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....

1/5/2006 By Ben Leave a Comment

Your Bucket of Cold Water

I'm probably not the first one to tell you to read Mark Steyn's new article, "It's the Demography, Stupid." Reading it may be the equivalent of having a bucket of cold water splashed on you while you're lying asleep in bed. But you may be glad you woke up when you did. Simply a must-read. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, History, World Events

1/5/2006 By Ben Leave a Comment

In Rep. Larson’s Own Words

Yesterday, in a larger post about the attempt of moderates within the Colorado GOP to flex their political muscle, I highlighted a caustic reaction from State Representative Mark Larson ("Colorado is not a right-wing, neo-con state," he said). Today The Durango Herald has more on the intraparty debacle surrounding Larson's sudden withdrawal from the state senate race, which includes a harsh email exchange with a local GOP leader. The battle brews over Larson's alleged refusal to make amends for his 2004 endorsement of U.S. Senator Ken Salazar. As he weighed a decision to run for the State Senate back in May, Larson sought to explain himself in a local Cortez Journal news story: "I imagine I would get some Democratic votes and Jim … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General

1/4/2006 By Ben Leave a Comment

Weaker GOP Bends to the “Moderate” Faction

The Rocky Mountain News follows up on yesterday's published announcement of senior Republican State Senator Norma Anderson's announced resignation in advance of her scheduled final legislative session. Term limits were set to end her nearly 20-year legislative career, but we also can get a little better picture why she decided to step down early. Four GOP candidates had already filed to take her place in the heavily Republican district in southern Jefferson County, but insiders know that one is the handpicked, surefire winner. The vacancy committee meets within the week to decide on the replacement among the following: Justin Everett: a native of the district, a credentialed & principled conservative with strong political skills, a 2004 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General

1/4/2006 By Ben Leave a Comment

Hail to the Lion… and JoePa

If you love a good college football game, I believe you saw one of the best last night... though for awhile it seemed like it would never end. Penn State's 26-23 triple overtime victory over the courageous Florida State Seminoles (after a combined 5 missed kicks) was one for the ages - literally. The Nittany Lions' 79-year-old coaching legend Joe Paterno - after a couple of truly abominable campaigns - won redemption with a Big Ten title, an 11-1 record, and the Orange Bowl crown, by defeating 76-year-old Bobby Bowden's squad. The two men have combined for 713 coaching victories (more than some Division I-A programs have earned in their entire history), but determining who would win No. 713 was in great suspense throughout as the Lions … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Sports and Leisure

12/31/2005 By Ben Leave a Comment

2005: Highlights of a Blog Year

As my first complete calendar year of blogging comes to a close, I decided for a little self-linking retrospective, featuring the two most momentous, interesting, illustrative, or off-the-wall posts from each month. Some summon memories of meetings and activities generated by my blog, a few by the general affairs of life, and most from the things I read on the Internet. The topics range from critiques of Democrats in the Colorado statehouse to observations of national & international events, from tiny trifles to happenings of great significance, with touches of humor and personal hopes dashed in to round things out. This post is as much an exercise for me as for any of my readers. For the few of you with patience and interest, I give … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Commemorative, General, Random and Miscellaneous

12/28/2005 By Ben Leave a Comment

The Post and Democrat Candidate Recruitment

The Denver Post might want to make a second attempt to get to the bottom of this story: Forti's counterparts at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee are not actively recruiting military veterans, spokeswoman Sarah Steinberg said. "They absolutely serve a very good contrast against Republicans," she said. "But in every district, our goal is to recruit the best possible candidate we can." To read Jim Hughes' article in today's Post is to get the impression that military veterans are spontaneously coming forward as Democratic Congressional candidates - as opposed to what has been documented as really happening: a purposeful national strategy to shore up the Donkey's Achilles' heels of national security and military … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, National Politics, World Events

12/27/2005 By Ben Leave a Comment

Another Sign the World is Changing

When you read in the New York Times that the governor of Michigan is aggressively courting a Japanese auto manufacturer to invest production and jobs in the Great Lakes State, you know the world is changing. For those who aren't aware, such an action not long ago would have been like touching the third rail of Michigan politics (and still seems far from perfectly safe). Yet while the economy is recovering well across most of the United States, the land of my childhood lags behind in employment and other key indicators. Gov. Jennifer Granholm's efforts to woo Toyota are a healthy sign for the future economy and quality of life of Michigan residents. The Big Three aren't quite able to protect their turf like they once did, and should … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Random and Miscellaneous

12/26/2005 By Ben Leave a Comment

Legislation for the Birds

Does the Colorado General Assembly have any serious issues to tackle during the upcoming legislative session, or do our state lawmakers need to take their lead from the Michigan legislature and find something to crow about? Only a little more than two weeks to go before debates reopen in Denver's statehouse. Incidentally, as a native of the Great Lakes State, my vote is to stick with the robin. No need to swap state birds mid-flight. Do you think anyone out here in my adopted home state is that attached to the prairie lark finch? … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, General, Random and Miscellaneous

12/22/2005 By Ben 1 Comment

Driven over the Edge by a Red Bow

Some people might chalk off my decision to post this as the result of repressed bourgeois greed and envy, or as a sign I've joined the Left-wing class warfare crusade, but I assure you it's neither. As an ardent supporter of the benefits of a free-exchange capitalist system, I am content to know that companies manufacture expensive automobiles and that consumers are willing and able to buy them. Yet there is so much that I despise about the televised ad campaigns depicting youthful upper middle-class people surprising their loved ones with a red bow-topped luxury car in the driveway on Christmas morn. Every year, my angst grows toward these commercials. And today the Washington Times reports how real people participate in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, My Life, Random and Miscellaneous

12/19/2005 By Ben Leave a Comment

Drawing the Lines on Christmas

Cal Thomas is the closest to a modern-day, old-style Christian prophet that can be found anywhere in American news pages. His recent column on the kerfuffle over public celebrations of the Christmas holiday is a must-read for every believer. While you don't have to agree with every conclusion, he makes an excellent point: The effort by some cable TV hosts and ministers to force commercial establishments into wishing everyone a "Merry Christmas" might be more objectionable to the One who is the reason for the season than the "Happy Holidays" mantra required by some store managers. I have never understood why so many Christians feel the need to see and hear "Merry Christmas" proclaimed to them at stores by people who may not believe … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General

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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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Completing the Blogroll

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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

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To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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