But Some in Party Bristle At Secrecy and Liberal Tilt

By Jim VandeHei and Chris Cillizza
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, July 17, 2006; A01

      An alliance of nearly a hundred of the nation's wealthiest donors is roiling Democratic political circles, directing more than $50 million in the past nine months to liberal think tanks and advocacy groups in what organizers say is the first installment of a long-term campaign to compete more aggressively against conservatives.

      A year after its founding, Democracy Alliance has followed up on its pledge to become a major power in the liberal movement. It has lavished millions on groups that have been willing to submit to its extensive screening process and its demands for secrecy.

Grand Junction Daily Sentinel Editorial

4/9/07

      Navy SEAL Danny Dietz died on June 28, 2005 in Afghanistan, fighting off dozens of Taliban. For his heroic efforts that day he was awarded the Navy Cross, the country’s second highest military honor.

      In his hometown of Littleton, they want to honor him with a statue in Berry Park, a beautiful bronze taken from the last picture taken of Dietz. He’s crouching, holding his Rifle on one knee.

      The memorial to Dietz, scheduled to be unveiled July 4, would join thousands of other memorials to fallen service men and women around the nation — a community’s small tribute to one of its own.

Legislators break faith with gun owners

Colorado Springs Gazette Editorial

4/8/07

      Once a cop, always a cop, apparently. State Sen. John Morse, the former police chief of Fountain, says he was taught at Colorado Springs Police Academy “that every fight you get into will be a gunfight because you bring a gun to the fight.” And that’s why police agencies need access to a permanent statewide database of concealed carry permit holders, as a bill (HB-1174) that narrowly passed the state Senate last week will allow. “It’s the same thing with concealed-weapon owners,” Morse told The Gazette. “Every fight they get into is a gunfight.”
       The Democrat’s second assertion is absolute baloney, unless Morse can point to a flurry of cases in which permit holders gunned people down at the drop of a hat. It just doesn’t happen, in spite of what the anti-gun lobby says. It seems Morse is looking to legislate a solution to a non-problem.

Critics of statue miss the point

Rocky Mountain News Editorial

4/7/07

By any definition, Petty Officer Danny Dietz of Littleton is a hero. The Navy SEAL, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2005, was awarded the Navy Cross - which ranks second only to the Medal of Honor.

He has certainly earned a prominent and lasting memorial to acknowledge his service, a memorial the Littleton City Council authorized last year.