Father's Day Oxymoron - Denver Post and the Truth

Fathers Day Oxy Moron: Denver Post and the Truth

Greetings!

I was amazed on the campaign trail at how many conservatives stated that they did not get the Denver Post. The numbers increased after the election and we saw Mike Litwin moved to the editorial section away from where at least some truth is to be printed in the main news sections. I stopped reading the op-ed section a few years ago because I got so upset at what I would read there. Like a moth to a flame I started reading it again during the race and still do. I guess I finally learned to calm down before I started reading it and now take most of it for its true value...opinion.

Greg Moore, editor of the Post, wisely placed his article entitled "Being Fair While Pursuing The Truth" in the op-ed section this week. He writes of his paper's double standard for truth when it comes to a Denver Democrat for Mayor and well, those of us who aren't. His most laughable comment regarding their coverage of the allegations surrounding Michael Hancock was, "there was strong agreement that rather than lobbing the allegation like a grenade into the Denver mayors race four days before the polls closed, we had an obligation to make every effort to authenticate the documents...." He then discusses a concept conservatives and he must differ on; that being the Post's "standards for publication".

Here was the standard for publication I was afforded regarding my "undercover" work while a police officer over 25 years ago during our campaign. Tim Hoover of the Post calls me and advised me that he could not get Nate, my media specialist, on the phone and he was going to print with the article TOMORROW and I could answer some questions but he was printing it either way. He had made a couple of phone calls and had made his mind up what he was going to print with little concern for truth or "standards for publication". I suspect the level of standards offered me were similar to those offered Scott McInnis. Perhaps Scott got a little more consideration given his time of service to our state. The standard was barely above that of bloggers who print any rumor they heard between tokes in mom's basement.

Let me state clearly, this is not about who I felt should or should not have won the mayor's race, or about timeliness of reporting. It is about the blatant protection of liberals in your paper versus the over exposed and poorly performed reporting around conservatives. While Hoover shot from the hip after a couple of phone calls and pressure to print, a real reporter from the AP went to Liberal, Kansas and got the facts and the truth below the superficial work done by Hoover. Your coddling of Mr. Hancock is an embarrassment to your "standards for publication". In layman's terms, permit me to quote one my favorite lines from The Outlaw Josey Wales, "Senator don't p#%% down my back and tell me it's rainin'."

During the campaign you once mentioned to me that we should have a meeting. I regret that meeting never took place as I am sure you are a fine man and I would have enjoyed it. Let's just make sure the next time you want to apply your "standards for publication" that you apply them, or maybe even close to, equally.

A Father's Day Reflection: What kind of men we need and where anger comes from.

As I listened and read the below during service this AM I was searching out the words of wisdom that I could gain as a father. Our pastor correctly advised that these traits were certainly applicable for all men and that we not only need these kind of men leading our families, but also our communities and our country.

The statistics are clear about fatherless children. Fatherless girls are much more likely to have children as teens and out of wedlock. They are more likely to have psychological issues and divorce. Fatherless young men are much more likely to be the fathers of those above, end up in jail, and divorce.

Psalm 112

Praise God. Blessed is the man that fears God, That delights greatly in his commandments.

His seed shall be mighty upon earth: The generation of the upright shall be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house; And his righteousness endures for ever.

Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness: He is gracious, and merciful, and righteous.

Well is it with the man that deals graciously and lends; He shall maintain his cause in judgment.

For he shall never be moved; The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.

He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: His heart is fixed, trusting in Jehovah.

His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, Until he see his desire upon his adversaries.

He hath dispersed, he hath given to the needy; His righteousness endures for ever: His horn shall be exalted with honor.

The wicked shall see it, and be angry; He shall gnash his teeth, and melt away: The desire of the wicked shall perish.

Our real father has given us the manual for being the kind of men and fathers we need to be. The above is just a fraction of all the great advise that exists.

What struck me was the final sentence. It reveals that when men strive for and start to engrain and reflect the above traits and then attempt to apply them in their lives "the wicked shall see it and be angry". So as we strive to become better at being fathers and men after God's heart we will naturally be confronted with anger, bitterness, and opposition.

Let's strive for the first 9 above and stay above number 10. For those of you reading this who can't wait to criticize it in your liberal or faithless blogs I challenge you to raise the bar on the dialogue.

Update on Running With Out Cowboy Boots

I just wanted to write a little book about my campaign and get it out to my supporters. I am surprised by the interest from the media and others about it. I still think the truth is sought by many and I hope this first person story will serve to enlighten those on all sides of the issue. What happened in 2010 effected the entire state of Colorado, not just Republicans.

The publisher has my first draft in copy editing and will return their edited version by months end for my review. We anticipate its release by the end of July. Maybe some can get it for that vacation read before school starts. Thank you all for your great interest in it! I look forward to getting you a signed copy. For some you will read it over and over as a manual, and for others you just might use it for your comedy book club. As long as you use it!!

A belated Fathers Day to many of you. The role of father is the most important role I think we shall ever play.

Sincerely,

Dan Maes

What a joy it was to bring happiness and pride to my children at the state assembly. It was an honor to be a father that day.