can't get them active in politics too young. Little Virtus gives the "thumbs up" (look closely) to Marc Holtzman and Lola Spradley to be Colorado's next governor and lieutenant governor - along with Mom, Dad, and "Winks" the Elephant All in good fun and good spirits. Thanks to Marc and Lola for so graciously taking a minute to pose for the camera with Mrs. Virtus, myself, and our three-month-old gem (the real star of the photo, according to her dad) this morning at the 7th Congressional District Republican Assembly. Only one week 'till the GOP state convention in Colorado Springs! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, My Life

2/7/2026 By Ben 9 Comments

High Honors

The Colorado Education Association, carrying the state's largest anti-reform-in-education banner for years, has bestowed on me high honors. The new October-November 2006 edition of CEA Journal included yours truly, the proprietor of this blog, in a select group as "[one] of the most virulent *anti-public education individuals in the state." Incidentally, this appeared in the same issue where union officials also endorsed an astonishing (gasp!) 73 Democrat candidates vs. 6 Republican candidates - oh so clearly not reflecting the political affiliations of their rank-and-file membership. The badge of honor has now assumed a permanent place at the top of the page. I believe I now can say I've truly made my parents proud, and my life's work … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Congratulations, Brant!

After nearly 3 weeks of waiting the news is finally in: my Hillsdale College friend Brant Luther has won his primary election by a whopping 13 votes. (See previous post for background.) With such a whopping victory under his belt, Brant would seem to need a new nickname. Food for thought.... … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Random and Miscellaneous

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Bless You Boys

Enough with Fox and ESPN's contrived controversy about dirt on Kenny Rogers' hand. He pitched a good game. Get over it, St. Louis. Bring on Game 3. In the spirit of a Detroit Tigers team returning to the World Series for the first time since it was "Morning Again in America" and Stevie Wonder topped the charts, I just had to link back to this bit of childhood nostalgia. It's 1984 all over again and time to "Bless You Boys." Restore the Roar once more. Wow! … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Spell-Blogged

Editor's Note: This post is officially certified to be free of any spelling errors. Spelling geeks of the world, unite! Our event is now officially a phenomenon. The 79th Annual Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee finals takes over the primetime airwaves tonight on ABC (8-10 PM Eastern, 7-9 PM Central & Mountain). Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined the event achieving such status and acclaim. Yesterday's rounds whittled down the record-size field of 275 to fewer than 100 as 4th-round action picks up live on ESPN at Noon Eastern (10 AM Mountain). Colorado's Kayla Hudson is still in the mix. For the primetime finals, 10 to 15 competitors should be left standing. The question is: how many Americans will be watching? No, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Sports and Leisure

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Tigers Clinging, Can Claw Back

Have I been disappointed thus far by my Detroit Tigers' performance in the World Series? Yes. Now that they're down 3-1 to St. Louis, have I given them up for dead? Certainly not. This team has been counted out before, and it makes my day to see ESPN's Gene Wojciechowski not only write off the Tigers' chances as dead and buried but also spit on the fresh grave. Of course, Cardinals' fans should be indignant, too, as his East Coast disdain for us flyover hicks shines through (nobody's watching, because who could care without any teams from New York or Boston in the Fall Classic?): To the tens of baseball fans who are watching the lowest-rated World Series in history, hang in there. It's almost over. Only nine innings and one more victory … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Sports and Leisure

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Graduation Day

Eight months of high-quality speakers, challenging exercises, and tremendous fellowship culminate today with graduation for the 2006 class of the Leadership Program of the Rockies. Are you interested in becoming a conservative leader with greater insights into the benefits of free market capitalism? I highly recommend you apply for next year's class. You won't regret it. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, My Life

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Yes, It’s Over

Baseball season is over. Time to move on to other things. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Sports and Leisure

2/7/2026 By Ben 14 Comments

“Fiscal Conservatives, Don’t Despair”

Please read my post-election analysis on the fallout from the Democrats' victory in Colorado, published today in The Denver Daily News, including this stirring conclusion: The Independence Institute’s role could hardly be more important now. More than ever we will work to expose the big government agenda and to educate Coloradans about the value of personal and economic liberty in addressing the issues our state faces. The “eternal truths of the Declaration of Independence” will help to guide us through the rough waters of the near future. Conservatives need to stop and do some serious reflection, then press forward. Unlike the Statist Left, our hopes don't rise and fall alone on who is empowered by the reins of government. I … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

NYT Spotlights Free Market Think Tank World

Anyone out there who may wonder what exactly it is I do for a living, this terrific piece from the New York Times (gulp ... yes, I said it) - complete with a photo of my boss Jon Caldara and a quick mention of my place of employment - gives a glimpse into the working world I inhabit. You may get an inkling of what it is I do ... just an inkling, though. A great weekend to all, and M GO BLUE ... Beat the Buckeyes! … [Read more...]

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

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Inside

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    The Rise & Fall of Al Gansee
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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

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Blogs Extraordinaire

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Completing the Blogroll

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Christian Commentary et al.

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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

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To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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