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March 29: Week in Review

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March 29: Week in Review

On Thursday I spent an hour live on air with Mike Rosen (AM 850 KOA) discussing open union negotiations and related issues in Jeffco Public Schools. More from the Independence Institute's Ed Is Watching Blog Colo. Digital Learning Policy Alternate Route Gives Some Spring Break Hope Opponents' Best Shot? Maybe Thompson Should Look at Innovating Educator Pay Watching Student Data Privacy Issue Means Not Watching Student Data Finished One Good(read) Book This Week Vanished: The Sixty-Year Search for the Missing Men of World War II by Wil S. Hylton: The author quickly grips and engages the reader with the little-known mystery of a B-24 crew that was shot down in a 1944 bombing raid over Palau. Hylton weaves together the tales of … [Read more...]

God’s Goodness and (Coconut) Icing on the Birthday Cake

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God’s Goodness and (Coconut) Icing on the Birthday Cake

Have you ever been personally overwhelmed by the goodness of God -- where it just rolls down at you quickly like a giant snowball down a steep mountain until your whole heart and soul is caught up in praising Him? Before that moment this morning, I was ready to peg 2014 as being off to a bad start. The past week has been a struggle. Not a monumental burden or major calamity. I don't seek to overdramatize or pine for sympathy. Something as yet unidentified slowed me down physically, first with extra fatigue and then a mounting series of unpleasant digestive symptoms that sapped my comfort, appetite, concentration, and sleep -- not to mention much of my good humor. The good news is, with the help of the wonderfully gifted and caring … [Read more...]

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My 50 Favorite Christmas Songs: 2013 Edition

Last year I finally put together and posted the list of my 50 favorite Christmas songs. The list is back for 2013, and updated with some changes and a few additions. Last year's ranking is in parentheses, with additional explanation provided in only a few cases. For most explanations, go back and check out the original. The background explanation from last year:...Coming up with the top 50 songs wasn't terribly difficult. I've identified roughly 375 different contenders, though I'm only familiar with a little more than 200 of them. A good number of the Christmas songs I know were easily disqualified because of the unpleasant visceral reaction they cause. Ranking the top 50 on the other hand -- beyond a few that consistently rise to … [Read more...]

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My 50 Favorite Christmas Songs

On Facebook for the past several days, I've been counting down my 50 favorite Christmas songs. Coming up with the top 50 songs wasn't terribly difficult. I've identified roughly 375 different contenders, though I'm only familiar with a little more than 200 of them. A good number of the Christmas songs I know were easily disqualified because of the unpleasant visceral reaction they cause. Ranking the top 50 on the other hand -- beyond a few that consistently rise to the top -- was a difficult task. Still, there's a kind of double-edged fun to assembling a list like this one: 1) Comparing and debating the rankings with friends; and 2) The fluid nature of the list, in part because of new songs discovered that upset the balance. If I do … [Read more...]

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Daniel the Maes-siah: “Thou knowest that the only true prophet is the voice that speaketh on the Day of Election”

After seeing deeply flawed and failed Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes "get biblical" on Facebook (H/T Complete Colorado), I had a late-night moment of "inspired" political satire that ended up as this. Please enjoy: … [Read more...]

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GOP Candidate Owen Hill 4th Time Proud Papa Four Days Before Election

As Election Day draws very close, and the campaign intensity reaches a fever pitch, it can be easy to lose track of the truly important things in life. In that light, I received this morning the following press release from Colorado Springs Republican state senate candidate Owen Hill:Owen Hill, Republican candidate for Senate District 11, and his wife Emily are delighted to announce the arrival of their fourth child. Elinor Jane arrived early Friday morning weighing in at 6lb. 14oz. “Needless to say, that in the final hours of a political campaign, Elinor’s arrival is a great reminder that the reason I am running for this office is to make our community a better place to live in”, said Owen Hill. The Hill family is hopeful that Elinor will … [Read more...]

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Slaphappy Democrat Ed Perlmutter: LA Times Top 10 Weird Campaign Moment

In this weird political season, the Los Angeles Times political blog compiles the Top 10 weirdest moments of the 2010 political campaign. Coming in at number 10, from my own backyard: Only two of the top 10 moments came from U.S. House races, and my own Colorado 7th CD made the list. I'm not sure whether to be astounded or proud or embarrassed... or maybe just amused. I'll save the satisfaction until Election Night. Of course, it was the prolific National Review Colorado blogger Michael Sandoval who first brought attention to Ed Perlmutter's slaphappy moment that well may go down as part of the closing chapter of the liberal Democrat's Congressional career. Can you see the political wave a-comin'? Update / Clarification: … [Read more...]

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Complete Colorado’s A-Maes-ing Finale to Real Gubernatorial Genius Series

Complete Colorado's Real Gubernatorial Genius is back with the third and final edition in the series, highlighting Republican candidate Dan Maes -- Mr. I'm-Gonna-Be-Somebody-Someday. In my opinion, it will give you the purest laugh-out-loud experience of the trio: In case you missed them, watch the earlier lampoons of Tom Tancredo and John Hickenlooper. Put together, the three minute-long Real Gubernatorial Genius clips will provide some needed Friday election season humorous relief. … [Read more...]

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Complete Colorado’s Real Gubernatorial Genius Takes On John Hickenlooper

First it was Tom Tancredo. Today, Complete Colorado releases the second in its creative Real Gubernatorial Genius series, featuring John Hickenlooper -- "Mr. Avoid All Controversy Until the Election's Over." Another minute well spent that is sure to crack a smile: The third and final edition featuring Dan Maes is due out on Friday. … [Read more...]