Mount Virtus

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

Ben on Social Media

Mount Virtus?

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

Colorado Ballot Reviews

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

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Whither the defenders of the education status quo?

Given time, even the New York Times will come around. If you haven't read Paul Tough's article on the success of KIPP charter schools in overcoming the minority achievement gap in the November 26 edition, go read it now (registration required). Then check out Whitney Tilson's School Reform blog and a column by Alan Bonsteel in today's Orange County Register. Writes Bonsteel: The Times specifically praised the KIPP schools as being nonunion and therefore outside normal public school work rules, thus allowing them to hire top-notch, dedicated teachers willing to put in the very long hours needed to bring to grade level these kids who most need a hand up. The attitude of the KIPP schools from the outset has been to provide not just what … [Read more...]

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Harsanyi on Hope

Denver Post news columnist David Harsanyi tells the truth today about the manufactured "controversy" about Hope Online Learning Academy, which uses technology, adult mentors, and a research-based curriculum to reach struggling students who have fallen through the cracks of the public education system. Read Harsanyi's piece, and ask yourself why Senator Sue Windels and the Colorado Education Association want to use a more rigorous standard to judge an innovative, alternative education program than they would care to use to judge traditional neighborhood public schools. Here's one hint: Hope doesn't employ unionized teachers. (Forget whether some poor kids in Denver and Colorado Springs might thrive in the online learning environment … [Read more...]

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The Latest Colorado Blogosphere Controversy

To summarize ... To the Right: Have you read National Review? Some investigative journalism done there shows that the Dead Governors (aka Colorado Pols) is funded by liberal sugardaddies Gill, Stryker, and Polis. Dead Governors: Nuh-uh. Are not. Our views and agenda may happen to closely align with the wealthy Lefties, but we're raising all our own money through paid advertising. You can't trust that National Review anyways. To quote the Pols: "We've never had financial backing at any point, nor is it required to do what we do; it really doesn't cost much money to keep a blog running every month." No, but it sure can be a nice incentive for giving your time to the cause. If it hasn't been said here clearly before, it should be … [Read more...]

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Happy Thanksgiving

As always, whenever this important holiday time arrives, there are many things to be thankful for: the grace of God, a loving and faithful wife, a healthy and beautiful baby daughter, the freedoms we hold dear in the United States, creature comforts & blessings beyond number, Jim is back home from the hospital ... I could go on and on. But just two important passages to quote for reflection on the eve of Thanksgiving Day 2006. First, a psalm of David from the Scriptures: Psalm 103:1-5 (NASB) Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the … [Read more...]

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Of Coloradans, Michiganders, and Hoosiers

Driving in the car this evening, the conversation somehow turned to what the recognized names are for residents of different states. As my wife and I talked through the list, some were easy: Californians, Texans, Coloradans. But a few stumped me. I have to admit ... Connecticut? Utah? Wyoming? What do these people call themselves? Those of us born and reared in the Great Lakes State know that the proper and unique term to reflect our grand marine heritage is Michigander. What other state adds -der to the end? Nope, none of 'em. We're proud of that ... and of our 11,037 inland lakes. For the almost official list, I found this handy page from a Web site called "The Morning News." It even seeks to find geographical correlations by … [Read more...]

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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...]

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“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...]

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Dr. Coburn Has the Correct Prescription

A short reprieve from my all-too-brief blogging holiday to point your attention to the response of Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn to last night's election results: The overriding theme of this election, however, is that voters are more interested in changing the culture in Washington than changing course in Washington, D.C. This election was not a rejection of conservative principles per se, but a rejection of corrupt, complacent and incompetent government. Read it all. Dr. Coburn not only has the correct diagnosis but the correct prescription. We need more statesmen like him. (HT: Dennis Prager) … [Read more...]