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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Colorado Ballot Reviews

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

Writer / Editor For Hire

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

ProgressNow Swings and Misses on Education Statistics

Colorado's madcap Lefties over at ProgressNow have taken their disingenuous use of statistics to a new level today, with a press release "responding" to Governor Owens' State of the State speech, sent out within minutes of its conclusion. I have yet to find a copy of the release on their Web site but have pasted the email message below, followed by a response to their egregious selectiveness and gross mishandling of K-12 education statistics (that's my area of expertise - I'll let others dismantle their other assertions): … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Education, General

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

“The Goldwater Myth”

Recently I highlighted a quote (among several) from "moderate" Republican State Representative Mark Larson about his disgust with the party's social conservatives, claiming for himself the mantel of a "Goldwater Republican." Today there's an excellent Opinion Journal article by Andrew Busch, professor of government at Claremont McKenna College, documenting "The Goldwater Myth" that the Arizona Senator's 1964 Presidential campaign was more about libertarian small government principles than moral and cultural conservatism. It seems to be not an uncommon mistake to make this false characterization and therefore a must-read for those who otherwise conveniently and passively might have let recent American political history be rewritten for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Holtzman Camp Out Front on Voter Registrations

The Holtzman for Governor campaign once again shows it's working hard, announcing its status as the first campaign to be certified to conduct voter registration drives. “Our campaign is on track for victory in August and November," said GOP gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman. "And one of our key goals is to increase voter participation so more Coloradans will help select not only the Republican nominee in August, but also the state's governor next fall." Back in Holtzman's November meeting with members of the RMA, he stressed his plans to rebuild the party structure. The campaign is about much more than just the candidate's leadership, personality, and qualifications, though those are significant considerations, too. The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

John Stossel Takes on Education

It's not often I advise readers to tune into a television program. Here's an exception: this Friday night at 10 PM Eastern (9 PM Denver local time) on ABC, John Stossel brings his free market instincts and no-nonsense approach to tackle the issue of education. I encourage you to watch "Stupid in America: How We Cheat Our Kids" (or set the VCR or TiVo if you've got big plans on Friday). … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education, General, Random and Miscellaneous

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Getting the Purple Finger

If ever you've been inclined to dip your right index finger in purple ink, then my friend, there is no time like the present. Don't forget that you can show your solidarity with the brave men and women building a peaceful, democratic government in Iraq as they go to the polls on December 15 for their first parliamentary elections. Check out the links below to find out more: Purple Finger For Freedom Bill Bennett's open letter to store owners and managers KNUS (710 AM) is gathering digital photos of purple fingers to send along to Iraq Free Republic posts a collection of pictures from this week's early voting in Iraq … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Arctic Temps Recede

Colorado did one of its best imitations of "Eskimo Summer" yesterday, leaving at least one blogger's brain cells and fingers at a sub-optimal temperature for filing a meaningful post. As the mercury slowly rises today and tomorrow back to healthier daytime temps and less bitterly cold nighttime lows, expect Mount Virtus to resume regular blogging activities. So much to write about, so little time.... Meanwhile, if you know a Colorado public school teacher, please send them to independentmindedteacher.org, with valuable information on union political refunds, different membership organizations, and much more. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education, General, My Life

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

You Can’t Make Up This Stuff

"Men Warm Globe, Women Feel the Heat, Group Claims": The debate over climate change evolved into a battle of the sexes Monday at the 11th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference in Montreal. The spokesman for a feminist-based environmental group accused men of being the biggest contributors to human-caused "global warming" and lamented that women are bearing the brunt of the negative climate consequences created by men. "Women and men are differently affected by climate change and they contribute differently to climate change," said Ulrike Rohr, director of the German-based group called "Genanet-Focal point gender, Environment, Sustainability." I think we married men need to complain less about those things we do get … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, Random and Miscellaneous, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

The Heights of Blogging

The RMA's own Joshua Sharf has developed into a reliable source for the local mainstream media on issues related to blogging. Kudos to the Denver Post for acknowledging the credibility and value of this burgeoning alternative media - specifically, Jim Hughes' article today on PirateBallerina's persistent pressure on Ward Churchill and the University of Colorado. Most significant in the story is the contrast between an academic's warped, myopic view (notably from a professor of journalism) and a blogger's insightful comments from a clear and lofty perspective. First: Johansen, who teaches journalism, said in an e-mail that Paine's gotchas are baseless and that he walked away from the committee because of what he saw as a nasty media … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, Random and Miscellaneous

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Letting You Know Where I Sit

Now that I am beginning regular (hopefully) contributions to the new Holtzman v Beauprez Web site, I wanted to let you know where I sit so you can filter my comments and observations on the governor's race appropriately. Today seems like a good a time as any to announce my personal support for the gubernatorial candidacy of Marc Holtzman. About a month ago a couple other RMA bloggers and I sat down with Marc for an informal Q & A session. After that meeting I reported my many positive impressions. I also had positive impressions of Congressman Bob Beauprez during our earlier meeting. Recognizing that honest people of good faith and like principles can disagree in such matters, I wanted to make clear that I do not support Holtzman out of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Ritter and Abortion: More Questions Than Answers

We know Colorado's Democrats have been straining to find a gubernatorial candidate. With each passing week of press and fundraising for former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, it gets a little harder for a primary opponent to nudge into the race. Like a row of performers at the end of a play, most all of the Democrats' big hopes to run have bowed out: Ken Salazar, John Hickenlooper, Mark Udall, Joan Fitz-Gerald. Ritter has posed a problem for his party's base with his open admission of his personal pro-life stance. Well, you know the prospects for another viable Democrat candidate must be fading into the twilight when you read an opinion piece like this in today's Denver Post. Authored by three prominent liberal Democrat women of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General

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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

Colorado News

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National News and Politics

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  • Reason
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Blogs Extraordinaire

  • American Thinker
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  • E!! The True Conservative Story
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  • Hugh Hewitt
  • Instapundit
  • LaShawn Barber
  • Lileks
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  • NRO's The Corner
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Completing the Blogroll

  • Alarming News
  • Black Five
  • Blogs of War
  • Eduwonk
  • Flypaper
  • Fraters Libertas
  • Historical Conversations
  • IMAO
  • Jay P. Greene
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Christian Commentary et al.

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Conservative and GOP Sites

  • Backbone America
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Colorado Blogs

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Other Sites

  • Technorati
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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

  • Reclaim the Blue
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  • View from a Height

To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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