Mount Virtus

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Mount Virtus?

Every day is seeking to rise to the challenge, 'neath the shadow of the mighty Rockies.

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Sometimes the choices are daunting or confusing, sometimes they're as clear as a Mile High view.

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If I had five more writers just like him, I think my job would be the easiest in journalism....

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

A Crack Opens in the Education Reform Floodgates

With the Denver Public Schools board's unanimous approval last night of the Bruce Randolph School's request for autonomy from district red tape and union work rules, we may see a crack opening in the floodgates of education reform. Word is that a dozen other DPS schools are ready to follow in Randolph's footsteps. But everyone is awaiting the union's official response:The autonomy agreement must still be approved by the 22-member governing board of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, expected to vote Jan. 8. DCTA President Kim Ursetta did not mention the proposal in brief remarks to the board. She has repeatedly said the union has some questions about the plan and is working with Bruce Randolph staff to get answers."Working with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education, General, Labor Tagged With: Bruce Randolph School, Denver Classroom Teachers Association, Denver Public Schools

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Not-so-shocking News: Union Lawyers Caught Lying

Update: More on this story in today's Rocky Mountain News ... Here's the "dog bites man" story of the day: lawyers for the Colorado Education Association are caught telling a series of lies to stop teachers and leaders at Denver's Bruce Randolph School from obtaining autonomy from restrictive district red tape and union-negotiated work rules. Still, unsurprising as the news may be, it can be thoroughly instructive to read the actual memos and see just how far the union's legal team will go to mislead its own members. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education, General, Labor Tagged With: Bruce Randolph School, Colorado Education Association, education reform

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Relief in Iowa: Huck Slipping, Fred Poised for Successful Showing

Good news in the Republican presidential race out of Iowa: the Huckster is fading, and the expectations game keeps Fred at a low enough profile to gear up for a strong third-place finish in the Hawkeye State:On the Republican side, among (833) likely voters, here are the numbers: Huckabee 28, Romney 25, Thompson 10, McCain 9, Paul 6, Giuliani 6. Among (418) highly likely voters, Romney leads with 28%, then Huckabee 25, Thompson 11, McCain 7, Paul 6, Giuliani 5, Tancredo 4. Plus there appear to be true signs of Fred-mentum (and here I thought I'd coined the phrase) after all. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, National Politics Tagged With: Fred Thompson, GOP Presidential Primary, Huck, Iowa

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Another Big Thumbs Up to Fred

Pejman Yousefzadeh (PJ, for short) over at Red State writes an eloquent endorsement for Fred Thompson to be our next President (H/T El Presidente). Let me officially second his statement:Many writers, in praising Thompson, have indicated that one of the more laudable things about his candidacy is that he is more interested in doing something than he is in being somebody. This is true. Ambition is a good thing to have but far too many politicians make ambition an end in and of itself. For Thompson, ambition is a means to an end--a means to implementing the policy positions he and other Reagan Republicans care about so deeply. That having been written, Thompson owes it to his supporters to vigorously campaign for the Presidency of the United … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, National Politics Tagged With: Fred Thompson, GOP Presidential Primary

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

New Football Coach Allows Maize & Blue Faithful to Rest Easy

A lot of space has been taken up in the Michigan (land of my upbringing) media detailing the University of Michigan's search for a head football coach after Lloyd Carr retired. Today we learn that all the rumors come to an end as West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez has agreed to take the helm in Ann Arbor. One might be forgiven if he came to the conclusion that the Mountaineers' program was the Wolverines' coaching farm system. After all, Michigan hired John Beilein directly from West Virginia this past April to coach their men's basketball program. Now the football team. A direct line from Morgantown to Ann Arbor? Perhaps. Regardless, let me assure you that fans of the illustrious University of Michigan football program - which has … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, Sports and Leisure Tagged With: football, John Beilein, Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriguez, University of Michigan

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Help Falcon Find a Parent-Friendly, Visionary Education Leader

Looking for a quick way to make your voice heard on the importance of public education reform? Falcon School District 49 is a fast-growing district in El Paso County, a district where more creative choices and options could help make a big difference for families. As its board searches for a new superintendent, Falcon is conducting a survey of what characteristics their new leader should have. There's a few reasons why you should take the few minutes to participate, answer as many questions as you can, and let them know why non-traditional experience and outside-the-box visionary thinking is to be preferred to traditional establishment credentials that offer less chance to bring real reform: 1. If you live in Falcon 49, you will be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education, General Tagged With: Education, Falcon School District 49, school choice, superintendent, survey

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Look at (State) Senate Candidate’s Taxpayer-Funded Expenses

As my colleague noted on the Schaffer v Udall blog, a recent audit of taxpayer-funded expense accounts by the state board of education has shown just how frugal Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer is - as he claimed only $521. Reporters did ask board chair Pamela Jo Suckla about her $25,851, and got an answer:Suckla said her expenses were higher than other members' because she has to commute from her home in Slickrock on the Western Slope, rent cars and stay in hotels, while others live along the Front Range. She said the board held more meetings than usual last year because members were searching for a new education commissioner. Sure, that's worth extra scrutiny, but it at least gives a plausible explanation. But … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Education, General Tagged With: Bob Schaffer, Evie Hudak, expense accounts, Pamela Jo Suckla, State board of education, Sue Windels

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Dose of Humor: The 24 Pilot from 1994?

Posted over at the Volokh Conspiracy is a short video depicting what a pilot episode of Fox's 24 would have looked like if were done in 1994. Good humor, especially for fans of the show. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, Random and Miscellaneous Tagged With: 24, Humor

2/7/2026 By Ben 4 Comments

“Superdaddy”

Tonight I was called "Superdaddy" at least 50 to 60 times by a smart, beautiful, healthy, happy and giggly (nearly) 2-year-old girl. And it required very little provocation. Life doesn't get much better. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life Tagged With: Superdaddy

2/7/2026 By Ben 5 Comments

Mitt for President

Sadly - but arriving with an increasing sense of inevitability - Fred Thompson has dropped out of the race to be our next President. A classy departure worthy of an honorable man who ran an honorable, if less than inspirational, campaign. Most telling is his lack of endorsement: a non-endorsement that has to hurt John McCain. Yes, my predictions for South Carolina clearly were wrong, altogether too much made from the heart rather than the head. I'm not ashamed of holding out hope for Fred while hope was still there. Nor should my blogger friend Steven be ashamed of holding out hope for his man Huck (though we disagree on his candidacy). I share the sentiments of Dr. Rusty Shackelford at The Jawa Report (H/T Hugh Hewitt):Dear fellow … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, National Politics Tagged With: endorsement, Fred Thompson, Hugh Hewitt, Mitt Romney, presidential primary

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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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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

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To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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