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.

By Leave a Comment

Redesigned April Survey of Colorado’s Political Temperature Coming Soon

For the two or three of you who might be wondering, a quick update on the Survey of Colorado's Political Temperature. Yes, the original plan was to launch the April edition today. But I and others have been busy, and -- more importantly -- the survey is undergoing a formal re-design to make it sleeker, quicker and easier to take, and more accessible to a wider audience, while retaining its basic substance. Look for the survey to be available all next week in a brand new venue. Thanks for your interest in Colorado politics. … [Read more...]

By 2 Comments

Nip Bad Elections Bill in the Bud

How many truly bad ideas can come up in the course of one Colorado legislative session? More than you may think (or maybe not). The latest hasn't even been formally introduced yet, but the backlash has grown strong. Fox31 News reports on a proposal that would open up Colorado's election system to fraud and abuse:The 68-page draft bill, likely to be sponsored by House Speaker Terrance Carroll, D- Denver, and introduced later this week, would allow Colorado voters to register just three days before the 2010 election. Currently, Coloradans must register to vote up until 29 days before an election. Carroll says allowing a longer registration period will open the door to greater voter turnout. But Republicans see it as a blatant attempt to … [Read more...]

By 2 Comments

Don’t Be Surprised by Michael Bennet’s Decision to Petition onto Ballot

Our incumbent U.S. Senator Michael Bennet stunned some in the political world with the announcement that he would seek to petition onto the ballot in addition to go through the Democratic Party's assembly process. Fellow RMAer Don Johnson hypothesizes about Bennet's strategery, based on the luxury of his heavily-bankrolled campaign. But should we be surprised at such an extra-cautious strategy from the junior Senator who last year boldly blurted that he would vote for heavily unpopular Obama Care even if it cost him his appointed job? No, not really. Michael Bennet after all is an elected official known for more than a year of legendary indecision on the union card-check bill (unless you count his vote for the Craig Becker NLRB … [Read more...]

By 2 Comments

Easter: He Is Risen

Luke 24:1-9 1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; 5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? 6 "He is not here, but He has risen Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise … [Read more...]

By 2 Comments

Good Friday

Meditations for Good Friday: Luke 23:44-47 44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT." Having said this, He breathed His last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, "Certainly this man was innocent." … [Read more...]

By Leave a Comment

Tea Party Express Rolls into Colorado

If you're in Colorado, the place to be today is at one of the Tea Party Express rallies rolling through our state: Grand Junction -- Date/Time: Wednesday, March 31st at 10:00 am Rally Location: 1301 East Sherwood Drive Grand Junction, CO Denver -- Date/Time: Wednesday, March 31st at 4:00 pm Rally Location: West steps of the State Capitol 200 E Colfax Ave Denver, CO 80203 It will be interesting to see what sort of turnout the national group will draw compared to some of the recent and upcoming events sponsored by local Tea Party groups. Look for coverage of the Denver event later on the People's Press Collective. … [Read more...]

By Leave a Comment

Whoops, Bad Idea: Leaving Elmer Hicks in Charge of Colo. Democrat Funds

Democrats' utter lack of fiscal responsibility with our tax dollars -- which makes the hypocritical excesses of Republicans in the Bush-era Congress look downright measly -- has become a byword, the stuff of legend. So I guess it's not a huge surprise to see a Colorado Democratic official with a heavily irresponsible fiscal track record mismanaging the party's own funds, too. CBS4 Denver has the video scoop on recently resigned state Democratic Party treasurer Elmer "Butch" Hicks -- a man with a laundry list history of bounced checks, garnished wages, bankruptcy and bad debt -- and the Adams County sheriff's investigation into missing party funds. Adams County Democrat Chairman Marty Wisniewski said he "didn't know" about Hicks' … [Read more...]

By 3 Comments

Taxpayers for Liberty Update: Can You Hear the Tumbleweeds a-Blowin’?

I promised that I would continue to follow up on the story of the secretive Taxpayers for Liberty (TFL) and its reportedly underhanded tactics in Colorado's U.S. Senate race. For review: Taxpayers for Liberty: Who Is This Group Playing in the U.S. Senate Race? Time to Denounce Taxpayers for Liberty: Sleazy Tactics & Shadowy Group Taxpayers for Liberty Update: Larimer County's Sue Rehg Tells Her Story After my initial investigation, the group sent out a press release to declare it was now active in other states, for the first time providing contact information other than a Denver P.O. Box to reach their executive director Andrew O'Neill -- who we at least confirmed was not a registered voter here in Colorado. I decided to give … [Read more...]

By 5 Comments

Of Recent Lang Sias Endorsements, John McCain, and Poor Voting Histories

Brace yourselves for my "usual thousand words".... Today Lynn Bartels reports that former Congressman Tom Tancredo has thrown his support behind Lang Sias in Colorado's 7th CD Republican primary. Quoting from the press release:In his remarks, Tancredo said of Sias, “Lang will be a great conservative voice in Washington. We talked at length about every issue under the sun - particularly the economy and national security – and he proved himself to be very well-versed and knowledgeable. When you listen to him relate his military background, his experience working with small Colorado businesses and his awareness of international issues, you really get the sense this guy is running for the right reasons.” “Not to mention," continued … [Read more...]