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RtB News & Opinion

Weekly Email 1/19/26
This stunning photo was taken by our friend Mike Melneck at Rifle Falls State Park. (Photo credit M J Melneck, 2026) Your Monday Update from RTB: Venezuela You would be hard-pressed to find someone who is not happy that President Maduro has been ousted. However, in these early days, we at RTB have many questions. Is this a violation of international law? Does the president have the unilateral power to remove a foreign head of state, and if so, what happens next? We do not ha
Anja Sophia Crooks
37 minutes ago3 min read
Weekly Email 1/12/26
Do You Believe in the Rule of Law? What is Extremism? "Extremism" is a highly subjective and pejorative term that we generally prefer to avoid when referring to political behavior. As it has been said by people of goodwill: "The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the good". But in some cases, there are examples of extreme behavior that we believe need to be addressed because they have a direct impact on our lives in Western Colorado. One such example is from Donald
Anja Sophia Crooks
1 hour ago3 min read
RTB - What is "Extremism?"
"Extremism" is a highly subjective, pejorative term that we generally like to avoid when referring to political behavior. As it has been said by people of goodwill, "The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the good." But in some cases, there are examples of extreme behavior that we believe need to be addressed because they have a direct impact on our lives in Western Colorado. One such example is from Donald Trump, President of the United States, in a statement he
Anja Sophia Crooks
Jan 62 min read
Restore the Balance Invites all to Combat Extremism
By Dave Murphy, Chair, Board of Directors, Restore the Balance Originally published in The Daily Sentinel, October 29, 2025 In his column published in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel on Oct. 18, Timothy King makes several points. He notes that some online reactions to Charlie Kirk’s murder along with other instances of hate speech that celebrate violence are deeply concerning and should be condemned. He goes on to state that leaders who dehumanize others contribute to a po
Anja Sophia Crooks
Oct 29, 20252 min read
RTB sent the following statement to its members following the events in Utah this past week...
At Restore the Balance, we were shocked and dismayed by the news of the political assassination of Charlie Kirk. We reject political...
Anja Sophia Crooks
Sep 13, 20251 min read


Anja Sophia Crooks
Sep 12, 20250 min read
Big Law Recruited Me, Celebrated Me, Then Fired Me
Do you think you’re able to speak up about anything that’s troubling because you’re an American citizen, or because you’re educated, or...
Anja Sophia Crooks
Aug 26, 20253 min read
Cruelty as a Political Feature, Not a Bug
By Eric Sondermann As first published in Colorado Politics, the Denver Gazette, and Colorado Springs Gazette. We’re proud to share this...
Anja Sophia Crooks
Aug 2, 20254 min read
The elephant in the room - Riecke Claussen
We couldn’t agree more with this thoughtful piece by former Mesa County Sheriff Riecke Claussen in today’s Daily Sentinel. In a time when...
Anja Sophia Crooks
Jul 30, 20251 min read


Anja Sophia Crooks
Jul 23, 20250 min read


Do I Love America?
RTB folks: As we start our 250th year of independence, we are inundated by news of what’s at risk, what’s not working, and what to gripe...
Anja Sophia Crooks
Jul 9, 20251 min read


Anja Sophia Crooks
Jul 3, 20250 min read
Hope, Resistance, and 3,000 Voices: No Kings Day Reflections
RTB Supporters, Many of you joined us at the No Kings Day protest at Canyon View Park on Saturday, June 14, and your presence mattered!...
Anja Sophia Crooks
Jun 17, 20252 min read


Anja Sophia Crooks
Jun 9, 20250 min read


Letters to the Editor
Originally published in the Sentinel on June 4, 2025.

Restore the Balance
Jun 5, 20251 min read


Join Us to Stand With Veterans – June 6, 2025
On this upcoming June 6, show your support for those who’ve served by joining the Stand With Veterans community event. Gathering at 5 PM...

Restore the Balance
Jun 2, 20251 min read


Town Hall with Rick Taggart
Dear Supporters, At times RTB is notified of opportunities to gain information on topics of interest. The Town Hall below is hosted by...
Kaci Cole
May 5, 20251 min read


2025 Spring Gathering
Elections have consequences. America is learning the truth of that statement as we witness the upending of normalcy with the Trump...
Kaci Cole
Apr 29, 20251 min read


Justice for Me, Not for Thee
Justice for me, not for thee: why one person's denial of due process should worry every American.
Betsy Longenecker
Apr 18, 20253 min read


Kip Koso, Shirley Gonzales and Jessika Buell win election to Durango City Council
Half-cent sales tax passes with strong voter support By Christian Burney Herald Staff Writer Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 7:47 PM Updated...

Restore the Balance
Apr 4, 20255 min read
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