Join John Rush in this thought-provoking episode as he explores the multifaceted discussion surrounding lab-grown meat. Coming from a familial understanding of agriculture's past, Rush examines the modern push and pull between technological innovation and the preservation of traditional farming. With contributions from various stakeholders, including those from financial advising sectors and the meat industry, this episode promises a balanced view on consumer choice, regulatory concerns, and the essence of food sovereignty in America.
SPEAKER 07 :
This is Rush to Reason.
SPEAKER 09 :
You are going to shut your damn yapper and listen for a change because I got you pegged, sweetheart. You want to take the easy way out because you're scared. And you're scared because if you try and fail, there's only you to blame. Let me break this down for you. Life is scary. Get used to it. There are no magical fixes.
SPEAKER 07 :
With your host, John Rush.
SPEAKER 09 :
My advice to you is to do what your parents did. Get a job first.
SPEAKER 22 :
You haven't made everybody equal. You've made them the same and there's a big difference.
SPEAKER 15 :
Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life. That there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there. It is this feeling that has brought you to me.
SPEAKER 22 :
Are you crazy? Am I? Or am I so sane that you just blew your mind?
SPEAKER 12 :
It's Rush to Reason with your host, John Rush, presented by Cub Creek Heating and Air Conditioning.
SPEAKER 14 :
All right, we are back. Hour number two, Rush to Reason, Denver's Afternoon Rush, KLZ 560. Always have a great hour with Dr. Kelly Victory and Steve House, which we did, which I always appreciate them greatly. Question of the day. Yesterday's question was, name the only planet that was named after a Greek god. The answer is Uranus. And the impossible question of today is, what was the first branded car company in the United States? And believe it or not, I wouldn't have gotten this one correct. I would have no idea. So what was the first branded car company in the U.S.? And reason being is because at one time, early on, when cars were first getting to come up into production and so on, and more and more people starting to to own them when they first started coming out there was a gazillion car companies there wasn't just you know the big three or the big five or even the big 15. i want to say there were hundreds early on i'd have to go back and look but there were a lot so to remember all of them would i just i sorry i don't don't have that in this particular answer i would not have now last hour we talked to dr kelly and steve housing we got to talking about meat and steaks and different things along those lines and Lo and behold, I had a topic to talk about today in this first hour, which my son and I were talking about earlier today. And I'm going to play this first. But this is John Stahls. And I typically agree with John on most things. I think he's pretty level-headed for the most part. There's a few things he can get off on that I don't know that I completely agree. agree with him on. And this happens to be one of those. And I'll play this and explain afterwards why I disagree with John Stossel on this. So let me get my sound up, Charlie, really quick to hang on. I got to make sure that my settings on my sound are correct, guys, so that it doesn't sound odd. Let me make sure that I'm all dialed in. I am. Okay, so here we go, Charlie. I'm going to hit play.
SPEAKER 13 :
Lab-grown meat has arrived in this country. Would you ever eat lab-grown meat? Lab-grown meat?
SPEAKER 10 :
What's that? I thought this was meat, or this, or this. But no, I'm wrong to assume that. Meat is now being grown in labs. To make it, they use a syringe to pull tissue out of an animal.
SPEAKER 04 :
The tissue is cut into minuscule pieces to separate the muscle fibers and cells. the cells start dividing. When all these little pieces of muscle are layered together, we get exactly the same thing we started with, beef.
SPEAKER 10 :
But is it safe? Well, U.S. regulators have approved it. Two cultivated meat producers now getting the green light to begin commercially selling their chicken. Take your fake lab-grown meat elsewhere.
SPEAKER 11 :
We're not doing that in the state of Florida. Florida and Alabama quickly outlawed lab-grown meat. And we appreciate that ban. Bill Ballard lobbies for cattlemen. It's a recognition of the importance of preserving the family farm structure of agriculture in the United States. And if it weren't for Alabama and Florida doing it, then the meat packers would have the ability to pass it off to unsuspecting consumers as if it were indeed a meat product, which it is not. They don't conceal it. They say this is cultivated meat. It is, but they haven't told the public exactly what's in it. They pull it out of the animal and grow it in the lab.
SPEAKER 10 :
It's still the same source. But not produced in the same manner.
SPEAKER 01 :
How do you grow meat in the lab?
SPEAKER 10 :
Some activists oppose it too, making videos like this.
SPEAKER 01 :
You use something called immortalized cells, meaning they grow like a tumor. Wanna taste it? I think I'll pass.
SPEAKER 10 :
Now lobbyists are persuading politicians in other states to ban lab-grown meat.
SPEAKER 12 :
Lab-grown meat has no place in Nebraska. That's according to Governor Pillen.
SPEAKER 10 :
But wait, why do politicians get to decide for everyone? I got a producer of lab-grown chicken to let me try some. Their employees sauteed it, and I tried it.
SPEAKER 17 :
This is what Florida banned, and we view it as 99% chicken.
SPEAKER 10 :
Melissa Musiker works for Upside Foods, one of two companies producing lab-grown chicken. Upside sued Florida over its ban. One of these is chicken, and another is lab-grown chicken. I offered people a taste of what Florida's agriculture commissioner calls Frankenmeat versus chicken we bought at Whole Foods.
SPEAKER 04 :
They're both really good. I think that one's lab-grown. Bingo.
SPEAKER 10 :
People correctly guessed which was which. That's the real one, and that's the lab-grown.
SPEAKER 16 :
This one is juicier. I assume this is the lab-grown one?
SPEAKER 10 :
It was. People liked the lab-grown chicken. That's much juicier. This is moist and tasty. Although everyone in our test could tell the difference, in this taste test of a different lab-grown chicken, this food critic couldn't.
SPEAKER 02 :
I was so sure that this is the real chicken.
SPEAKER 10 :
All this raises the question, why not let us consumers decide? Why are you...
SPEAKER 11 :
bribing politicians to ban it. The government has a legitimate role in ensuring that we have an abundant and affordable and safe food supply. You can't say that about this lab-grown meat. Lab-grown beef would make the food supply more secure because you'd have another choice. You should not be able to make that decision when you know that the decision will have the effect of threatening the viability of our food production. You could have said this about horse-drawn carriages years ago. Ban cars. There are sacrifices to be made with progress, but one sacrifice we cannot make is the ability to maintain a viable food production system. I don't buy his logic.
SPEAKER 10 :
Allowing an extra option would make our food supply more resistant to disruption.
SPEAKER 17 :
We can make millions, the equivalent of millions of chickens, and we only produce the edible product of the chickens. There's no beaks, there's no feet, there's no feathers.
SPEAKER 10 :
And no animals are killed.
SPEAKER 13 :
Chicken meat production is sadly a story of suffering.
SPEAKER 17 :
That's one reason a lot of people eschew eating animal protein and they say, I don't want to eat that anymore because it makes me feel uncomfortable. This can be a really attractive product for people like them because this is a way for them to say, like literally vote with their plate.
SPEAKER 10 :
Would you buy laboratory grown food? Yeah, I liked it. We should have the freedom to vote with our dollars, decide for ourselves if lab grown meat or lab grown anything is something we want. Maybe we won't like it. Then we won't buy it. But it's wrong when politicians forbid us to try something.
SPEAKER 14 :
All right, so while I agree with him that politicians shouldn't disallow us from doing certain things, I do think that it is the proper role of government, especially when it comes to our food supply and the food chain we have in this country. And this is a lot of what's being talked about right now in regards to the Maha movement, getting rid of some of the food dyes and other things that are actually in our food today that even other countries don't allow. I do think it's the proper role of government. because we no longer all live on the farm. At one point in time, government really didn't need to be involved in a whole lot of things food production wise because the reality is everybody grew their own. You grew up on a farm. You grew your own whatever. And whatever you didn't grow, you typically had some sort of a co-op or a bartering system whereby if you didn't have X and you needed Y, you traded X for Y. And that's how the system worked for Charlie literally thousands of years. Correct? Am I right? That's what the markets were. that would start in any particular area, town, county, whatever, a lot of that was where people could go and trade their goods for other goods that they didn't have. So maybe you were somebody that raised a lot of cattle, but you wanted bacon, and you didn't raise pork. Now, most farmers probably had a variety of animals, but you get my drift as to where I'm going with that. Maybe there was something you needed. that you didn't have or maybe you were really good at being handy you weren't much of a farmer but you could help all of the farmers in regards to the building of certain things and so on and you would come to market with your things anyways you guys get the drift there was a lot of bartering and things that would happen back in the day and and everybody handled their own food in that way because we didn't have the population that we have now and you didn't have to mass produce food the way we do today to feed quote-unquote the masses so i've got more to talk about on that i gotta take a break though we'll come back and do that really quick though something else i learned today which i did not know and charlie charlie i don't think you know this this would have been a good question of the day but i'm going to tell everybody anyways do you realize that one chicken produces enough eggs in a year's time to satisfy each one or to satisfy one individual's needs. So it's the way they do the math on how many chickens we need across the country is if everybody is eating eggs, you would need one chicken per person to meet the demand of that person throughout the year. Did you know that, Charlie, that it's just one chicken? In other words, that chicken lays enough eggs. The average person eats like 250-some eggs a year roughly, and that chicken will produce roughly that amount. So it's one chicken per person producing enough laying eggs. to satisfy that one person's needs. So if you've got, you know, 300 million people that are eating eggs because we don't, you know, toddlers, you know, kids don't eat eggs, but you get where I'm going with that. At the end of the day, that's the math. So just a side note. Up next, we've got Golden Eagle Financial, and Al's done a great interview of late where you can learn more about what he actually does. If you want to give a call to Al directly, please do so. You can find him at klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 03 :
Al Smith from Golden Eagle Financial and the show you love, Retirement Unpacked, is here with me. How are you today, Al? I'm doing great. How are you, TJ? I'm doing great as well. I have a couple questions for you. As a financial advisor, do you also do taxes?
SPEAKER 18 :
No, I don't prepare my clients' taxes. I do, however, spend a lot of time talking to them about taxes. To use a sports analogy, tax preparation is like doing a recap of the game. What I do is more like creating a game plan and then following up over time to see how it's working.
SPEAKER 03 :
And how much are taxes a part of that game plan that you create?
SPEAKER 18 :
Well, with so many different taxes we're faced with, it becomes an important thing to take into consideration. It's not how much income you have, but how much you get to keep. In addition to federal and state income taxes, there's property taxes, state and local sales tax, and fees. And they all play a part in shrinking our income.
SPEAKER 03 :
What about people who already have really healthy balances in 401ks, IRAs? Won't they be facing significant taxes as they draw income from those accounts?
SPEAKER 18 :
Well, it depends. Everybody's situation's a little bit different. There's no one size that fits all when it comes to tax planning. But often when I work with people, we'll create a strategy where we will convert traditional IRAs to Roth over time. And that not only reduces taxes in the future, but it will also lower the tax they'll be paying on their Social Security.
SPEAKER 03 :
Is that kind of strategy really only for the wealthy?
SPEAKER 18 :
Not at all. Many of my clients who have modest IRAs have chosen to convert to Roth over time. They enjoy the freedom of having a tax-free nest egg that they can access on their own timeline rather than an RMD schedule.
SPEAKER 03 :
Well, that is excellent. And how can people reach you if they want to learn about their own taxation in retirement?
SPEAKER 18 :
You can reach me through KLZ or contact my office at 303-744-1128. And when you call, I'll provide you with a summary of all the tax changes for 2025.
SPEAKER 03 :
You heard it here, folks. Good things from Golden Eagle Financial and Al Smith. Again, you can reach them at 303-744-1128 or just find them on the advertisers page at klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 19 :
Investment advisory services offered through Brookstone Capital Management, LLC. A registered investment advisor. Putting reason into your afternoon drive, this is John Rush.
SPEAKER 14 :
All right, and before I go to Joe, the other thing, too, that I was going to add to the whole lab-grown meat and all of that, and my bigger concern outside of what John Stossel has is while I do believe people should have the choice to choose with their pocketbook what they do, my concern with lab-grown meat is who's going to be the one outside of government to determine what all they're putting in that? We already have concerns today of what goes into some of our food supply as is, i.e., what's being injected into a cow, a pig, a lamb, a chicken, and on down the line we go. And we've got good regulations on a lot of that. On the lab-grown side, who's going to be the ones testing to see exactly what's going in and or what potentially, because I don't trust government, sorry I don't, what potentially could government slip in to lab-grown meat that would then have an effect upon us as citizens? That's my bigger concern with the lab-grown meat outside of what John Stossel is talking about in regards to choice. Joe, go ahead.
SPEAKER 06 :
John, just some context. When you say back in the day there was bartering issues, Well, I don't know if a lot of people might think back in the day was 1920, 1910. When I used to work at my grandparents' cattle ranch in the summers in the late 60s and early 70s, there was a thriving barter business. Now, we raised black Angus beef, USDA prime. Now, we also had two dairy cattle because we milked our own cows. We had our own milk. We made our own buttercream. But up and down our road, we had a poultry farm. where we would get eggs and chicken from. We had a pig farmer. By the way, we also grew our own corn, our own potatoes, you know, our own carrots. Right. So we were, on our road, we were literally self-sufficient. And Barter, so if we needed, you know, two dozen eggs, you know, my grandmother would say, you know, and by the way, and we would, whether it be steaks or hamburger, and we would freeze a lot of our hamburger, she would say, you know, grab five pounds of hamburger meat and go up the road to Jack's Place and get us two dozen eggs, and I'd drop off five pounds of hamburger and come back with two dozen eggs. We would trade, even, Stephen, we would trade pork for beef with the pig farmer. So it was not ancient history, and I believe, John, to this day, it's still in some very rural places in this country. You get out over Iowa and Nebraska. You are 20 miles from the nearest grocery store. And I have to believe, I don't know for a fact, but I have to believe that sort of bartering is still going on.
SPEAKER 14 :
You know, it probably is, although I will tell you, Joe, that I think even in, because I know a lot of farmers in that today, they are not doing even what you are doing, mainly because there's not a lot of small farmers left. As you know, if you're going to stay in farming and actually do it for a living, you're not doing it on a small scale any longer. You can't afford to.
SPEAKER 06 :
Yeah, you're correct. It used to be, like our next-door neighbor, he had a herd of dairy cows, and he had maybe 100 head of dairy cow. You know, today you're doing, you know, you need at least 500 heads to justify the automated milking machines, you know, where they come in, the cows don't even get touched there. Literally, a cow will get milked without being touched by a human being. But the equipment to do that is outrageously expensive. So you can't do it. You can't afford to put that sort of a technology in for 100 head of cows.
SPEAKER 14 :
Got it. Yep, you're exactly right. And Joe's going to join us again at 5 o'clock. So, Joe, we'll talk more then.
SPEAKER 06 :
All right. Talk to you then, Joe.
SPEAKER 14 :
And don't get me wrong. I think there are still parts of the country. You go to where some of Pennsylvania, where the Amish are and so on. There's still a lot of bartering and things like that that happen in some of those areas. But my point with the whole keeping the food supply solid is, is that a proper role of government? Yes, I believe it is, because when you if. You take that away. I'm having a conversation with somebody right now texting about our meat supply and our feed and what gets fed to cows and so on, and I can just tell you straight up that one of the misnomers, one of the things that's out there that even at times I want to try to correct some of my guests on, but I don't because I don't want to get into a big argument because what people think and what's really reality can be two different things. I can tell you from knowing farmers and how things work when it comes to the feed that we actually feed our cows with. When they go to the feedlot and you finish them off with grain after they've been out in grazing and so on, I will tell you that it's a lot more regulated than most people understand or think. And a lot of what even is considered to be chemicals on food isn't quite the same way as what most people think it is and i will get a farmer on at some point i've been working on that and i will actually get somebody in that can actually talk about that more specifically because it's not quite what everybody's been told or what even the news media and some quote-unquote dietitians will tell you and i'll just tell you that straight up it's not quite what everybody else what everybody out there believes and Because there's been so much misinformation along those lines that's been given over the years. But back to the lab-grown meat. And maybe it tastes the same. Maybe it even has the same texture and all of that. Again, my biggest concern with anything that's lab-grown, a couple of things. Number one, and I agree with the guy from the Cattlemen's Association. A, if you do something along those lines, what are you really doing to protect animals? our beef growers that are in the United States of America. We've already screwed that up with the lack of tariffs. Hopefully we're getting some of that back because the reality is we grow a lot less beef today than what we used to because of the imports we're allowing into our country along those lines. So, yes, I do believe we need to keep track of and protect our own ranchers and farmers as much as we possibly can. I'm very big on that. Yes, that is one of, in my opinion, one of the proper roles of government when it comes to what we do inside of the walls of our country. Number two, on the lab-grown sides of things, again, like I said earlier, I don't trust government. I just don't. I don't trust them to get in bed with a whack-a-doodle billionaire that wants to go ahead and change the outcome of a particular population, if you would. and be able to feed things into that lab-grown meat that you then would consume, and who knows what that would actually do to you at the end of the day. I'm not a fan of that. I'm sorry. I'm just not a fan of the lab-grown, specially meat on that end of things. And lastly, not that I'm a greenie by any stretch of the imagination, But I will tell you right now that those labs and what they're doing there will most likely, pound for pound, have the equivalency, if not more, as far as its carbon, quote unquote, carbon footprint will most likely be larger than what it would be if you actually were feeding those animals. And I don't think I'm exaggerating, you know. You can go look at lab-grown diamonds, for example, and look at what they actually take to create, and they are far worse on the environment than actually mining the actual diamonds themselves when it's all said and done. That's something else most people don't realize, but those are some of the things that nobody's talking about when it comes to the lab-grown whatever. Go ahead, John.
SPEAKER 08 :
Hey, so on the lab-grown meat, you know, is there enough research to know how it would affect people long-term? You know... that's a big thing because there's a lot of stuff out there that's just coming out on the market. And, you know, Dr. Kelly and you and Steve have been talking about it for five years. How much research went into the COVID vaccine before they pumped it into everybody?
SPEAKER 14 :
Good point. Good point.
SPEAKER 08 :
You don't know what this would have grown me. Now, for me, I'd probably try it unless they named it Soylent Green because then I'd have a problem. Yeah. Because you remember what soil and green was.
SPEAKER 14 :
I do. I do.
SPEAKER 08 :
And you don't, you know, at first they're saying it's made from beef, but what if it's other things? You don't know, you know.
SPEAKER 14 :
Correct.
SPEAKER 08 :
That's always my thing. And it's the same thing. You hear all these people that are just for the same thing. There's not enough statistics yet that are taking these semi-glutide shots yet. It hasn't been around long enough to really have a study to say it's not going to kill you. It's not going to give you other issues.
SPEAKER 14 :
And by the way, that one is probably a little, in my opinion, I'm a little less worried about that because if you talk to Dr. Scott, that's more of an insulin regulator, which I'll just tell you straight up, John, if you could get people in this country off of sugar. Their insulin, what they're doing as far as that goes, would change immensely. The problem is all of us, every one of us as Americans, eats far too much sugar, and that's where that particular product then comes into play. I can tell you right now, you wouldn't need those if we got off sugar.
SPEAKER 08 :
Right, but that's the biggest thing. That's what, going back to Dr. Kelly, and she was saying, that's what Dr. Secretary Kennedy wants to do, is get people off of it.
SPEAKER 14 :
I lost you, John. Say that again. I don't know, John. I lost you. Come on back. Dr. Kelly and I lost you at that part. What were you saying?
SPEAKER 08 :
I'm sorry. Secretary Kennedy is trying to do now with getting people to get off the processed food and the sugar and everything. And I know like myself, I'm carb sensitive, but probably more sugar sensitive and processed carbs. If I'm
SPEAKER 14 :
Okay, I lost you at the 15 pounds part. If you were 15 pounds, sorry, we lost you. You're good now, but go ahead and say it again.
SPEAKER 08 :
Oh, you and I both. I'm like you. I'm the same way. I love bread more than sugar, but it turns to sugar, as you know. Yeah. Well, what's been lucky is during COVID, my wife, when she was home, got addicted to homemade and found organic flowers that's enriched. So it doesn't on it. And I'm hoping that's better for me than, you know, what you buy in the grocery store.
SPEAKER 14 :
Gotcha. Gotcha.
SPEAKER 08 :
You know, little things like that. Uh, but it's, Lab-grown meat? I mean, what's next that they're going to make in the lab?
SPEAKER 14 :
Well, yeah, that's a bigger question as well.
SPEAKER 08 :
You know, we make beef, we make chicken, we make pork. Oh, we're going to make lab-grown vegetables now. Well, how are you going to do that? I mean, are they going to... Next thing you know, is it going to be cloning again? We need workers, so we're going to have clones? I don't know. It's scary where the science is going. I'm not... You know, I'm not a Luddite, I'm not anti-science, but we need a little more research before we start giving these things to people. That's my opinion.
SPEAKER 14 :
I agree. I cannot disagree with that at all, John. You are 100% correct. John, have a good day. You too, man. Appreciate you very much, John. And you know what? And I will get my farmer friend on at some point. We've been talking about that now for quite some time. Just have to figure out the logistics of all of that because there are so many wives tales. I'll just say it that way. So many things that get passed down that even a lot of nutritionists are really hung up on. And they feel like, you know, well, this is polluted and that's polluted and this isn't good and that's not good. And the reality is it's not near what some of these folks think. Yes, there is some of that that goes on, no doubt. But I'll get my farmer friend to come on and even talk about certain things along those lines, including, you know, GMO corn and things along those lines that a lot of people will give credit. especially the corn industry, a bad rap on. But the reality is we wouldn't feed the world like we feed them without it. Our yield on a stock of corn today versus what it used to be is second to none. There is no way we would do what we're doing today in that regard without doing something that end of things. And that's a whole conversation of itself. And I'll have my farmer friend come on. It's been very enlightening in talking to him because he gives me a lot of information, frankly, that you don't get anywhere else. And why it's not more talked about and done from that side of the aisle, I don't know. The only reason I can... think of is that farmers are so busy doing what they're doing, trying to produce the things that they do and make a living at the end of the day, that frankly, they just don't have time to run around and talk about these things. But they need to because there's a lot of misconceptions out there along those lines. So Mile High Coin coming up next. And again, as I've said many, many times, if you've got any kind of a collection kicking around, you're wondering what's the value of, how do you turn that into cash? Mile High Coin can help you with all of that. 720-370-3400.
SPEAKER 20 :
People often receive a collection after the passing of a loved one and trusting someone with that collection can be difficult. This is David Gonzalez at Mile High Coin and with 37 years of experience in the precious metals and coin industry, I guarantee that you will be pleased with our process regardless of whether or not you choose to sell your collection. We are highly trusted and highly rated. We will take the time to help you understand what type of collection you have as well as its value. Our goal is to educate you so that you can make an informed decision. At Mile High Coin, we understand the various situations which may have brought you to the place of needing or wanting to sell your collection. I appreciate the importance of right timing, so I will never pressure you to sell. People sell when they're ready to sell. Oftentimes, there are estate planning issues that involve multiple family members and attorneys, and we can provide information needed to assist in that process. A coin or jewelry collection can be a burden, and we are here to simplify something that can be quite complicated. We offer a no-charge, complimentary evaluation and appraisal for all of our KLZ listeners, even if you're not quite ready to liquidate. Call us today at 720-370-3400 or visit our website milehighcoin.com to get more information. We look forward to meeting you and seeing your collection.
SPEAKER 14 :
And a great place to store those coins, collections, whatever it is, if you decide to store those and not turn them into cash, we have got a great way to do that. That's safeboxdeposits.com. They can customize storage to fit whatever you need. And just a standard safe deposit box is $15 a month, and it's way better than the bank from the way it's built to its security to everything about it. Give them a call today, 303-771-8000.
SPEAKER 22 :
Safebox knows you don't trust big government or financial institutions. Safebox is entirely confidential, more reliable, convenient, and secure than any bank or government institution. They never disclose any of your information or even the fact that you own a box to anyone. not even the government, you can trust Safebox. In order to create Safebox, they had to pass a 220-point checklist to become accredited with their insurance company, so you know your belongings are absolutely safe. There is complete anonymity with Safebox, and they have enhanced all security measures and procedures to include the most advanced alarm system available, 24-7 surveillance, and ballistic glass, to name a few. They provide a wide selection of water and fireproof safes in their vault, along with With very affordable pricing, store your jewelry, guns, passports, gold coins, documents, or anything of value to you. They are Better Business Bureau accredited and even accept cash for those who want complete privacy. Know your possessions are safe and confidential by setting up an appointment with Safebox at klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 14 :
All right. Paul Leuenberger, when it comes to things we've even talked about, insurance is a big deal, including for those items that we were talking about a moment ago with not only safe boxes but Mile High Coin. Insure everything you have with Paul Leuenberger today, 303-662-0789.
SPEAKER 13 :
Looking for top-notch home, auto, classic car, and business insurance? Look no further than Paul Leuenberger. Paul is now an insurance broker with access to industry leaders like Hartford, Travelers, Safeco, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Allstate, AIG, Chubb, Pure, Berkeley, Grundy, and Hagerty. Paul has you covered. Paul is also proud to continue his work with American National for all non-property insurance needs as well. Paul Leuenberger now serves Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas with more states on the way. Paul's mission is simple, to connect you with the right coverage at the best value. Are you ready to protect what matters most? Call Paul Leuenberger today at 662-0789. That's 662-0789.
SPEAKER 21 :
Is your office ready for a new copier? Business Equipment Service has you covered. Whether you're a small business or a large corporation, Business Equipment Service has current model Konica Minolta and Canon copiers on sale right now. Our models have very minimal usage at a fraction of the cost of buying new. We stand behind our equipment with a 90-day parts and labor warranty, as well as a one-year or 100,000-page performance warranty. giving you the reliability you need to keep things running smoothly. Right now, get free delivery and installation when you mention this ad. Why choose us? Aside from saving thousands on high-performance copiers, we have lease options starting at $100 per month, we service and supply what we sell, we offer full-service maintenance plans, fast on-site service, and remote support. For over 20 years, Business Equipment Service has helped hundreds of Colorado businesses find affordable, reliable office solutions. Visit us at besofcolorado.com or call 303-825-5664. Live and local, back to Rush to Reason.
SPEAKER 14 :
All right, we are back, and thank you for all the text messages. I must have hit a hot spot there talking about meat, and I know we've got lots and lots of farmers that listen to us because of the reach of our signal, and a lot of you are chiming in, which thank you, and all of you are chiming in with what I'm talking about being spot on, and you appreciate what I'm saying, and yes, there's a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to how certain things are even done. from the raising of cattle and on down the line to the feed that they eat and, and, and, and, and, you know, how farmers produce things, wheat, and on and on we go. So thank you. And by the way, thank all of you farmers for what you do. I do mean that sincerely. There's a lot of you out there that are doing things probably as we speak. I've had people that have called my shows before that are literally in the tractor, the combine, the whatever it is, and they call in with whatever it is they want to talk about while they're actually farming at the same time. And I appreciate all of you that are doing that. I realize how much of a struggle it is in today's world to be a farmer and actually make a profit at the end of the day. So thank you for what you do. A lot of you guys are committed to doing it. Regardless of the money, you do it because you love doing it. And I appreciate that greatly. And any of you out there eating, which we all do, should be saying the same thing to all the farmers that are out there. One of you sent in a picture a moment ago of you must be in the grocery store. because they sent a picture in a moment ago of somebody with their cart full of nothing but processed foods, everything in a box, saying, to your point, do people even know what they're eating? And no, in most cases, they do. By the way, these are the same people that will tell you that that steak you're eating should be grass-fed, should be this, should be that, and yet their entire cart is full of nothing but boxed foods. No, I've seen it. I've watched some of these people be at the meat counter, you know, deciding which one they want to buy, and they look at the rest of their cart thinking, you know what, guy? It don't matter. Buy whatever you want, because I can tell from looking at your cart, it doesn't make a hill of beans bit of difference what you put in there on the meat side. Literally, I think to myself, I don't say that out loud, but I'd like to at times. Literally, I'd like to walk up to somebody and say, you know, I know you're trying to decide between that organic piece of whatever and the regular piece of whatever, but I can tell by the look of your cart, it don't matter. Literally, at the end of the day, it's like the person that has a big meal but has a Diet Coke, thinking they're going to save all of those calories by having the Diet Coke. You're not. Don't. You're better off having the real Coke, as we've talked to many nutritionists, including Dr. Julie, Dr. Kelly, and others, where they will literally say, you know what, if you're going to go that route, just have the Coke. You're better off than all the chemicals that are in the Diet Coke. So at the end of the day, it doesn't matter in some cases. And I will tell you too, straight up, we get a lot of people on that we interview, whether it be on Thursdays or Wednesdays or whatever, when it comes to the whole eating healthy and eating fresh and so on. And I will tell you, it's hard. I will tell you firsthand, it's hard. Because the convenience factor is there, and a lot of us need the convenience. So we take advantage of that convenience, i.e., buying things from a box or something along those lines. Does that make sense? And, again, as much as we all want to eat better, I will tell you that it's hard to do, very hard to do. So not saying you shouldn't, but here's what I say to most people. Actually, all people. Do what works for you. If you can make some lifestyle changes that work for you and you end up being healthier by doing so, absolutely do that. On the same token, do it in a way that works for you. And I do think you need to be more purposeful about some of these things. And that's the biggest thing. Most people, aren't they, just grab whatever's convenient or whatever they're used to or whatever they like or whatever their taste buds like, and off they go. Yes, you do need to make some sacrifice and some changes along those lines if you want to be healthier at the end of the day. You hear Dr. Kelly talk about that all the time. But I also will say that... In my world, if there's a bag of carrots and one says organic and one doesn't, does that bother me? No. I'm liable to buy the one that says non-organic. That's just me. Because at the end of the day, I don't think it makes any difference. Now, I know that goes against all of the quote-unquote nutritionists that are out there running around that we even have on air from time to time. But at the end of the day, I just don't see the value. I'm sorry. avocados. One's organic, one's not. Am I going to buy the one that's not, or the one that is organic because it's twice the money as the one that's not? No, I'll buy the regular avocado. And at the end of the day, not lose an ounce of sleep over that. Doesn't bother me in the least. A side note on avocados... I learned a trick the other day to cutting those up out of a video I watched that I'll give to all of you, and maybe some of you already do this. I didn't. I've never done this. I've done all sorts of things when it comes to cutting an avocado, and Charlie, you probably have. Do you like avocados, Charlie, by the way? Yes. Okay, so you'll enjoy my little trick here. So first things first, once the avocado is ripe, you cut around the outside all the way down to the pit, and then you just sort of take the whole avocado and twist it a little bit, and they come apart, and you have just the pit left. Now, a lot of people will scoop the pit out, scoop the seed out, but really the way to do that is you take a pretty decent strong knife that you've used to cut the avocado with, and you just lay the flat blade and you stick that seed as hard as you can and twist, and the seed comes right out. So that's the first thing you do to get the seed out. At that point, you've got the seed out, there's no mess, there's no fuss. And what most people do is they take a spoon or they'll take a knife and they try to cut through and around and take all of that avocado out, you know, the meat, if you would, out of the shell. And people do that all sorts of funny ways. And I've been one of those in the past that's done exactly the same. So now here's what you do. Take the halves and cut them in half so you have quarters now. Okay, so take with the shell on, you know, with the skin on, cut them into quarters. So take each half that the pit's gone now or the seed's gone. So you cut them in half. You've got the quarters now. Then what you do, and if it's just the right ripeness, which is what you want when you're going to eat an avocado anyways, is all you do is go to one corner, grab the peel, and peel it off. And now you have a really nice quartered avocado with no fuss, no mess. It's all there. You're not losing any of it onto the skin. And do that four times. And then if you really want to get fancy and cut it even further, you can take your quarter slices and even slice those down to where you've got nice slices now. And you can use it however you want to on a sandwich or whatever you want to do. But that's the way I've learned recently within the last couple of weeks. of how to actually cut an avocado and not lose a lot of the meat on the skin because you literally quarter it and then peel the skin off. And maybe some of you have always done that, and you're saying, yeah, John, what a dummy you are. I've been doing that for years. Others of you might be saying, wow, I never knew that. Thanks for the tip. I hope it's the latter, not the prior. Cub Creek Heating and Air Conditioning coming up next. And if you need anything when it comes to HVAC work at all, from the furnace to even the service of changing filters, you name it, maybe you've gotten to a point where you just don't feel like doing that anymore, Cub Creek can do all of that and more. Find them at klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 03 :
Spring maintenance is essential for your heater and air conditioner to run efficiently, and Cub Creek Heating and AC will give you the best price every time. Other companies mark up the equipment and tell you to go with the highest rebates, but Cub Creek will tell you honestly if you should keep what you have or they'll recommend only what you need. They understand that costs have gone up everywhere, and if you do need to replace your unit, Cub Creek is offering a free maintenance agreement for one year, including a checkup and filter changes. This benefit adds tremendous value. By caring for the unit in that first year, you're extending its total life. Cub Creek gives you the best price with the right rebate for your needs. And to pay for it, they offer easy, same-as-cash financing up to 18 months for qualified buyers. Find out more about Rheem Certified Pro Partners Cub Creek and schedule your service at klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 14 :
All right, Michael Bailey, he is our mobile estate planner. He'll come to you. That's why he's mobile, of course. Make sure your estate's in order today. Talk to Michael. Find him at klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 03 :
When it comes to your estate, you really don't want to leave things up to luck. Michael Bailey doesn't rely on chance. He relies on solid, thorough planning and getting to know you as you develop your plan together. That's because a good estate plan isn't about luck. It's about wisdom, preparation, and making sure your family is protected, no matter what. Think about it. When you pass on, will you leave your family to guess what to do with your possessions, investments, and other assets? Or would you want to make those instructions very clear so your family can know your final wishes in detail? That's what an estate plan does. It's not about luck. It's about making sure what you want to happen is followed, your assets are protected, and your family isn't left searching for answers. Rely on solid planning from Michael Bailey, not good luck charms. Find the mobile estate planner Michael Bailey on the klzradio.com advertisers page to make sure your last wishes are followed.
SPEAKER 14 :
All right, Ridgeline Auto Brokers, if you're looking for a new used car or even a new car, they can help you with either one of those. And if there's a car they don't have that you would like, they'll do their best to find that for you as well. RidgelineAutoBrokers.com.
SPEAKER 12 :
Are you in the market for a reliable car that won't break the bank? DriveRadio's sponsor, Ridgeline Auto Brokers, specializes in quality used cars that cost between $15,000 to $25,000, making them a great option for first-time drivers or anyone looking for a good deal. They pride themselves on providing a transparent and hassle-free car buying experience. that's why at ridgeline they never charge a dealer fee plus all vehicles are inspected by legacy automotive a colorado select member and sponsor of drive radio for a limited time they are offering first-time customers the first oil change for only one dollar every car comes with a 30-day warranty with the option to purchase a service contract And at Ridgeline Auto Brokers, there are competitive financing options to fit your budget. If you cannot make it to the dealership in person, there are videos of all Ridgeline cars for sale on their website at RidgelineAutoBrokers.com. Call today at 303-442-4141 to schedule a test drive or visit RidgelineAutoBrokers.com. Ridgeline Auto Brokers, the smartest way to buy a car.
SPEAKER 05 :
Now back to Rush to Reason on KLZ 560.
SPEAKER 14 :
All right, we are back. Rush to Reason, Denver's Afternoon Rush, KLZ 560. Okay, something else I was going to talk about today that just, again, governmentally speaking, makes no sense. This one I just literally had to shake my head. This was an article that I actually saw a social media post, and I went and looked this article up that's in a few different places in town. This particular article is coming out of Westward, but I think there was one in the Denver Post as well. But the city of Denver, their council, has rejected a Suncor contract for asphalt to do road repair, pothole repair, all that kind of stuff inside the city of Denver, citing past air pollution. So they canceled a $25 million contract because they claim that Suncor's pollution is just basically too much, and they're not going to contribute, quote-unquote, to said pollution. So they're not going to buy over the next five years the $25 million contract, $5 million a year. They're not going to buy that from Suncor any longer. And that's for liquid asphalt products and, of course, asphalt to do street maintenance projects and so on. Now, I also did some research and read some commentary on this that basically says that isn't going to change the output of the pollution of that plant one iota. Not going to make one ounce of difference when it's all said and done. But what will make a difference is it's going to cost them an extra $60,000 a year. So it's a tune of about $300,000 over that five years. And they're now going to truck in their product from northern Colorado, which means you've now got all of that pollution from those trucks. Keep in mind, the same pollution happens from producing that product up north versus at Suncor. But on top of that, you're now going to truck it all the way down from northern Colorado. I don't know exactly where the plant's at. I didn't look that up. Don't care. Because Suncor, by the way, is like right next to Denver. You guys all know where the refinery is right off of 270 and Vasquez. I mean, you can't miss it. If you drive by at night, the flame's coming out. You cannot miss it. Even during the day, it's there. But at night, you really can see it from pretty much anywhere in town. Most everybody knows where our refinery's at. That one's a given. So you know where the trucking for that product is going to come from to the city of Denver, city and county of Denver, or in this case, the city of Denver, because it's city council. So you know how far it's getting trucked. Not far is my point, right, Charlie? What, maybe five miles or so? I mean, it's literally right on the edge. You go to the north of the plant, and you're Denver, correct, Charlie? I mean, that's almost where the line is. It's not that far off. So you're not trucking it very far. So now we're going to bring it in from northern Colorado all the way down, most likely either 76 or 85 or a combination of or I-25 or wherever. So you now also have, keep in mind, the wear and tear of those trucks that also have to have maintenance and there's a carbon footprint involving all of that. The traffic that is, yes, added to with those particular trucks coming down. Tires contribute a lot, by the way, to pollution and what even goes into our storm drain. So all of that tire wear on those trucks coming down. And by the way, 18 wheelers that are heavy have a lot more wear and tear on tires even than what your average car does. So all of those things combined. Yet the almighty Denver City Council, all knowing when it comes to the environment, says, yeah, we're just not going to buy from Suncor. What a bunch of dummies. That shows you right there. I say it a lot on this program, and I continue to solidify my own thoughts on how stupid politicians are. I don't know any other word to use for it. It's absolute, utter stupidity in what Denver City Council just did in regards to this contract. Not that I'm, you know, I'm not in bed with Suncor. I don't know anybody at Suncor. Don't know a single person that works at Suncor. It's a Canadian company, by the way. Don't care about any of that. Their logic, though, in why we're now going to buy product from northern Colorado instead of our neighbor, you know, somebody that's right next door to us, because we don't like their pollution, quote, unquote, it's a refinery, knuckleheads. How dumb are you? How dumb are you? Now, city of Denver would just soon see the refinery shut down, and they don't care if you pay $4 a gallon for gasoline in doing so. They don't care. They don't care. Now, I also know, before somebody texts me, I know all of our refined product doesn't come from Suncor. I understand that. But I also know that when you have a refinery in your area, your gas prices will be lower than if you don't. Common sense tells you that. Along with other products... that we have to use as a metropolitan area, i.e. asphalt and diesel and on and on we go. So there's more product that comes out of a barrel of oil, as you guys all know, than just gasoline. For example, in this case, asphalt products. So yeah, our city council in Denver, the knuckleheads that they are, and they're all knowing, by the way, because they're on the left, they know everything. And it was a unanimous decision, by the way, to go ahead and truck all of this product in from northern Colorado versus using the product coming right out of Suncor. And again, it's going to cost city of Denver taxpayers an additional $300,000 over five years. And then on top of that, cost everybody else up and down the corridor where that product's actually coming from. You know, even a higher risk of accidents and on and on and on we go. Literally, that is the not-in-my-backyard mentality from the City of Denver Council people that have absolute zero clue what goes on in life. I would love for one of you to either email, text, or call in if you're on City Council and explain to me your rationale. Because I don't see that there is any. You literally showed how ignorant you really are. I have no other way to say it. You can tell that I'm really mad over this, even though I shouldn't be. I'm not a Denver resident. I'm not paying taxes in Denver. But the lunacy of some of our, you know, quote unquote, I put air quotes around leaders because they're not. But the lunacy of some, it just drives me crazy. What a bunch of absolute morons. There is no rationale to what they did at all. Because, again, keep in mind, going back to the beginning of my conversation, Suncor not producing these products for the city of Denver isn't going to change what that plant does in regards to pollution, carbon footprint, whatever. It isn't going to change it one minuscule amount, period. Not at all. They've done nothing but actually add to the carbon footprint of the front range, the pollution, and so on when it's all said and done. But they're all high and mighty. They know better than the rest of us. Keep in mind, they know more than you do. You're just a peon. You're just a taxpayer, taxpaying peon. You have no idea how life really is. They are the almighty. They are the king. They know better than you. And so in this particular case, they're going to truck their product down from northern Colorado. Now, whoever got that contract up there is probably loving this. They're thinking, yeah, this is great. These guys are total knuckleheads because they could buy it right in their backyard. But hey, yeah, guess what? We'll bring it down for you. We don't care. We don't care. We'll sell it to you all day long. We'd love to have that contract. So that's what's happening. And they're all knowing this in Denver City Council. That's what they've done. I just thought you guys would enjoy that story. Some of you that are on the left, by the way, really, I mean, honestly, if you're on the left and you're for something like this, you're as dumb as they are. Because there is no rationale, again, whatsoever for what they just did in this regard. So I'll leave it at that. Up next, speaking of asphalt and all of that, there's shingles and stuff that are made from asphalt as well. We need oil, bottom line. That's what's keeping a roof over your head. And Roof Savers of Colorado is there to either replace your roof, fix your roof, extend the life of your roof, your commercial roof they can handle as well. 303-710-6916.
SPEAKER 16 :
Think you need a new roof? Think again. With a RoofMax rejuvenation treatment, you can add up to 15 years of life to your existing roof and avoid spending thousands on a replacement. Hi, I'm Elizabeth Hart. And I'm Madison Hart. At RoofSafers Colorado, we strive to provide a high-quality roofing experience for every customer, helping you make the best decision for your roof and finances.
SPEAKER 01 :
If you're a homeowner who has received notice of an insurance policy cancellation or are worried about the condition of your roof, we want to help. RoofMax is a 100% plant-based, bio-friendly product that rehydrates dry and minorly damaged shingles, putting new life back into your roof and helping it hold up against the Colorado elements.
SPEAKER 16 :
Let us maximize the life of your existing roof. Call us for a free assessment before filing your insurance claim.
SPEAKER 01 :
Call us today at 303-710-6916 or go to roofsaversco.com. That's 303-710-6916 or go to roofsaversco.com to set up your free inspection and rejuvenate your roof.
SPEAKER 07 :
This isn't rage radio. This is real, relatable radio. Back to Rush to Reason.
SPEAKER 14 :
All right, one thing I didn't get a chance to get to. Charlie's going to probably be surprised that I'm even going to talk about this. But the Denver Strip Club, I think it's called the Diamond Cabaret. is likely to have its license revoked. And I did want to talk about this, not in defense of the club, but in defense of how they've structured their workers and the fact that there's now a big fight with the city of Denver over that. And I think this is an overreach of government, frankly. To a huge degree. And I know there's a lot of Christians and people out there that probably say, John, you're crazy. If anything you do to shut those guys down, we need to shut them down. Not at the expense of affecting other businesses in this way. No, I don't agree with that. I may talk a little bit more about that in the next hour. Hang tight. If not, I'll come back to that next week. But we'll be right back. Hour number three is next. Rush to Reason, Denver's Afternoon Rush, KLZ 560.
SPEAKER 09 :
Rich guy.
HR1 Dr. Kelly Victory, Steve House: Healthcare CEO asks RFK's Advisor To Resign 5-14-25 by John Rush
SPEAKER 13 :
This is Rush to Reason.
SPEAKER 11 :
You are going to shut your damn yapper and listen for a change because I got you pegged, sweetheart. You want to take the easy way out because you're scared. And you're scared because if you try and fail, there's only you to blame. Let me break this down for you. Life is scary. Get used to it. There are no magical fixes.
SPEAKER 13 :
With your host, John Rush.
SPEAKER 11 :
My advice to you is to do what your parents did.
SPEAKER 06 :
Get a job, Turk. You haven't made everybody equal. You've made them the same, and there's a big difference.
SPEAKER 02 :
Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there. It is this feeling that has brought you to me.
SPEAKER 06 :
Are you crazy? Am I? Or am I so sane that you just blew your mind?
SPEAKER 04 :
It's Rush to Reason with your host, John Rush, presented by Cub Creek Heating and Air Conditioning.
SPEAKER 12 :
And it's that time. Welcome, Thursday edition, Rush to Reason, Denver's Afternoon Rush, KLZ 560. We do have both Dr. Kelly Victory and Steve House with us. I always start with Dr. Kelly. Dr. Kelly, welcome.
SPEAKER 15 :
Hey, thanks for having me as always, John, and happy Thursday.
SPEAKER 12 :
Happy Thursday to you, too. I appreciate you guys very much. Steve House joining us as well. Steve, welcome.
SPEAKER 03 :
Glad to be here. By the way, Kelly, are you still using your name, or did you go to an alias? Good one.
SPEAKER 14 :
I mean, you might be dangerous.
SPEAKER 15 :
I have having Kevlar fitted under my business suit.
SPEAKER 12 :
Well, and you guys are leading right into it. I even promoted today's program, this particular hour. And for those of you that are listening in for the first time maybe ever, Dr. Kelly Victory has been with us for a long time. Steve, welcome. House put that together with myself over five years ago. It's been quite some time. So we've been doing this for a long time, all the way through COVID. And even until now, we're going to talk about some things going on inside of the administration today. If you guys want to know more about Dr. Kelly, just go to RushToReason.com. There's an entire website. page dedicated there. And really quick before we get going today, Dr. Kelly, there was a gentleman leaving the studio today that was on with another one of our programs that was on right before mine today. And as he was leaving, he said, you know, he said, I have to thank you guys. So I know Dr. Kelly's coming on here in just a minute. He said, I worked in some areas where they were demanding I get the shot, and I was so close to getting it. He pushed his fingers out, and it's like, you know, just a hair's away from actually getting the shot. And he said, I'm so glad that I was listening to you guys at that time. I didn't. I feel like it made a huge difference in my life. I feel like I'm much healthier today than I would have been otherwise, and who knows if I'd even be here today because he has some other things going on in his world along those lines where he's not sure how that would have all worked. you know, panned out. So Dr. Kelly and Steve, both, that was a big thank you from somebody just a few minutes ago.
SPEAKER 15 :
Well, it's always great for me to hear, John. You know, it pains me that so few people, unfortunately, were able for whatever reason to avoid the shots, whether it was because they fell prey to the fear, whether they were forced or coerced or mandated to get them for whatever reason. it's a real tragedy that so much of our population, as much as 80%, actually took these things. So it's always nice to hear that somebody dodged a bullet.
SPEAKER 12 :
It is. No, it's a joy to hear that. I mean, that means a lot to me. I know it does for you two guys as well because the reality is it's why we're here. It's why we did what we did. And when I hear that, I just think, okay, at least we made some difference through all of this. I wish we could have made a lot more difference, but I feel like we did make – Okay, let's get into some things going on with the wellness company, which before we get going, Dr. Kelly, let's give your affiliation with the wellness company.
SPEAKER 15 :
I am a member of the chief medical board of the wellness company. Specifically, I'm the chief of emergency and disaster medicine. So I not only participate on a very regular basis in calls, with regards to everything from product development to, you know, marketing issues for the company, but also do a lot of what's pure education, really public health. We have a mandate at the wellness company. We were born out of the disaster that was COVID and the fact that there was so much censorship and suppression of free speech and All of us on the Chief Medical Board, which includes not only myself, but Dr. Peter McCullough, Harvey Reich, Jim Thorpe, Dr. Alejandro Diaz, and Dr. Drew Pinsky, we are all committed to speaking openly and honestly with patients and really hoping to reestablish some trust and confidence.
SPEAKER 12 :
Awesome. OK, I appreciate you saying that. And as we continue on, Steve, and maybe I don't know who wants to introduce the how should I say this, the villain in our conversation we're going to have right now. Callie, me and Steve, do you want to talk about who that person is?
SPEAKER 03 :
I mean, obviously, I think Kelly has a better sense of it. I mean, it's Callie. Callie Means obviously is a part of the villain here, but I think there's a bigger villain in all of it. And that is the political when people who are not. who've not been in leadership roles, especially let alone the pressure of political leadership, get into a role where they believe they're in political and professional leadership. And it goes to their head. They're not prepared for it. And I feel like this guy has no business talking about leadership or being involved in leadership if you can't handle what he's handling. So I think that's a big issue. And I think what we saw in the text of what he said was really, really bad. And You know, him getting on the case of what are some fairly credentialed, very, very capable doctors who, if they don't like your product, your question should not or your answer should not be to call you effing delusional. It should be to try to understand what it is about your product that may not be satisfactory to highly credentialed, very high quality physicians.
SPEAKER 12 :
Good segue. Dr. Kelly, you can fill us in on some of that as well. And this, by the way, this particular individual, by the way, is a federal employee, correct, Dr. Kelly?
SPEAKER 15 :
Yeah. Yeah, I think let me give really the high-level overview for those listening. with regard to what happened. Kelly Means is the brother, the older brother of Casey Means, who was recently nominated to be Surgeon General.
SPEAKER 12 :
Talked about her last week.
SPEAKER 15 :
Both of them, these siblings, have been very, very closely aligned with Robert Kennedy Jr. They showed up on the scene last fall. They were involved in his campaign. when Bobby Kennedy was running for president and when Bobby Kennedy transferred his allegiance over to President Trump's campaign, the Means siblings came with him. Kelly Means is not a physician, not a scientist. He was a lobbyist with Purdue Pharma in the past and a strategist and runs a PR firm. He also happens to run a private company that's called TruMed, which frankly I knew absolutely nothing about until this past weekend. Cali Means has been allowed to stay in his private company, TruMed, at the same time as he is serving as a federal employee. He is specifically a special government employee. He is the senior advisor for HHS to the White House. It's a very high position. Okay. What happened last Saturday was that Cali Means called the CEO of my company, the wellness company, on Saturday morning after sending multiple harassing texts to multiple other board members. He finally got a hold of the CEO and proceeded to launch into a 15-minute profanity-laden rant in which he accuses the wellness company and myself and Dr. Peter McCullough specifically of running a smear campaign about his company, TruMed, that we somehow were feeding information about his company to media influencers, including a woman named Laura Loomer, who were calling into question whether or not TruMed might be doing some things that were illegal. And Callie Means threatened that if we did not do something to force Laura Loomer to stop and we did not stop feeding other people in social media this information about his company, that he would use his position at the White House. Specifically, he would go to Bobby Kennedy and Jay Bhattacharya and tell those two people that we, the wellness company, and specifically myself and Peter McCullough, were trying to undermine the Trump administration and to destroy the Maha movement. In other words, he threatened to use his position as a federal employee to coerce us, to force us, to intimidate us, to do something that would benefit his personal company, TruMed. Furthermore, he goes on to say that if we, the wellness company, decided instead to partner with TruMed, that this would all go away.
SPEAKER 12 :
That sounds like blackmail to me.
SPEAKER 15 :
This is precisely what we were promised. we would never face in this administration. The weaponization of the federal government against private citizens or their businesses. This is no different than weaponizing the IRS against conservative groups, weaponizing FEMA against people with Trump signs in their yard. This is an egregious moral and ethical breach in addition to being flagrantly illegal.
SPEAKER 12 :
So, I mean, that was last weekend. What's happened this week, or has anything happened?
SPEAKER 15 :
We submitted on Saturday night, the evening of the actual event, we submitted formal ethics complaints to the Oversight Committee for HHS in both the Congress and the Senate. I spoke personally with Senator Ron Johnson and made a copy of the complaint available to him, as well as the audio tape of the call. It was recorded. We submitted it to the people at HHS who are responsible for fundamentally training people who are in the position that Cali means is then being a special government employee to explain to them what is and is not legal, given that they still have a role in the private sector and sort of have a foot in both camps, if you will. So we submitted it far and wide, and we also submitted it to select members of the media. There have been a slew of reports about it, including everybody from you know, Politico to Gateway Pundit and others. I know that Peter Gallulli, the CEO, has done multiple interviews in this regard, as have I. But thus far, I have no idea what's happening behind the scenes. I can only imagine. I have to imagine that there is great consternation about how they're going to manage this. The tape speaks for itself. There is no apology that's going to make this go away. We need this to be absolutely denounced by the White House. We need the president and Bobby Kennedy to absolutely say this is unacceptable and we cannot allow a government agent to be intimidating, threatening, trying to blackmail people. So, you know, this had nothing to do, to be clear, with the Surgeon General position per se. As Steve said, you know, Callie Means does in this rant, refer to me multiple times as being, quote, unhinged, on a different planet, delusional, intimating that and saying flat out that I was delusional if I thought I was being considered to be a surgeon general, which is patently absurd. And I suspect that Bobby Kennedy will take great offense to Calley suggesting that given the number of times that the secretary called me personally, including on the night before the announcement of Casey Means. And then Secretary Kennedy called me personally the morning of the announcement to let me know that the decision had been made to nominate Casey rather than me. I shared with the secretary at that time. my profound disappointment in that decision. I shared with him that I did not believe that KC Means was the right choice for the role of Surgeon General, but that I remain deeply honored to have been considered for such a role and that I would do whatever I could within my means to support him as Secretary of HHS to support the Trump administration and to further the agenda of Maha. This has nothing to do with my having you know, feeling badly about the choice. Other than that, I take great umbrage at someone suggesting that I would be dishonest about the fact that I was being considered.
SPEAKER 12 :
Which we know that would never be the case. Steve, really quick, before we take a break, what is, you know, what is TruMed? Who is TruMed? What do they do? I didn't know much about them until you guys started talking to me about it this week, did a little bit of research on them, but what do they do?
SPEAKER 03 :
I don't really know. I know Kelly does. I mean, the one thing I will say to what Kelly just said is based on what I read in the articles, do you not have a defamation case against Callie? I mean, he really calls you delusional. I mean, you know, those are very difficult things to overcome when you're a highly respected, highly credentialed physician and someone's saying that about you in the public.
SPEAKER 15 :
You, you, you better believe it, Steve. And, and that's, um, in my back pocket. Um, You're correct. He impugned my integrity and my credibility in addition to my mental status. And when you are at my level doing that, that's high table stakes. And I don't take it lightly. Whether or not I received the official nomination from the President of the United States for Surgeon General, frankly, is neither here nor there. But the fact that I was being considered and that my credentials were sitting on the President's desk and it was discussed with him the night before the announcement is irrefutable fact. And Robert Kennedy Jr. would support that undoubtedly himself. So yes, there's a defamation suit there as well. But I think the, and to answer your question, what does TruMed do? TruMed is a company I knew nothing about until I was accused of, you know, putting together a dossier to take it down.
SPEAKER 03 :
I shouldn't say I know nothing about them, John, because I do, but go ahead, Kelly.
SPEAKER 15 :
The reality is, here's what they do. Their business model is that they sell health and wellness products, everything from supplements to high-ticket items, things like Peloton bikes, sleep number beds, big things. And it allows you, the site allows you the option to buy those items using your HSA or FSA dollars. So that would be at about a 30% or 40% discount because you don't pay taxes.
SPEAKER 16 :
Right.
SPEAKER 15 :
In order to use those FSA or HSA funds, you need what's called a letter of medical necessity. A letter of medical necessity is tantamount to a prescription. It needs to be written by a licensed healthcare provider who says, John must have this Peloton bike because it's the only product on the market that will allow him to address his, you know, whatever obesity, whatever it is. Okay. It appears, again, I have never verified this. I have never tried to purchase an item from this site. I know others who have. And the concern that was raised by people who have been there, it's my understanding, is that when they go to check out and use these HSA, yes, I want to use my HSA dollars. that the website auto-generates a letter of medical necessity.
SPEAKER 12 :
I see.
SPEAKER 15 :
In other words, it auto-generates this prescription that it appears to people who've done it that it appears that it isn't actually reviewed by a medical, you know, a healthcare professional. And if that were true, and I have no idea if it were true, it would likely be tax fraud. Right. And that was raised by several people on social media, including Laura Loomer. I don't know where Laura Loomer came up with that idea. She says she's never spoken to Foster Colson, the founder of the wellness company, or to Peter Gallulli, the CEO. And she has said on the record to Politico that she does her own research. That's what she does. She's a journalist. And again, she said... That it appeared that she did not make it a claim as fact. She said, this is how it appears. So it seems to me, given the, you know, I do crisis management for a living and given my having listened to the transcript of the call no less than 100 times, I could probably repeat it by heart. The tone of Callie Means in this call sounds like it's disjointed, it's stream of consciousness. In addition to being profanity-laden, he's all over the place. He keeps referencing that we are expletive with... With other dynamics, a lot of you were messing with undermining other, quote, unquote, other dynamics. We don't know what those are. He sounds like he's in a panic. And when somebody is in a panic, he does not sound like somebody who had a well sort of thought through way of approaching us. And, you know, I've said many times, when people behave that way, you're directly over the target.
SPEAKER 12 :
That's right. You know exactly why he's in a panic. There's no question about it. And I've got a few things to say as far as the website is concerned, a little bit of research that I did on my own, not because of you guys. Again, a little bit like Laura here as far as that goes. I'm not relying on anybody else telling me anything. I've just done a little bit of research on the website itself on the TrueMed side that I'll talk about as soon as we come back. So, guys, don't go anywhere. We will come right back. If you've got a question for Dr. Kelly or Steve or myself, text us, 307-282-22. Dr. Scott Faulkner, who thinks just like we do right now, literally he would be on our side of the aisle with all of what we're talking about. Call him directly. Have him be your doctor today, 303-663-6990.
SPEAKER 07 :
Are you looking for a healthcare provider who truly cares about you and your well-being? Look no further than Castle Rock Regenerative Healthcare, where Dr. Scott Faulkner is ready to provide you with top-notch care. At Castle Rock Regenerative Healthcare, you'll experience a competent, friendly, and efficient staff that puts your comfort and care first. Dr. Scott Faulkner is a true advocate of the latest advancements in healthcare and weight loss. Worried about being lost in the crowd of impersonal health care? Fear not. Dr. Scott is a big picture doctor, not beholden to big pharma or big insurance like some other providers. He takes the time to understand your unique needs and will customize your health care to fit you, your body, and your lifestyle. Tired of waiting weeks for an appointment? Unlike other practices, Dr. Scott Faulkner has the remarkable ability to see you in a matter of days. Reach your full potential and achieve your goals. Call Dr. Scott today at 303-663-6990 or visit him online at castlerockregenerativehealth.com or find him at rushtoreason.com. Castle Rock Regenerative Health Care, your path to a healthier tomorrow.
SPEAKER 12 :
All right, Cub Creek Heat and Air Conditioning. Yes, AC is running right now, and if you've had problems at all with it, please give Cub Creek a call. Find them by going to klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 05 :
Spring maintenance is essential for your heater and air conditioner to run efficiently, and Cub Creek Heating and AC will give you the best price every time. Other companies mark up the equipment and tell you to go with the highest rebates, but Cub Creek will tell you honestly if you should keep what you have or they'll recommend only what you need. They understand that costs have gone up everywhere, and if you do need to replace your unit, Cub Creek is offering a free maintenance agreement for one year, including a checkup and filter changes. This benefit adds tremendous value. By caring for the unit in that first year, you're extending its total life. Cub Creek gives you the best price with the right rebate for your needs. And to pay for it, they offer easy, same-as-cash financing up to 18 months for qualified buyers. Find out more about Rheem Certified Pro Partners Cub Creek and schedule your service at klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 04 :
no liberal media bias here. This is Rush to Reason.
SPEAKER 12 :
All right, we are back. Myself, Dr. Kelly Victory, Steve House with us as well. We're talking about some things that have happened over this past week concerning not only Dr. Kelly, but the wellness company, TrueMed, which Dr. Kelly, to your point a moment ago, and again, I've done a little bit of research on TrueMed, knew nothing about it before any of this other stuff came out. I'm I don't think the three of us, by the way, for anybody out there listening, I'll say this publicly. This particular name, Dr. Kelly and Steve, we've never mentioned TrueMed on this particular program ever, ever that I've known of. If we did, it slipped through and I didn't know about it. But this isn't something that we have highlighted or talked about by any means. It's just not something that we get into. Correct, Dr. Kelly?
SPEAKER 15 :
Exactly. I knew literally nothing about this company until I was accused of feeding, quote, misinformation and damaging information about it to some reporter. We don't even consider them to be a competitor of ours. I wouldn't either, by the way. Yeah, but it's neither here nor there. Other than that, again, what people need to stick to is the only salient points here, just all the salaciousness about whether or not I was going to be Surgeon General. None of it is pertinent. The only pertinent thing here is that Cali Means leveraged his role as a federal employee to try to manipulate, extort, and bully us into doing something that would benefit him personally. First, to quash, just quash stories that were out there about him perhaps committing some type of fraud, and then ultimately to actually partner with him, and that if we didn't do those things, he was going to go and tell lies about to Bobby Kennedy and Jay Bhattacharya and tell them that we were trying to undermine and scuttle the Maha movement and this administration. I mean, that is absolutely abhorrent.
SPEAKER 12 :
Nothing could be farther from the truth. I can vouch for that with all of the things that we have talked about long before even This particular Trump presidency, we were talking about things in the last Trump presidency. I mean, the reality is that's about the farthest thing that we would ever talk about amongst the three of us. And, folks, that includes even some of the private conversations that we three have. These sorts of things just never come up. True Med has never come up in the conversations we've ever had. I can vouch for that. And my only concern – I'll say this to you, Steve, first. I'll come back to Dr. Kelly – i don't know whether there's any kind of fraud going on or not i'm not going to be laura loomer and accuse things you know accuse anybody of anything but i will say this when you're advertising steve this goes to you when you're advertising on your website i'm there right now this is me looking at it i'm looking at their their red light therapy mask it's called higher dose and literally the first bullet point on here says qualify in two minutes for a letter of medical necessity now Steve, I'm not a doctor. I know Kelly, I'll go to her in a moment, but I'm not a doctor, but I do enough with different things, car related and so on. And I can tell you one thing, Steve, it would be hard for me to even have enough of a conversation to tell you what you should be doing next with your vehicle in two minutes or less.
SPEAKER 03 :
Yeah, and you're 100% right. Let's think about Cali means for a minute and what this guy's situation is. So he's working for a company with big funding, big investors behind it, right? So there's a bunch of money that's been thrown at this idea. Loomer accuses them essentially or allegedly accuses them of potentially tax fraud in a way. Because, look, if you could buy one of those masks off that Web site, John, and you happen to run a day spa, you could buy the mask for yourself, get it a tax free level. Right. And then you could market and sell the service and pay for it many, many times over. Correct. That's not what the intention here is. So then what you do is now you're panicked. because your investors are really concerned about what's going on with this article from Laura and the potential problems that you create. And so then you want to go to, you know, the wellness company and get them to partner with you because there's a whole bunch of credible names there. I don't know that there's any name I recognize in the TrueMed group that that is anywhere near the stature of the people that are involved in the wellness company. So you try to get them in because you want to take a win back to your investors and go, you know what, don't worry about that story. We got these guys bought in. We're going to partner with them. You know, that's going to give us credibility. So we get all under the rug. We'll all be good now. He's on an island, and getting someone to stop challenging whether they're legitimate or not, he would do anything to do that because of the island he's standing on.
SPEAKER 12 :
That's right. That's right. Dr. Kelly, am I right in my description, though, a moment ago? And I know how they're doing it. They're basically having you fill out an online questionnaire regarding your health and providing that, I guess, you check the right boxes. You can get your LMN, your letter of medical necessity. But like I told Steve, I couldn't do that with you and your vehicle. I don't know exactly how you can do that with somebody's health.
SPEAKER 15 :
Correct. And there is, you know, these things that keep coming up. You know, I received information the other day, again, not verified by me, but there's a Web site called Force of Nature Meats. They provide high end meats kind of like Omaha steaks or whatever, where you can go and get a letter of medical necessity to buy your ribeyes. And when you go to do it, where is it? Where is it funnel you to the true med Web site to do the transaction? So you're trying to tell me that you can buy steaks and expensive meat products with a, quote, letter of medical necessity that's generated by TruMed? I haven't verified that, but I'm telling you right now, if that's the truth, I smell a rat. I didn't set out to try to expose this. I didn't know anything about this company, but when somebody comes after me and starts doing what Cali means did, it really raises the question. Furthermore, I think that it's worth really looking at Cali means his background. He was a consultant. For example, one of the many things he did, he was a consultant for Purdue and, In 2008, right after Purdue had settled a multi hundreds of million dollars lawsuit with the federal government for the fact that they had pushed, they falsified data and tried to lead physicians and patients to believe that OxyContin was not addictive. and that people should take Oxycontin versus other opiates because it was less addictive. Purdue absolutely got slammed with a federal lawsuit, paid hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars. And who was the consultant on the PR side? None other than Cali Means. And Cali Means himself posted that the way that their strategy was to try to, his words, not mine, discredit any experts who came out and said anything to the contrary. In other words, run a smear campaign against any experts who speak out about you and feed that into the media. This is somebody who, I will tell you, has a history that he's proud of, of participating in in the fraud that ended up killing many, many people in the opiate crisis. And he's proud of it.
SPEAKER 12 :
Well, and really quick, again, any of you listening, this isn't hard to do, and I can see where even Laura would find all sorts of things. I just did a really quick search online while you guys were talking. found a Reddit thread on TrueMed and people talking about, hey, I'm not overweight. I might have a little bit of family history of cholesterol in my family. Would I be eligible through my HSA to get a, you know, this is a biker that does a lot of, you know, road biking and so on but i would like to have a trainer so when it's bad outside i can still train which by the way i don't think that really qualifies medically speaking under your hsa just from the description of what this particular person said but every single personal response on that thread is you'll have no issues just fill out the form because we've done it as well and the reality is there's you know there's there's testimonial after testimony after testimonial that this was not a big deal you can pretty much buy whatever you want to through that letter all you have to do is apply
SPEAKER 03 :
So, John, the one thing I would say about that is, given the metabolic syndrome that exists in the U.S., maybe it is a good idea that you can buy a Peloton bike with your HSA, but that's not the issue here. You kind of lost me a little bit when you said I could buy ribeye steaks tax-free. I'm like, okay, I'm writing down the website. I want to do that. Yeah, me too. The problem is not... particular products. I mean, if you sleep better, you're going to be healthy. If you ride a bike, you're going to, you know, all those things are health related. I mean, the problem is, A, the tax code wasn't intended for that in HSA. B, you're being misled or they're certainly misleading people with how they're indicating that a medical professional is going to review this and, you know, going to give you, you know, some sort of a letter of approval. I mean, that's the process that's problematic, not the fact that it's a bike or not. And I'm sure there's probably a decent idea in some respects, but you sure shouldn't do it this way. And it smells like a rat to me.
SPEAKER 12 :
And you know what? I just looked. You're right, Dr. Kelly and Steve. You could do this. Force of Nature, right on the homepage. Meat is, in parentheses, officially medicine. Save on average 30% by using your pre-tax HSA, FSA money via TrueMed. It's right on their website on the front page. That's wild.
SPEAKER 15 :
Exactly. And so here's the deal.
SPEAKER 12 :
I just want to be really quick, Dr. Kelly, before we move on, in case anybody else out there is listening, because who knows who is. This is not me saying this. It's literally right on the very top of the homepage of forceofnature.com. I'm not making this up, folks. It's literally what I just read to you comes right off of their website. That's wild.
SPEAKER 15 :
Correct. And whether or not that's legitimate or not, that's above my pay grade. That's not my area of expertise.
SPEAKER 12 :
Well, really quick, Dr. Kelly, and I do health and wellness for an hour on Wednesdays. We've been talking now, as I said earlier, you and I and Steve, for over the last five years. And I know the importance of eating right and eating healthy and all of that. But you would have a hard time, even me, and I get working into some of the gray area of tax codes and so on. I'm a businessman. I understand all about those things. Believe me, I know that there's a lot of gray in a lot of that. But you would have a hard time convincing me that a high-end steak is somehow medicine, Dr. Kelly.
SPEAKER 15 :
Yeah, and we can argue that out, you know, in the courts or the court of public opinion. The bottom line is, again, is that not whether this is right or wrong, but that if, you know, light was shed on this question publicly, why in the world would the founder of TruMed, Callie Means, decide to come behind closed doors and threaten people? us to do something about it. If he thought he was being slandered by Laura Loomer, then have your lawyers talk to Laura Loomer. Why are you calling me? What's that about? How dare you leverage your position as a federal employee to try to garner something for your company? And the reason he went to us and not to Laura Loomer is because he knows he could try to get something from us. And I take huge exception to that, and I maintain we were promised that this would not happen in this administration. So now it's the bewitching hour. This administration is aware of it. We submitted it through all the proper channels. If the oversight committees of Congress and the Senate do nothing about this, then what the hell good are they? If they don't do anything, when you hand them on a silver platter, evidence of an egregious ethical and legal breach, and no action is taken? then we're a banana republic.
SPEAKER 12 :
Well, and I've got something to tie into that. Give me a minute. I'll come right back, guys. I've got something I want to tie into that that I think goes right along with what Dr. Kelly just said a moment ago. Roof Savers of Colorado coming up next. Whatever it is, when it comes to your roof, it's all under one roof. That's what I say when I talk about Roof Savers of Colorado because literally commercial, residential, you name it, Dave does it all. 303-710-6916.
SPEAKER 09 :
Think you need a new roof? Think again. With a RoofMax rejuvenation treatment, you can add up to 15 years of life to your existing roof and avoid spending thousands on a replacement. Hi, I'm Elizabeth Hart. And I'm Madison Hart. At RoofSafers Colorado, we strive to provide a high-quality roofing experience for every customer, helping you make the best decision for your roof and finances.
SPEAKER 01 :
If you're a homeowner who has received notice of an insurance policy cancellation or are worried about the condition of your roof, we want to help. RoofMax is a 100% plant-based, bio-friendly product that rehydrates dry and minorly damaged shingles, putting new life back into your roof and helping it hold up against the Colorado elements.
SPEAKER 09 :
Let us maximize the life of your existing roof. Call us for a free assessment before filing your insurance claim.
SPEAKER 01 :
Call us today at 303-710-6916 or go to roofsaversco.com. That's 303-710-6916 or go to roofsaversco.com to set up your free inspection and rejuvenate your roof.
SPEAKER 12 :
All right, find out what that coin collection you've been having kicking around, whether it be coins, jewelry, other valuables. Find out what it's worth. If you want to turn to cash, David Gonzalez can help you with that as well. MahiCoin, 720-370-3400.
SPEAKER 10 :
People often receive a collection after the passing of a loved one, and trusting someone with that collection can be difficult. This is David Gonzalez at Mile High Coin, and with 37 years of experience in the precious metals and coin industry, I guarantee that you will be pleased with our process, regardless of whether or not you choose to sell your collection. We are highly trusted and highly rated. We will take the time to help you understand what type of collection you have, as well as its value. Our goal is to educate you so that you can make an informed decision. At Mile High Coin, we understand the various situations which may have brought you to the place of needing or wanting to sell your collection. I appreciate the importance of right timing, so I will never pressure you to sell. People sell when they're ready to sell. Oftentimes, there are estate planning issues that involve multiple family members and attorneys, and we can provide information needed to assist in that process. A coin or jewelry collection can be a burden, and we are here to simplify something that can be quite complicated. We offer a no-charge, complimentary evaluation and appraisal for all of our KLZ listeners, even if you're not quite ready to liquidate. Call us today at 720-370-3400 or visit our website milehighcoin.com to get more information. We look forward to meeting you and seeing your collection.
SPEAKER 12 :
And a great place to store that collection is safeboxdeposits.com. Better than a bank because it's more security. It's just more secure. Everything about it is better than a bank. 303-771-8000.
SPEAKER 06 :
Safebox knows you don't trust big government or financial institutions. Safebox is entirely confidential, more reliable, convenient, and secure than any bank or government institution. They never disclose any of your information or even the fact that you own a box to anyone. not even the government. You can trust Safebox. In order to create Safebox, they had to pass a 220-point checklist to become accredited with their insurance company. So you know your belongings are absolutely safe. There is complete anonymity with Safebox. And they have enhanced all security measures and procedures to include the most advanced alarm system available, 24-7 surveillance, and ballistic glass, to name a few. They provide a wide selection of water and fireproof safes in their vault, along with very affordable pricing. Store your jewelry, guns, passports, gold coins, documents, or anything of value to you. They are Better Business Bureau accredited and even accept cash for those who want complete privacy. Know your possessions are safe and confidential by setting up an appointment with Safebox
SPEAKER 13 :
The best export we have is common sense. You're listening to Rush to Reason.
SPEAKER 12 :
And we are back. Myself, Dr. Kelly Victory, Steve House with me as well. Steve, I'll throw this at you to begin with because I don't see how there's much difference between this particular investigation versus some of the things that we're bringing up when it comes to this other topic with TruMed, and that is UnitedHealth Group is under criminal investigation for possible Medicare fraud, meaning that their stock is now tanking. And I know it's not exactly Steve, you know, apples to apples, but that's another big conglomerate that has been doing some things evidently not above board, and they're being called on the carpet for it.
SPEAKER 03 :
Well, I mean, there's some fundamental problems, right, which is when the government – is a regulator of things. And, you know, the HSA falls under a tax concept. Correct. United Healthcare and Medicare. I mean, you're talking about government regulation. Things get really confusing and inefficient. I mean, look at the USAID paid George Soros $256 million out of their pot to do something, and George is a multi-multi-billionaire. How does a guy like that get $256 million? You just go end-to-end, John, in any category you want. United will probably go through an audit of some kind, probably pay a penalty. and keep on operating. I mean, they're too big not to. So, you know, it's really about is the penalty worth the crime in these cases? And I don't know exactly what will happen to TruMed, but one thing I will say is if there isn't some sort of an investigation after what we're talking about here, and I went to the website for the Meats themselves. I see the same thing you do. If there isn't an investigation on this, then that's worth an investigation all by itself. Is the cover-up worse than the crime?
SPEAKER 12 :
Who knows? We'll find out. Yeah. And that's all my point is, Dr. Kelly, is, you know, again, I'm not saying either one is right, wrong or otherwise. I don't know enough about what either one are being accused of. And all I know is in this particular case, some of the things that you've brought to our attention today. And again, I get it, you know, high end food. You know, could you consider that part of your. medical diet and so on. But I'm looking, to Steve's point, I look at a $24 six-ounce filet that if you can use your pre-tax dollars to buy, it makes that steak about $18 instead of $24, which if you go to your local butcher shop and buy a high-end piece of meat, Dr. Kelly, that's a lot less money than you're going to pay from your local butcher.
SPEAKER 15 :
Right. And I want to be careful not to conflate two different things. There's the discussion we're having about whether or not it's legitimate to consider a ribeye steak or a Peloton bike or whatever else. to be a true component of a health and wellness program that should use HSA dollars.
SPEAKER 16 :
Correct.
SPEAKER 15 :
And the irrefutable fact that to use HSA dollars, you have to have a letter of medical necessity.
SPEAKER 12 :
That's the point.
SPEAKER 15 :
And it needs to be a legit one. There are two different issues here.
SPEAKER 12 :
No, thank you. I appreciate you spelling it out because, yeah, really it is two different things. It's one, is it really the right use of – is it tax-wise and so on the right use of those dollars? Number two, how do you prove that that person really needs to be using those dollars for that? It's two separate issues, correct? Correct.
SPEAKER 15 :
Correct. And so is it possible that the purveyors of these websites and these businesses have, you know, I certainly haven't done the deep dive into the tax code to see what things you could get by. You know, maybe you can get a new swimming pool built in your backyard using, say, dollars because you want to swim.
SPEAKER 12 :
uh for health i don't know somebody should look into that sounds like a good idea um well really quick dr kelly i think i think given the fact that you can go on the well you can go on the the the site the true the true site and actually buy a cold plunge and some things like that i don't know that you could get by doing an entire pool but i think you could do some of the you know swim pools and things like that to your point yeah i don't see why there'd be any difference between those two right but
SPEAKER 15 :
Right. So that's one issue is whether or not any of that's legit and where the cutoff is.
SPEAKER 16 :
Right.
SPEAKER 15 :
But what is not what is not up for question is the fact that the law currently states you must have a letter of medical necessity. And that letter must be reviewed by a licensed health care practitioner. And I think the question that I have and that has been raised by others is whether or not the letters being generated by TrueMed site are actually being reviewed and generated by the medical profession.
SPEAKER 12 :
Because you're more on the admin end of this. My gut feeling would be this is a form that's been generated, maybe even with some AI internally on the site itself. If you click all of the right boxes and the formula equates to what it needs to, you get the letter. Whether there's somebody actually putting a stamp of approval on it or not, Steve, again, I can't accuse anybody in any way, shape, or form because I do not know. But let's just say this, Steve, it's highly suspect.
SPEAKER 03 :
Well, I mean, it could be a medical director who says, look, there's 5,900 different products under the circumstances. As long as they answer these three questions, yes, that you can send them a letter making it medically necessary. And then that medical director could, in fact, in the court case, defend that. Not necessarily that it was legitimate. But, Kelly, I would like you to do something for the audience because I've heard this a few times recently. um, regarding the wellness company. And I want people to understand the difference. If you watch the ad on the wellness company, you know, you can buy these packages that involve ivermectin and then there's, there's antibiotics in there and it says on the ad, you don't need to go see your doctor. But I believe what's happening there is, is you guys as doctors or your medical doctors are actually reviewing at the package relative to the people who are trying to buy it. Is that not true?
SPEAKER 15 :
Oh, absolutely. You have to go on and fill out an entire medical history and questionnaire, and these drugs are written specifically for the individual. If you purchase one of these, you will get a kit. Every bottle will say Steve House on it and tell you how to take it. It's been reviewed by one of our physicians based on a very detailed medical intake form. What we're saying is you don't need to go see your doctor if you're You then will have the medications on hand. These are very simple, well-tolerated, very safe medications, and they've been reviewed to be appropriate for you that you could have on hand. Our point has been that people are way smarter than we give them credit for. Your average woman, for example, knows when she's got a bladder infection. She doesn't need to go to the urgent care, sit in there for six hours. and pay you know an 800 urgent care bill and then have to go to the drug store at two o'clock in the morning to try to get an antibiotic you know okay and and we guide people how to use it there's a you can have a telehealth visit at the time with somebody a face-to-face with a doctor or you can just use the instruction booklet that comes with it but yeah these are not just written willy-nilly there's a a medical intake that's reviewed by one of our physicians. And there's a telehealth visit that's available if you'd prefer to do it face to face.
SPEAKER 03 :
And the reason why I had you do that is because I think there are some Callie and Casey Means fans out there. And maybe Callie will do it himself. They're going to say, well, you know, the guys at the wellness company basically do the same thing. They're telling you you don't need a doctor and they're producing some yada, yada, yada. So I just, you know, as a heads up, I've heard it a couple of times. I've been traveling this week and I've had interactions with doctors. Yeah.
SPEAKER 12 :
Well, and let me make sure I'm correct on this one.
SPEAKER 14 :
Very, very different.
SPEAKER 12 :
Let me make sure I'm correct on this one as well, Dr. Kelly, and maybe I'm wrong on this. Given that you're writing those people prescriptions, yes, they could in fact use their HSA dollars for those because they're legitimate prescriptions, but you're not going out and advertising that as the mainstay for why they should buy from you. Am I correct in that as well?
SPEAKER 15 :
We don't offer it to be paid for with HSA dollars for one thing. HSA is meant for things that aren't covered by standard insurance or other things. So we don't make that as an option. But here's what I would say, Steve, to answer your question. Go to TrueMed's site and tell me who their doctors are.
SPEAKER 13 :
Oh, I know.
SPEAKER 15 :
You go to the wellness company's website, you'll see exactly who they are with our bios, our medical degrees. You'll see photos of us. We are real people with real names and real credentials. It's not smoke and mirrors. This is not vaporware. This is a real company. And again, I didn't set into this to cast aspersions at TrueMed. I'm simply saying what spawned or appeared to spawn this insane attack that we received from this federal government employee named Cali Means. It was some concern that he appeared to have about his company. TrueMed is what motivated his call to threaten us.
SPEAKER 12 :
Yeah, makes sense. And again, folks, really quick, everybody listening, you and Steve as well. I'm all for people being more healthy and buying products to make themselves more healthy. And if legitimately they can use HSA dollars to do so, I am not against that in any way, shape, or form, Dr. Kelly. I know you and Steve aren't as well. So there's no way the three of us would be out here attacking TrueMed. I mean, I think there might be some things here that are really in the gray area, but we're by no means attacking them in any way, shape, or form.
SPEAKER 03 :
No, and they couldn't accuse us of that. I just want to make sure that everybody understands. I 100% support what the wellness company does. I think it's the right idea. I think they do it the right way. I ask you to explain it because I don't think people... I think that Callie and TrueMed are going to come back at you going, well, they do the same thing. And the answer is they absolutely do not do the same thing in any form. And for the record... Twice a month, the ribeye steak is a behavioral health medication for me, so I'm going to have to really figure that out.
SPEAKER 15 :
Good one, Steve. And so I am with you, by the way, John. I am all for people being able to obtain the things that will help them live a happier, healthier, better life. But we have to have some limits on it. Otherwise, you could take it to the extreme. If I say, well, what's best for my mental health is having a new horse, and therefore I want to buy a new pony, you know, with my HSA dollars. You know, we have to have some limits. There has to be a health care professional who says this is a legitimate expenditure because we are giving you are this is falling on the taxpayer.
SPEAKER 14 :
That's right.
SPEAKER 15 :
We are allowing people to have a tax that, you know, relief on these items. That's right. And therefore we have to have some limits on it. And frankly, I'm willing to, you know, would like to see this be relatively liberal. I like the idea of people being able to buy a Peloton bike. or a treadmill, for example, with, you know, I think ribeye steaks might be pushing it. But I like the idea of being relatively lenient with the guidelines. But in order to keep it from spinning out of control, I do think you need to hold that requirement that the letter of medical necessity is, in fact, you know, guided by a clinician and that there are some limits on this.
SPEAKER 12 :
Agreed. Agreed. All right. I'll close out with that, guys. It was a fast hour. Thank you so much for doing all of that. And for all of you listening, you can learn more about Dr. Kelly Victory at our website, RushToReason.com. But Dr. Kelly, we're behind you. You know that full well. So thank you for all you do.
SPEAKER 1 :
100%.
SPEAKER 15 :
I appreciate it very much. I don't think this is over yet.
SPEAKER 12 :
No, I don't think so either. We'll talk more next week. Steve as well. Thank you as well. And yes, we are in full support of Dr. Kelly.
SPEAKER 03 :
Yeah, even though I sent her a funny hat and some sunglasses, but I still 100% support it. Good one.
SPEAKER 12 :
Appreciate you, man. Have a good rest of your day.
SPEAKER 03 :
You too.
SPEAKER 12 :
All right, man. Appreciate you. Have a great night. Veteran Windows and Doors up next. And Dave would love to help you with what you need when it comes to your windows and doors. And that's a lot of health issues related to that as well I could get into. I won't right now. But give Dave a call today. Go to klzradio.com to find him.
SPEAKER 04 :
Working with veteran windows and doors feels just like working with family. Owner Dave Bancroft tells you exactly what he would do if it were his home. Customers that have worked with Dave and his crew never want to work with anyone else because of the lasting impressions and relationships they have created. And customers are pleasantly surprised by just how much knowledge and wisdom Dave brings to every meeting. He gives you the values and codes of your windows and doors without a long, exaggerated spiel or pressuring you into signing a contract. Veteran will even encourage you to meet with other window and door companies before so you can see the differences in approach. Dave will never pressure you into buying a certain window or door. You pick what you want. and he can quote it for you right there. For the month of May, when you buy up to three windows, enjoy 35% off. Buy four or more windows, you will receive 40% off, all with free installation. Just go to klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 12 :
All right, Ridgeline Auto Brokers, where if you're looking for a new used car, they definitely have you covered. Talk to Josh today. They've got good inventory. And if there's, again, something that you want they don't have, they'll do their best to find it for you. Call them today. Go to RidgelineAutoBrokers.com.
SPEAKER 08 :
Are you in the market for a reliable car, truck, or SUV that won't break the bank? Does your vehicle need high-quality auto repair? Then look no further. Ridgeline Auto Brokers and Legacy Auto Repair specialize in quality used cars that cost between $15,000 and $25,000, making them a great option for first-time drivers or anyone looking for a great deal. At Ridgeline, we pride ourselves on providing a transparent and happy hassle-free car buying experience. That's why we never charge any dealer fees. Plus, all of our vehicles are inspected by our team of ASE certified technicians. You can trust that the car you're buying is in excellent condition. And remember, we can also service your vehicle after the sale. At Ridgeline, we can take your current vehicle on trade, and we also offer competitive financing options for vehicle purchases and also for vehicle repairs. Ridgeline now has two locations, one in Boulder and now a second location in Fort Collins located at 1101 North College Avenue. Both locations offer full-service auto repair and a host of off-road accessories. Check out all their services at RidgelineAutobrokers.com. Ridgeline, the smart way to buy or service or accessorize your car, truck, or SUV.
SPEAKER 13 :
It's time to leave your safe space. This is Rush to Reason on KLZ 560.
SPEAKER 12 :
All right, and closing out this hour, I would have also, or I would suggest to Mr. Means that what he's doing and what he did over the weekend is really not very wise on several fronts. It's wrong in what he did, period. But on top of that, he's more than likely going to bring some attention to himself and even some of what we were talking about in regards to fillets and things like that, where I think he would have been better off to have not said anything whatsoever and just let things ride along. Number one, there was no reason for him to say what he said. But number two, he's going to draw attention to himself in a way that he probably is going to wish in the end he hadn't done anyway. So I'll leave it at that. We'll come back. Two more hours coming your way. Rush to Reason, Denver's Afternoon Rush, KLZ 560.
HR3 Intrusive Chinese Hardware Found in Solar Panels 5-14-25 by John Rush
SPEAKER 10 :
This is Rush to Reason. You are going to shut your damn yapper and listen for a change because I got you pegged, sweetheart. You want to take the easy way out because you're scared. And you're scared because if you try and fail, there's only you to blame. Let me break this down for you. Life is scary. Get used to it. There are no magical fixes. With your host, John Rush.
SPEAKER 19 :
My advice to you is to do what your parents did. Get a job, sir. You haven't made everybody equal. You've made them the same, and there's a big difference.
SPEAKER 21 :
Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there. It is this feeling that has brought you to me.
SPEAKER 09 :
Are you crazy? Am I? Or am I so sane that you just blew your mind?
SPEAKER 03 :
It's Rush to Reason with your host, John Rush. Presented by Cub Creek Heating and Air Conditioning.
SPEAKER 08 :
All right, we are back. Hour number three, Rush to Reason, Denver's Afternoon Rush. I said earlier, Jersey Joe is going to join us. And Joe, I know you sent me some clips and stuff, but... I was talking about a topic a moment ago that I want to continue on with because I think it's really important because I think the ramifications of these sorts of things that cities and counties and governments do, I think, have long-lasting implications that, frankly, even individuals like myself, I don't want to see these things happen. And yet, in this particular case, the— The city of Denver, of course, is going to tell you that they're coming into this strip club to save the day. They're going to save all of these girls from the oppression of how they're having to work and so on. And that's this article that's actually in 9 News. It's in a lot of other places today as well. But basically, the Diamond Cabaret is facing not only, Joe, their their business license, but their liquor license and all sorts of things, because the city of Denver thinks the way they pay their employees, quote unquote, employees. They're not employees, but the way they pay their people is completely wrong. They're fining them a huge dollar amount and essentially want to shut them down at the end of the day.
SPEAKER 15 :
Well, John, I actually happened for years, by the way, I actually used to teach labor law to some of the companies, my partners and I have invested in. And I've actually done extensive study on on this topic, along with like Uber drivers. And so we need to go back to the IRS definition of the difference between employee and a contractor. By the way, in the study, many of these places actually charge the dancers like a $10 per 15-minute fee to use the stage. Correct.
SPEAKER 08 :
And really quick, I don't want to get into too many details, but I've had in the past, Joe, believe it or not, some of you may not believe this, but I've actually had some clients that were ex-dancers. strippers that gave me a lot of insight into that world that, Joe, I would have not known anything about had I not had that particular relationship. And I learned a ton. It was very eye-opening and to the point where, like you're saying, there's a lot of things that go on on the pay side that most people know nothing about. And I will tell you straight up that they are truly a contractor when it's all said and done.
SPEAKER 15 :
Right. If you get to set your own hours, you can work for more than one employer. Now, if you can work at the Diamond Cabaret on Monday and Tuesday and work at a competitor's business you know, three other days.
SPEAKER 08 :
John, if you could... And really quick, Joe, and this is something that most of you may not know, a lot of them will do that. In fact, some of the girls prefer to work some of the daytime places because the crowd is actually better and tip better than, believe it or not, Joe, some of the nighttime crowd does. So to your point, yes, they will, in fact, work at multiple locations because of what you're saying.
SPEAKER 15 :
Right, and actually in there, some of the more famous ones, actually, John, they travel in. They go from city to city.
SPEAKER 08 :
That's right. That's correct.
SPEAKER 15 :
But if you get to set your own hours, you have to pay the owner or the establishment a fee to use the stage. You can decide to work or not work whenever you choose. If you don't want to work, if you want to take the next week off— You don't come in.
SPEAKER 08 :
Take the next month off. You can take the next month off, Joe. They don't care.
SPEAKER 15 :
Take the next month off. Right. You're not getting any health insurance.
SPEAKER 08 :
The only thing you have to worry about, like any other contractor, Joe, is if you take that month off and somebody else comes along that's better than you, you may not have that job any longer.
SPEAKER 15 :
Right. But they are, by every definition, every IRS definition of the difference between an employee. In other words, your employer sets your hours. Your employer provides the tools.
SPEAKER 08 :
Provides the customers, on and on we go.
SPEAKER 15 :
Right.
SPEAKER 08 :
Which, remember, Joe, that's the other thing, too, that most people don't realize, not to get into too many details here, but a lot of these girls have followings, and they're actually bringing their own customers to the club. That's where some of these clubs prefer to have certain girls work for them because they know what I just said is correct.
SPEAKER 15 :
Yeah. So the city of Denver trying to claim that these women are employees are not even – They're in a fantasy world because if they could read the IRS regulations, which clearly define the difference between employee and a contractor, these women fit to achieve the definition.
SPEAKER 08 :
That's right.
SPEAKER 15 :
Just like an Uber driver. By the way, an Uber driver can also be a Lyft driver.
SPEAKER 08 :
That's right. They can do both.
SPEAKER 15 :
They can do both.
SPEAKER 08 :
That's right.
SPEAKER 15 :
They can decide to work today.
SPEAKER 08 :
Joe, one other thing they can also do, if they want to go out and drive for an actual limo company on the side, they can do that also.
SPEAKER 15 :
That's right. And if they don't want to work today, they just don't turn their phone on.
SPEAKER 08 :
That's right. And really quick, the reason why this Diamond Cabaret one, especially for me, Joe, sort of got my dander up, I guess you could say, is there's a lot of us. I'm an independent contractor with what I'm doing right now for Crawford Broadcasting. I don't want that to change, Joe. I do not want to not be a contractor. I want to be one now. In my world, there's advantages to being one. I don't want to be an employee for lots of reasons. And there's a lot of jobs out there, a lot of services, I guess, provided is what I should say, Joe, that are very much that way. And when I look at these sorts of things, they'll use a strip club, which, by the way, a lot of even conservatives will look at and kind of look down upon because it is what it is. And so they know that they can kind of get everybody else's you know, opinion on their side because it's a strip club. The problem, Joe, is when they do it one time, they'll keep doing it.
SPEAKER 15 :
It's kind of a slippery slope. You're setting a precedent.
SPEAKER 08 :
You're setting a precedent for other businesses in town that may operate very similar, including your local barbershop or your beauty salon. Very well, that operates exactly the same way. The problem is they're getting the nose under the tent here because it's a strip club and they know, societally speaking, it's easier for them to get the approval of society to do so.
SPEAKER 15 :
John, I'm glad you brought up barbershops and hair salons. In most hair salons... The ladies and even the guys, they rent a chair. That's right.
SPEAKER 08 :
Booth rental, it's called.
SPEAKER 15 :
Booth rental. They literally, so when you go to see your hairdresser, that hairdresser is not an employee of the salon.
SPEAKER 08 :
Only the franchise places do it that way. All of your independently operated, you know, barbershops, spas, you know, haircutting places and so on, even nail salons and so on, Joe, are very much that way.
SPEAKER 15 :
Yeah, so the ladies and the guys and stuff, they're literally, it's a booth rental. They're paying a daily fee to rent that chair. That's right. That's exactly right. So if they can do it to Diamond Cabaret, John, they can do it to your local airport.
SPEAKER 08 :
And, Joe, my whole point with this article, for a lot of you listening, because there's probably a lot of you listening, some of you, you know, even, which, you know, I'm all in. I mean, I get the other side of the aisle on the whole strip club thing, which is not what I'm talking about, Joe. I'm talking about... Just the way that they're employed and the way it's structured and run and so on. My theory is when they can go in there and this is the other thing that's in the article I didn't mention yet. It's an $11 million restitution that they want this establishment to pay. Joe, that would shut most establishments down. I don't care how big you are. That is a huge chunk to pay. And my point is if they can get by with it there, who's next?
SPEAKER 15 :
Well, yeah, we clearly put them out of business. Number one, they couldn't afford it. And I guarantee you, by the way, they're structured as an LLC, and they don't have $11 million worth of assets. And then by changing the business model going forward, it wouldn't be viable. So if I was Diamond Camaray, I would just shut down.
SPEAKER 08 :
Which I believe, Joe, is the end goal of the city here, if you ask me.
SPEAKER 15 :
Yep, probably is their goal. So they're using government. Yep.
SPEAKER 08 :
They're using the big stick of government to shut something down that they don't like. And who knows, this could be somebody that doesn't like strip clubs. It could be the fact that, hey, you know what, we're going to start here because we know we can get this done. We can set a precedent. You know what, then let's go after nail salons and hairstylists and spas and, and, and. And at the end of the day, they start doing more and more of this across town.
SPEAKER 15 :
Exactly right, John. And unfortunately, it's not limited to just Colorado. You see this in blue state after blue state. And by the way, same thing with guns, by the way. We don't like guns, so let's go after guns. Let's make it as difficult and as expensive as possible. to buy and, you know, to even buy a gun, own a gun, and even carry a gun. So it's government, you know.
SPEAKER 08 :
Yeah, and to your point, Joe, they know that if they can get that precedence set, then it is with anything. You get one done, guess what? Now we can go to the next one, the next one, the next one, until somebody stops it. That's exactly what happens. Am I correct? Yep.
SPEAKER 15 :
Yeah, absolutely correct, Joe. So, John, just on principle, You have to oppose this. Even if you don't like strip clubs, you have to oppose this on the principle.
SPEAKER 08 :
Thank you, Joe. Thank you. You said that in a brilliant way. A lot of you listening, you may have an utter disdain for them. I understand that. I get that. I'm fully aware of that side of the equation. But you've got to look at my side of it in regards to the whole labor aspect and knowing where the city can take this to the next business. By the way, could be your business, could be your establishment, could be your nonprofit. It could be anything, Joe, on the other side of the aisle as well that might be structured similarly. Where does it stop is my point.
SPEAKER 15 :
Right. And, John, I don't, you know, there's some dispute over who said it, but they're saying it goes back to the founding of the country that the government that, governs best, governs least. Good point. So do we really need this regulation? How is life going to be better if they're successful in shutting down the diamond cabaret? How does that make life better for the citizens? It might, by the way, it might put some of these women out of work. You know, right. And now they're you know, what are these women? What other job skills do they have?
SPEAKER 08 :
Well, and this is something else I learned, which most people in town probably don't know. I was telling Charlie it at the break because I did not know this. That's actually the highest establishment that a lot of those girls in that industry, they do their best to try to get a spot there because that's the best one in town from what I understand. And I don't know that personally. I just know that from what I've been told.
SPEAKER 15 :
I have no reason to suspect it wouldn't be. I've never been there, John, but I've seen it. I've driven by it.
SPEAKER 08 :
And this is my other fear, Joe. If they're going to do it there, they're just going to go down the line of all the rest of them in town. And again, who knows who's behind this? That's not my concern. My concern is the precedent that it sets and the amount of other businesses this will affect.
SPEAKER 15 :
You're 100% correct, John. So again, on principle, folks, even though if you don't like strip clubs, you've never been to one, you don't plan on going on, just on the principle of Government overreach. You need to oppose this message.
SPEAKER 08 :
Absolutely. If you want to shut them down, do it some other way. Don't do it that way. Exactly. That's my point. All right. Tell you what, let's take a quick break. You got time. I want to come back and actually play your target enslaved her ancestors clip. Can we do that? Yes, we can. All right. Take a quick time out. We'll be right back. Geno's Auto Service is next. Speaking of air conditioning, because Joe is in that world as well or came from that world, if you've got a problem with your air conditioning on your car, go to Geno's today, genosautoservice.com, and Geno's starts with a J.
SPEAKER 01 :
Air conditioning season is starting in Colorado. Are you ready? Take advantage of Geno's Auto's air conditioning recharge special. Is your vehicle's air conditioning ready to keep you cool on hot Colorado days? We all know how fast Colorado can heat up. The refrigerant in your air conditioning system gets contaminants, evaporates, and breaks down over time. That refrigerant needs to be able to absorb heat to be able to cool your vehicle's interior. Geno's uses a cooling machine that takes out the old refrigerant and cleans it. Then they put the clean refrigerant back, topping off with Freon at the right level. To make your life simpler, Geno's offers loaner vehicles so you can drop your car off and pick up when ready. We back up our work with Napa's nationwide 36-month, 36,000-mile warranty. Stay cool this summer by making sure your system is up to date and ready for this year's summer heat. Give us a call or go online to schedule an appointment. We're AAA approved and located at Bowles and Platt Canyon. Stop in or visit us online at genosautoservice.com.
SPEAKER 08 :
Cub Creek Heating and Air Conditioning. Again, any problems at all with your AC unit, give them a call today. Find them at klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 20 :
Spring maintenance is essential for your heater and air conditioner to run efficiently, and Cub Creek Heating and AC will give you the best price every time. Other companies mark up the equipment and tell you to go with the highest rebates, but Cub Creek will tell you honestly if you should keep what you have or they'll recommend only what you need. They understand that costs have gone up everywhere, and if you do need to replace your unit, Cub Creek is offering a free maintenance agreement for one year, including a checkup and filter changes. This benefit adds tremendous value. By caring for the unit in that first year, you're extending its total life. Cub Creek gives you the best price with the right rebate for your needs. And to pay for it, they offer easy, same-as-cash financing up to 18 months for qualified buyers. Find out more about Rheem Certified Pro Partners Cub Creek and schedule your service at klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 08 :
Veteran Windows and Doors. When it comes to Windows and Doors, they're the place to call. No gimmicks. It's gimmick-less is what I should say when it comes to Veteran Windows and Doors. Call them today. Go to klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 03 :
Working with veteran windows and doors feels just like working with family. Owner Dave Bancroft tells you exactly what he would do if it were his home. Customers that have worked with Dave and his crew never want to work with anyone else because of the lasting impressions and relationships they have created. And customers are pleasantly surprised by just how much knowledge and wisdom Dave brings to every meeting. He gives you the values and codes of your windows and doors without a long, exaggerated spiel or pressuring you into signing a contract. Veteran will even encourage you to meet with other window and door companies before so you can see the differences in approach. Dave will never pressure you into buying a certain window or door. You pick what you want. and he can quote it for you right there. For the month of May, when you buy up to three windows, enjoy 35% off. Buy four or more windows, you will receive 40% off, all with free installation. Just go to klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 23 :
This is Rush to Reason on KLZ 560.
SPEAKER 08 :
All right, we are back. Rush to Reason, Denver's Afternoon Rush, KLZ 560. Jersey Joe with us. Joe's going to be joining us, by the way, every Thursday at this same time, providing everything goes as planned with time off and things like that, Joe. But we're going to do our best to do this every Thursday at 5. So those of you that enjoy listening to Joe, you'll be able to tune in at this time and hear him. All right, tell me about this little clip before I start playing it.
SPEAKER 15 :
All right, three things about this clip. One, I normally wouldn't mention this if it wasn't relevant enough. But it is, this woman happens to be black, and the only reason I mention that is that she makes race an issue. And if she hadn't made race an issue in this clip, I wouldn't even mention the fact that she's black. Number two, listen, and what she's doing is she's telling this interviewing, she's rationalizing and advocating why black people, why it's not a crime to be stealing from stores like Target. And if you listen carefully here, She uses the euphemism instead of the word stealing. She says it's resourcing. We're not stealing. We're resourcing. And then the third thing you'll hear in the middle of this clip, she makes the claim, well, we don't steal from our own local stores. We don't steal from black and stores owned by black and brown people. And then in the middle of this clip, there's a quick cut to a news clip of where somebody is just pulled off a robbery at a local bodega owned by a local resident. So those are three things. She's a black African-American woman. She's making race an issue. She refers to stealing as resourcing. And then there's a clip cut, a quick cut to a news story about a little locally owned business being rubbed. So let's go ahead. All right, let me play. Here we go.
SPEAKER 05 :
Personally, I don't look at a crime. If you're going into Target, a multi-billion dollar company, and stealing clothes, it's not a crime. You're resourceful. Not a crime? Hell no. You're resourceful. You're homeless.
SPEAKER 06 :
That's where we disagree, I think.
SPEAKER 05 :
You've been displaced. I mean, because you're white and I'm black. There's a whole other socio-economical piece that I have never had access to. You can go into any single place and put your name on a piece of paper, apply for that job. You're not worried about if your name sounds too black. You're not worried about if when you show up, you got to do something with your locks because it's inappropriate. Target enslaved my ancestors a year ago. Target? Target. What did Target do? We really want to break down every single system that has truly impoverished our community, enslaved us, taken money from our families, and then displaced us as if now we're the burden to this entire city that was once 40% black.
SPEAKER 06 :
But what did Target do? And at what point do we not uphold any values?
SPEAKER 05 :
And what point do we not uphold Target to then give back all of their funds that they can easily give back?
SPEAKER 06 :
But if we steal from Target, then we steal from CVS, then we steal from Walmart, then the Walmarts leave. But we built it. But then all we have are corner stores in Oakland when we run out all these large businesses, right?
SPEAKER 05 :
Our corner stores are mom and pops own. They're black and brown owned. We don't steal from our corner stores. That's the crazy part.
SPEAKER 04 :
Security footage shows a man walking into Ideal Market in Oakland and seconds later ripping out the store's ATM. It happened around 10 p.m. Thursday night while the store was still open with an employee inside. We have ATM as a convenience for the neighborhood, for the customers that come here.
SPEAKER 07 :
But we could rock into Walmart's in Chicago. OK, they're gone. Why are they gone?
SPEAKER 05 :
Whose fault is that?
SPEAKER 07 :
People stealing from Walmart.
SPEAKER 05 :
Why did Walmart come into an urban city already and displaced thousands of black people in an area where we needed housing first? Once we have housing, you can sustain yourself from there on in. Walmart.
SPEAKER 08 :
All right, I'll leave it at that. Joe, I can't understand that. Well, I can understand that mentality because she's been fed a line of crap for her entire life thinking that that's an okay thing to do.
SPEAKER 15 :
My question is, she said, Target enslaved my ancestors.
SPEAKER 08 :
Yeah, how did Target do that, by the way?
SPEAKER 15 :
Yeah, I've been going to Target for 940, 50 years. I don't ever recall seeing any slaves working in Target. Have you?
SPEAKER 08 :
No, and they haven't been around long enough to even be close to doing anything along those lines, Joe, as you know.
SPEAKER 15 :
So, yeah, so, I mean, is she delusional? Does she believe this stuff? Does she know she's lying?
SPEAKER 08 :
Or I think there's some people, Joe, and I can tell from the look on her face, she genuinely believes in this. She is justifying her actions.
SPEAKER 15 :
And she's advocating that other people in her community. This took place in Oakland, California, which, by the way, is drying up because, you know, the stores are closing and moving out. She's advocating that other people like her continue to do this or if they haven't start doing this. Well, guess what? Just like Chicago, your business is going to close up. And then they're going to complain about, well, it's a food desert. There's no grocery stores within. And a lot of people in the inner cities don't have cars. So if there's no grocery store within either on a bus route or within walking distance, you're basically screwed when it comes to doing grocery shopping.
SPEAKER 08 :
Right.
SPEAKER 15 :
And they create their own food deserts.
SPEAKER 08 :
They do.
SPEAKER 15 :
And that's what's going to happen.
SPEAKER 08 :
Okay, one other thing I want to get your opinion on before I let you go, because I did talk about the city of Denver. You know, they're not going to buy any of their asphalt products from Suncor, the refinery that's literally their next-door neighbor. And I had all sorts of text messages coming in kind of as a follow-up that I hadn't even thought about, which I should have, Joe, and that is, The asphalt product itself, that even the plant in northern Colorado is now going to ship back down to Denver, most likely the emulsifier and some of the things that it takes to even make, that's probably coming from the refinery anyways.
SPEAKER 15 :
Yep. Suncor is just going to ship it up there.
SPEAKER 08 :
How stupid, Joe.
SPEAKER 15 :
By the way, you know, and of course, you know, the city of Boulder has a lawsuit against the big oil companies, right?
SPEAKER 08 :
Oh, yeah, I saw that. How dumb.
SPEAKER 15 :
But here's the thought. It is not the production of these fuels that is primarily responsible for, you know, greenhouse gases. If you just produce it, yeah, producing it generates a little, you know, a little methane, but if you just produce it and put it in a tank, you're not creating, you know, millions of tons of CO2 and whatnot. It's the use of those products. So rather than sue the producers... And some of that stuff can go to make shingles. Oh, yeah, that's right.
SPEAKER 08 :
All kinds of stuff.
SPEAKER 15 :
Absolutely. That doesn't create greenhouse gases. So shouldn't they be suing the users, which would include the city of Boulder? Good point. Who continues to buy and operate internal combustion engine vehicles.
SPEAKER 08 :
Great point, Joe. Great point. So they should be suing the users, not the producers. Absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, that whole story just, you know, A, it got me upset. The Diamond Cabaret story was one thing that really upsets me because of the things we talked about earlier. But then the not buying from Suncor is another one. It's like, I'm speechless, Joe, because I can't believe these people get elected.
SPEAKER 15 :
Yeah, I mean, are they truly that stupid?
SPEAKER 08 :
Yes, they are.
SPEAKER 15 :
Yeah, because as you point out, SunGore is going to not reduce its output, you know, by even one.
SPEAKER 08 :
One iota, Joe, not an ounce.
SPEAKER 15 :
Not an ounce. And all you can do is drive up the cost.
SPEAKER 08 :
Which they are.
SPEAKER 15 :
And then you're going to increase pollution or CO2 because. it's then going to have to be, first of all, that the raw products are going to have to be driven up to— Truck twice. Truck twice. Driven up to the asphalt plant in northern Colorado and then driven back into the city of Denver.
SPEAKER 08 :
Correct. So it's twice.
SPEAKER 15 :
So you're— Unbelievable, Joe. You're accomplishing the exact opposite of what you claim you want to accomplish.
SPEAKER 08 :
Yeah. At the end of the day, all you've done is added to the problem you thought you were solving in the first place.
SPEAKER 15 :
Yep. Government isn't the solution. Government is the problem.
SPEAKER 08 :
You got that right. Joe, as always, I appreciate it. Look forward to next week as well. All right. Talk to you then, John. Take care. Thank you. Appreciate it very much. Have a great evening. Roof Savers of Colorado coming up next. Speaking of asphalt shingles and all of that, Roof Savers would love to take care of you. I should say Dave Hart would love to take care of you. And if you've had any issues at all with some of these storms we've had here of late, give Dave a call today, 303-710-6916.
SPEAKER 02 :
Wind and rain and hail, oh my. There's no place like home and you have to do what you can to keep a reliable roof over it. Summer hailstorms are here, bringing damage and door knockers. That's where we come in. At Roof Savers Colorado, we take pride in helping homeowners like you find the right solution for your situation. We strive to provide peace of mind and a quality roofing experience for every customer. From plant-based rejuvenation treatments that give new life to dry, old, or minorly damaged shingles to full roofing replacements, we want to provide the best service for you and your home. Hail season brings many out-of-state roofing companies knocking at your door, but we're here to provide you with honest inspections, quality service, and customer care. Don't wait. Call us for a free assessment before filing your insurance claim. Call today at 303-710-6916 or go to RoofSaverCO.com. That's 303-710-6916 or go to RoofSaverCO.com to set up your free inspection.
SPEAKER 08 :
All right, and safe box deposits, better than a bank because it's more secure. It's actually easier to handle. You've got arm security there. At the end of the day, it's just a much better way to store your high-end belongings, and you can do that starting at $15 a month. 303-771-8000.
SPEAKER 09 :
Safebox knows you don't trust big government or financial institutions. Safebox is entirely confidential, more reliable, convenient, and secure than any bank or government institution. They never disclose any of your information or even the fact that you own a box to anyone. Not even the government. You can trust Safebox. In order to create Safebox, they had to pass a 220-point checklist to become accredited with their insurance company. So you know your belongings are absolutely safe. There is complete anonymity with Safebox. and they have enhanced all security measures and procedures to include the most advanced alarm system available, 24-7 surveillance, and ballistic glass, to name a few. They provide a wide selection of water and fireproof safes in their vault, along with very affordable pricing. Store your jewelry, guns, passports. Gold coins, documents, or anything of value to you, they are Better Business Bureau accredited and even accept cash for those who want complete privacy. Know your possessions are safe and confidential by setting up an appointment with Safebox at klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 08 :
All right, group insurance analysts, where they take care of you, they're a broker, they shop what's best for you, and then at the same time, help you save money across the board. e-gia.com.
SPEAKER 12 :
Finding the right home and auto insurance can be confusing, and picking the wrong plan can cost you thousands of dollars more out of your pocket. You need an expert in home and auto insurance to help you find the best coverage that fits your needs and at the very best premium. Call Paul Linegro at GIA Insurance, and his team of home and auto insurance specialists will help you find the right plan for your needs. As independent brokers, GIA Insurance can help you shop the market so that you get the right coverage at the right price. GIA never charges fees and your premiums will never be any higher than going directly to the insurance companies or buying online. Receive the local hands-on service that you don't get with a call center or online. Whether it is your home, auto, classic car, or liability insurance, GIA has got you covered. Call 303-423-0162, extension 100, or go online to e-gia.com. Get more without paying more.
SPEAKER 11 :
The best export we have is Common Sense. You're listening to Rush to Reason.
SPEAKER 08 :
And we are back. Rush to Reason, Denver's Afternoon Rush, KLZ 560. Jim Paff joining us now, conservative caucus. How are you, Jim?
SPEAKER 14 :
I'm doing well. And by the way, I love that everyone rules the world song. There's so much there that we need to pay attention to.
SPEAKER 08 :
Absolutely. All right. Talk to us a little about Trump, his Middle East tour, things happening in Washington as well.
SPEAKER 14 :
Well, listen, this is probably the most significant week any president has in the United States has ever had. Maybe a handful of others or less. Because not only did we have the whole prescription drug EO go out before he left, and the resolution that he negotiated between India and Pakistan. And the China deal. And the China deal. This amazing tour of the Middle East that really is totally resetting how we deal with our international relations. And I'm very hopeful that future presidents will stick with it. I think future Republican presidents will. Democrats may be stupid again, like Joe Biden was, and so there's always risk. But this is an amazing tour de force by Donald Trump, particularly in Saudi Arabia. I mean, you know, it was great in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but what happened in Saudi Arabia is significant, and particularly as it seems may be happening, if he can get Saudi Arabia to sign on to the Abraham Accord, it radically transforms the Middle East in a huge way.
SPEAKER 08 :
Absolutely. No, I agree with everything you said there, Jim. I think it's been a very substantial week. I think most people, especially the press, well, you know the press, the They care, but they're never going to admit that he does anything well, any way, shape, or form, whether that was some of the deals you talked about with Pakistan and India or the deal with China and some of the tariff negotiations that are going on or what he's done overseas. I mean, he's getting criticized right now, and for everybody listening, please know this. And if you have any conversation with family or anybody around the water cooler, Donald Trump himself has not, will not, cannot accept a plane from Qatar, That has to go through the proper channels, which it is, by the way, Jim. It will not be his personal plane. And I've said this before, and I'm going to make sure I'm clear on this, though. It is, in addition to the Air Force One fleet that is aging, that we've got to get something done on, that Donald Trump tried to do the last time he was in office, and Boeing has just been slower than Christmas getting these things out. And I'm not exaggerating, Jim, when I say that. The reality is they're dragging their feet, and I have no idea why. So this literally is a cheap, inexpensive plane. Less expensive, I should say, not inexpensive, but less expensive stopgap in that particular arena. Am I correct?
SPEAKER 14 :
No, you're absolutely correct. And we're still going to have to spend millions of dollars to get it retrofitted and everything. But the other thing about this, and I haven't been able to track it down, but I heard Senator Mark Wayne Mullen make the claim that this was actually in negotiations with Cutter. But in the Biden administration, this is just the culmination of it. And I don't know for sure that that's true yet, but he made that assertion. If it is true, it totally blows that narrative away. But I think that it's a necessity. Like, there is a very big problem right now.
SPEAKER 08 :
with uh with the air force one fleet and by the way really quick jim i talked about this the other day the reality is they get old those things put a lot of miles on 747s as you know are old in general they haven't even think the last one of those rolled off uh years ago so 23. That's right. So it's been two years since they've even built any of them, and they were really getting lower in production as it was anyway. So reality is there's not that many of them around. It's diminishing. You're going to see less and less of them flying, even as cargo planes. So the reality is, yes, Air Force One, our fleet, is getting older and older by the day.
SPEAKER 14 :
Well, and here's the other factor, and I was talking to a military expert on this just this week, that there is a requirement in a rational one that you have a four-engine aircraft. That's right. We don't make four-engine aircraft domestically anymore. We do not. Everett Washington Boeing plant stopped rolling out these 747s. So that becomes really, really important as well, and we're going to have to find a long-term solution. solution to that in the future. But in the short term, that's another good reason. There are a lot of good reasons to do this. Yes, it feels a little icky at first, but when you start listening to the rationale and the reasoning behind it, it starts to make a lot of sense.
SPEAKER 08 :
What's that old saying, Jim, don't look a gift horse in the mouth?
SPEAKER 14 :
Absolutely. And by the way, it's not like we're already aren't already receiving money from Qatar. They spent eight billion dollars to build that military base, that Air Force base that we have there. And they pay for it on a consistent basis when we make updates to it. So, you know, we're already getting that through the military from there. So this is consistent with what we've been doing already.
SPEAKER 08 :
Yeah, the State Department will tell anybody, and this is even under the Biden administration, that Qatar is not an enemy of the United States. You'll hear that from the media, by the way, on the left. It's interesting. Interestingly enough, Jim, all of a sudden they're an enemy of the state. When I would tell you that six months ago when Joe Biden was president, they wouldn't have been considered that by the White House or the media or anybody else for that matter. But all of a sudden they are because, you know, Donald Trump's in charge and we're now going to receive a plane from them. But to your point, yeah, there's a lot of things that go on. And, you know, is... Is Qatar one of those countries that I think, or Qatar, I should say, is it one of those countries that I think as time goes by continues to learn that, you know, rather than us buttering the bread of terrorists, we probably would be better off buttering the bread of the United States of America, because in the end, it benefits our country far more than those terrorists do. That's my thought, Jim.
SPEAKER 14 :
Well, there are a lot of negatives with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, all these wealthy Arab countries. There are potential concerns, certainly in their populaces, about terrorism and stuff. So this is the risk. But isn't that really kind of the point? Like, if you take the opportunity in a... proper manner where you're dealing with it in trade and not injecting the CIA into everything. It happens so often they're screwing things up. Isn't that the point to try to draw these countries away from exactly what you're doing?
SPEAKER 08 :
Absolutely. Jim, I think it's very similar to... At one point in time, the whole overpopulation of the earth, and we're going to get to the point where we're not going to be able to feed everybody. When I was younger, that was the big thing back in the day was we're just overpopulating, overpopulating, overpopulating. And then I read a book, a really interesting book. I was in my early 20s, and I read this book where – I can't even remember now the name of the book, Jim, but basically a gal wrote it. And the premise was that the richer a country gets – the less population they will have anyways. So at the end of the day, if you're worried about overpopulation, make every country out there wealthier, and it will take care of itself. And guess what? That's exactly what has happened. My point with these Middle Eastern countries are the more wealthy they get and the more first world they become, some of those quote-unquote terrorist concerns in my book start to diminish because they start realizing that, you know what, there's a better way to do things.
SPEAKER 14 :
Well, you can't become wealthy without doing the sorts of things that bring about that end result that you're talking about. So, you know, you've got to try. There's a lot to deal with on the correlation causation argument. But in reality, you can only be a wealthy country if you're a stable country. That's right. You can only be a stable country if you undertake a certain moral code where you have the rule of law. Because you can't have... any economic success without the rule of law. I mean, in a serious way.
SPEAKER 08 :
Not really, no. And, you know, great example of that, not to pick on our folks in the southern, you know, to the southern part of the country here, Jim, not to pick on them, but when cartels run Mexico, it's a reason why it's a second-world country, not a first-world country.
SPEAKER 14 :
Well, that's exactly right. To your point. And again, you don't have rule of law in that circumstance because you're submitting your country, and this is getting worse in places like Colombia and Venezuela and South America as well. You have some extra governmental thing ruling your country, and the only way they can do that is through corruption. You can't have that kind of influence without some form of serious corruption. We have corruption in our government. We've been, you know, following that for months now and years now. But it's not of the same sort with something that we can fix and something we can deal with. In those situations, you can't. And some of these Middle Eastern countries are also figuring that out because they've got to do business or doing international business. And they're finding that they have to abide by certain rules. Like it's not just we're extracting oil out of the ground.
SPEAKER 08 :
That's right.
SPEAKER 14 :
And we're doing it on our own, and you can't stop us. They have to now interact, and that always does tend to bring about positive things.
SPEAKER 08 :
What's interesting to me, Jim, not to belabor this, but those same people – that would complain about us getting a $400 million plane from Qatar. If I was a man on the street and they would give you some flack for that, you could turn around and say, well, would you feel more comfortable if it was coming from our neighbors to the south from Mexico? And most of them would probably say, well, yeah, I don't think there would be any issues there. We have a good relationship with Mexico, sure. Yet at the end of the day, Jim... We are having far more destruction coming across and have had coming across our southern border in regards to drugs and fentanyl and so on. And the cartels literally run that entire country. And I'm not exaggerating when I say that. And yet there's people on the streets here in the United States of America that would say, sure, it's fine to take that plane from Mexico, but it's not OK to take it from from Qatar.
SPEAKER 14 :
Well, in any event, the methodology by which they are approaching this is to put it under the military service for a specific use purpose, Air Force One. Correct. And that's the proper way to do it. But never forget, whether it's Donald Trump or anyone else. 6,000 years of recorded human history proves the radical corruption of mankind. This is our basic problem with politics. So we do have to keep our eyes on how this goes about and what happens. And there's always a risk of some kind of corruption just because we're dealing with human beings. But after... All that Donald Trump has gone through in his first administration and since then, and kind of the anal exam that he's been given through these irrational court legal actions and everything else, you find the man to be one of the more ethical politicians. in American history. That doesn't mean he's perfect, and someone's going to find something in here that I said this, and they're going to say, yeah, well, what about when he committed, when he had a bankruptcy on one of his things back in the day? Okay, whatever. But the point is that nothing's perfect, but he's far better. I trust his moral, ethical behavior. Far more than I trust Joe Biden's. Far more than I trust Bill Clinton's. Far more than I trust George W. Bush's. And I think that that is a story that no one wants to accept, but I think is objectively true.
SPEAKER 08 :
Well, and I would go a little bit further with what you just said and say that all of that is true because the simple fact Donald Trump is not a politician and everybody else you labeled off is.
SPEAKER 14 :
Correct. I think, well, I'll give the Bushes credit. They did have some real business in the family. But yes, you are absolutely correct. They were committed politicians doing political things all their lives. And that is a more corrupting problem than anything else. Just look at what's going on in Congress right now. You've got on both sides of the aisle a lot of corruption, and they're almost all of them, not every one of them, but almost all of them corrupt. They're merely politicians, not that they happen to be politicians, but that's all that they are.
SPEAKER 08 :
And I think there's far more corrupting behavior in someone that goes in politics all their life than someone that is. Oh, I agree. I talk about that all the time, Jim. Absolutely. All right. How do folks find the conservative caucus?
SPEAKER 14 :
They go to the conservative caucus dot org. They can find out everything about us. And obviously, people can follow me on X at Jim Path.
SPEAKER 08 :
Awesome. Jim, I appreciate you very much. Thank you.
SPEAKER 14 :
Thank you, buddy.
SPEAKER 08 :
You bet. Have a great night. Again, Jim Paff, it's P-F-A-F-F if you're looking for him on social media as well. Golden Eagle Financial coming up next when it comes to your financial future. Make sure you're set, dialed in, have a plan, and you stick to that plan. Al can help you with all of that. Al Smith, Golden Eagle Financial. Find him at klzradio.com.
SPEAKER 18 :
Golden Eagle Financial will help ensure that your nest egg will last. Advances in medical science have helped Americans live longer, which is wonderful. But where retirement advisors used to plan for about 15 years of income, today retirees live much longer. That means you're going to need more money for more years of living an amazing retirement. Sure, there are programs to bridge that gap, like Medicare and Social Security, but that's not the fulfilling retirement that you've always dreamed of. Al Smith and Golden Eagle Financial use financial strategies with guaranteed lifetime income to stretch your principal to last longer so you can do more of the things you want to do in retirement, like vacations with your kids, helping others, or giving to your favorite charities. People like you who are well-prepared will have a more fulfilling, stress-free retirement. We'll be right back.
SPEAKER 08 :
All right, Kevin Flesch gave his name out this morning to somebody that needs some help when it comes to some of the insurance stuff or the other party just isn't moving along like they should. Give Kevin a call today, 303-806-8886.
SPEAKER 22 :
Here's why you need personal injury attorney Kevin Flesch on your side. He understands the way the jury thinks. In the context of a personal injury case, you've been hurt by someone else's negligence. The idea is that you're going to try to recover so that you can get back to where you were just prior to that incident occurring. What that really means from a jurist's perspective is that you're going to be asking them to award you money. So when we talk about fairness, we're talking about six people that you don't know. Those six people view the evidence and make a unanimous decision that will decide what the fair value is. When you're the one who's hurt, you have a good idea of what you think it's worth. The question is, can you persuade those other individuals whom you don't know and were witnesses to believe that's what the case is worth? Kevin Flesch understands the way the jury thinks. Call now for a free consultation. 303-806-8886
SPEAKER 17 :
As independent brokers, GIA Insurance can help you shop the market so that you get the right coverage at the right price. Whether it is your home, auto, classic car, or liability insurance, GIA has got you covered. Call 303-423-0162, extension 100, or go online to e-gia.com.
SPEAKER 11 :
It's time to leave your safe space. This is Rush to Reason on KLZ 560.
SPEAKER 08 :
All right, I have to go back to the whole Diamond Cabaret story just for a moment because Charlie and I were talking through the break, and this is kind of a sideline. And I, in the back of my mind, because I don't trust government, especially I don't trust the city of Denver at all, you've got to wonder who wants that whole corner, not only their building, but the other. There's like two, three other buildings that are right next to where they are, right off of Colfax and Glenarm. You've got to start wondering what's the ultimate goal here? What's the ultimate goal? And by the way, I'm going to say this straight up because I believe this wholeheartedly. This is not, I repeat, this is not because the city of Denver cares about the dancers in that club. I can tell you that right now. That is not the reason. The auditor going in, looking at everything, he'll tell you that, oh, yeah, or maybe it's a she, I don't know, but the auditor will tell you, oh, yeah, we're just looking out for the best interest of these girls and the employees and so on, the bartenders, this, that, and the other. Yeah, that's BS. Total BS. So I'm asking, I'm going to throw it out there, city of Denver, I know you guys don't listen, but this stuff gets back to people, believe me. What we talk about on air gets back to people. What's the end goal here? What are you really trying to do by doing what you're doing? $11 million fine. What are you really trying to accomplish at the end of the day? You're trying to shut the place down. I get that. But why? What's the end goal here? Who wants that whole corner? Who's got some inside edge with the city? Who's paying people under the table at the end of the day to make all of this happen? And who wants this whole corner? That's my question. Because trust me, this thing's been running long enough in this fashion all these years to now all of a sudden some auditor's going to come along and fine them $11 million. It's total BS. And now you've got to start asking the question, who wants the corner? And is this their way of getting it for less money? Because if the business is gone, yeah, there's value to the land and the building and such, but it's not worth near what it was with the business operating. I can tell you that straight up as a business consultant. It's not one and the same. It changes the value. So if they can get that thing completely shuttered and it's gone and it's now vacant, the price drops. Yeah, and Charlie's telling me in my ear, those people that you claim to be helping, the girls and so on, bartenders, et cetera, those folks that you claim to be helping, they're now out of a job at that location. Which, as I said earlier, what I learned is that's the best location for that type of work in town. It's the highest-end establishment that's there, period, that those girls can go to, the dancers and such can go to, and actually make the most money and have the best environment out of any other place in town. So, again, trust me, folks, this is not about them. This is about punishing the owner to the point that he'll have to close up and somebody can swoop in and buy that corner. And my gut feeling would be there's three other buildings there. One of them is kind of attached to each other, so there's really three buildings on that corner. Who wants the corner? That's the question I have. I pulled up Google Maps just to – because my curiosity is getting me going here as to, okay, what's really – what's the end goal here when it's all said and done? Because this city of Denver auditor doesn't care about the people. I can tell you that right now. 100%. So what – and you've got to ask yourself the same thing. What's the end goal here? What are they really trying to accomplish? And as I said earlier as well, what other businesses at the end of the day is this going to affect, and where else can they go and do this same thing? Where else can they pull this kind of nonsense? And, again, I'm going to make sure I, you know – Full disclosure, I don't know who owns the establishment. I don't know anybody at the Diamond Cabaret. I've never talked to anybody there. If I know somebody there, I don't know that I know them. So it's not like I know the owner and I'm trying to help this owner out. I have no idea who owns it. No clue. And frankly, it doesn't matter. I'd be saying the same thing whether I knew somebody there or not. Reality is this is not the proper role of government. It's not the way things should be handled. Whether you like strip clubs or not, that's not the point. The point is government is doing something that they should not be able to do and are going to end up most likely shutting a business down. They have no business shutting down. That should make you mad. Whether you like the establishment or not is irrelevant. That whole thing I just said should make you mad because it's not the proper role of government. Denver, the city, is overreaching, and there's an ultimate goal here that they're not telling you what it is, and I'd love to know what that end goal is. We already know the city of Denver doesn't know what it's doing. I explained that in regards to the whole Suncor debacle. So they don't know what they're doing. That's very apparent. But then you've got to ask the question, in this particular scenario, who's behind this? Who's pushing it? Who's fronting it? Who's making it happen? Who's pushing it forward at the end of the day? Because I guarantee you that, again, it's not because of these particular individuals that work at this particular facility, this particular business. There's more to it than that. And here's how I know. There's a CBS Colorado investigation. that is finding out that Democrat Mayor Mike Johnston, he has directed his staff to use and move over to a messaging service that auto-deletes all of their messages so that if the Trump administration comes in and tries to recover any messages, they're gone. By the way, that's against the law to do, but he's doing it anyways. So, again, you all are thinking, oh, John, you're just against City of Denver because. Well, yeah, because here's another example why I should be. These guys are absolute scumbags. Literally. They have no idea what they're doing. They're going to run the city into the ground. And some would say, well, you don't live there anyways, John. Why do you care? Because what happens in Denver proper affects all of us around Denver. It affects the whole state. Right? And some of you have messaged me across the years and have said that. While I don't live in Denver and a lot of you listening don't live in Denver, what Denver does affects all of us. It has that type of an effect because it's the capital of our state and it has a bearing upon everything else we do across the state. So, yeah, we've got a mayor, Mike Johnson, who's basically saying, hey, staff, use this messaging app that will automatically auto-delete anything we talk about so that no one else will be able to come back in and check on what we're doing. Which, again, now it goes back into some of what I'm talking about in regards to this audit of the cabaret. Are they using this app to do that as well? Are they communicating back and forth along those lines as well? And, again, I don't know. Wouldn't shock me if they are. But I don't know. Here's my whole point. I don't trust the city of Denver and anybody that's running it at all. Don't trust the council. Don't trust the mayor. Don't trust anybody that's around the mayor. They are literally nothing more than a bunch of Marxists that rule with an iron fist that will suck the city dry of money. Because they have, well, they have an idea of what they're doing. They want to run into the ground, and that they're doing very effectively, by the way. So, all right, take our last break here. Dr. Scott Faulkner is up next. And as I say all the time, especially on these Thursdays when we've got Dr. Kelly on and Steve House, Dr. Scott thinks just like we do. He agrees with everything we say. He is not behold the big pharma or big insurance. In other words, he's going to do whatever is best for you and your medical care, Call him today, 303-663-6990.
SPEAKER 13 :
Are you tired of crisis care and instead want true healthcare? Do you want to improve your overall fitness and beauty? Do you have a chronic medical condition that no one has taken the time to understand? Are you trying to meet a health or weight goal? Or maybe you're just looking for a great doctor who thinks the way you do. Dr. Scott is a board-certified internal medicine specialist, bringing decades of experience and expertise to the table. Dr. Scott is a true advocate of the latest advancements in health care. That's why he uses umbilical derived stem cells, which have been clinically proven to be the most potent stem cells available. Worried about being lost in the crowd of impersonal health care? Fear not. Dr. Scott is a big picture doctor, not beholden to big pharma or big insurance like some other providers. He takes the time to understand your unique needs and will customize your health care to fit you, your body, and your lifestyle. Reach your full potential and achieve your goals. Call Dr. Scott today at 303-663-6990 or visit him online at castlerockregenerativehealth.com or find him at rushtoreason.com. Dr. Scott Faulkner and Castle Rock Regenerative Health Care is your path to a healthier tomorrow.
SPEAKER 23 :
Stay up to date with Rush to Reason after the show on Twitter at Rush to Reason.
SPEAKER 08 :
We are back getting things closed up. Somebody asked if we had a weather station or weather radar thing here in our studio since we're an emergency broadcast station. No, we do not. We just follow their guidelines, and when something happens, we know according to that. But no, we do not sit here and watch the weather radar. Charlie and I are far enough up here in the tower where we can pretty much look out and see things coming our way from pretty much all directions, which we'll do from time to time. But, no, we do not have weather radar here in the studio at all. All right, tomorrow we're going to change things up a little bit. We're actually going to do rental hour in the first hour, and that's going to be the art of the deal, trades and deals in movies. And then hour two, Andy's going to do reviews of Final Destination, Bloodlines, and Hurry Up Tomorrow. Have a great night. Rush to Reason, Denver's Afternoon Rush, KLZ 560.
In today's episode, Mike Gallagher discusses the reactions surrounding Donald Trump's acceptance of a 747 plane from Qatar, scrutinized by conservative voices and mainstream media alike. Tune in as Mike sheds light on the importance of unity within the conservative movement while acknowledging the critical perspectives of well-known commentators like Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin. The episode tackles the delicate balance between upholding principles and supporting a political agenda amidst media scrutiny.
SPEAKER 03 :
He's the happy conservative warrior, Mike Gallagher, broadcasting across hundreds of radio stations nationwide and seen on your trusted conservative TV network, Salem News Channel. Here's Mike.
SPEAKER 14 :
I got in some trouble yesterday on X, which, of course, it pays to follow me on X. If you're not, what are you waiting for? Come on. At Gallagher Show. Listen, I want to get to 100,000 followers by the end of the year. Think we can do it? Every goal we ever set for this audience, you always surpass. But there is a disconnect, I think, between this audience and digital and social media. I don't know. I want to do better at it. I mean, I'm a lifelong broadcaster, and I've done, I think, a pretty good job of making the transition into the digital space. We're all over the place. You can follow us on, you know, subscribe to our YouTube channel and get our podcast, our weekend review, and our exclusive interviews and all kinds of content. And I really like X a lot. The more the left hates X, the more I love it. And so I had a little back and forth yesterday, and a guy who's a fellow Trump supporter got mad at me. So I decided to really enjoy myself. The Babylon Bee posted a picture of President Trump in front of a destroyer hovering over the skies from Star Wars. And the Babylon Bee post said, Trump accepts generous gift from of Imperial Class Star Destroyer from Emperor Palpatine. Well, I wrote, I reposted that, and I said, okay, I'm out. I'm finished. I'm done. I'm off the Trump train. I can no longer support this man. This is just too much. It's a bridge too far. Kamala would have never accepted such a lavish gift. And shame on President Trump for failing to realize how bad Emperor Palpatine is. time for me to bail jasmine 2028 now i would imagine most people could understand that's sarcastic but not this one guy and he wrote you're ridiculous you're suffering from trump derangement syndrome you got to get to a hospital this is terrible take this down put So then I decided to play along, and I said, how dare you? How dare you? Do you not know how bad Emperor Palpatine is? Trump's gone over to the dark side. And the guy kept arguing with me. He said, I have common sense. You clearly do not. And... I got in trouble with some of my friends. Mark Davis this morning said, oh, no, you should have been nicer and had given the guy more grace, and you've got to win these people over. I said, Mark, he's defending Emperor Palpatine and a starship, a destroyer, whatever they call that thing. You know, it hovers. I mean, I was going to keep it going. I was going to say, look how fast Trump can get around. A destroyer goes a lot faster than a 747. And I wonder if the guy would have... argued with that i don't know i i just you can get in trouble on social media but anyhow check it out follow me at gallagher show watching conservatives complain about the plane from cutter and yes it's cutter will you stop emailing me and say it's qatar it used to be qatar evidently the correct and proper pronunciation for cutter is cutter q u a whatever it is t e r it's cutter And good people like Mark Levin and Ben Shapiro are kind of lashing out because they know Qatar's history with terrorists. Well, they must be very uncomfortable with Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia right now because right now he's in Riyadh. And you don't want to go down the... history of Saudi Arabian terrorism, 9-11 ring any bells? We have some uncomfortable partners in the world. But if Qatar wants to gift the United States a $400 million 747, well, as Trump put it himself, he would be stupid to
SPEAKER 01 :
to say no. If we can get a 747 as a contribution to our Defense Department to use during a couple of years while they're building the other ones, I think that was a very nice gesture. Now, I could be a stupid person and say, oh, no, we don't want a free plane. We give free things out. We'll take one, too. And it helps us out because, again, we're talking about we have 40-year-old aircraft. The money we spend, the maintenance we spend on those planes to keep them tippy-top is astronomical. You wouldn't even believe it. So I think it's a great gesture from Qatar. I appreciate it very much. I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, no, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane.
SPEAKER 14 :
Now let me stipulate, I'm a big Ben Shapiro fan. I admire him deeply. I've known him for years. I've appeared with him on panels over the years. He's terrific. He really is. Here's his reaction over at the Daily Wire.
SPEAKER 09 :
Taking sacks of goodies from people who support Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, Al Jazeera, all the rest, that's not America first. Like, please define America first in a way that says you should take sacks of cash from the Qatari royals who are behind Al Jazeera. It just isn't America first in any conceivable way.
SPEAKER 14 :
Mark Levin, I understand, had a similar reaction. So that leads the mainstream media to explode with joy. MAGA is turning on Trump. Look at even Trump loyalists like Mark Levin and Ben Shapiro and Laura Loomer and Eric Erickson. They're turning on him. The walls are closing in. Finally, the cracks are in the foundation. It's all over for Donald. You get the picture? And this is precisely why so many of us are reluctant to pile on. Because we give the people who are on the fence, the haters and the doubters, we give them an opportunity to try to continue to batter the Trump agenda and the Make America First Again movement. And I think you have to be careful. Now, you could argue that Mark and Ben and others just feel that way and they're calling balls and strikes. But I heard that a lot. I've heard that since 2016. Trump bashers say, I'm just calling balls and strikes here. I'm just being fair. Well, you may be expressing how you feel. And, of course, everybody appreciates that. But when you're being useful... to the legacy media, when you're giving the Daily Beast and Mediaite and NBC and all the rest of them an opportunity to bludgeon Trump and his agenda even harder, that's not helpful. That's not useful. That's not productive. I mean, first of all, on the merits... The pushback against the plane is ridiculous. Trump is absolutely right. How stupid would he be to turn down a $400 million, state-of-the-art, brand-new, or nearly new, 747? He's flying around in what many believe is kind of a junky 30-, 40-year-old 747. It's not a new plane. And the commander-in-chief ought to fly around in the best in the world. And the whole thing, it's a Trojan horse. You don't think our experts are going to go through that with a fine-tooth comb? Stop it. It's smart. It's a good business move. It makes sense. And the fact that it's going to get retired to the Trump library after his term makes it even more delicious because that makes the critics and the haters melt down even more. So give me your assessment of this debate over the plane from Qatar and the reaction from good folks, good people like Mark Levin and Ben Shapiro. Maybe, perhaps you think I'm missing the boat here and, you know, hey, they feel the way they feel. The problem with pushing back against Qatar because of its relationship with terrorism, you don't want to do 9-11, I mean Saudi Arabia rather, You better turn that, he better come out of there right now. Are they critical of his visit to the Middle East? Do Mark and Ben have fundamental problems with him sitting down with the Saudi crown prince right now? I don't know. Got to be consistent. So let's see what you think. Relief Factor Studios, it's Tuesday, May the 13th. Our number is 800-655-MIKE. I want to put your voice front and center. Call or text, but join us here on this Tuesday episode. Great to have you here. We've got a lot to tackle today. 800-655-6453. You could text or call, but I'd love to put your voice on the show. I want to see if you think that... Are you with Mark and Laura? And I look, again, I like these guys. I'm not... I hate to pick a fight with people that I enjoy on social media and online and on air. I'm a big Mark Levin fan. I'm not comfortable with being critical of them. But look, I've got to... Call balls and strikes, too. And if I'm the umpire, I'm saying get off Trump's back. He's got enough to deal with. He's got the whole world pressing down on him. Get off his back. But maybe you see it differently. Let's find out. 800-655-MIKE, 800-655-6453. How are you sleeping at night? Let me tell you a little bit about Z-Factor. It goes beyond melatonin with a combination of four natural ingredients. Helps relax your mind so you can fall asleep quicker and sleep more soundly through the night. It was fun to see my friend Sean Hannity on the plane with President Trump over to Saudi Arabia. But the time zone, jet lag, I know it can be bad. I hope... I hope Sean has a bottle of Z-Factor with him. Hope the president does too. It's safe to take every night. You wake up rested and refreshed with no groggy feeling. And it's made by the makers of Relief Factor. So you already know what kind of credibility comes with Z-Factor. Give Z-Factor a try because right now you'll save 46% on your first order. Only $19.95 for a 30-day supply. Call 800-4-RELIEF. 800-4-RELIEF. That's 1-800-4-RELIEF. Or visit relieffactor.com. If you're not getting the Z's you need at night, if you're not getting the best night's sleep of your life, well, get better sleep, better days with Z-Factor from Relief Factor. Call 800-4-RELIEF or visit relieffactor.com for Z-Factor. Let's show this great American company how much we have their back. MyPillow.com, promo code MikeG. Order pillows. These percale sheets are unbelievable. They're so smooth and silky and soft.
SPEAKER 1 :
$25.
SPEAKER 14 :
Final day for that price, incidentally. That closeout ends today. So this is your final day. If you're sending a kid off to college, order sheets for them. Order sheets for the local mission, a local ministry. Go to MyPillow.com. Find out Mike Gallagher's special square. Click on that box, and then with anything you order, enter the promo code MikeG. Or just pick up the phone to place your order.
SPEAKER 03 :
The Mike Gallagher Show on Salem News Channel and the Salem Radio Network.
SPEAKER 10 :
But in January 2020, President Trump produced a template. We had an excellent trade agreement with China, and the Biden administration chose not to enforce it. The Chinese delegation basically told us that once... President Biden came into office. They just ignored their obligations.
SPEAKER 03 :
In the ReliefFactor.com studios, here's Mike.
SPEAKER 14 :
Nice text. A lot of text messages on the MyPillow text line, and I really appreciate texts, although there was a strange thing. I came into the office today, and somebody from Indiana had texted me over and over and over again with pictures. It looked like from a drive-thru. Like a fast food place. And it was a little creepy. It was a little Buffalo Bill-ish from Silence of the Lambs. I mean, we blocked him, finally. It was weird. What was going on? I mean, it was like a hundred pictures. Look, I admit, pictures make me a little nervous. I don't know if there's some subliminal message there. But I do like the text environment. I text my kids. My kids text me. I text everybody. Goodness knows Tracy will text me in the middle of the night. Jesse Waters? I just watched Jesse Waters. He's texting me and I'm in the bathtub. But texting is interesting because it takes you out of the – you're a little bit anonymous, right? You're like a step removed from having to have an actual real-life physical conversation, which I kind of like. That's not necessarily a bad thing. That's a good thing. So feel free to text us, 800-655-MIKE. If you're creepy, if you're weird, if you're goofy, if you're a jerk, one keystroke, we never hear from you again. You'll get blocked. And we block pretty aggressively around here because I've got enough crazy in my life. I'm all stocked up. I don't need 100 pictures from a drive-thru at Burger King in Indiana in the middle of the night. Weird, weird stuff. But anyway, a couple of texts to our topic. And if you're just joining us, we're talking about the drama behind... Look, the stocks are continuing to soar. All kinds of progress in the U.S.-China trade talks. Trump is playing 3-D chess. While everybody else is trying to keep up and play checkers, the economy is roaring again. Stock markets are soaring. Prices are going down. Gas is going down. Grocery prices are going down. There's a surge. There's enthusiasm. There's optimism. And the haters are just going to hate. We don't need to help them. So when really good folks like Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin... are griping and bellyaching and complaining about this plane from Qatar, all it does is give the legacy media more ammunition to attack Trump with. There's nothing wrong with accepting the plane. And I appreciate the nuance of debating our relationship with the Middle East. It's not just Qatar. He's sitting right now in Saudi Arabia. So there are big, big picture issues at stake here. Georgia writes, Mike, I guess the Dems would rather give them $400 million with nothing in return. Is that not what they always do? That's what Biden did. That's what Obama did. Remember when Obama sent Iran money on pallets? For what? But this is an interesting text from Pennsylvania. And this is the point that makes me think a little bit about this conversation. If you agree 100% with anybody, you have become a cult. And that, of course, is what Trump critics say about MAGA. That's what Trump critics say about Trump supporters, that we're all in a cult. And it's because we're unwilling to pile on and criticize Trump that people like this Pennsylvania texter say such a thing. And don't get me wrong, I get it. I understand the criticism. Because I completely admit, I'm very transparent here, I am very reluctant to criticize this administration. Because they've got plenty of criticism going on. The entire... world is amped up against Trump to try to make him fail. They're rooting against the country. They're cheering for America's downfall. They don't even want lower drug prices for seniors. I'm not kidding you. They're already screeching to the mountaintops about his executive order which would lower prescription drug prices. Don't believe me? Check out this little ditty, this montage we found on X. Liberals are now fighting against low drug prices for Americans.
SPEAKER 08 :
Donald Trump has just announced that he will be signing an executive order tomorrow that could upend the pharmaceutical industry in the United States as we know it.
SPEAKER 13 :
He's instituting the preferred nation policy, which simply says that you can't charge Americans more money for American pharmaceuticals than any other country. It really is that simple. Because the pharmaceutical companies right now make their drugs in America. They use subsidies from the American people. And then after they make the drugs, they sell it overseas for pennies on the dollar, but sell it to Americans for massive profits. And this policy simply says that whatever your lowest global price is for whatever medicine you made, that is the only price you get to sell it for in the United States. That's reasonable. We are helping pay for the development of these medicines, the development of these drugs. Yet we are being charged sometimes 170, sometimes 1,000 times what they're paying for it in other countries. And all Donald Trump is saying, if you're going to produce your drugs here, if you're going to get subsidies from the government, you do not get to rip off Americans. And liberals are fighting against that. This is further proof that no matter what Trump does, no matter how much it benefits Americans, no matter how many Americans it benefits, they are going to be against it.
SPEAKER 14 :
I don't know who that guy is. I'd like to get his name. That's a social media influencer, though, with some common sense points and pointing out the absurdity of the left and the Trump haters. Whatever he does, they're going to find fault with. And we have to remember that. So it has nothing to do with being in a cult. It has to do with being unified. You know, the way the Democrats are. Now, all of a sudden, they're confirming Joe Biden's infirmities. Now there's books coming out and stories and, oh, he was going to be in a wheelchair. We all knew he was falling apart. They didn't do that when he was president, did they? You know why? Because they stay unified. Period. End of sentence. We've got to be unified. Last November, 77 million of us made Trump our 47th president. And there's nothing more important than the economy. You want to know where the U.S. consumer inflation rate dropped to? You want to know what it was in April?
SPEAKER 1 :
2.3%.
SPEAKER 14 :
It's the lowest rate in four years. We have to get the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent. That's what drove Trump's economy in the first term. Small business owners invested in their businesses and their people. The stock market rose to record levels as well. I'm asking you to go to taxcutsnow.com. you'll be able to contact your representative through this great platform that has been put together by our friends at Job Creators Network. Go to taxcutsnow.com and demand that your elected representatives make the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent. No more delays. No new taxes. You remember Trump's economy, and you know what it feels like right now. We've got to let the boss do his thing. Go to taxcutsnow.com. Taxcutsnow.com. Let Congress hear from every single one of us. Go to taxcutsnow.com and support the Trump agenda. Chris in Minneapolis, 18 before the hour. I know you've called before. You and I usually argue with each other, don't we?
SPEAKER 07 :
I don't know if we argue. We sometimes disagree on inconsistencies. How about that?
SPEAKER 14 :
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Nice spin. Nice spin. I remember you. My memory's bad, but it ain't that bad. No, we've only talked once, so that's pretty good.
SPEAKER 07 :
That was about cops and J-6ers, remember?
SPEAKER 14 :
I remember you.
SPEAKER 07 :
No, I remember you.
SPEAKER 14 :
You're a Trump hater from Minneapolis, but that's okay. Go ahead. Dive in.
SPEAKER 07 :
I voted for him three times. I'm not a Trump hater. I know.
SPEAKER 14 :
You voted for him. You're a Trump supporter. You're MAGA, right? You got a red MAGA hat, right? No, I do not. I do not.
SPEAKER 07 :
I get you.
SPEAKER 14 :
I get you one. Want me to get you one? No, it's okay. I'll send you one.
SPEAKER 07 :
Send me one. I'll take it.
SPEAKER 14 :
Okay. Will you wear it?
SPEAKER 07 :
Probably not, but not wearing a hat doesn't mean I don't support the president.
SPEAKER 14 :
I think that's proof positive. I think you're a complete sellout. You need to wear the hat in Minneapolis for one day. The problem is, if you wear it in Minneapolis, it may not turn out well for you, right? No, it's not that bad.
SPEAKER 07 :
Probably not that bad.
SPEAKER 14 :
So go ahead and tell me why taking the plane is a bad idea, Chris, for Minneapolis.
SPEAKER 07 :
So, no, I'm saying I don't know if it's a bad idea or not. My concern is that when you were talking about it, there was a guy who texted that said MAGA's got to support 100%.
SPEAKER 05 :
Right.
SPEAKER 07 :
And what you just did is you talked about, because that's what the Democrats and the mainstream media did, and now they're coming out and admitting they lied. We don't want to be that. Wait a minute. Who admitted they lied? You just said that the mainstream media and everybody was saying Biden's all right, which we could all see he was not all right from the beginning, are now coming out with books and saying, nope, it's not true. Right, right. Right, so they lie. We don't want to be that. And what you want to do, let me finish one thing.
SPEAKER 14 :
No, no, no, but listen, don't get defensive because I understand your point completely. It's actually, I mean, it's a good point. I get it. I totally get it. And it feels inconsistent, I'm sure, to you or to others who say, well, wait a minute, if they should have spilled the beans about Biden. But don't you agree, and again, I'm giving you a lot of credit, Chris, and don't worry, I'm not going to cut you short, so take your time. I'm giving you a lot of credit on the point, but what I'm saying is, don't you think it makes sense to borrow a page from the Democrat playbook and stay unified behind Trump, considering all the headwinds that he faces with the mainstream media and everybody else going up against him?
SPEAKER 07 :
I do, unless it makes me break principle. Because that's all you really have, Mike, is your principle. Now, what you can do is you can remain silent on it and not talk about it. OK, or you can say, you know what, I'm not sure what the best thing is on this one. I'm not because if Biden had been offered a plane by China and then so you can keep it when you're done for you, we would have all been all over it. All of us. Yeah, because. It just wouldn't have made sense, right?
SPEAKER 14 :
Well, but there's a degree of tribalism that goes on there, of course, as you know, and I get that. But look, your point is, let me give you a quick example, and you said something that really rings true with me, and let me tell you why it resonates. Because let me be very blunt here. I'm not bothered by the plane at all. I mean, are you bothered by the plane?
SPEAKER 07 :
I think what I wasn't when I first heard it is I started reading other people talking about, first of all, nobody gives anybody anything without wanting something. I'm not saying Trump's going to give them anything. I don't think he will. Right.
SPEAKER 14 :
I mean, he's sitting right now with the crown prince in Saudi Arabia. You bothered by that? Sitting with them? No.
SPEAKER 07 :
We should sit with anyone and have conversations and try to lead them to truth and righteousness.
SPEAKER 14 :
Absolutely. We have uncomfortable alliances with some dicey places. Let's start with China. I mean, you want to be a purist. We shouldn't be dealing with anybody. We shouldn't be dealing with China. We shouldn't be negotiating with Saudi Arabia. And we shouldn't be taking a plane from Qatar. So to your very strong point, and it's a good point, of course we shouldn't sacrifice our principles. We should not compromise. Absolutely right. And again, on the merits... In my view, there's absolutely zero wrong with accepting a $400 million gift from Qatar. But let me also applaud the point you made about just being silent. If you just don't want to pile on, just don't talk, just don't bring it up. That applies in my world in a big way. Years ago, and I'm not mentioning anybody's name, you might be able to guess who it is. There was a talk show host, a radio talk show host, who hated Trump. voted for Hillary, now this was a so-called conservative and a Republican, and was just blowing up his audience. And the company he worked for said, knock it off. You've got to stop attacking Trump. You are a conservative talk show host with a national platform. Stop it. And he wouldn't stop it. And of course, Chris, you could probably imagine how it turned out for him. He lost his job. You can't Turn on your audience. You can't blow up your... But their argument to him was... Just talk about other stuff. Talk about the economy. Talk about crime. Talk about inflation. Just stop attacking him. If you don't like him, just don't talk about it. Keep it to yourself. That's, I think, what you're saying about all of us, that no matter what platform you might be on or whatever role you play, just don't bring it up and let other people do that.
SPEAKER 07 :
I think you make a good point, Chris. And I would say that on the minor things, and I would call this the minor things. If there are ethical and moral things, you can't remain quiet. It doesn't matter who it is. Totally. And here's the reason is, if we don't hold people accountable, if we are, in a sense, with the guy that wrote up, MAGA's got to support MAGA 100%, that's, I don't know if that's cult, but that's in sycophant territory. We can't be that. We have to look at things and say, okay, And you know what? On a small thing, just you don't have to pile on. If something really, if something immoral is done, I don't think you can say this is immoral, then you have to say, that's it. I've got to speak up.
SPEAKER 14 :
Yeah, yeah. I largely disagree with you that you're a sycophant if you believe in unity and unifying behind Trump. Again, I suspect you're not all that enamored with him. Look, I like you more than I thought I did, so I don't want to pick on you. But... But I will tell you that there are lots of people who sound like you who really aren't fans, and you say, oh, you know, you've got to stand. But again, you make a really series of good points, and I totally get it, and I appreciate you expressing them for us here on the Mike Gallagher Show. There is a difference between being a cult. and being unified. And I am tired of watching Republicans, we're seeing it right now in the House, in the Senate, they go rogue and they say, oh, I'm going to stand up and push back against the Trump, and all you're doing is hurting the agenda. You either believe in the Trump agenda or you don't. So the bottom line is, let's be unified. Appreciate the call, Chris, very much. Portions of our show, of course, brought to you by Relief Factor, and every day I walk into the Relief Factor studios. And I am grateful that I get to share with you a product that can get you out of pain. Look, the summer is almost here. We're mid-May, right? Before you know it, you're going to want to walk the dog. You're going to want to play with the kids, the grandkids. But look, maybe you can't because of leg, neck, back, hip pain. That's no way to live. Relief Factor can get your back into life on your own terms. the daily supplement that fights pain naturally. It's 100% drug-free, developed by a team of doctors and scientists. Relief Factor uses a unique formula of natural ingredients. Relief Factor doesn't just mask the pain for a short period of time. It helps reduce or even eliminate it altogether. Wherever your pain, back, neck, joints, muscles, Relief Factor can help you like it has for so many others, like me. Let's even get you out of pain with a three-week quick start. It's only $19.95. Low-cost way for you to take it out for a test drive and see if it works. Call 1-800-4-RELIEF, 800-4-RELIEF, 1-800-4-RELIEF, or go to relieffactor.com.
SPEAKER 03 :
He's the happy conservative warrior, Mike Gallagher, broadcasting across hundreds of radio stations nationwide and seen on your trusted conservative TV network, Salem News Channel. Here's Mike.
SPEAKER 14 :
As good as the news was yesterday, today is even better. Can I start your hour with some terrific news?
SPEAKER 03 :
Breaking now on the Mike Gallagher Show.
SPEAKER 14 :
The consumer inflation rate in the United States dropped to 2.3% in April. That's the lowest rate in over four years. That was just announced moments ago. So inflation continues to drop under President Trump. Also, the president and the Saudi crown prince just signed a strategic economic agreement $400 billion investment for now. Trump thinks he can get them to round it up to a trillion. And if anybody can do it, it's this guy. Stock market is soaring. Booming. You know, President Trump said this a week or two ago. You ought to play the stock market. You ought to start investing. And those who did during the dip are being well rewarded today. Just nothing but good news. And let me give you the state of affairs over the Democrat Party. I regret to report that they are singing again. These are just... You know what's funny about the Trump protesters? There is a look... to people who are taking to the streets over the second Trump presidency. They're aging hippies. I'm not kidding you. I watched them like... I was studying them on... in New York City a couple of weeks ago, like Jane Goodall studies the apes in Africa. I was studying them. I was inspecting them. I was. I was riveted because, first of all, there were hardly no people of color in the crowd, and it was a lot of people there, and I'm not going to dispute that. There's plenty of people that are taking their Saturday mornings and taking out their anti-Trump signs and marching around screaming that Trump is a fascist. But there is a look to them. They're all old hippies. And I say old not to attack. I'm old. I mean, they're my age. But they're hippies. They're all wearing tie-dyed shirts and... They've got the ponytails. The men have the earring and the ponytail, and they look like they're 70 years old. They're all aging hippies. They're like people from the Woodstock generation. And now they're in their late 60s and 70s, and they've got nothing better to do with their lives than complain about all the good things that keep happening in America. Good things are happening. The Democrats are falling apart. The DNC has voided the election of David Hogg as their vice chair. Did you see that? They kicked him out. That's the kid from Parkland. And he's been thrown out with the garbage. And what they don't like about him is he wants to go after establishment Democrats. So there's finally a break. in the unified front of the Democrats. Because they can't figure this out. They cannot figure this out. They don't know what to make of the plummeting inflation and the lower gas prices and the prices lowering at the grocery stores. I mean, they're left with just lying about it. They're pretending that what's actually happening isn't happening. And here they are. Here's the old hippie Democrats outside the ICE facility in New Jersey. Now, let me apologize in advance because this is painful to listen to. But it's true. A bunch of 60- and 70-year-old white hippies singing.
SPEAKER 04 :
Now, you've got to see that video.
SPEAKER 14 :
If you're watching today on Salem News Channel, they've got gray hair. They're all white. Where are the black people protesting Donald Trump? Where are the Hispanics protesting Donald Trump? These are just old white hippies. Let me play it again, Christian. I may put this on a loop because this is the opposition, okay? So just let it soak in. Trump cutting deals with Saudi Arabia, taking the big plane from Qatar, doing a trade reset with China, slashing tariffs with China, getting a trade agreement with the UK. Our stock market is soaring. Our 401ks are rising. The economy is already booming under the Trump leadership. And what's the opposition sound like? I mean, they've literally got the big straw hats and the tie-dye. They literally have tie-dyed shirts on. Some of them do in that crowd. Jill just sent me a text on the MyPillow text line from Walhalla, South Carolina, home of that wonderful Walhalla Performing Arts Center. Jill said, you are so right, Mike. I said the same thing to my husband when we drove by the Seneca, South Carolina City Hall on May 1st during the anti-Trump rally. They were all 100% aging hippies. I just think that's incredible, and I don't know what's behind that. Why do you think black Americans aren't protesting Trump? Well, I think it's because black Americans appreciate what Trump is doing for black Americans. Because black Americans benefit from a booming economy like white Americans do. Why aren't Asian or Hispanic Americans protesting Donald Trump? Because they're benefiting too. Good things are happening. And there's a lot of good news to celebrate. And I'm reluctant to even bang the drum and show you some of the negativity. Now, look, there was a knock-down drag-out between Jesse Waters and Harold Ford Jr. yesterday on tariffs on the five. Maybe you saw it. I want to play it for you because it's pretty powerful stuff. Look, establishment people, even Republicans... are uncomfortable with the tariffs. They don't like tariffs. They want what they call free trade. They call free trade. Trump wants fair trade. Trump is tired of China ripping us off. Now, I would think normal people would agree with that. I would think average, normal, decent, common sense Americans would say, yeah, that makes sense. Why does China get to take advantage of us economically? Well, they don't. They don't. But I want to play this dust-up between Harold Ford Jr. and Jesse Waters and even Greg Gutfeld got into the mix. And I just want to welcome you in because it's a great day. It's been a great week. It's only Tuesday. What's Wednesday going to bring? 800-655-MIKE. Give me your thought on why there are no black people. Or brown protesters? Why aren't people of color taking to the streets against Donald J. Trump? I mean, clearly they approve of him. Look at the polling. And incidentally, have you seen his poll numbers? Do you see Rasmussen? His poll numbers are soaring. He's at 53, 55, I think what it is, 53% Tracy, 55? Way up there. And this, look, they're getting their butts kicked. on the other side, and they don't know what to do. Well, we know what to do. We know to celebrate and lean in to the greatness of this country and this president, because things are going very well. Ignore the noise. 800-655-MIKE. 800-655-6453. And give me your thoughts on the makeup of those protesters. I'm going to give you a chance. I'm going to play it one more time. I know it's torture, but it's fun. And it's funny, but if you're watching on Salem News Channel, and we stream every day on X, we love to stream the show. We love to post Salem News Channel on X, so follow me at GallagherShow. I'll follow you back. You can go to MikeOnline.com. You can go to SNC.TV to get the app and watch our programming 24-7, the antidote to the mainstream media, Salem News Channel. And I'm going to play it one more time so you can see what these protesters who are strumming their dumb guitar and hitting their dopey drums and singing their stupid chant about fascism, I want you to see and hear one more time what they look like.
SPEAKER 04 :
Fascism's got to go. We say no. We say no. We say no. Fascism's got to go.
SPEAKER 14 :
And they're reading a script. That's the best part. Incidentally, there is a black woman standing there. In the sea of white hippies, there is one black woman standing there. And I want to be accurate and fair. But I want to see largely why you think largely people of color are not protesting. Donald Trump, 800-655-MIKE, 800-655-6453. Text us on the MyPillow text line or call us at 800-655-MIKE. But however you get here, get here, because we want to put your voice front and center. It is, after all, a caller-driven show. It's the Mike Gallagher Show for a Tuesday.
SPEAKER 04 :
We'll be right back.
SPEAKER 14 :
a whole lot more, head over to relieffactor.com or give them a call at 800-4-RELIEF. Relief Factor is a daily supplement that fights pain naturally. Developed by a team of doctors and scientists, Relief Factor's unique formula of natural ingredients doesn't just mask pain, it helps reduce or eliminate it for good. Whether it's your back, neck, your joints, your muscles, Relief Factor can help you as it has for so many others. Give Relief Factor's three-week quick start a try. It's only $19.95, a low-cost way for you to sort of take it out for a test drive. Less than a dollar a day. Go to relieffactor.com, relieffactor.com, or call 800-4-RELIEF. That's 800, the number, 4-RELIEF. See how you can live with less pain and you can say yes to more of everything you want with Relief Factor. There's so many messages being hurled at you about how to lose weight, the medications. Do your homework on the medications. The millions and millions being spent on semaglutide. Are you kidding? You want to be addicted to a shot in the belly for the rest of your life? Take a natural approach, not connected to big pharma's bottom line. You can do it with the help of Ph.D. weight. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. it is. 864-644-1900. If I can lose 53 pounds and keep it off, you can too. Anyone can do this. You can do it from anywhere in America. PhD Weight Loss. Schedule your consultation today by calling 864-644-1900. That's 864-644-1900 or visit MyPhDWeightLoss.com.
SPEAKER 03 :
You can go ahead and support sanctuary cities, but you can't cross that line. in the relieffactor.com studios. Here's Mike.
SPEAKER 14 :
Great text here on the MyPillow text line from Michigan. Saw a comment on Facebook that said, evil is not the biggest threat to the world. Stupidity is. It allows evil to occur openly. It's true. That comment applies to that dance teacher. Somebody knows who she is. She evidently has students. People are going to recognize her. That TikTok video went viral. She said we're six weeks in, so it's not a new video, but it's only now, I guess, getting a lot of attention. They ought to put her in handcuffs and book her and fingerprint her and charge her. You can't threaten the life of a president. Try to joke around about blowing up an airplane. when you're standing in line at the airport, at the TSA checkpoint, watch what happens to you. You think you can talk about killing the man who has already survived two assassination attempts? So it's absolutely true that this woman, this young woman, is obviously an imbecile. She's too stupid to realize that her evil desire to assassinate Trump is going to get her in all kinds of trouble. And she'll get in trouble. I'm sure she'll be identified and, you know, could very well face legal consequences. She might wind up in jail. Was it worth it? Was it worth it? To make a cute TikTok video in your mind? To assassinate Trump? With zero appreciation for what our country already went through when we saw the blood dripping down his face and him on his hands and knees on the floor of that stage in Butler. Now, I get that people like her are so twisted that they probably like that. And they're openly disappointed that he didn't die. But that's a great comment, Michigan. There is a combination of stupidity and evil. And when they mix together like that, holy cow. Wow. Appreciate the MyPillow text line. I love getting your text and your comments. It's like an instant focus group for me. It shocks me that every host in America doesn't love and engage in a text line. So please never text and drive. Standard text messaging rates may apply. 800-655-MIKE to send us your comments on the MyPillow text line. Brought to you by my friend Mike Lindell at MyPillow. And look, these sheets are going there, flying off the shelves like hotcakes. I've been bragging about the Giza Dream Sheets for years. They're made from the finest cotton on earth, Giza. The cotton is unbelievable. The sheets are smooth and luxurious and silky. And they're not cheap, okay? But I said to Mike, can we do a crazy price to thank our audience for their support for MyPillow over the years? He said, you got it. How about $49.98 for any size and any color? I said, Mike, that's crazy. He said, do it. When they're gone, they're gone. And there's no limit on how many you can order. And for a limited time, when you order over $100, you'll get $100 in free digital gifts too. Now, I've seen a couple of comments from people who can't figure out how to get the $49.98 price. And I finally realized, I know... why they're not getting it. You've got to go to the Mike Gallagher Specials box to get that price. So go to MyPillow.com. Find the Mike Gallagher Specials. You'll see a picture of Mike Lindell and me. Click on that box. You'll see the Giza Dream Sheets for $49.98 with the promo code MikeG. Click on that. When you place your order, enter the promo code MikeG and you'll see the price of $49.98. And I mean any size. Kings, Split Kings, California Kings, Queens. Any size. Any colors, 11 colors to choose from, $49.98. Go try to find a great set of bed sheets at a high-end department store for $49.98. Good luck. So this isn't going to last long. Again, when they're gone, they're gone. MyPillow.com. The Mike Gallagher Special Square. Click on that box. And then when you order, enter the promo code MikeG. MyPillow.com. Promo code MikeG. MyPillow.com. Promo code MikeG. Or call 800-928-6034. 800-928-6034. Like we love to sing. For the best night's sleep in the whole wide world, visit MyPillow.com. Promo code MikeG. I'm being told by a couple of texters that that idiot dance teacher is from Cheshire, Connecticut. Not sure if that's true or not. Maybe so. Why do you think, though, so many of the protesters in the streets are aging hippies? White, older hippies. Jim's in Greenville, South Carolina. Hello, Jim. Jim, you there? All right, let's try Johnny, not too far away in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Hi, Johnny.
SPEAKER 05 :
Hey, Mike.
SPEAKER 14 :
How are you? Good, sir. How are you doing?
SPEAKER 08 :
Good. Earlier in your show, you said you want to know where all the black people were who were protesting the president.
SPEAKER 14 :
Right.
SPEAKER 08 :
They're in Congress.
SPEAKER 14 :
They're in Congress?
SPEAKER 08 :
Maxine Waters, Jasmine Crockett, Ilhan Omar.
SPEAKER 14 :
Well, there are plenty of black Americans who I think are quite satisfied with the performance of Donald Trump. And ultimately, we ought to respect how so many people are standing up and supporting the guy. And we ought to be more open in our support. That's why I'm really uncomfortable when I see fellow conservatives critical of him on something like this plane from Qatar. And incidentally, give me a break. Who cares about the plane from Qatar? If you're all bent out of shape over Trump accepting a gift from a place like Qatar, and incidentally, it is Qatar. It's not Qatar. It used to be Qatar. I got these little school marms writing me, I'm not going to listen to you anymore if you say Qatar. Well, it's Qatar. A lot of pronunciations have changed over the years, and that's one of them. But You worried about Saudi Arabia, too? There's a lot of good people that I like. Ben Shapiro, Mark Levin, leading to headlines. Oh, MAGA world is turning on Trump. Look at that. Finally, the walls are closing in. Ha, ha, ha. That's why you got to be real selective. Ben Shapiro leads the rare MAGA backlash to Trump's jet. That's Axios. I mean, the New York Post explains it pretty well. Trump said he was disappointed in Boeing for not being quick enough to refurbish Air Force One and praised Cutter for offering him the free luxury jet valued at $400 million. Here's the Daily Beast. Media stars turn on Trump for selling out to Cutter. You see, Ben Shapiro... And again, I admire him. I respect him. I like these guys a lot. I like Mark Levin a lot. But when they turn on Trump, and they're not turning on Trump. They're just being critical of the plane. But that's what you're upset about? Really? I mean, and I'm sure Mark and Ben were equally upset. riled up when Obama was delivering pallets of cash to Iran to get nothing in return I mean I got a text from a meme from Florida just now showing somebody falling apart saying leftists watching Qatar give Trump a plane and they're looking all miserable and the face is smiling and the smiley face says leftists watching Qatar give safe haven to Hamas leaders I mean, really? Leftists are upset about the plane? But you praise Hamas, right? Here's the great Ben Shapiro, who is not happy with Trump's willingness to accept the $400 million plane.
SPEAKER 09 :
Taking sacks of goodies from people who support Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, Al Jazeera, all the rest, that's not America first. Like, please define America first in a way that says you should take sacks of cash from the Qatari royals who are behind Al Jazeera. It just isn't America first in any conceivable way.
SPEAKER 14 :
I mean this with respect and deference and admiration for Ben Shapiro. Today, Trump signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia is going to invest a minimum of $400 billion in... into the United States economy. You're equally rankled about that, right? Because we're taking sacks of cash from Saudi Arabia? And we all know the history of Saudi Arabia and terrorists. You see, there's a nuance here that sometimes people seem to forget. We have uncomfortable partnerships with some dicey places. But, you know, when you say you're not America first, it's not America first to take the gift of 400 million. Do you realize what 400... Look at the difference between the agreement between Saudi Arabia and... Qatar. Let me make sure I get the right number. It's $400 billion, right? From Saudi Arabia. Is it $600 or $400? I'm losing track of my billions. So, is it $600 billion? Tracy, what's the number? $600 billion. If Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin are upset at a $400 million jet... They must be going out of their minds over a $600 billion investment from Saudi Arabia, right? It's silly to get upset about a $400 million plane that is being gifted to us by Qatar. Now, I'm not saying the arguments don't have merits, and I've been getting a lot of people who say, well, it's not a great look. Look, in the scheme of things, I mean this from the heart. Do you really care about a $400 million plane compared to a $600 billion investment from Saudi Arabia? And Trump wants to round it up to a trillion. It may be a trillion before the trip is over. there's got to be some consistency here. I'm consistent over appreciating a mortgage company like Fellowship Home Loans. Mike, Brian, and the team are not just colleagues and partners, advertising partners. They're friends of mine. They've done loans for me, my family. And with this roaring economy, I'm confident that the real estate market is about to start booming as well. I sure hope so. On a personal level, I hope so. You're thinking about a purchase? Thinking about a cash-out refi or a HELOC to finish some home projects, put some money in your pocket? Fellowship Home Loans is a full-service direct lender, not a broker. They cut out the middleman. That means faster decisions, fewer fees, less stress. Whether you're buying your very first home, downsizing or refinancing to get some breathing room, they'll tailor-fit the loan to your life. Get started today. Go to fellowshiphomeloans.com for an extra personalized experience. fellowshiphomeloans.com or call 800-510-MIKE. 800-510-MIKE. You're going to love these guys. I sure do. Fellowship Home Loans. Mortgage lending by the book.
SPEAKER 03 :
Mission-wide mortgage bankers. DBA Fellowship Home Loans. Equal housing under NMLS number 819382.
SPEAKER 14 :
Nicholas in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Why do you think the other races aren't protesting? Why aren't black and Hispanic and Asian people taking to the streets?
SPEAKER 11 :
Yeah, I really wanted to comment on your question about all the hippies protesting.
SPEAKER 14 :
Yeah, I just asked that. What do you think is happening?
SPEAKER 11 :
Okay, yeah. I think the problem is that people don't understand the symbol for why they're protesting is related to Woodstock. The label that people don't use much is socialism. And my comment on that is, I've been influenced by a book for years by a former colleague of Alexander Solzhenitsyn. His name is Safarevich, and it's called The Socialist Phenomenon. And I can swiftly summarize it very swiftly.
SPEAKER 14 :
Well, I'd love it if I had the time to do that. But, Nicholas, you make a terrific point about the anti-capitalist nature of an aging white hippie. You're right. They hate capitalism. They hate banks. They hate the stock market. That's why they don't care that the stock market is soaring. Good point, Nicholas. Glad you called.
SPEAKER 02 :
There's a national focus on eating all the healthiest of foods, and that's great news for Balance of Nature. Their method of producing a vibrant nutritional supplement is second to none. While so many others use chemicals and additives, Balance of Nature is made solely from whole food ingredients. We'll be right back. Use my discount code Charlie to get 35% off plus free shipping and their money back guarantee. You must use my discount code C-H-A-R-L-I-E. Call them at 800-2468-751 and use discount code Charlie or order online at balanceofnature.com. That's balanceofnature.com. Use discount code Charlie to get 35% off plus free shipping.
Join us for a riveting discussion as we explore the stories that have everyone talking. From the eyebrow-raising escapades of a Florida man to the exorbitant expenses at Disney, we tackle how these incidents reflect broader societal trends. As we dive into the debates on gender roles within religious institutions and the issues of privacy and personal safety, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the cultural and political landscape today.
SPEAKER 06 :
Liberty Nation with Mark Angelides.
SPEAKER 10 :
From draining the swamp to challenges through the courts, Donald Trump has his work cut out. But does he have the motivation to finish the job? You'll find out on Liberty Nation Radio.
SPEAKER 06 :
Author, columnist, managing editor of LibertyNation.com. Podcast host and conservative policy advocate. We dismiss history at our peril. Liberty Nation with Mark Angelides.
SPEAKER 02 :
Dana Lash's Absurd Truth Podcast, sponsored by Kel-Tec.
SPEAKER 08 :
It's his life mission to make bad decisions. It's time for Florida Man.
SPEAKER 05 :
So a Florida man, he got done, got himself in trouble here. He broke in, it's Escambia County. He broke in to his ex-girlfriend's home through a doggy door. This is why we'll not have doggy doors. 26-year-old, how do you say his name? Kalen, C-A-E. You have too many vowels in your name, sir. Yeah. Anyway, some dude, he broke into the home. Deputies were called for the report of a burglary. And then he climbed into his ex's bed and they struggled. She hit him in the nose with her elbow. And then he left the same way he had come in through the large dog door. He's been charged with burglary or assault with assault or battery. And I told him on break, I said, I don't have a dog door. But if I did, maybe I would want like some AI facial recognition and I would have like two robotic arms that would automatically descend maybe with like, I don't know, MP5s or something. And, you know, fully pointed at the dog door. So if it's not my dog. Both of them.
SPEAKER 08 :
How would that happen?
SPEAKER 05 :
Like a snare. Since, you know, I'm not going to beg the government for NFA stuff. So, yeah, it'd be like that. I'd have enough to where it would just be like that.
SPEAKER 08 :
Also, if you're fitting through a doggy door, you're a small dude.
SPEAKER 05 :
They said it was a large dog door. I don't know what that means, what the measurements on that are. You know, I'm not like Bob the Builder, but, you know. But, yeah, that's why I haven't wanted... Because criminals aren't necessarily the healthiest or the smartest people. That's true. Yeah, I know. So... uh let's see here okay this blew my mind i don't do i i've went my i had a family member that took me to disney world or disneyland one time never been i think i was at disney world once for a work thing but this florida man he says this is the average cost when he took his family florida man says that it was fourteen hundred dollars for one day at walt disney world oh I'm sorry, what? So let's break this down. Yeah, he said that it was like $1,400. Parking was $30. Tickets for his family to get into Hollywood Studios, and it's like a family of four, $974. Five tickets and parking, immediately, that's $1,000. And they even got the Florida resident discount and they have one child under 10. Everything else, quick service meals in Disney Springs, any kind of snack or drink, water and ice cream was $30. He had a pretzel and a beer that was $20. They said it was over $44 for quick service pizza. and a drink. They said that Star Wars Coke was like $7. I mean, just insane. And one of their restaurants for their dinner was like almost $300, ending at just under $1,400. And they said that they didn't even stay at one of the resort hotels. I love nothing that much to pay that kind of money, right? No way. I mean... I don't know. And now, remember how Disney was like, oh, Florida, don't say gay. Well, they're building a resort in Abu Dhabi where you definitely can't say gay. Are they going to have like a ride featuring, you know, we're going to throw the gays to death because they're gay. I mean, I'm just curious how they're... So $1,400. My jaw hit the floor. There is no way I would pay that. I could be a patrillionaire and I will not pay that. That is insane. I've got to take a stand somewhere. That's crazy. So... Where to start with this one? Well, we're almost out of time. I'll have to tell you about the Walmart worst robbery technique ever tomorrow. GoldCo is making it easy to take that first step toward protecting your savings. Just fill out a quick form. No commitment. Just free information. And then they'll ship you your free 2025 gold and silver kit straight to your door. No shipping fees. No strings. Just a free info kit to help you understand how gold and silver can fit into your financial plan. I'm a big believer in doing your research, and this kit is a great place to start. So I'm really excited to be partnering with Goldco because not only do they support my show, which I truly appreciate, but they've made the whole process of buying precious metals possible. Super straightforward. Because if you're a fan of the show, Gold Co. is also going to tell you how to qualify for unlimited free bonus silver on eligible orders. If you qualify, you can even get a free half ounce silver Ronald Reagan coin. Totally free. Don't wait. Take that first step towards protecting and diversifying your savings with Gold Co. Visit danalikesgold.com to learn more. That's danalikesgold.com.
SPEAKER 04 :
This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York Tri-State with 99.9% network reliability so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 07 :
At Amica Insurance, we know it's more than just a car or a house. It's the four wheels that get you where you're going and the four walls that welcome you home. When you combine auto and home insurance with Amica, we'll help protect it all. And the more you cover, the more you can save. Amica. Empathy is our best policy.
SPEAKER 05 :
I'm going to tread into some very probably not commonly held opinions here. I don't want a woman as my church leader. The fastest way you're going to run me out of that pew is if you put a broad up on stage who said, I take Paul's words very, very seriously. I don't want to hear from a woman. I don't, I don't want to hear from a young preacher either. You better be old and have lived in order for me to be able to take you seriously or have something seriously happen in your life that you're calling is evident to all before you. So I have a major problem with this woman calling herself a bishop because Your girl is old school. I am more old school than anybody else that you're going to come across on air. I don't want to see a female bishop. I don't believe in it. Just like I don't believe that Palestine is a real thing or a real ethnicity. Just like I don't believe in the term assault weapon. Just like I don't think that men can, you know, put some tape between their nether regions and stuff abroad and call themselves women. I don't believe in female bishops. female preachers, female pastors. I don't believe in any of that stuff because it's anti-biblical. If you have a problem with it, your problem is with God, not with me. And you can take it up with him and he can evaluate whether or not he thinks that's a logical stance for you to have. So this one woman, she was very upset. The reason I bring her up, Marion Edgar, is it, how do you say her last name? B-U-D-D-E, buddy? Beauty. Who knows? She's the Episcopal bishop and she had this big illegal immigration stance. And, you know, she likes all the letters and all, you know, doesn't matter if you come in legally or not. And she's given some. Remember the speech that she gave where she was trying to slam the administration and everybody who voted for him who were supportive of deporting people who were here illegally? And she was saying, oh, God teaches us that we're to be merciful to the stranger because, you know, mercy and the facilitation of criminality are the exact same thing, apparently. So she is upset because now these refugees from South Africa are being allowed into the United States. And what happened to the mercy for the stranger, by the way? So the Episcopalians, they ended a nearly four decades old relationship. This comes from sorry, this is religion news because they're very upset over the white Afrikaners. They said, in light of our church's steadfast commitment to racial justice, and this is where that bishop buddy is from, in light of our church's steadfast commitment to racial justice and reconciliation and our historic ties to the Angelican Church of Southern Africa, we're not able to take this step. That's what their presiding bishop said in the letter. And they are upset by this. They said that it is, and it's the Sean Rowe letter. presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. They said that they are expected to resettle white Africaners from South Africa whom the U.S. government classified as refugees. They don't believe that they're refugees and they are against it. So they said that they're going to stop their Episcopal migration ministries because they are expected to take in white Africaners, people who are actual victims of literal genocidal persecution. And they're helping to whitewash the ANC's crimes, apparently. But what happened to the mercy for the immigrant, Kane? Oh, the mercy for the refugee. What happened to all of that?
SPEAKER 08 :
I can play a little bit of what she was saying if you want to hear that back in January.
SPEAKER 05 :
Oh, please do. Please do.
SPEAKER 09 :
And the people, the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants... who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals. They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes.
SPEAKER 05 :
Oh, except if you're a white South African.
SPEAKER 08 :
Yep, that's different.
SPEAKER 05 :
unless you're that yeah the episcopal church you're a joke if you're an absolute joke you're the reason why people hate organized religion and it proves that even the devil can quote scripture get behind me satan and if you have the threat of being a white and b potentially voting conservative the left will not want you of course this is a problem you know do you want to know why people have been leaving the church in droves because of ungodly heathenistic attempted ministries like the one I'm talking about right here. We're going to put up some old white crone and then she's going to sit here and try to lecture everyone and try to play a game of guilt over everyone. Oh, you have to accept every form of criminality that the Democrats endorse. Basically, she's trying to shroud her partisan political zealotry in religion. That's what they're doing right now. Oh, wait a minute. Now we have refugees that are white? What? And now it's a big issue for them. Proving that it was never about the refugee. You know, they're no better than the Pharisees who roll around in ash and then parade around in public. Oh, look at me. I'm so penitent. Look at me. Oh, I'm taken about poverty. Oh, make sure you glorify me and my theatrical performative actions and not God whom it's supposed to actually honor. I mean, they literally go against everything that the Gospels talk about. But OK. All right. So this is this. This is one of the big reasons why a lot of people, by the way, have such a problem with organized religion. Now, you're supposed to. I don't I don't mean for this to be a religious sermon, because, again, I don't I do not. I do not rise to the mantle of shepherd and nor do I claim it, nor do I seek it. But my observation is that people see the double standard. And yet you are also simultaneously called to fellowship. You're supposed to be part of a body. I mean, my gosh, just read Paul's writings. I mean, the Gospels are quite clear. But it's very difficult when you have performative charlatans like what we're seeing here coming out of the Episcopal Church. With these missives. Oh, no, we can't take part in this ministry anymore because now it's white South Africaners. What makes them less than? Why is it that they are not allowed, but you guys will fall all over and wash the feet of a woman beating human trafficking MS-13 gangbanger? Oh, because they play on skin color. If ever you wanted an actual example of racism, which is an immoral position, because that's never really something that's used divisively. In fact, you're extorted to move against that throughout the Bible. But if you want a real example of racism, then look at what these so-called shepherds are doing. Oh no, we can't help them because of their skin color. Meanwhile, we're going to exalt you because of your skin color, things over which you cannot control. It's the modern day clan. Pretty amazing, is it not? And they have the audacity to call themselves bishops and shepherds and drape themselves with vestments and pretend to offer the bread and the wine and pretend that they're reading from scripture when really they're just spitting poison. Maybe the part of the Bible that they missed was what happens to shepherds who mislead their flock and how they are yoked with a stone so heavy and thrown into the deepest part of the sea. Now, I know I shouldn't practice nor engage in the schadenfreude of such an action, but I dare say that I don't even know if that would convey the lesson that they need to learn, such as their evil. Our partners that help bring you the program, it's our friends over at Caltech, the Gen 3 Sub 2K program. If you don't have it, you need it. Now, I'm going to have to get this one. This is one that I actually do not have. And now it's 10 millimeter. I was like really wanted to run to the mic the first chance. The first time I heard of this, I was like, oh, I want to go tell everybody. So it's the new third gen sub 2K. This is the rifle that folds like in half, right? Innovation with a twist, that rotating forend. And you can, it deploys zeroed and ready to go. It folds up. Optics and all, you don't have to take anything off. And it takes Glock mags. You have a standard 15-round Glock mag, which is awesome. Glock 20. It's got a lot of capacity for whatever your shooting needs are. And it folds down to just under 17 inches for easy storage and transport. Lightened 5-pound trigger pull. Internal buffer for softer recoil. Integrated M-lock. Rails up top for accessory attachments. This is ideal for legit everything. And Kel-Tec makes everything right here in the U.S. of A. You're talking about American labor, American parts, American manufacturing. We need more American companies like Caltech. Caltechweapons.com, innovation, performance, Caltech. It's the new sub 2K Gen 3 10 millimeter. Learn more at Caltechweapons.com, K-E-L-T-E-C, weapons.com. Tell them Dana sent you.
SPEAKER 04 :
This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. Picture this. You're on an important virtual interview answering that make or break question and suddenly your screen freezes. Not the impression you want. Good internet has never been more important. I'm constantly doing podcast interviews, video calls, and important work on my computer. So I have to have a solid connection. That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York Tri-State with 99.9% network reliability so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 07 :
At Amica Insurance, we know it's more than just a house. It's your home. The place that's filled with memories. The early days of figuring it out to the later years of still figuring it out. For the place you've put down roots, trust Amica Home Insurance. Amica. Empathy is our best policy.
SPEAKER 08 :
And now, all of the news you would probably miss. It's time for Dana's Quick Five.
SPEAKER 05 :
All right, so we got... Man bites dog. I mean, that's literally a headline. Police say naked man bit a dog and fought officers at a Kansas gas station. He's in custody because he resisted arrest. He attacked police officers and his own dog during a violent struggle at a Lawrence gas station on Wednesday. They responded to the disturbance at the Casey's General Store. How are you going to do the dog like that? He had brought a dog inside with him when the officers arrived. He was totally, you know, in his birthday suit. They tased him twice. He continued to arrest or resist. He bit his dog's ear and neck and refused to release his grip. I would have beat him to death with my baton. Yeah, I would have made it last. I would have made it go quick with a firearm. I would have beat him to within an inch of his life with my baton. And then I would have tased him to the point where he couldn't stop drooling. That's me. The dog suffered minor injuries, and clearly I value the dog's life more than this guy's, and was transported to Lawrence Humane Society for evaluation and care. Please, someone adopt that sweet pup. Let's see here. Moving on, we got, oh, wow. The no, no, no. I want to do that. Let's do. Oh, half of Tesla owners say their cars have been damaged intentionally. Stephen Yates, our friend Stephen Yates, his car was keyed. He drives a Tesla and he came out and said, well, I guess I get to join the keyed club. And his Tesla had been keyed. This is MSN. They say half of half. Like it's like a point away of Tesla owners say that their cars have been damaged on purpose. So because I'm a very confrontational person when this when situation requires, can I feel like I want to get a Tesla and just sit in it? And then if somebody tries to key my car, Katie bar the door, it's going to be like Darth Vader when he's like getting on that spaceship going after Leia.
SPEAKER 08 :
And it'll be like that could be a fun way to kill time.
SPEAKER 05 :
Killing time. Yes, that is correct, Kane. A Nebraska man is facing two felonies because he attacked, oh, speaking of, you know, Vader, his neighbor and a seven-year-old with a lightsaber. Like, it's not a real one, right? Because that's impossible. They said it was a higher quality device. It was three and a half feet, made of metal and thick plastic. That's actually, I mean, don't do it. But, I mean, that's, you know, a little bit better than a baseball bat, I guess. So, I wanted to play this. I want to get moved so I can play this other stuff. I want to set this up. Imagine, if you would, you find out that your minor school-age daughter was forced by a school in Deerfield, Illinois, to change in front of a male student who pretended to be trans. And that teachers held her and other female students in the locker room after a gym class And made them do it. Listen to these parents. This is a middle school in Illinois. Deerfield School District 109. This was on Thursday of last week. Listen to this.
SPEAKER 03 :
Hello, my name is Nicole Georges and I'm here to demand that the locker rooms and bathrooms at District 109 be designated as biological male and biological female as there already is a gender neutral option. The girls want their locker rooms and bathrooms back. They want their privacy back. This is why I'm here tonight. My 13-year-old daughter's well-being and mental health and privacy is at stake. This nightmare began on February 5th when my daughter was using the girls' bathroom and was stunned that a biological male student was using it as well. She came home frightened and was extremely upset. I asked her to talk with her teachers and find out more information. She was told by the administration that a student can use the bathroom as well as a female locker room because they now identify as female. I was sent an email to the teachers involved and received a call from Principal Weagley. He verbally reiterated that under Joanna Ford's direction and the legal counsel that the student could use both the locker room and bathroom. I expressed that the school was in clear violation of federal policy. The Trump administration issued an executive order restricting biological males from participating in sports and accessing female locker rooms. That day, I filed a civil rights complaint on behalf of my daughter with the Department of Justice. It has now been referred to the Department of Education. A federal complaint has been filed with the district to protect the students.
SPEAKER 05 :
Unbelievable. So the girls did not want to have their privacy violated. They all together agreed they were going to refuse to undress in front of this male student. And then the principal, Kathy Van Treese, forced them into her office, questioned them. March them to the locker room and force them to get undressed in front of the boy. Force them. Now, Illinois passed laws protecting this. I think it's sexual abuse. I think that Kathy Van Trees, I read this and she sounds like a predator to me. This is sexual abuse, forcing the girls into a locker room. How is that not unlawful detainment? Which is kidnapping. How is that not an unlawful detainment charge? There need to be charges filed. And these teachers, every official who took part in this should be dragged out of that school by the hair on their head. This is what you go scorched earth over. Can you imagine if that was your child? I would have beat her ass myself. I would be in jail right now. I'm not just saying that as a joke. I literally would have beat her ass if that was my child. And I know a lot of you out there feel the same way. This absolute trash principal marching these young girls in there and making them strip in front of a student. Did she have a fetish for it or something? What kind of school official does that? That is sexual abuse. That is absolute textbook sexual abuse. sickens me.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thanks for tuning in to today's edition of Dana Lash's Absurd Truth Podcast. If you haven't already, make sure to hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
SPEAKER 07 :
At Amica Insurance, we know it's more than just a car or a house. It's the four wheels that get you where you're going and the four walls that welcome you home. When you combine auto and home insurance with Amica, we'll help protect it all. And the more you cover, the more you can save. Amica. Empathy is our best policy.
SPEAKER 01 :
Hey everyone, this is Keri Champion, the host of Naked Sports. The all-new 2025 Nissan Armada Pro 4X provides freedom. Freedom to explore, to go wherever you want, with your whole crew, and all your toys. With a twin-turbo V6 engine, 8,500 pounds of towing capacity, and seating for eight, this unshakable fortress of a vehicle is built to take you on your next adventure. Drive the all-new 2025 Nissan Armada today. Learn more at NissanUSA.com. Intelligent four-wheel drive cannot prevent collisions or provide enhanced traction in all conditions. Always monitor traffic and weather conditions.
Dive deep into the vibrant discourse surrounding the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum as President Trump makes a landmark speech in Riyadh. The episode uncovers the layers of geopolitical maneuvering and strategic alliances as Trump advocates for Saudi Arabia joining the historic Abraham Accords. Gain a nuanced understanding of how the accords are fostering peace and stability in the Middle East, paving the way for significant shifts in regional power balances. Furthermore, the episode sheds light on Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 project, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Explore how this initiative is revolutionizing the country's socio-economic fabric and bridging new opportunities for U.S.-Saudi bilateral relations. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intricate dynamics of international politics and the evolving story of Saudi modernization.
SPEAKER 10 :
Liberty Nation with Mark Angelides.
SPEAKER 13 :
From draining the swamp to challenges through the courts, Donald Trump has his work cut out. But does he have the motivation to finish the job? You'll find out on Liberty Nation Radio.
SPEAKER 10 :
Author, columnist, managing editor of LibertyNation.com. Podcast host and conservative policy advocate. We dismiss history at our peril. Liberty Nation with Mark Angelides.
SPEAKER 24 :
So POTUS right now is speaking at a forum. It's a free market forum that's being held in Riyadh. And he arrived about, well, I mean, technically yesterday. It's the Saudi U.S. Investment Forum. He's speaking there along with, I mean, obviously you have the Mohammed bin Salman, who's the MBS, the head of Saudi Arabia, the crown prince. You have, I'm trying to think of the number of, you have a lot of big companies that are there. including the BlackRock. You got them there as well. But it is a very interesting speech that POTUS is giving. And we're going to isolate one part of it that came about maybe a minute or two minutes before what you just heard. It's only delayed by a few minutes. And I thought it was very smart because POTUS is up there and clearly you can tell that he has a really good relationship with MBS. We'll call him MBS for short. And he got up there. And when he was speaking, he immediately, he went in very, you know, segued into the Abraham Accords. And the importance of Saudi Arabia signing on to the Abraham Accords, which they have indicated that they are open to doing. And I thought that was very interesting that he did that in Riyadh in front of Mohammed bin Salman and all of these other leaders. dignitaries and leaders that are there. And it's very, very, it was very interesting. He got a very warm welcome, which is, I mean, And we're going to talk about this. I can't even discuss how different it is from what Joe Biden got. So we're going to discuss all of that. Welcome to the program. We're at the top of this first hour and we may dive back in just in and out of this address. Trump, it's a it's a major speech that he's making. And I think some of the most important soundbites we've already we've already nabbed, including Kane found the one that I mean, it just happened. He snipped the one that I was just referencing because I thought that was incredibly it was an incredibly important aspect, because also, I mean, you have to remember, for some reason, Biden as like a continuation of. Obama Biden was so much more inclined towards Iran. And, you know, you have the Shia-Sunni conflict was so much more inclined towards Iran to the point where it was detrimental to our relationship with Saudi Arabia. And I think you will remember when Biden went to Saudi Arabia hat in hand after he had insulted Mohammed bin Salman and the other other leaders in Saudi Arabia. And after he insulted them and called him names, essentially, and then they told him to go pound sand over the price of crude. Now look, now look at the difference in reception. And we're going to talk a little bit about the changes that have undergone, that Saudi Arabia has undergone. It is a very different nation than what it was 10 years ago. And it sounds weird for a lot of us to... just for some people to say that or to even realize it but there has been a major shift in direction in that country and we're going to discuss that because it's all playing right now honestly in the united states's favor so again welcome this is the soundbite that i was referencing i think that this was one of the biggest ones can we play that yeah
SPEAKER 18 :
And with the historic Abraham Accords that we're so proud of, all the momentum was aimed at peace. And it aimed very successfully. It's been an amazing thing, the Abraham Accords. And it's my fervent hope, wish, and even my dream that Saudi Arabia, a place I have such respect for, especially over the last... fairly short period of time, what you've been able to do, but will soon be joining the Abraham Accords. I think it'll be a tremendous tribute to your country, and it will be something that's really going to be very important for the future of the Middle East. I took a risk in doing them, and they've been an absolute bonanza for the countries that have joined. The Biden administration did nothing for four years. We would have had it filled out. But it will be a special day in the Middle East with the whole world watching when Saudi Arabia joins us. And you'll be greatly honoring me. And you'll be greatly honoring all of those people that have fought so hard for the Middle East. And I really think it's going to be something special. But you'll do it in your own time. And that's what I want. And that's what you want. And that's the way it's going to be.
SPEAKER 24 :
That's key. You'll do it in your own time. So he's noting... He's he's he's acknowledging, OK, yes, you know, you are you have indicated that you're open to joining the Abraham Accords, which have done a lot to stabilize the Middle East. And in fact, on October 7th, you had a lot of cooperation from those signatories there. against Hamas, against Iran, in response to that atrocity. And Saudi Arabia is, again, it's very different than what it was when we were all, I mean, a couple of decades ago, very, very different. And he's saying, notice how he ended that soundbite. You're going to do it in your own time, noting that they're moving towards that. And he says, he's indicating, I'm not pressuring you, but I want this done. And he's saying that in front of all of them saying, yes, we want you to join the Abraham Accords. And he's also saying that this is a different direction than what it was under the Obama Biden regime. The Biden regime was just a third term of Barack Obama's tenure. And it's a very different direction because the United States was favoring Saudi Arabia's geopolitical foe, which is Iran, whereas the United States is going back to Saudi Arabia. And Saudi Arabia is – I can't emphasize how much different it is, whether it's women driving or whether it's women having more representation in the courts. which all contributes to stronger family units or whether opening up to more capitalistic opportunities, as well as getting away from some of the factions previously in the family that have been very much inclined against the United States. And that's what a lot of people don't realize as well. It's very different. And it's their Vision 2030 project. And you could tell even back when they had Mohammed bin Nayef, who was the crown prince, he I mean, you could they were signaling this. The Trump administration noted that there was definitely a clear transition underway. And then after he was out, Mohammed bin Salman, who is the crown prince and the de facto prime minister. He's the driving force behind that Vision 2030. And they are modernizing. A lot of people are like, oh, well, they're trying to whitewash, for the lack of a better way to put it. There's a lot of missing nuance in that there are different factions in their leadership, just as there are different factions in the leadership of the United States. And the leadership that wanted to modernize and become more normalized relations with the United States is the faction that won out. I don't know how else to put it. I mean, the the open the opening to investment in the United States and these deals, the fact that they're even leaning towards, you know, the Abraham Accords, which is, you know, incredibly important. Their their response to in the face of October 7th. And just looking at some of the other like, for instance, you know, they're getting involved in, yes, entertainment and in sports. But also and this might sound like something silly and stupid, but I think it's a it's a good measure of where a nation is. They started having women's like fashion shows for women, which is something I've heard of there 15, 20 years ago. They had swimsuit. Fashion shows and not like the full one piece or the, you know, you're going to wear your your wetsuit burka into the sea. No, like actual, you know, fashion shows. I'm not saying that they're they're leaning towards, you know, crudeness or anything like, you know, what you would say. I think, honestly, it's some Victoria's Secrets walkways, but. they're opening up the idea to modernization and incorporating all of this. It's just, I think it's incredibly significant. Not every nation can be the United States, but nations that open up to capitalist opportunities and alliances with the United States that also are in lockstep with our national interest and our national security, that's a huge thing that should be acknowledged. I think already this has been a major victory for the administration, a big optic. I mean... I mean, think about this. The non-oil sector, I just have some data for you. The non-oil sector in Saudi Arabia, I mean, that was what a driving force was. By 2022, that had grown to account for almost 60% of their GDP. And they began attracting millions upon millions upon millions of international visitors. They doubled. Now, it's by choice. It's women who want to have something to do, especially as their kids get older. Women's participation in the workforce nearly doubled. By choice, not because of third-wave feminists like what we've seen in the United States driving people to have to subsist on two incomes just to support one family. They lifted the driving ban. That was a huge thing. Go back to MIA when she did her one video where she was pretending that they were racing in the desert. That was in statement to the previous faction's ban on women being able to drive. Women couldn't go to doctor's appointments. That's been lifted. Unemployment has fallen. And culturally, they've been opening up to Western retailers, to American businesses. I mean, it is very stunning. Women don't have to enter through the back door anymore. You would not have thought of this. You've seen it 15 years ago. And these are... These are just some smaller steps that indicate an even bigger movement. I think that the United States needs as many alliances as possible, especially when you have China, Russia and Iran. And this is proving they're proving to be a potentially good one. That's all I'm saying. And I think it's been very interesting. And clearly, you know, you've seen the reaction to Trump. I mean, he got, you know, the escort in as they were as they were descending into Riyadh. They had the fighter jets that were accompanying them. And apparently they broke protocol and MBS met him on the tarmac. Now, I'm also going to tell you, I'm not going to be wowed by little stunts of theater. None of those things move me. But my point in bringing these up to you is the difference in reception from this administration to the previous one and how they're taking our country seriously again, because now we're being serious about things, whether or not we're having trouble getting it accomplished in Congress. But they're taking it seriously. They're taking the leadership of the United States seriously. Again, we have a lot more on this. Plus, we got to talk about how Democrats finally met refugees they don't like. Oh yeah, we have a Mean Girls moment on the way. A lot to unpack in today's program as we move. It's our friends at All Family Pharmacy. Love this company. Love the website. Love how easy it is to get the medications that I need. And whether it is things that the government try to keep from you, like, oh, I don't know, ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine, whether it's antibiotics or your everyday maintenance medicines, you can take control. You can get like a one-year supply of your essential medicines, like medicines for blood pressure or cholesterol or diabetes. You can skip last-minute pharmacy runs and stay ahead of your health. When you order your medications directly, you don't have to worry about waiting in line or the refills. Convenience is absolutely everything. And it's simple. It's fast. It's affordable. No insurance, no problem. They have straightforward pricing, online ordering. They ship everything in two to four days. Or if you really need it fast, if it's a serious issue, you can get overnight in a pinch. Your health is always within reach. And order from the comfort of home. Let them deliver right to your door. The big thing, in addition to the easiness of ordering, is that it's all made in the U.S.A. How many people can say that? You know that your medications are manufactured right here in this country. High standards of quality and safety. You don't have to worry about inputs from China. Visit allfamilypharmacy.com slash Dana. That's how you get 10% off. Use code Dana10. You get 10% off your order. Be prepared. Protect yourself and your family today. Visit allfamilypharmacy.com slash Dana. Coupon code Dana10 to save 10%.
SPEAKER 25 :
This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York Tri-State with 99.9% network reliability so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 16 :
Life with CIDP can be tough, but the Thrive Team, a specialized squad of experts, helps people living with CIDP make more room in their lives for joy. Watch Rare. Well done.
SPEAKER 02 :
An all-new reality series, Rare Well Done, offers help and hope to people across the country who live with the rare disease CIDP. Watch the latest episode now exclusively on rarewelldone.com.
SPEAKER 12 :
And now, all of the news you would probably miss. It's time for Dana's Quick Five.
SPEAKER 24 :
Gosh, we got consumer price index we got to discuss as well. It's a big pack show today. New health issue for Joe Biden is apparently somebody found a nodule. A doctor found a nodule on his prostate. Hot topic of conversation. I mean, I'm surprised it's just a nodule. I just think they said that so far the nature of it has yet has not been determined yet. It's still like very early on, but they said it's too soon to say if it's benign or if it's like, you know, inflammation or anything of that issue. Let's see. Also, the Cannes Film Festival has banned risque outfits after years of trashy, provocative red carpet displays. I want to go back to the days of like Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn and like where it was actual tailoring and class and beauty instead of skanky, like herpes looking type of stuff. I mean, everybody looks like they have been rode and hung up. Can I be honest about it? They do. They look nasty. A lot of it's not fashion, and a lot of these ladies do not need to be wearing bodycon. You can't do that, okay? If I see fat rolls sticking out the back of your dress, that means bodycon is too tight for you. Don't do it. And if you're a celebrity and you have a stylist, you should not even be making that error. Madonna canceled her movie about herself, so it's going straight to Netflix. I don't really care. Is that one Julia chick from from Ozark playing her? Because if not, I don't care. Cargo thieves are attacking the U.S. supply chain at alarming rates. Total reported losses have topped. This is wild. Half a billion dollars, according to industry insiders. They think it might be lower per CNBC than the true total, but not sure. Stick with us. We've got a lot in store. Democrats finally met refugees they don't like. Shocking, right? Home Title Lock is one such company. Now, your home is your most valuable asset. So when's the last time that you checked on your home's title? You know, the legal proof that you own your own house. The issue is that in today's AI and cyber world, scammers will steal your home titles and your equity is the target. They can forge your signature on a document. They can use a fake notary stamp, pay a small fee with your county and And before you know it, your home's title has been totally transferred out of your name. You need to get a free title history report and 14-day trial of the Million Dollar Triple Lock Protection. And you can do that at HomeTitleLock.com using promo code Dana. You're not even going to know. If somebody forges something, you're not going to know what happened. I mean, it's transferred without you ever being aware. And then... When you find out, that's when you find out usually through foreclosure notices or collection calls, and then you have to hire a lawyer, and it is a very expensive legal battle just to get back what is yours. Always, always protect your assets, particularly your biggest one. Use promo code Dana at HomeTitleLock.com and make sure your title is still in your name. You'll get a free title history report plus a free 14-day trial of their million-dollar triple lock protection. 24-7 monitoring of your title, urgent alerts to any changes and if fraud should happen, they'll spend up to a million dollars to fix it. Visit HomeTitleLock.com.
SPEAKER 25 :
This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. Picture this, you're on an important virtual interview answering that make or break question and suddenly your screen freezes. Not the impression you want. Good internet has never been more important. I'm constantly doing podcast interviews, video calls, and important work on my computer, so I have to have a solid connection. That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York tri-state with 99.9% network reliability, so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 16 :
Life with CIDP can be tough, but the Thrive Team, a specialized squad of experts, helps people living with CIDP make more room in their lives for joy. Watch Rare. Well done.
SPEAKER 02 :
An all-new reality series, Rare Well Done, offers help and hope to people across the country who live with the rare disease CIDP. Watch the latest episode now exclusively on rarewelldone.com.
SPEAKER 09 :
Keep your finger on the pulse with the Dana Show podcast, delivering timely news with insightful analysis. Whenever you want, straight to you on YouTube, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
SPEAKER 24 :
POTUS there in Riyadh as they play the Star-Spangled Banner. welcoming him to the nation ahead of the Saudi Arabian U.S. Investment Forum. He had a very warm welcome and broke protocol even by greeting him on the tarmac, which he did not do previously at all with Joe Biden. They would always send a subordinate. People were trying to downplay it this morning. I saw all of the excuses this morning that, oh, my gosh, no, it wasn't. He, no, he did. He did greet. No, he didn't. He didn't. They sent a subordinate to greet Biden at the airport. And then when he would arrive at the palace in That's when MBS would come out and greet him. And I think that that's important. I also think it's Saudi Arabia knowing that we have a pension in the United States for, you know, that kind of political theater. And they really wanted to drive home the point how much they don't like Biden. That's why they I mean, let's be real. That's why they're doing it. They did not like Biden. Biden was bad for business. Biden was bad for international relations. Biden leaned towards their geopolitical enemy. Iran. So they're really driving it home. Like, I don't think you could have more of a middle finger in the air than the welcome that Trump got to Democrats than what Saudi Arabia gave to POTUS as he arrived in Riyadh. Welcome back to the program. Dana Lash with you. We're at the bottom of this first hour. That's one of the things that I love about these things. I will watch videos over and over again of their first interactions, how they're sitting, where they're sitting, because body language, you can be the best actor. You can be the best statesman. Everybody's got to tell. Everybody has to tell. See, sidebar. I would have loved to one day been a spy. I think it would have been very fun to do that. It would have been very fun. You watch everybody and you mirror what they're doing. There's a lot of psychology in it. And I will say, I think Trump went in strong. I know there's a lot of criticism of some of the stuff that he's been doing lately, but I think that him going in the way that he did and then he dropped very nicely. I thought in a very nice way. We played that soundbite. You know, really kind of nudging them towards making it official instead of just indicating that they wanted to be on Team Abraham Accords. And he says, you know, you'll do it your own way. And that's fine. That's how we would have you do it. I mean, that's I thought that was a power move. And that was very smart that his very first address, not even a third of the way through. And he brought it up. That needs to continually be brought up. So that's good. You know, Iran, they're probably so mad right now. They're watching all of this. They're so mad because what are they left to? They're left to use their nasty little stinky factions, their little great value factions, right? Your little Hezbollah ragtag team of welfare terrorists. You know, your Hamas, your little ragtag team of welfare terrorists. They're not even smart enough to properly set up a rocket so they blow up their own damn schools. They're not even smart enough to administer a strip of land that Israel had no problem administering. And then Hamas gets a hold of it. And what do they do? They run it into third world status like instantly. digging tunnels, stealing copper, because they're animals. Because Hamas are animals. I've seen dogs and packs that can govern better than what they can. It's true. So... Great speech. We're going to come back to it. We finally met some refugees that Democrats don't like. Have you heard about what's going on in South Africa? We've only touched on it here and there, but they got a problem in South Africa. A big problem there. The overcorrection is genocidal. They're killing. White farmers in South Africa because they're white. And so all Trump did is said, hey, if you are fleeing racial violence, because it's not I've met people from South Africa at different confabs before. And it is a very real thing. What ends up happening is the government will step in. They've changed a lot of policies in recent years. and land that these people know how to farm and know how to irrigate and know how to manage, et cetera, is forcibly taken from them. And then it's given to different families of color. And then those families have no idea about land management. They have no idea about agriculture. They have no idea about livestock. They have no idea about anything as it pertains to farming or ranching. And then you don't have any yield, everything goes sideways. And then now you're having a problem with your produce and your food supply. There's a lot of genocidal, there's a lot of violence over there right now against particularly white South African farmers. And I think a lot of people in media are afraid to talk about it because a lot of people, including on the right, have been conditioned that if you bring this up at all, then somehow you're a white supremacist, which is so stupid. It's an emotional trick designed to keep people quiet about the issue so that the atrocities can continue. And I don't know if you've seen some of this stuff from some of these leaders that they have over there, but it's pretty rough. And they so Trump decided he was going to allow people who are fleeing this genocidal violence to be able to come as actual refugees to the United States. And that's that's really how ultimately that whole program is supposed to work. Now, I want to play for you two sound bites. First, I'm going to play. This is CNN. Of course, it's CNN. And they're they're trying to say that that no, this this is all a lie and that Trump is lying. Listen to this.
SPEAKER 23 :
The South African president says people arriving in the U.S. today do not fit the definition of refugees and that what Trump has been told about their persecution is false. Huh.
SPEAKER 24 :
Well, that's not true at all. I mean, we've been able to see a lot of this stuff. It's it's I mean, it's I mean, they're they're doing what you would call property expropriate expropriation there. It's a very terrifying development. What has been happening over there? This has been going on for quite some time. They're following the Zimbabwe model. Their president, this was back in January, beginning of this year, signed the expropriation bill so the government can confiscate farms without compensation if they can make the case that it's best for public interest. And the law doesn't specifically only isn't only for farms. It actually can mean anything, any property really at all, which is wild that This is even happening because there's so many... There's an overabundance of natural resources on that continent and in South Africa. But we have... I mean, you have an ungodly amount of government corruption, violence, tribalism, and it is now a failed state. I don't know how else you can say it. I mean, it's... I mean, they, like, talk about their power grid. I mean, there's a lot we could discuss here. But... They've had like, for instance, in South Africa, they've been having like power. They've been having power interruptions since last year. And they have literally an actual racist government. This is a piece. This is from a couple of years ago. They have their minister of water and sanitation. This is from South African media. Back in 2023 in May, they revised their guidelines and they basically decided that they were going to... How do I put it? Administer water. I mean, their water and sanitation services literally like based on your race. Like... Seriously, race and gender. And if you're particularly the wrong skin color, they tell you that, like, for instance, application for mining. This is from page 92. Applications for mining related industries, 100 percent black owned are exempt to comply with these regulations, etc. So they were squeezing people based on race. And this is just one of the things that these farmers have had to deal with. They have race quotas. They've been banning entire people based on race from hiring from certain just entire sectors, certain sectors. They've also implemented race quotas that are. Every aspect of life down to water, sanitation, trash, all of that. All of that is determined literally on the base of skin color. They introduced race quotas. Their minister of water, Senzo Michinu, May of 2023, introduced race quotas for the allocation of water use licenses. And they said that an ANC, that's their governing party, they said that under their new water race quotas, applicants that use more than a certain particular amount or withdraw more than a set minimum amount from streams must meet strict racial quotas in order to access water. And it's not depending on livestock or agriculture or whatever industry. It's literally about race and how many people that work with you on your land. What race are they? And they said farmers are companies that have not allocated between 25 to 75 percent of its shares to black citizens will be denied access, all access to water. And that's that's insane. That is absolutely devastating. I mean, they've had there's been constant violence there. Some of the stories that have come out of South Africa, if you are unfamiliar, are so gruesome and so barbaric. It is it's insane. Children are murdered in front of their parents. Women are raped in front of their spouses before they are brutally killed. I mean, they have electrical blackouts that are a regular everyday thing. There have been stories about their their power grid. I mean, good grief, even electricity is meted out based on race. 80 murders every 24 hours. This is actually from their official government crime statistics. 80 murders every 24 hours. 120 women raped every 24 hours. 245 children murdered monthly. 11 women murdered every 24 hours. Murder rates are absolutely through the roof. And the North Africa, the African National Congress, they don't they don't want to do anything. They just go to these conferences and act like they're doing all God's work in South Africa. And they're not. Their economy is is a sewer. Their trade balance is just it. I mean, I don't think it can get any lower. Oh, my gosh. They can't even, like I said, keep the lights on their retail industry. They don't have any anymore. The they have no consumer spending power. I mean, how it's it is one of the most unsustainable things I've ever seen. And the blame goes down to they try to make all the blame exactly down on racial divide. I mean, it's. It is one of the craziest things ever. They would have their race quotas, the first race quotas that they implemented, this was back in June of 2023, were designed to ban entire groups from employment. And when I say groups, I mean white South Africans. The ANC government also, they established those race quotas that determine the waters we talked about. It is one of the craziest things. CNN says it doesn't exist. Would you like to hear their leader sing about murdering white people? White farmers, the kill the bower, because that's what all that means. There's been, you know, there's a history there. There's a history of violence there, but they've decided to lean into it. I think I threw that in Slack this morning, but it is, it's one of the craziest things ever. They've, I mean, just like in the past year, they were singing a song at official government events. Kill the white farmer. That's like an actual thing that was, that's, so now you can see why. And by the way, Cain, how many, Refugees literally came in just the other day, like not even 60. Okay. So, and I'm going to talk more about this. When they came into the United States, they were all waving American flags and they were like crying. They were so happy to come to the United States compared to, I mean, hell, you'll have people, third generation Mexican in the United States acting like the border stepped on me. Shut the hell up. You entitled. Okay. Yeah, these people were happy to be here.
SPEAKER 12 :
The left would rather thousands of unvetted come in at once, but dare vet 50 or less.
SPEAKER 24 :
Yeah, and to your point, they were vetted. These people were vetted. Thank you. And they are legitimately fleeing for their lives. I mean, it's crazy. Let's play three real quick, and then we'll play four coming up. This is the first group. I mean, like tens of them. That was it. Tens of them. That was it. They're so excited to come to the United States. Democrats hate them because they're white. Listen to this. Audio somebody three. First group. They got American flags. And they came in the right way. They actually are legitimately fleeing murder. Because the people over there taking their land, they don't care if they've got kids. Those kids will be raped and killed. Doesn't matter the age. The horror stories, there are... missionaries over there that have been trying to golly they are even having a hard time it the stories that have been coming out from whether it's missionaries whether it's you know the farmers themselves whether it's staggering uh and so democrats are seething mad about this they're livid They finally met refugees they don't like. They want to throw a blanket over the Statue of Liberty. Gold Co. is making it easy to take that first step toward protecting your savings. Just fill out a quick form. No commitment. Just free information. And then they'll ship you your free 2025 gold and silver kit straight to your door. No shipping fees, no strings, just a free info kit to help you understand how gold and silver can fit into your financial plan. I'm a big believer in doing your research and this kit is a great place to start. So I'm really excited to be partnering with Goldco because not only do they support my show, which I truly appreciate, but they've made the whole process of buying precious metals Super straightforward. Because if you're a fan of the show, Gold Co. is also going to tell you how to qualify for unlimited free bonus silver on eligible orders. If you qualify, you can even get a free half ounce silver Ronald Reagan coin. Totally free. Don't wait. Take that first step towards protecting and diversifying your savings with Gold Co. Visit danalikesgold.com to learn more. That's danalikesgold.com.
SPEAKER 25 :
This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. Picture this, you're on an important virtual interview answering that make or break question and suddenly your screen freezes. Not the impression you want. Good internet has never been more important. I'm constantly doing podcast interviews, video calls and important work on my computer. So I have to have a solid connection. That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York Tri-State with 99.9% network reliability so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 17 :
Having MG can make cooking difficult, but over the years I've found some really helpful tools and tips that I'm excited to share. Hi, I'm Alicia. I think cooking should always be fun, creative, and of course delicious. These black bean burgers are hearty, full of flavor, and MG friendly. You're going to love them.
SPEAKER 08 :
Check out Alicia's black bean burger cooking video and other recipes full of tips and tricks for managing common MG symptoms while cooking only at mg-united.com.
SPEAKER 21 :
Ready? Let's cook.
SPEAKER 09 :
Get the lowdown on the latest news with a side of laughs. Whenever you want, subscribe to the Dana Show podcast on YouTube, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
SPEAKER 11 :
Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of the United States.
SPEAKER 03 :
You know, like I said, going forward, I've realized now that I see some of this coming back at me, that I should probably tone it down. So I've backed off a lot of media. It's a Pope brother. And I don't see myself really getting too much involved in that at least and especially until I've had a chance to actually talk with my brother and see what his... I mean, if you're the Pope's brother, do you get like an invite to the Vatican and do you get to go see like the rare rooms and all that kind of stuff?
SPEAKER 24 :
I'm just curious. I'd be totally taking advantage of that. Be like, sup, bro. I want to go look at those tapestries without a bunch of sweaty people standing shoulder to shoulder with me. Can you make that happen? You know, I'd be asking for stuff like that. Like, you know, can I just like chill out in the Sistine Chapel before it reopens to the public or opens to the public for the day? I'd be asking for those type of favors, you know, little things. But he apparently was real saucy on social media and the media was going, what? they don't quite understand that siblings don't share the same brain it's a scientific achievement that our legacy press hasn't fully realized yet and I just think it's funny I also think you're the Pope's brother can't he just be like I think I'm good right like I don't need your judgment I think I'm good I don't know that's what I would because like you know how we got to get out of jail free card with FCC I would think you know if your brother's the Pope you know Yeah, you could just like you, you know, I don't care if you're Catholic or not. I totally would be using that if I was. Yeah, if I was a sibling of the Pope. Totally.
SPEAKER 12 :
I could get out of hell.
SPEAKER 24 :
Right. I know. Just saying. Welcome back to the program. Dana Lash with you. We have coming up in our second hour. We're going to have Senator Rand Paul is going to be joining us a little bit later. We're also going to talk about how a bunch of blockheaded Republicans are trying to screw you over on your Second Amendment rights. with some bills that you may not be aware of. We're going to discuss all of that and more. Stick with us. Second hour on the way. I've seen the amazing changes Relief Factor has made for so many people, and I've seen it firsthand through my husband, Chris, is paying relief from using Relief Factor. Right now, it's We'll be right back. It helps reduce or even eliminate it. It's safe to take daily. And in fact, the longer you take Relief Factor, the more effective. Whether it's neck, back, joint, or muscle pain, Relief Factor can help. Over 1 million people have turned to Relief Factor. Give Relief Factor a try. With their pain-free trial, you can get a three-week quick start for only $19.95, less than a dollar a day. Call 1-800-4-RELIEF. That's 1-800-4-RELIEF. Get rid of pain and start living better. Give Relief Factor a try. Call 1-800-4-RELIEF or visit relieffactor.com.
SPEAKER 25 :
Thank you. That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York Tri-State with 99.9% network reliability so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 17 :
Having MG can make cooking difficult, but over the years, I found some really helpful tools and tips that I'm excited to share. Hi, I'm Alicia. I think cooking should always be fun, creative, and of course, delicious. These black bean burgers are hearty, full of flavor, and MG-friendly. You're gonna love them.
SPEAKER 08 :
Check out Alicia's Black Bean Burger cooking video and other recipes full of tips and tricks for managing common MG symptoms while cooking only at MG-United.com.
SPEAKER 21 :
Ready? Let's cook.
SPEAKER 18 :
For years, far too many American presidents have been afflicted with the notion that it's our job to look into the souls of foreign leaders and use U.S. policy to dispense justice. for their sins. They loved using our very powerful military. And now it's really the most powerful it's ever been. We just are getting a budget approved, $1 trillion, highest budget we've ever had in history for military, $1 trillion. That's a good line. That was a very good line from Curtis just then.
SPEAKER 24 :
Welcome back to the program. It's the Saudi U.S. Investment Forum. POTUS just wrapped up a little bit ago his speech. Can we play just some some of that video? Although we may have to strip the sound out later for digital because they played YMCA, even though it's fair use. The fascists that are on the sewer that's called YouTube, they object. The. It was funny because he had MBS, you know, the crown prince and de facto prime minister, Mohammed bin Salman, who's up on stage with him and they're playing YMCA. And I have to, I was thinking about this. I'm like, there have to be people in the audience, like, you know, Middle Eastern businessmen and other Saudis that are in the audience. Like, why, why are they playing YMCA? The YMCA song. Like they have to be wondering. It cracks me up. It always cracks me up when you have these cultural touch points that don't exactly hit in other countries. But I thought it was hysterical. They were on stage together after Trump finished his speech and they started the YMCA song. You can hear it a little bit to that. And then he's like, OK, I'm done. But it was great. They get along very well. So welcome back. Dana Latch with you. Top of the second hour. Just a couple of other things. Situations like this are where Trump shines. Now, people will say, oh, but Trump's such a jackass. When you are dealing with. male-dominated event and you are in a very patriarchal society he can blow in and he can run the room he's very good at that and I like seeing that kind of I like seeing that I thought that America was very well represented this afternoon I don't care what I don't care if you're mad about Trump with this or that or that EO I don't like the Qatari jet either I thought nope This was good. And I still go back to that soundbite that he had where we played it already, but where he said, you know, talked about the Abraham Accords and said, you know, I look forward to you joining this, you know, in your own time. But he reemphasized right there in front of everybody in that room that that was an expectation of the United States. And that was a power move. And I appreciated that. And I also like the welcome that he received because it was a giant middle finger to the previous administration that was trying to chuck Saudi Arabia to the side and elevate You know, the geopolitical foe, Iran, which, you know, finances the killing of Americans, American soldiers, you know, all of this stuff. One other quick point as it relates to Saudi Arabia, because a lot of people are like, oh, you know, the last time, you know, they go back, they go back and I get it. They go back to 9-11. there are also different factions in different world governments as there are in the United States. And people really need people to be able to understand this nuance, especially as we navigate this brave new world. Right. So I thought this was a good trip for the president of the United States. Meantime, in the meantime, Democrats, they, um, Well, it was like that Mean Girls scene, Kane. I can't play it. You can. The refugees, like 50 something of them that came in from South Africa and Democrats, I think, thought, oh, African refugees. And then they saw they were white. So if you're from Africa, why are you white? Yeah, it was like Karen for Mean Girls. If you're from Africa, why are you white? Because now they're very upset, including. Can I? Oh, hang on. I guess. OK, here it is. Including, did you hear about this church, this Episcopal church? They shut down their ministries, their quote-unquote migration ministries, because Trump took some white South African refugees in. And they have, who is this? Their Episcopal bishop church. Okay, I'm going to tread into some very probably not commonly held opinions here. I don't want a woman as my church leader. The fastest way you're going to run me out of that pew is if you put a broad up on stage who said, I take Paul's words very, very seriously. I don't want to hear from a woman. I don't, I don't want to hear from a young preacher either. You better be old and have lived in order for me to be able to take you seriously or have something seriously happen in your life that you're calling is evident to all before you. So I have a major problem with this woman calling herself a bishop because Your girl is old school. I am more old school than anybody else that you're going to come across on air. I don't want to see a female bishop. I don't believe in it. Just like I don't believe that Palestine is a real thing or a real ethnicity. Just like I don't believe in the term assault weapon. Just like I don't think that men can put some tape between their nether regions and stuff abroad and call themselves women. I don't believe in female bishops, female preachers, female pastors. I don't believe in any of that stuff because it's anti-biblical. If you have a problem with it, Your problem is with God, not with me. And you can take it up with him and he can evaluate whether or not he thinks that's a logical stance for you to have. So this this one woman, she was very upset. The reason I bring her up, Marion Edgar. Is it how do you say her last name? B-U-D-D-E, buddy. Beauty. Who knows? She's the Episcopal bishop and she had this big illegal immigration stance. And, you know, she likes all the letters and all, you know, doesn't matter if you come in legally or not. And she's given some. Remember the speech that she gave where she was trying to slam the administration and everybody who voted for him who were supportive of deporting people who were here illegally? And she was saying, oh, God teaches us that we're to be merciful to the stranger because, you know, mercy and the facilitation of criminality are the exact same thing, apparently. So she is upset because now these refugees from South Africa are being allowed into the United States. And what happened to the mercy for the stranger, by the way? So the Episcopalians, they ended a nearly four decades old relationship. This comes from sorry, this is religion news because they're very upset over the white Afrikaners. They said, in light of our church's steadfast commitment to racial justice, and this is where that bishop buddy is from, in light of our church's steadfast commitment to racial justice and reconciliation and our historic ties to the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, we're not able to take this step. That's what their presiding bishop said in the letter. And they are upset by this. They said that it is, and it's the Sean Rowe presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. They said that they are expected to resettle white Africaners from South Africa whom the U.S. government classified as refugees. They don't believe that they're refugees and they are against it. So they said that they're going to stop their Episcopal migration ministries because they are expected to take in white Africaners, people who are actual victims of literal genocidal persecution. And they're helping to whitewash the ANC's crimes, apparently. But what happened to the mercy for the immigrant, Kane? Oh, the mercy for the refugee. What happened to all of that?
SPEAKER 12 :
I can play a little bit of what she was saying if you want to hear that back in January.
SPEAKER 24 :
Oh, please do. Please do.
SPEAKER 20 :
And the people, the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants... who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals. They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes.
SPEAKER 24 :
Oh, except if you're a white South African.
SPEAKER 12 :
Yep, that's different.
SPEAKER 24 :
unless you're that yeah the episcopal church you're a joke if you're an absolute joke you're the reason why people hate organized religion and it proves that even the devil can quote scripture get behind me satan and if you have the threat of being a white and b potentially voting conservative the left will not want you of course this is a problem you know do you want to know why people have been leaving the church in droves because of ungodly heathenistic attempted ministries like the one I'm talking about right here. We're going to put up some old white crone and then she's going to sit here and try to lecture everyone and try to play a game of guilt over everyone. Oh, you have to accept every form of criminality that the Democrats endorse. Basically, she's trying to shroud her partisan political zealotry in religion. That's what they're doing right now. Oh, wait a minute. Now we have refugees that are white? What? And now it's a big issue for them. Proving that it was never about the refugee. You know, they're no better than the Pharisees who roll around in ash and then parade around in public. Oh, look at me. I'm so penitent. Look at me. Oh, I'm taken about poverty. Oh, make sure you glorify me and my theatrical performative actions and not God whom it's supposed to actually honor. I mean, they literally go against everything that the Gospels talk about. But OK. All right. So this is this. This is one of the big reasons why a lot of people, by the way, have such a problem with organized religion. Now, you're supposed to. I don't I don't mean for this to be a religious sermon, because, again, I don't I do not. I do not rise to the mantle of shepherd and nor do I claim it, nor do I seek it. But my observation is that people see the double standard. And yet you are also simultaneously called to fellowship. You're supposed to be part of a body. I mean, my gosh, just read Paul's writings. I mean, the Gospels are quite clear. But it's very difficult when you have performative charlatans like what we're seeing here coming out of the Episcopal Church. With these missives. Oh, no, we can't take part in this ministry anymore because now it's white South Africaners. What makes them less than? Why is it that they are not allowed, but you guys will fall all over and wash the feet of a woman beating human trafficking MS-13 gangbanger? Oh, because they play on skin color. If ever you wanted an actual example of racism, which is an immoral position, because that's never really something that's used divisively. In fact, you're extorted to move against that throughout the Bible. But if you want a real example of racism, then look at what these so-called shepherds are doing. Oh no, we can't help them because of their skin color. Meanwhile, we're going to exalt you because of your skin color, things over which you cannot control. It's the modern day clan. Pretty amazing, is it not? And they have the audacity to call themselves bishops and shepherds and drape themselves with vestments and pretend to offer the bread and the wine and pretend that they're reading from scripture when really they're just spitting poison. Maybe the part of the Bible that they missed was what happens to shepherds who mislead their flock and how they are yoked with a stone so heavy and thrown into the deepest part of the sea. Now, I know I shouldn't practice nor engage in the schadenfreude of such an action, but I dare say that I don't even know if that would convey the lesson that they need to learn, such as their evil heart. We have a lot more coming up. and their multi-collagen Advanced Lean features 10 types of collagen from real food-based sources. It's powered by clinically studied ingredients that support fat loss, healthy weight management, and lean muscle building. You'll love it because it can reduce your joint discomfort, boost your skin, your hair and nails, and plus, you'll love how it tastes and how easily it fits into your daily routine. Collagen is real and it works and Ancient Nutrition's Multi-Collagen Advanced Lean has you covered. Look and feel your best starting today. Right now, Ancient Nutrition is offering you 25% off your first order. Just visit ancientnutrition.com slash Dana promo code Dana. That's ancientnutrition.com slash Dana code Dana for 25% off your first order.
SPEAKER 25 :
This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. Picture this, you're on an important virtual interview answering that make or break question, and suddenly your screen freezes. Not the impression you want. Good internet has never been more important. I'm constantly doing podcast interviews, video calls, and important work on my computer, so I have to have a solid connection. That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York tri-state with 99.9% network reliability so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 16 :
Life with CIDP can be tough, but the Thrive Team, a specialized squad of experts, helps people living with CIDP make more room in their lives for joy. Watch Rare Well Done.
SPEAKER 02 :
An all-new reality series, Rare Well Done, offers help and hope to people across the country who live with the rare disease CIDP. Watch the latest episode now exclusively on rarewelldone.com.
SPEAKER 12 :
And now, all of the news you would probably miss. It's time for Dana's Quick Five.
SPEAKER 24 :
All right, so we got man bites dog. I mean, that's literally a headline. Police say a naked man bit a dog and fought officers at a Kansas gas station. He's in custody because he resisted arrest. He attacked police officers and his own dog during a violent struggle at a Lawrence gas station on Wednesday. They responded to the disturbance at the Casey's General Store. How are you going to do the dog like that? He had brought a dog inside with him when the officers arrived. He was totally in his birthday suit. They tased him twice. He continued to arrest or resist. He bit his dog's ear and neck and refused to release his grip. I would have beat him to death with my baton. Yeah, I would have made it last. I would have made it go quick with a firearm. I would have beat him to within an inch of his life with my baton, and then I would have tased him to the point where he couldn't stop drooling. That's me. The dog suffered minor injuries, and clearly I value the dog's life more than this guy's. and was transported to Lawrence Humane Society for evaluation and care. Please, someone adopt that sweet pup. Let's see here. Moving on, we got... The no, no, no. I want to do that. Let's do. Oh, half of Tesla owners say their cars have been damaged intentionally. Stephen Yates, our friend Stephen Yates, his car was keyed. He drives a Tesla and he came out and said, well, I guess I get to join the keyed club. And his Tesla had been keyed. This is MSN. They say half of half. Like it's like a point away of Tesla owners say that their cars have been damaged on purpose. So because I'm a very confrontational person when this when situation requires, can I feel like I want to get a Tesla and just sit in it? And then if somebody tries to key my car, Katie bar the door, it's going to be like Darth Vader when he's like getting on that spaceship going after Leia.
SPEAKER 12 :
And it'll be like that could be a fun way to kill time.
SPEAKER 24 :
Killing time. Yes, that is correct, Kane. A Nebraska man is facing two felonies because he attacked, oh, speaking of, you know, Bader, his neighbor and a seven-year-old with a lightsaber. Like, it's not a real one, right? Because that's impossible. I hope not. They said it was a higher quality device. It was three and a half feet, made of metal and thick plastic. That's actually, I mean, don't do it. But I mean, that's, you know, a little bit better than a baseball bat, I guess. Stick with us because we've got some rhino-ism afoot with 2A. Gold Co. is making it easy to take that first step toward protecting your savings. Just fill out a quick form. No commitment. Just free information. And then they'll ship you your free 2025 gold and silver kit straight to your door. No shipping fees. No strings. just a free info kit to help you understand how gold and silver can fit into your financial plan. I'm a big believer in doing your research, and this kit is a great place to start. So I'm really excited to be partnering with Goldco because not only do they support my show, which I truly appreciate, but they've made the whole process of buying precious metals Super straightforward. Because if you're a fan of the show, Gold Co. is also going to tell you how to qualify for unlimited free bonus silver on eligible orders. If you qualify, you can even get a free half ounce silver Ronald Reagan coin. Totally free. Don't wait. Take that first step towards protecting and diversifying your savings with Gold Co. Visit danalikesgold.com to learn more. That's danalikesgold.com.
SPEAKER 25 :
This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. Picture this, you're on an important virtual interview answering that make or break question and suddenly your screen freezes. Not the impression you want. Good internet has never been more important. I'm constantly doing podcast interviews, video calls, and important work on my computer. So I have to have a solid connection. That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York Tri-State with 99.9% network reliability so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 17 :
Having MG can make cooking difficult, but over the years I've found some really helpful tools and tips that I'm excited to share. Hi, I'm Alicia. I think cooking should always be fun, creative, and of course delicious. These black bean burgers are hearty, full of flavor, and MG friendly. You're going to love them.
SPEAKER 08 :
Check out Alicia's black bean burger cooking video and other recipes full of tips and tricks for managing common MG symptoms while cooking only at mg-united.com.
SPEAKER 21 :
Ready? Let's cook.
SPEAKER 09 :
Make some common sense of the crazy headlines with the Dana Show podcast. Your on-the-go guide for getting up to speed on today's most important stories. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, or your favorite podcast platform.
SPEAKER 24 :
And welcome back to the program. Dana Lash with you. We're at the bottom of this second hour and we've covered a lot today. We need to look at some domestic stuff, including a sneaky little trick that some of these moderates, I suppose, in Congress are trying to pull over on you. Specifically, this is about the National Firearms Act and, of course, suppressors. Now, For those of you who maybe you're not that far into 2A or you don't own a suppressor, you think it doesn't affect you, it does because this is just another example of – and I hate to say it. You've got a lot of soft Republicans that are out there thinking we can just do the bare minimum, call it a victory, and then go ahead and ask for donations because we're going to pretend that we've done something for your – For your constitutionally affirmed rights. And that's not the way it works. So right now, and I mentioned this yesterday, the House Ways and Means Committee, they have a draft, their reconciliation draft. And in it, they're trying to act like this is a big Second Amendment win. They're going to reduce the extortion. I mean, the tax that you would have to pay on your suppressor. from 200 to just five dollars but yet it's still going to remain classified as an nfa item meaning you have to go and beg the government please may i have suppressed a suppressed shooting may i please and uh still get all that permission and they know what you have etc etc and there are actually some republicans that are going along with us and they're going to try to act like it's a huge victory and i've been hearing a lot of chatter behind the scenes on this uh so obviously this cannot stand especially when you know we we should have more we should have more We should have friendlier two way legislation coming out of the House than this. Joining us right now is Knox Williams. He's the president and executive director of the American Suppressor Association. And we welcome him back. Knox, good to see you. So I I just feel like this is this is such a lazy way to like a lazy toss. to voters like, oh, well, we're going to reduce from $200 to $5. But the big issue is that it's still going to be classified under NFA, which that's not a win at all. But I mean, I've literally been hearing from some people in D.C. that they think that this is like a great victory.
SPEAKER 07 :
Yeah. And Dana, thanks for having me on again. It's truly a pleasure to chat with you. And I agree. I think that it's just the members who are pushing this in the House don't understand where the gun community lands and where they're coming from. You know, it's 91 years that we've been taxed for our right to purchase suppressors. And at the end of the day, if we have an opportunity to do away with that tax entirely and get these things out of the NFA, the gun community wants our members of Congress to take that action. Period. Hard stop.
SPEAKER 24 :
What is their argument for keeping it under the National Firearms Act? I don't understand their their reluctance to to move it off of that.
SPEAKER 07 :
You know, honestly, that's a great question and one I can't fully answer for them. I can't comprehend it. And the draft that they put out, it has the reduction of the $200 transfer tax down to zero. So it seems to me to be a bit of a moot point, right? Like if we're going to zero out the tax, why not just take the extra step to actually remove these things from the National Firearms Act? And the critical importance of that is because, again, this is a 91-year-old tax scheme that was set up in 1934. There is a federal registry called the NFRTR that exists solely as a record of taxes paid. And people don't want to have to deal with that. You know, you shouldn't have to submit fingerprint cards. You shouldn't have to submit passport photos. You shouldn't have to ask permission from the ATF to be able to purchase these items. And yet here we are, and that's where it would stand if they even zeroed this tax out. So I think that a lot of these members think that they are generating a win. But it just isn't the one that they think it is, at least not in the eyes of the 2A community.
SPEAKER 24 :
Yeah, I completely agree with you. And it just doesn't I mean, because still, that's the big issue. The big issue isn't, you know, the transfer tax. The big issue is, you know, the fact that it's still listed on this. I mean, and we've talked before, Knox, when you were on. I mean, when you go to any other country, if you're in Europe, if you're in South America, if you're wherever, and if you're not shooting suppressed guns, You're kind of looked at like, oh, that's so trashy. It's just bad form, like you're a bad guest. But yet here, they act like it just, I don't know what they think it contributes to. The difference is startling to me.
SPEAKER 07 :
Yeah, I mean, I think that they're looking for the easiest path, right? And I understand that in the context of this reconciliation process. This is a very small component of the one big, beautiful bill that the president is trying to get to his desk. Certainly sympathetic to that, but gun owners shouldn't be the one taking it on the chin for the advancement of this package. And I also just really question whether or not they're doing the math right. You know, look, if you're going to bake this down to, you know, what's in the best interest of the least conservative member of a committee, I don't think that's a way to run this. I think that you've got to look at holistically what impact this is going to have. And I just don't see, you know, the hardliners on our side being willing to take this as a measure to get them to vote for other components of the reconciliation package that leadership is going to need them to vote for.
SPEAKER 24 :
Yeah, we're talking for those listening around the country, not watching the simulcast. We're talking with Knox Williams, who's the president and executive director of the American Suppressor Association. And I've tried Knox. I've tried thinking, OK, well, what are the arguments that the left could make or that, you know, anti Second Amendment advocates could make against these lawmakers removing suppressors from being classified as NFA items? And I just don't think that there's like a good enough soundbite that they couldn't overcome unless they're that horrific at messaging.
SPEAKER 07 :
Yeah, absolutely. And that's the weird part, right? Like, it's not a win for the 2A community, but you're still going to take all the flack from the anti-gunners, right? It's kind of a lose-lose situation. And I really genuinely think they don't see it that way, but it's really, it shows the disconnect between those members and the Second Amendment community.
SPEAKER 24 :
Yeah, I completely agree with you on this. Is this likely... Is this do you think that there's going to be pushback against some of these more moderate members of the committee and or in the House to maybe like reconsider and remove this? I know because, you know, you've obviously the Hearing Protection Act is something that we very much support and you've been doing a great job advocating for that. But and the reason I ask the question that way is because I feel like if we miss our opportunity here with us, I don't know when that's going to come back around again.
SPEAKER 07 :
Yeah, I agree completely. Look, I've been working at this since 2011. We wrote the Hearing Protection Act or helped write it in 2015. So it's been a decade of advocating to remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act. This is only the second time in that entire tenure where we have a legitimate shot at getting this done. These opportunities don't come around very often. And you know, look, I think that we've got to be able to seize on the moment. I think that is really at the core of why the Second Amendment community is so frustrated because when these opportunities do arise, if we get soft on the issue, it's kind of like, why are we even participating? And I think that's a message that the gun world is sending loud and clear to House Ways and Means and to Congress. I mean, I think that we all need to stand united in that front.
SPEAKER 24 :
And when I look at some of the soundbites that these people, or not soundbites, but rather quotes that they've given, whether it's, you know, they're walking back to the you know, the heart building or wherever. And, you know, they give little quotes to reporters outside. I honestly don't even think any of them have ever shot the press before with the way that they talk about it. And I feel like if you're going to sit here and legislate about firearms, maybe you should, you know, kind of halfway know what you're talking about. And we joke about football. Like I, I know nothing about football. I live in like a football crazy house and I'm the only person that does not know about football. It's like me joining, you know, the NFL and being able to make regulations pertaining to the field. You know, you You would never have me do that. It's like, why would you have these lawmakers do this about a constitutionally affirmed right?
SPEAKER 07 :
Yeah, I mean, you're absolutely right. And that's something that we that we love to do is take lawmakers out to the shooting range and expose them to what suppressed gunshots actually can and more importantly, cannot do. Because there is a massive disconnect there.
SPEAKER 24 :
Yeah, they act like a bunch of gangbangers are running around the streets and it's just all like silent, like pew pew like that. And it's not like that at all. Last quick question for you. And I don't know. I don't want to I don't want you to to jeopardize any negotiations or positions that you have with these or wherever you're at with these other lawmakers and persuading them to see the light of liberty. But is there anybody that's just proven immovable that maybe could deserve a little bit of heat?
SPEAKER 07 :
Yeah, I mean, there certainly are. I don't want to blow up negotiations at this point, but what I can say is visit hearingprotectionact.com. It's a landing page that we have where you can put in your information and send an email to your elected official. That certainly helps. Call the House Ways and Means Committee as well. Those guys need to know and understand, hey, we want to see Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, which removes oppressors from the NFA included in the reconciliation process. The more heat we can dial up, again, do it in a positive way. Don't come out attacking these folks, but just say, hey, look, I'm a constituent and I care. Do it polite, but do it firm.
SPEAKER 24 :
I would think that this would be a huge talking point, too, for the administration. And it might, you know, be like a good make good for a lot of the stuff that people saw with bump stocks until the courts got involved. You know, I think that would go a long way and kind of like normalizing those relationships with that community that got fractured during all of that. So hopefully, I mean, fingers crossed, but I agree with you. People need to be blowing up the phones, rhetorically speaking, to the House Ways and Means Committee members as well. Knox Williams, we'd love to have you back. Please keep us updated as to all of this. And we're going to watch as well, but we'll probably be reaching back out to you here shortly as this thing progresses. Good to see you.
SPEAKER 07 :
That sounds great. Dana, thank you so much.
SPEAKER 24 :
Thank you so much. That's Knox Williams. He's the president, executive director of the American Suppressor Association. And Hearing Protection Act is just smart legislation. And I'm just I'm floored that there are lawmakers. And I'm trying to remember the name of them. I saved this piece because I'm doing an overall piece on this for Substack over a chapter and verse. But someone's like, oh, we can't just have people out there. the way that they said it was something like unaccountable, like shootings, unaccountable. It's like you, they're not, it's not silent. It just reduces the decibel level. They did studies on it. The decibel level is like the same as the level coming from giant monitors at like a rock concert. If you've ever been to a concert and you've been anywhere near the giant monitors, you know, your ears ring afterwards. So it doesn't, You know, Hollywood is fiction and it made it very fictional the way that suppressors worked. And it's just it's weird. I had a friend who has gone bird hunting all over the world. And he loves to joke that the first time that he ever was invited to go overseas to go bird hunting, he was not shooting suppressed. And when they were doing a whole bunch of stuff and people thought it was like crazy. bad manners it's just thought of as like very gauche like very bad manners like oh you're you don't shoot suppressed because over there that's like the norm and because people aren't idiotic they realize that it still makes a quite a loud sound but a lot of the anti-gun advocates particularly those that come from high crime areas like you hear this a lot from chicago authorities in chicago or elected officials there they would say oh you know shooting suppressed you know you can't have Like they would have a bunch of shootings that they couldn't hear and they wouldn't be able to stop. It's the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life. And so for these lawmakers to say, oh, we're just going to either reduce the tax transfer or the transfer tax or we're going to do it, do away with it. That's that's a fear of victory. I mean, barely even that. I mean, it's still an NFA item. You still have to beg the government for permission. They still have a receipt of exactly what you have, when you got it, etc. I mean, that's a de facto registry. And I think by allowing it to remain on that list, you're essentially making it easier for the establishment of any such registry in the future. So these lawmakers need to get on the same page with liberty-minded Americans. We have a lot more on the way. We got Senator Rand Paul is going to be joining us later. And of course, you know, the problem with the refugees coming in from South Africa. We have this and we also have the latest Democrat fallout. Apparently, everybody's coming out with books, books galore. Like apparently Biden didn't recognize George Clooney per Axios at a June 2024 fundraiser. And they knew each other for like 15 plus years. And apparently that's why George Clooney wrote the editorial that he did. I know. So we got a lot of stuff to discuss as well. With Super Beach, you guys are familiar with the heart chews. Super Boreen, a lot of people are talking about healthy metabolism and supporting healthy blood sugar. And this is where Super Boreen comes in. It's plant-based, doctor-formulated. It has a unique form of berberine and Italian fruit extract that gives it an additional antioxidant, additional level of antioxidant cardiovascular support. And the berberine is unique. It's Nearly 10 times higher absorption than standard berberine. It's highly concentrated, so you get all these benefits in just one easy-to-swallow capsule a day. And the grapeseed extract that's included in the super berberine, that provides for greater tolerability if you're concerned about any potential GI distress. Visit Sam's Club and restock your heart health support with Super Beets Archooze and... Expand your routine with new SuperBrain for healthy metabolism and blood sugar support. Start today and get on the road to better cardiovascular health support.
SPEAKER 06 :
Could Luigi Mangione's killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO lead to anarchy in America? Pastor Alan Jackson says yes.
SPEAKER 15 :
But he shot this insurance executive. And I mean, there's this whole host of people trying to justify it because their insurance got canceled. Therefore, it's okay to go assassinate some insurance worker. That is teetering on anarchy.
SPEAKER 06 :
Subscribe to Culture and Christianity, an Alan Jackson podcast, on your favorite podcast app.
SPEAKER 25 :
This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York Tri-State with 99.9% network reliability so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 12 :
It's his life mission to make bad decisions. It's time for Florida Man.
SPEAKER 24 :
So a Florida man, he got done, got himself in trouble here. He broke in, it's Escambia County. He broke in to his ex-girlfriend's home through a doggy door. This is why we'll not have doggy doors. 26-year-old, how do you say his name? Kalen, C-A-E. You have too many vowels in your name, sir. Yeah. Anyway, some dude, he broke into the home. Deputies were called for the report of a burglary. And then he climbed into his ex's bed and they struggled. She hit him in the nose with her elbow. And then he left the same way he had come in through the large dog door. He's been charged with burglary or assault with assault or battery. And I told him on break, I said, I don't have a dog door. But if I did, maybe I would want like some AI facial recognition and I would have like two robotic arms that would automatically descend maybe with like, I don't know, MP5s or something. And, you know, fully pointed at the dog door. So if it's not my dog. Yeah. Both of them. How would that happen? Like a snare. Since, you know, I'm not going to beg the government for NFA stuff. So, yeah, it'd be like that. I'd have enough to where it would just be like that.
SPEAKER 12 :
Also, if you're fitting through a doggy door, you're a small dude.
SPEAKER 24 :
They said it was a large dog door. I don't know what that means, what the measurements on that are. You know, I'm not like Bob the Builder, but, you know. But, yeah, that's why I haven't wanted. Because criminals aren't necessarily the healthiest or the smartest people. That's true. Yeah, I know. So, yeah. uh let's see here okay this blew my mind i don't do i i've what my i had a family member that took me to disney world or disneyland one time i've never been i think i was at disney world once for a work thing but this florida man he says this is the average cost when he took his family florida man says that it was fourteen hundred dollars for one day at walt disney world oh I'm sorry, what? So let's break this down. Yeah, he said that it was like $1,400, parking was $30, tickets for his family to get into Hollywood Studios, and it's like a family of four, $974. Five tickets and parking, immediately, that's $1,000. And they even got the Florida resident discount and they have one child under 10. Everything else, quick service meals in Disney Springs, any kind of snack or drink, water and ice cream was $30. He had a pretzel and a beer that was $20. They said it was over $44 for quick service pizza. and a drink. They said that Star Wars Coke was like $7. I mean, just insane. And one of their restaurants for their dinner was like almost $300, ending at just under $1,400. And they said that they didn't even stay at one of the resort hotels. I love nothing that much to pay that kind of money, right? No way.
SPEAKER 12 :
I mean...
SPEAKER 24 :
I don't know. And now, remember how Disney was like, oh, Florida, don't say gay. Well, they're building a resort in Abu Dhabi where you definitely can't say gay. Are they going to have like a ride featuring, you know, we're going to throw the gays to death because they're gay. I mean, I'm just curious how they're... So $1,400. My jaw hit the floor. There is no way I would pay that. I could be a patrillionaire and I will not pay that. That is insane. I've got to take a stand somewhere. That's crazy. So... Where to start with this one? Well, we're almost out of time. I'll have to tell you about the Walmart worst robbery technique ever tomorrow. In the meantime, third hour is on the way. And we're going to have Senator Rand Paul join us. Stick with us. With all family pharmacy, convenience is everything. And they make it so simple. It's Fast shipping, no hassle, no gatekeepers. You can order from the comfort of home and let All Family Pharmacy deliver right to your door. So take control with up to a one-year supply of essential medicines like blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes treatments. No insurance, not an issue. All Family Pharmacy has you covered. No more monthly refills, no more lines, no more surprise pharmacy trips. And everything is made right here in the US of A. So you can rest easy knowing that your medications meet high standards for quality and safety. Nothing's outsourced, just reliable American made medicines. And they provide ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, antibiotics, and so much more. The very medications, you know, that the system tried to keep from you. And you can even get your everyday maintenance meds, too. They make it simple. Fast shipping, no hassles, no gatekeepers. Visit allfamilypharmacy.com slash Dana now and use code Dana10 for 10% off. Be prepared. Stay in control. Because they're not looking out for you. Allfamilypharmacy.com slash Dana. Code Dana10.
SPEAKER 25 :
This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York Tri-State with 99.9% network reliability so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 17 :
Having MG can make cooking difficult, but over the years, I found some really helpful tools and tips that I'm excited to share. Hi, I'm Alicia. I think cooking should always be fun, creative, and of course, delicious. These black bean burgers are hearty, full of flavor, and MG-friendly. You're going to love them.
SPEAKER 08 :
Check out Alicia's black bean burger cooking video and other recipes full of tips and tricks for managing common MG symptoms while cooking only at mg-united.com.
SPEAKER 21 :
Ready? Let's cook.
SPEAKER 22 :
The apartheid system ended and they reformed their constitution under the great leader of Nelson Mandela. And that allowed for a racial reconciliation, one that this country has yet to do. But South Africa did it. Wow.
SPEAKER 24 :
I don't even know who this chick is that's saying this. Some CNN panelist who clearly does not understand the history of South Africa. I mean, wow. If you don't like it, then you can leave. And they did. That's the problem that the left has is that they did. Welcome back to the program. Dana Lash with you. We're at the top of this third hour. I mean, look at Zimbabwe. They were I mean, they were neighbors and they took away farms and the indigenous people. They could not maintain the farms. They could not handle the agriculture, the land management, the livestock, none of it. And their agricultural output entirely, totally collapsed. And then they ended up having to fight, deal with famine. And then they were trying to lure people back. to manage these farms unsuccessfully the problem is that in south africa they're literally hunting down i've met i've met south african farmers in fact one of um uh the last work trips i was on um i went i met there happened to be included uh some a couple that was from south africa and they still have family there so they were like not doing any press but they actually had to go and seek refugee status in a different nation and the stories And the photos are amazing, amazingly horrible. It's just it's you think, wow, because it was last year and you think, wow, it's like 2024 and I was 25. It's crazy that that this stuff happens and that, you know, people do this to themselves. But. You know, she thinks that there's a needs to be a racial reconciliation. Like, what does she think? What does that mean to her? A racial reconciliation? Because this is what we're talking about. Audio somebody for this was like a year ago, not even a year ago. And you have the Julius Malema. He's the head of the EFF political party over there. The economic freedom fighters screaming about killing the white farmer. Audio somebody for listen.
SPEAKER 06 :
kiki kichi kichi ma chibran kondo alias is
SPEAKER 24 :
Yeah, that is it's it it's literally derived from a word that means Boer. It's in Dutch and Africans. So I mean, that's it. Boer means farmer. So they're saying kill the farmer, kill the white farmer. He is he is literally the head of a major South African political party, and he's calling for wholesale genocide. And that's what they call settlers in South Africa. Even if they're their second, third generations, they're called Boers. And it's the chant is kill the Boers. And they are they are farmers. Now, the whole you know, one of the things that this talking head on CNN doesn't understand is that when they had the when when Nelson Mandela was negotiating. power transfer, part of the reason why you had certain factions hand over power to other factions was under the promise that they were going to be their lives, their property and their rights were going to be protected. And that didn't happen. And they were trying to do what they were what was considered as, you know, unjust colonialism now with more unjust colonialism. It's I mean, it's crazy. And I mean, Everything that people say that Mandela's negotiations were trying to prevent, well, it's happening. So it didn't prevent anything. And then you have the New York Times a year ago. They were livid. So when this happened, what was this, a year ago that this happened? I think it may have been a year ago. A year ago or 18 months ago. The New York Times had a story. It was about 18 months ago. The New York Times had a story when that soundbite first came out where they were livid that people were reacting to Julius Malema's call for genocide. Literally, that's what it was. And they were trying to... Excuse it. I'm reading from this piece that was in August of 23. So almost two years. And they noted the rally from Julius Malema. And they said that the video clip that shot across the Internet was seized by Americans on the far right who said it was a call to violence. Yeah. Unless you're a geopolitical moron with no knowledge of what's happening and thus no authority or really room to speak on what's happening. I mean, you can observe history. That's what that phrase means. It's a genocidal phrase, just like when you say from the river to the sea. When you're talking about Gazans, Jordanians who want to make up an ethnicity and call themselves Palestinians, which doesn't exist, that's also a call for genocide. When you say kill the boer, that literally translates to you're killing the farmer and they're going after these white farmers in South Africa. Anyone who argues otherwise isn't smart enough or knowledgeable enough about the issue to discuss it. And it is embarrassing, especially if you're a racial grifter like this woman was on CNN, who's trying to parlay her ethnicity into as a substitute for merit or education. And she's downplaying. You literally just heard and watched the video downplaying that and acting, acting like that didn't happen. Acting like the head of a major political party in South Africa wasn't in an arena leading thousands of people to scream, kill the white farmer. That's the problem with so many people in legacy press. You would be shocked at how stupid some of them are. I mean, some of the dumbest people I've ever had conversations with have been some of these individuals in green rooms. Not kidding. So I one of the reasons why, you know, for instance, Elon Musk came to the United States is he wasn't going to be drafted into a military that was weaponized to actually maintain apartheid. And that's one of the that's that's one of the reasons that he ended up leaving. And it is as deeply racist to scream, you know, kill the boer like Malema was in that arena. So for people in the New York Times was trying to say that it was a mostly peaceful call to genocide. That's what they were trying to argue. The New York Times literally was running cover for calls for genocide. You know, they probably would have done the same thing under Hitler. There's a proper appeal to Godwin's law if you ever want one. So, you know, I don't know. And the EFF, if you're unfamiliar with them, they are a very far left, violent Marxist political entity. That's a cult. I don't even want to say it's a political entity. I think at some point you're so far left that it's just a cult. And they excuse violence. As political activism. Can who else does that? Hmm. This is really familiar. Excusing violence as legitimate political activists. Oh, it's the Nazis that are chasing Jewish students on college campuses around the United States. Hmm. Wow. I mean, all throughout history, that's what these far left activists. People do. I mean, so people who say that this genocide isn't happening, it is. People who say that, you know, they're not calling for it, they're lying to you. And so going back, this is why Trump said, OK, if you're fleeing racial violence, this is why we and other nations, not just the United States, have, you know, refugee programs, asylee programs. Kane, you had mentioned the... temporary protected status the tps program that was implemented like here and then to where we can validate the the threat level uh and it is they're trying to argue that there's like no yeah play this because this is the the history writing that they're trying to implement to justify this is stunning go ahead and play this this is msnbc
SPEAKER 26 :
The descendants of the people who created the most diabolical system of white supremacy in human history, apartheid, they're not directly responsible for it, but it was a system that actually moved black people off of the arable land So they inherited the land that the black people had to give up. It was called forced removal. It was something called a ban to stand policy, where they moved black people out of the cities and farmlands into these remote areas with non-Arable land. I mean, it was just one of the most worst processes ever. What has happened in this strange, bizarre world we're living in is that the Afrikaners have become the darling of these right wing white supremacist movements around the world. That it's like it's like the lost cause for them. It's like the old Confederacy. They're held up as you're talking about.
SPEAKER 24 :
I mean, when did the English move? And let's go back like what this the 17th century. I mean, you're talking about several hundred years ago that this happened. So are you discussing descendants? What do you mean descendants like descendants are the ones that are responsible for everything right now? So he's justifying genocide. So on MSNBC, they're selling commercial airtime on justifying genocide. This is amazing. When these people show you who they are, believe them. I mean, when he said descendants, after that, I couldn't take anything seriously. I'm like, I'm sorry, what? Because it's like over 300 years ago at this point. And again, you're ignoring the negotiations that took place after Mandela and then how that was for the protection of land, property, etc. And then that was thrown out the window. A lot of these people, and look, I don't proclaim to be an expert. I know enough because I pay attention to world events, right, as any smart, aware person would. But you have these individuals who have been raised in the Tupperware fresh environment of stagnant academia, and they only believe what their Marxist instructors tell them. And so their Marxist instructors tell them this is the way of it. And they actually go and then they spit the sewage onto airwaves like this goofball did on MSNBC. I mean, good heavens, this guy, uh, I don't even know who he is. I'm not, I don't know. I just, it just shocks me. And by the way, the South African president had already reiterated that talking about these specific farmers, they, uh, They don't deserve any kind of protection, refugee or otherwise, because they don't conform to the standards that he demands for such refugee protection. And he said that before he he in fact, there was a report where he had said he talked to Trump and told him that he had been Trump had been provided with false information. This guy's a liar. I mean, they're thugs. The people who run South Africa are thugs. Bottom line. And. I mean, it's just the left will always excuse genocide if it's advantageous to them, not unlike what they did in the 30s. So Al Sharpton was slamming, of all people, the refugee status that POTUS was granting to white Africaners in the wake of that expropriation law. Because they can just seize, again, not just farms, but any fixed property. They can seize any property. And Al Sharpton, and by the way, that act was signed last year. Al Sharpton says that it was... Mass deportation of the worst of the worst. He was saying that he said your take. I mean, he was basically questioning whether or not they could be refugees is what he was doing. They applied for asylum. people are missing that. They stayed in their country and applied for asylum. Remember how we were told that gangbangers coming in from Mexico, they had to come to the United States and then apply for asylum. Okay. So these refugees that came from South Africa, they did it the correct way. They applied for asylum and then they came in, uh, 50 something of them. They were allowed in a big, a huge sizable number of them, children, uh, I just don't think that I'm going to take Al Sharpton seriously on anything because Al Sharpton incited a riot that caused a fire and burned a man to death. Because Al Sharpton was mad that the business owner was Jewish and that he wasn't just going to allow. He had he didn't even own the property. Someone else. It was a church that owned the property. And this guy was subleasing and he had to raise the rates. And it was just like a big deal. And he was targeted because he was Jewish. And Al Sharpton is an anti-Semitic bigot. Not only that, but sidebar. I was in one of the times I was on real time with Bill Maher. Who lied about me and never corrected it? Al Sharpton came in with a whole entourage. I've never seen any. I mean, he acted like he was James Brown, rolled in with this major entourage. Man, they were hoovering up everything in craft service. I was with a couple of friends and we were backstage. I hadn't gone on yet. That was very, just very interesting. There you go. Your body is a powerhouse. It heals, it builds, it keeps you moving. But as you age, those natural processes slow down. And that's where ancient nutrition's collagen comes in. It's like backup power for your body. It helps you stay strong, radiant and ready for anything. Ancient nutrition blends ancient wisdom with modern science to create high quality supplements. and their multi-collagen Advanced Lean features 10 types of collagen from real food-based sources. It's powered by clinically studied ingredients that support fat loss, healthy weight management, and lean muscle building. You'll love it because it can reduce your joint discomfort, boost your skin, your hair and nails, and plus, you'll love how it tastes and how easily it fits into your daily routine. Collagen is real and it works and Ancient Nutrition's Multi-Collagen Advanced Lean has you covered. Look and feel your best starting today. Right now, Ancient Nutrition is offering you 25% off your first order. Just visit ancientnutrition.com slash Dana promo code Dana. That's ancientnutrition.com slash Dana code Dana for 25% off your first order.
SPEAKER 25 :
This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York Tri-State with 99.9% network reliability so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 17 :
Having MG can make cooking difficult, but over the years, I found some really helpful tools and tips that I'm excited to share. Hi, I'm Alicia. I think cooking should always be fun, creative, and of course, delicious. These black bean burgers are hearty, full of flavor, and MG-friendly. You're gonna love them.
SPEAKER 08 :
Check out Alicia's black bean burger cooking video and other recipes full of tips and tricks for managing common MG symptoms while cooking only at mg-united.com.
SPEAKER 21 :
Ready? Let's cook.
SPEAKER 12 :
And now, all of the news you would probably miss. It's time for Dana's Quick Five.
SPEAKER 24 :
So Texas is facing a major housing market correction as prices drop across the state. This latest per Newsweek, they said that listings just hit 123,000 in April of this year, 53%. The normal is what was being reported. They said that they the state experienced a significant immigration boom or migration boom during the pandemic with other residents from other states coming in with the promise of affordability. Then they met the property taxes. Then they met the Republicans in the state legislature in Austin that don't want to give anyone relief from property taxes at all whatsoever. But they do want to consider limiting your Second Amendment rights. depending on some of these bills that they're trying to push out of committee. A military vehicle went over the wall onto I-90 on the roadway below. This is kind of crazy. This is in Bellevue, Washington. Two people were injured when a military vehicle, looks like a Humvee, flew over the wall on Interstate 90. It's unclear what caused it to drift, but they had the lane shut down for quite some time. 56% of pet owners would cut their own life short to extend their pets. I love my pets. I'm not doing that. I love my dogs. You guys know I'm a big dog person. No, I'm not doing it. No, I'm not going to do it at all. Let's see. And the southern accent they're saying is starting to go away. I don't think that that's going to happen. They said they've been studying it for the past 20 years and the Atlantic accent went away and away. Senator Rand Paul joins us next. Burn a gun. I always tell people to carry. I always carry and I have no problem using lethal force to protect myself or my loved ones and There are instances, though, where you can't. I mean, you're denied your constitutional right of self-defense either because of municipal restrictions or private property restrictions. Well, there's a way. that you can still protect yourself. And you diversify your weapons array. You do this already with knives and different calibers. So why not incorporate the Berna gun as part of it? Now for this purpose, they have rifles and all kinds of stuff, but I would suggest the Berna SD or the Berna SL, the Berna, or sorry, CL, the Berna CL compact launcher. It's like basically similar to a Glock 43X, right? It's about the length of your phone. Then you have a red dot. There's, you know, quick on holstering made in the USA. You have 15 rounds per cartridge. Now, you know, the burner gun shoots chemical irritant projectiles that can disable threats from up to 50 feet away. It's effective and it gives you. some protection when the state or whatever is trying to disarm you. I have friends who live in New York and D.C. that carry this. And that's the thing. Berna Gunn doesn't care about gun-free zone signs. There's no waiting period. There's no tax stamp. There's none of that stuff. They can ship it right to your door. And that's important when you're talking about making sure that you're protected, especially in high crime areas where you need protection the most. So check it out. The Berna CL, their newest one, the compact launcher, the most compact one that they have One of the smallest, it's for maximum concealability and stopping power. And it uses, you know, compressed air CO2. And again, it shoots those chemical irritant projectiles. You need to check it out at Burna.com slash Dana. B-Y-R-N-A.com slash Dana. It's ready when you are.
SPEAKER 25 :
This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. Picture this. You're on an important virtual interview answering that make or break question, and suddenly your screen freezes. Not the impression you want. Good internet has never been more important. I'm constantly doing podcast interviews, video calls, and important work on my computer, so I have to have a solid connection. That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York tri-state with 99.9% network reliability so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 17 :
Having MG can make cooking difficult, but over the years I've found some really helpful tools and tips that I'm excited to share. Hi, I'm Alicia. I think cooking should always be fun, creative, and of course delicious. These black bean burgers are hearty, full of flavor, and MG friendly. You're going to love them.
SPEAKER 08 :
Check out Alicia's black bean burger cooking video and other recipes full of tips and tricks for managing common MG symptoms while cooking only at mg-united.com.
SPEAKER 21 :
Ready? Let's cook.
SPEAKER 09 :
Keep your finger on the pulse with the Dana Show podcast, delivering timely news with insightful analysis. Whenever you want, straight to you on YouTube, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
SPEAKER 24 :
Welcome back to the program. You can listen coast to coast on one of our hundreds of affiliates around the country. You can also watch the stream digital everywhere, Channel 347, DirecTV. So we've had a busy news day and we also have to get to the big, beautiful bill. What is happening in Congress right now? What is happening in the House? What's happening in the Senate? Are our taxes going to be increased because government won't stop spending? That's the million dollar question. on this and other issues. Joining us right now, one of our favorite people in the Senate, Senator Rand Paul, who's one of the only lawmakers remaining who can do math. He joins us now via video. Senator, always a pleasure to have you. And I always appreciate your fiscal sanity. Where do we stand with this, by the way? Because I keep hearing discussions that the administration was floating tax hikes or that we were going to maybe cut less. But I do know that the debt ceiling is something being discussed, which you are staunchly against raising.
SPEAKER 19 :
So the big beautiful bill is comprised of tax cuts, the same tax cuts we passed in 2017. I've been supportive of those tax cuts, making them permanent. And then there's a few additions to it. They are adding into it no tax on tips, a deduction for overtime, and some deductions for seniors. There's a few wrinkles, but it's largely keeping the tax cuts. I'm in favor of that. There are some spending cuts. We don't know exactly what they're going to be yet coming out of the House. I predict they will be wimpy. I predict that they will be insufficient and that the deficit will continue to burgeon. The reason I predict this is that the third aspect of the bill is they're going to increase the debt ceiling. Now, the House has voted to increase it by $4 trillion. The Senate previously, against my wishes, Voted to increase it by five trillion I think no matter what kind of supposed spending cuts you're coming up with if you're gonna actually raise the debt ceiling four or five trillion dollars That's not a fiscally responsible position and I can't support it So I've told him I can't vote for the bill if it expands the debt by trillions of dollars But I could if they were to separate the issues Whether or not that will come to fruition, we'll see. If they get a quick agreement and they're done in a month, probably it all stays together. If the negotiations break down and it takes longer than a month or two to pass this, then I think there's a possibility the debt ceiling gets stripped out and done more urgently. And then the bill would go forward, but without the debt ceiling on it. I frankly think that we can't keep expanding the deficit each year by more than $2 trillion. That's just not fiscally conservative. And many of our supporters who have seen Elon Musk and the work of Doge and are enthusiastic as to the cuts are like, where are the cuts if the deficit's still $2 trillion? And that is a question that everybody's going to be asking. And the answer is that Congress doesn't have the sufficient wherewithal to actually cut spending.
SPEAKER 24 :
And that's what's so incredibly disappointing in this. I know that some of the recommended cuts from Doge are caught up in litigation. And I know that that's, you know, that's something that lawmakers have to wait on. But, you know, the the recommended cuts that are not, that seems like an easy fix that Congress could come together, codify that, get it done, and then talk about reducing spending more. And then if they want to have the discussion about the debt ceiling, they can have it.
SPEAKER 19 :
Well, the only doge cuts that are really caught in litigation are whether or not the administration can do it without congressional authority. So if they're sent back to us and we were to give them authority, there would be no legal case for virtually all of the cuts. The people are suing because they maintain the president can't do this without congressional authority. Some of that is an open debate. But with regard to where we move if we move forward, they can send some of the spending cuts that doge has found back through a process called rescission and rescission is a special legislative vehicle it's a simple majority required it's a privileged vote and we have enough republicans in both house the room in both the house and the senate the rumors are they have a nine billion dollar one now while i'm for that nine billions is a pittance it's a rounding error If the deficit next year is going to be $2.2 trillion, that means if you cut $9 billion, it's $2.191 trillion. So it really is not much of a cut. So I think we need to do more, but the fact that they're hung up and don't think they can get the vote for $9 billion is pathetic. That means that we don't have enough Republicans who will cut... sex change surgeries in Guatemala, trans comic book in Peru, trans opera in Colombia, you name it. All the crazy stuff that Doge has found, we don't have a majority of Republicans who will vote for that. That, to me, is such a disappointment that I'm going to keep agitating and saying, send us a $9 billion, because I want to know who the Republicans are that can't vote to cut $9 billion, because if you can't vote to cut $9 billion, you might as well switch parties, quit, or let us elect a real Republican who will cut spending.
SPEAKER 24 :
Well, and that's kind of the thing we've been hearing that, oh, well, we couldn't do it earlier this after the first of the year. We have to wait. And now we're told that, well, this may drag out till September. And it seems like this this can keeps getting kicked further and further down the road. And then before we know what we're going to be in midterms and we're going to be told not we can't wait because we've got midterms coming up. So we're going to have to wait after that. That's what they told us last midterms to Senator.
SPEAKER 19 :
It's also part of the argument for why they want to increase the debt ceiling $4 to $5 trillion is they're saying, oh, we want to get beyond the next election so the voters won't hear us having to talk about it or vote about it. I have the opposite approach. I offered an amendment when this bill came up a week or two ago in the Senate. to give them three months of debt ceiling increase. You know how much that is? In three months, you gotta give them $500 billion. Even that hurt me, but I could only convince two other colleagues. If the vote was three to 97, not to increase it by three months. The reason I would do it three months at a time is, If you're promising me, and these are the powers that be, the leadership are all promising me, we're going to cut spending, we're gonna bring in those doge cuts, I'll believe it when I see it. So here's three months worth of borrowing, show me what you got over the next three months. And I predict in three months we'd see nothing and no response and no cuts, and then I would never give them another dime. Instead, we're doing the opposite, and conservatives, many who have traditionally been conservatives, are going along with this $4 trillion increase I think it's shameful and it removes the moral ground from any conservatives who want to say, I oppose the spending, I oppose the debt. Once they get on board voting for this debt ceiling, I don't know. I think our moral ground is lost as deficit crusaders.
SPEAKER 24 :
I think that you hit the nail on the head. This reminds me very much of like 08, 09, the early Tea Party days when that was kind of the same argument that we were hearing from the Republican establishment that we have to, you know, this is too big to fail. We've got to go along to get along. And now it's like, you know, to be quite frank about it, you know, you have some of that Bush League Republicanism that's reemerging in the party and it's calling itself populism. It doesn't make any sense. We're talking to Senator Rand Paul. about the budget and the big, beautiful bill. You had also, I know that you were talking about the Federal Reserve Senator operating at a loss and you were talking about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau must go. I was surprised that you were getting pushback on this.
SPEAKER 19 :
Yeah, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was a baby of the left, a baby of Elizabeth Warren and the far left. They got it passed and they wanted to make it permanent so nobody could ever cut it, even if Republicans ever got in charge. So they said, Congress won't fund it. It will be funded by profit from the Federal Reserve. Well, I think that's unconstitutional. You can't create an agency that's perpetually funded with no more voting. That went to the Supreme Court, though, and we lost. The Supreme Court ruled that they can fund it that way. The Supreme Court did rule that Trump could fire the person in charge of it. The legislation said even a president could not fire the head. Trump won that in the first term. But the interesting thing now is for the last three years, the Federal Reserve, even the way they've always measured it, doesn't make a profit. They print their own money and they can't make a profit. So they're running a negative balance right now. So really the CFP should get no money. So I've written a letter. to the president and to the OMB saying why don't you just no longer funded or request any money. Now they've gotten to where they're not requesting money and they're reforming it, but I would just shutter the doors the same way they did USAID. I would close the doors of CFPB and say there's no more money because the Fed's not running a profit. And I think they could get rid of the agency completely. This is one where the law is actually on their side. And I think they would win in court that the, by orders of the Congress, it is not to be funded unless there's a profit to come from the Fed.
SPEAKER 24 :
And that makes all the sense in the world. Talking with Senator Rand Paul, the trade deals we keep hearing. I know that a couple of have been coming in. We've got the UK trade deal. Uh, there's been the reduction in tariffs with China, uh, I had always questioned the sequencing of this. Like, how are we doing tariffs ahead of tax cuts? But here we are. We're in this position. Are you more are you optimistic now, you know, seeing some of the stuff with China and seeing maybe the UK trade deal? I know that that's kind of been up for debate as to whose consumers, British or Americans, that benefits more. But are are we going to because there's like 70 of them that need to be made in order to get us off to a into good footing? Yeah. Are you confident? Do you think that these are going at a good pace?
SPEAKER 19 :
You know, I think the fundamental argument of whether trade is good or bad needs to occur again because people have lost this knowledge. Trade is nothing more than extension of capitalism. Trade is if you go to your local Walmart or you go to a local restaurant, that is trade. And if your local Walmart buys their goods from overseas, that's also trade between individuals. But no trade occurs that is not mutually beneficial. You will not give your money to McDonald's unless you want that burger more than you want your money. You will not give your money to Walmart unless you want whatever you're purchasing more than you want your money. All trade is mutually beneficial, and we have all gotten richer. But it is an integral part of capitalism. Trade is, there isn't something unique about, oh, trade came, you know, it's not in my county any longer, but I still trade with people in the rest of my state. I trade with people in Ohio. Just because there are borders and national borders doesn't somehow change trade. Trade is beneficial, and what has happened is the division of labor has spread worldwide, and we're all the richer for it. So that being said, if we erect trade barriers, it will affect prosperity. right now that if they can get reciprocal arrangements that lower trade barriers that's good every time something has happened that is lessening the expectation of high tariffs the market responds when he announced liberation day the market went down 6.6 trillion dollars in two days it's largely come back each time the number for the deficit has been lowered so the lower the tariff the less draconian the the more the marketplace is willing to tolerate it But the marketplace is millions of people. It's not just me saying tariffs are bad. This is millions of people around the world all trading saying tariffs aren't good for the economy, trade barriers aren't good for the economy, and aren't good for the consumer. So I think that debate's worth having. I've been part of that debate because I want our country to continue to thrive. And I think if we erect barriers taxation barriers, it's not a good thing. I'm also an old-fashioned conservative. I think you lower taxes to help business, you don't raise taxes. Somehow conservatives say, oh, well, raising taxes for imports is a good idea, but we want to lower all other taxes. No, why don't we, if we want to compete with China, let's say China makes four antibiotics that aren't made anywhere else and we're stuck with their supply chain, why don't we eliminate the corporate income tax for those particular antibiotics and see if somebody will make them? Let's say 10 years of no corporate income tax for a company that will begin to make these things again. I think you would get people into that space, but it also needs to be a long-term goal. It can't be a tariff that's up and down and all over the place over weeks. People are going to build a factory or begin manufacturing something, want some certainty. So since none of these tariffs are laws, they're all directed by the president at his discretion, I'M NOT SURE THERE'S ENOUGH CERTAINTY FOR SOMEONE TO START A WHOLE FACTORY. NOW, IF IT WERE A LAW OR A 10-YEAR REDUCTION IN THE CORPORATE INCOME TAX FOR CERTAIN INDUSTRIES, I THINK PEOPLE MIGHT ACTUALLY BUILD AN INDUSTRY AND HAVE A MORE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT.
SPEAKER 24 :
Just to even repeal Obamacare and get rid of those excise taxes that made it, you know, so financially punitive for R&D and all of that, whether it's for medical devices or, you know, pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, things like that. We wouldn't have to rely on on China. One last quick thing for you, Senator. This because you mentioned, you know, the the tariffs and the executive order. My concern is that conservatives are they have a sugar high right now. from the the quick, immediate satisfaction of executive orders. And then when it's too late and they're not able to affect that change, change legislatively, we're going to get hit maybe in 2028. However, this swings out. Is that I mean, obviously, that's a concern that you have because you're fighting so hard to make this permanent and heavier than what it is.
SPEAKER 19 :
Yeah, with regard to the tariffs, they're being done by emergency order. So we're living under an emergency that President Trump has announced. I worry about if AOC wins in 28 and we have an AOC climate emergency and she says no more gasoline-powered cars immediately. So you really don't want a government run by one person because you may like the current president, but you may not like the next president. It's always, for those of us who believe in small constitutional government, been an argument that no president should have too much power centralized. No federal government should have too much power centralized. True, true, very true. The power needs to be dispersed between the presidency and the Congress, but also between the federal government and the state governments and the local governments. So I continue to make these arguments that we don't want emergency orders, whether it's a Republican or a Democrat president.
SPEAKER 24 :
I have to tell you, Senator, I think you may be only one of two lawmakers in D.C. who have been consistent to Tea Party ideals back in 2008 and 2009. Even when the winds are against you, you have been incredibly consistent, and we appreciate that. Appreciate your time today. Thanks so much. Senator Rand Paul, good to see you. GoldCo is making it easy to take that first step toward protecting your savings. Just fill out a quick form, no commitment, just free information. And then they'll ship you your free 2025 gold and silver kits straight to your door. No shipping fees, no strings. Just a free info kit to help you understand how gold and silver can fit into your financial plan. I'm a big believer in doing your research and this kit is a great place to start. So I'm really excited to be partnering with Goldco because not only do they support my show, which I truly appreciate, but they've made the whole process of buying precious metals Super straightforward. Because if you're a fan of the show, Gold Co. is also going to tell you how to qualify for unlimited free bonus silver on eligible orders. If you qualify, you can even get a free half ounce silver Ronald Reagan coin. Totally free. Don't wait. Take that first step towards protecting and diversifying your savings with Gold Co. Visit danalikesgold.com to learn more. That's danalikesgold.com.
SPEAKER 25 :
This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York Tri-State with 99.9% network reliability so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 17 :
Having MG can make cooking difficult, but over the years I've found some really helpful tools and tips that I'm excited to share. Hi, I'm Alicia. I think cooking should always be fun, creative, and of course delicious. These black bean burgers are hearty, full of flavor, and MG friendly. You're going to love them.
SPEAKER 08 :
Check out Alicia's black bean burger cooking video and other recipes full of tips and tricks for managing common MG symptoms while cooking only at mg-united.com.
SPEAKER 21 :
Ready? Let's cook.
SPEAKER 09 :
On the go and need a quick news fix with a fun twist? Follow Dana's Absurd Truth podcast for bite-sized informative episodes, perfect for your busy schedule on Apple or wherever you get your podcast.
SPEAKER 24 :
So I read that the DNC voted to nullify that Vice Twig's uh, victory to win vice chair that David Hogg twig kid. He's a grown adult man, but I don't know. He's built like a woman. Uh, but yeah, he told me, he said once on CNN that I owned Congress. And then when I criticized CNN and said that they allow slander and all this stuff on their network. And then they had me on the next day to say, no, we don't. I'm like, you, literally just had someone on that said that I, you know, kill kids and that I own Congress. Like, what are you talking about? Anyway, they it's not final, but they voted to kick him out of vice chair because of their gender roles. Oh, live by DEI, die by DEI. All right. Today in stupidity came.
SPEAKER 12 :
All right. Now I got something. This made, I need a little discernment, I think, from you on this one.
SPEAKER 24 :
I love these scenarios.
SPEAKER 12 :
So Hakeem Jeffries, let's just play this and you tell me whether or not he's threatening law enforcement here. Listen to this.
SPEAKER 05 :
Your statement the other day after there was this incident in Newark, you said they better not touch our members.
SPEAKER 12 :
Correct.
SPEAKER 05 :
What happens if they were to go and arrest these members or if they would try to sanction them during the House of Representatives? They'll find out. What would you do? They'll find out. Of course.
SPEAKER 04 :
I mean, doesn't that broach a... They'll find out. Doesn't that go across... That's a red line. What's the red line, though? It's a red line. It's very clear.
SPEAKER 12 :
Is it clear? Because you weren't clear at all.
SPEAKER 24 :
He's trying to act tough, but also not answer the question, which is the opposite of tough. I'm going to be tough on my vagary here.
SPEAKER 12 :
How are we to interpret that?
SPEAKER 24 :
Which is an oxymoron, but okay. Yeah, I don't know. Stupid! I may be on Waters World tonight. If you are subscribing, like the Facebook page, you'll see it there. Also, find us at Substack, chapter and verse. Back with you tomorrow. Have a great night.
SPEAKER 25 :
This is Chelsea Handler That's why you can't take slow for an answer. And with Optimum Fiber, you won't have to. It is the fastest, most reliable fiber internet in the New York Tri-State with 99.9% network reliability so you can stream, work, and game seamlessly. Plus, get a five-year price lock and a $400 prepaid card. Don't take slow for an answer. Call 888-4-OPTIMUM. Visit your local Optimum store or visit Optimum.com today. Terms apply. See Optimum.com for details.
SPEAKER 01 :
Hey, everyone. This is Keri Champion, the host of Naked Sports. The all-new 2025 Nissan Armada Pro 4X provides freedom. Freedom to explore, to go wherever you want, with your whole crew, and all your toys. With a twin-turbo V6 engine, 8,500 pounds of towing capacity, and seating for eight, this unshakable fortress of a vehicle is built to take you on your next adventure. Drive the all-new 2025 Nissan Armada today. Learn more at NissanUSA.com. Intelligent four-wheel drive cannot prevent collisions or provide enhanced traction in all conditions. Always monitor traffic and weather conditions.
Join us as we unpack the latest developments in Washington and the Middle East. President Trump embarks on a strategic trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, amidst criticism for bypassing traditional ally Israel. This episode examines the significant policy decisions, economic opportunities, and the broader impact of these diplomatic engagements. Guest analysts discuss how these moves align with America's national interests, especially concerning religious freedoms, the emerging 'Big Grift' legislation, and ongoing tensions with Iran. Stay tuned for a thorough analysis of the balancing act between diplomacy and domestic politics.
SPEAKER 21 :
from the heart of our nation's capital in Washington, D.C., bringing compelling interviews, insightful analysis, taking you beyond the headlines and soundbites into conversations with our nation's leaders and newsmakers, all from a biblical worldview. Washington Watch with Tony Perkins starts now.
SPEAKER 13 :
My administration is pursuing peaceful engagement, offering a strong and steady hand of friendship to all that will take it in good faith. Together, we have made unprecedented strides and tremendous progress, and we're still just at the dawn of the bright new day that awaits for the people of the Middle East, the great, great people of the Middle East.
SPEAKER 05 :
That was President Donald Trump speaking earlier today in Saudi Arabia. Welcome to this May 13th edition of Washington Watch. I'm Tony Perkins. Thanks for tuning in. Well, coming up, Dr. A.J. Nolte, associate professor and director of the Institute for Israel Studies at Regent University, joins me to discuss the policy implications of President Trump's first trip to the Middle East in his second term.
SPEAKER 20 :
Republicans may even name their legislation one beautiful bill. That's ridiculous. I suggest Republicans pick a different name, a more honest name. They should call their bill the Big Grift. Because that's what their bill is. Greedy Republicans in favor of tycoons. The Big Grift. Billionaires win. American families lose.
SPEAKER 05 :
That was Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer earlier today on the Senate floor. For me, that is a solid indication that it must be a good bill. We'll get an update on the efforts to cut government waste and lower taxes in the reconciliation bill from Indiana Congressman Marlon Stutzman. Planned Parenthood just released its annual report and it's breaking records again. Over 402,000 abortions performed last year and nearly $800 million in taxpayer funding. Will that continue or will Congress finally stop forcing taxpayers to subsidize the abortion industry? Montana Senator Steve Daines will weigh in. And later in the program, FRC's Vice President for Policy joins us from Kenya. What's he doing in Africa? Well, he'll share that with us when he checks in. And don't miss the final episode of God in Government. Session 13 is putting it all into practice. It's a call to action. Using the insight and tools gained from the course to pray, vote, and stand. Course is available exclusively on the StandFirm app. If you don't have the app, well, text the word course to 67742. That's course to 67742, and I'll send you a link. Well, earlier this morning, President Donald Trump touched down in Saudi Arabia for the first stop of his Middle East trip. The Saudis have reaffirmed their commitment to investing $600 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. During his speech that followed that in Riyadh, President Trump called on other, quote unquote, responsible nations of this region to seize the moment and make deals to craft a new future for the Middle East. Well, here at home, the Congress is investing all of their time and energy in advancing the president's one big, beautiful bill. Joining me now to talk about this, Congressman Marlon Stutzman, a member of the House Budget Committee. He represents Indiana's third congressional district. Congressman Stutzman, welcome back to Washington Watch. Good to see you. Tony, great to be with you this afternoon. Well, let me first get your response to to the president's remarks in Saudi Arabia.
SPEAKER 12 :
Well, you know, first of all, we have the strongest negotiator, the strongest diplomat in President Trump from the United States since Ronald Reagan. And the fact that he has been the leader on the Abraham Accords in his first term, it has definitely is proving out to work like we had hoped and that there would be more peace in the Middle East than what there has been. One of the lines that he mentioned today that I thought was really kind of hit the nail on the head was when he said, we want commerce over chaos. And so far, we're seeing some success with that. And of course, not that we are, we want to see peace throughout the Middle East for every country there. But with our ally Israel, they've obviously been the target from a lot of the countries around the Middle East. And the more stability that we have in the Middle East, the more we know that our ally Israel is going to be more secure. So I think these are all positive signs. And of course, it's the strong leadership of President Trump.
SPEAKER 05 :
In his remarks, he I think kind of made references back to the Bush administration and those that have undertaken nation building in the Middle East. Which, personally, I was very vocal about. I don't think it was a good idea. I don't think the seeds of democracy take root very well in the soil of the Middle East. It has a different view. But the president, as he was articulating today in Saudi Arabia, suggests that economic principles will fill that void and bring about peace. DOES THAT WORK WITH A SOCIETY THAT'S DRIVEN BY A TOTALLY DIFFERENT IDEOLOGY?
SPEAKER 12 :
WELL, I THINK IT DOES TO AN EXTENT. I VISITED SAUDI ARABIA BACK IN 2014, AND IT WAS BACK WHEN, YOU KNOW, NOT THAT WE EVER ARE GOING TO FORGET 9-11, BUT THERE WAS STILL, THAT WAS MUCH CLOSER IN OUR REARVIEW MIRROR THAN TODAY, AND WE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I FIND INTERESTING IN THE MIDDLE EAST is that they don't want to do business with China. We heard that repeatedly, even in 2014 in Saudi Arabia, that they were looking to the United States to do business. And of course, we said, look, you know, we're open to commerce, but you can't be allowing there to be any sort of jihadi camps training to attack the united states or any of our allies for that matter and but i think you know over time we're seeing that the abraham accords have have been working uae uh of course qatar saudi arabia they're making money and i think that you know that kind of goes back to the commerce over chaos line is and i hope this is the case and i think there's probably you know the the part of all of human nature that likes to have things and is materialistic that it's more fulfilling to be making and building rather than to be attacking and killing. And so I hope that that's part of it.
SPEAKER 05 :
Agreed. And you mentioned the UAE. I visited the UAE about six years ago, met with the crown prince there. One of the differences about the UAE is that they're one of the few that aggressively pursues religious freedom. Now it's for expats that can do that, but they're more open to religious freedom. Like Saudi Arabia doesn't have a single church. And if we're going to talk about freedom, economic development, I think religious freedom, and this is not based upon just personal preference. There is a lot of studies that have shown that where religious freedom exists, there's economic opportunity, there's stability. I'm not hearing that as a part of the conversation.
SPEAKER 12 :
Well, that was one of the things that we did recognize in Saudi Arabia. You know, we were not taken, you know, as Christians, we were not taken to Mecca or Medina, the Muslim holy cities. And so I think there's still a long way to go, even with Saudi Arabia. As an American Christian, I am going to always fight for religious freedom, because if you believe in your beliefs, you shouldn't have any problem if somebody else believes differently than you. Let's have that marketplace of free thought and ideas. And even when it comes to our spiritual lives, that I'm willing to sit down and talk about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with anyone of any faith, And I'm not going to be offended if they don't believe exactly how I believe, but as long as we can have an open dialogue, I think that's important. So I hope that that is the direction they go. Of course, Qatar and UAE are somewhat different. I think that the Saudis, of course, feel very like they are the protectors of Islam. But I'm hoping that President Trump just continues to push for free markets and free ideas and freedom of religion.
SPEAKER 05 :
Congressman Stutzman continued kind of on that line. The president today announcing lifting of sanctions over Syria. Now, you recently traveled to Syria and met with the new president, Ahmad al-Sharra. And give us a little insight there. This is a guy who is connected to ISIS, al-Qaeda. He's now the de facto ruler of Syria. Yeah. Right.
SPEAKER 12 :
Yeah, I did. I went with a group called the Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity. And we were in Damascus and other parts of Syria over the Easter weekend, which, of course, was a neat experience just to be in Damascus and to walk the road that Saul walked and where Christ met him on the road to Damascus. And then obviously met with Ananias in Damascus and changed his perspective and viewpoint and became a Christian and fighting for Christianity and leading Christianity. And so here you have Damascus as one of the holy cities of Christianity. And I we met with the the interim president, President Alshara, to talk about what is his vision. And we talked a lot about freedom, human rights, women's rights, religious rights. Syria is very diverse. There are a lot of Christians in Syria. And, you know, again, we have to keep a close eye on this on this guy. He is the the leader in Syria. He's the one that kind of caught the bus. Is he the guy that we would have chosen? I don't believe so at all, but he is now the leader. Thankfully, Assad is gone. What the Syrian people experienced with Assad is just incredibly sad that you would have millions of people killed, but also maimed and tortured and brutalized in the prison. But hopefully we can see Syria move the right direction. He talked about keeping Syria unified and free. He also talked about building a relationship with Israel, which I told him was really important for us as Americans. And also that Syria become a place for trade and commerce and tourism. I told him a lot of Christians would love to visit Jerusalem and then Damascus if that were an opportunity. So the jury's out. We'll watch and see. But I think letting them start to rebuild the country will be a start. And again, with President Trump at the helm, if he makes a mistake, I think that they would be pushed right back to where they were before.
SPEAKER 05 :
What does it look like for them to recognize Israel? What does that look like?
SPEAKER 12 :
So as I visited with him for about an hour and 15 minutes there in his office at the palace that Assad had built, I said, you know, look, the relationship with Israel is critical for the United States, and it's just not one that's going to ever change in our society. What do you believe Syria's relationship looks like with Israel? You know, some in the Middle East won't even recognize Israel by saying the name Israel. You know, they'll say Zionist or, you know, they'll find another way to describe Israel. But he said the word Israel twice. He also talked about forgiveness, that things have to be put in the past. There was two things that were really almost non-negotiables for him was that he said Israel had a plan to divide the country into three parts. I don't know if that's true or not, but that's what he said, and that he wanted to keep Israel unified and not divided up. And then also the Golan Heights, of course, Israel had encroached, taken some of the land there, which I don't blame them because you don't know who the next leader is going to be in Syria. You don't want another problem over there that's going to be sending rockets into Israel. And then also that Israel had bombed a couple of the military assets that were on the Syrian side. But it was more about keeping Syria unified. And as he talked about trade and commerce with Qatar and with UAE and Saudi Arabia, It seemed like he was very open to normalizing relationships with Israel. And that's what I hope and that's what I pray that will happen, because it would be, you know, we pray for peace in the Middle East and there may be a chance here. These opportunities don't come often, of course, with the change in dictatorship.
SPEAKER 05 :
Agreed. We should pursue peace, but with eyes wide open. 30 seconds left. Do you think he's a reformed jihadist?
SPEAKER 12 :
I think, you know, we'll have to wait and see. I hope so. You know, he's saying the right things. He's doing the right things. I think a couple of steps that he could take. There have been some of Syrians that have been murdered in up around the coastal region and also in the Druze community. If he's open to international investigations, I think that says that he would be open to something like that. He's going to have to really be vulnerable to the West. And he did have an offer from the Russians. He's not interested in taking it. So I think that's also
SPEAKER 05 :
another positive sign all right congressman marlin stutzman always great to see you thanks for joining us good to see you all right folks stick with us we're back with more after this
SPEAKER 16 :
In a time when Washington seems clouded by compromise, a bold group of lawmakers are standing firm in defense of the values which our nation was built upon. At FRC Actions 100% Awards, 171 members of Congress were honored for voting 100% in line with policies that promote faith, family, and freedom.
SPEAKER 17 :
Faith and family made our country, it's the foundation that made our country not only great, but good.
SPEAKER 03 :
The values that make America, faith, family, hard work, personal responsibility. I mean, that to me is the heart of FRC and grateful for everything that they do.
SPEAKER 19 :
It's very important for us to have organizations such as FRC. First of all, I think it keeps us grounded. In addition to which, the issues that you champion are issues that we should all be championing.
SPEAKER 07 :
FRC is very, very good at honing in on those things that really affect Christians' lives. Also, working with members of Congress, too, to make sure that those values are instilled in the legislation that we create.
SPEAKER 11 :
Having the Family Research Council to guide us is critically important to being able to do the right thing consistently.
SPEAKER 16 :
These lawmakers have drawn the line, not just in policy, but in principle. This is more than politics. This is conviction in action. Visit frcaction.org for more information on how you too can make a difference.
SPEAKER 06 :
Jennifer, it's so exciting to be here with you today talking about our new book, Embracing God's Design. Who is actually going to benefit from reading this book in your view?
SPEAKER 18 :
There's so many different audiences that can benefit. The first one are counselors themselves, because we have some material in there where we really address the gender dysphoria diagnosis and what is wrong with it. We have information for people who are wanting to go back to embracing God's design for their life.
SPEAKER 06 :
This is really magical to have the therapist and the individual who suffered come together and write about why this is happening and why we're seeing this.
SPEAKER 18 :
And we brought all of that experience to the table. We want to see people walking in the fullness of who God has called them to be and not a false identity.
SPEAKER 09 :
Pre-order today at embracethedesign.com. Looking for a trusted source of news that shares your Christian values? Turn to The Washington Stand, your ultimate destination for informed, faith-centered reporting. Our dedicated team goes beyond the headlines, delivering stories that matter most to believers. From breaking events to cultural insights, we provide clear, compassionate coverage through a biblical lens. Discover news you can trust at The Washington Stand, where faith and facts meet every day.
SPEAKER 05 :
All right, welcome back to Washington Watch. Good to have you with us. Yesterday, Planned Parenthood released its annual report for 2024, showing that the organization performed over 402,000 abortions this past year, presenting itself as a force for hope. The organization report showed that it received just over $792 million from taxpayers. Now, Republicans are teed up in the reconciliation bill to defund organizations that promote abortion. Will that happen? Is this the moment? Here to discuss this, U.S. Senator Steve Daines from Montana. He serves on four Senate committees, including the Finance Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Daines, welcome back to Washington Watch. Good to have you with us. Good to join you, Tony. I should also state that you also launched the pro-life caucus in the Senate. So you started that over in the Senate. So let's start with the Planned Parenthood report. Your reaction to the fact that they're setting new records?
SPEAKER 04 :
Yeah, that was a very sad fact that was reported by Planned Parenthood. It's a record level of abortions over, looking at the report, over 400,000 abortions, Tony. It's over a thousand abortions a day provided by Planned Parenthood. So these are just continued troubling stats when you've always had concerns about Planned Parenthood, but they are now crowing about the fact it was a record number of abortions performed through Planned Parenthood last year.
SPEAKER 05 :
And it's being subsidized by taxpayers. I know the money does not go directly to abortion because of the Hyde Amendment. But as we've talked about many times, money is fungible. It can cover the overhead of this entity. In fact, we've seen they've literally spent millions of dollars in their political pursuits. How can we justify government money going to Planned Parenthood?
SPEAKER 04 :
Look, if it weren't for the federal taxpayer dollars going to Planned Parenthood, they'd have a hard time surviving. But one of the ways the backdoor into Planned Parenthood is through Medicaid reimbursements. So that's one of the primary ways that they make their money there at Planned Parenthood. And that's why we're going to have a fight, are having a fight, a battle here on Capitol Hill, that we should be able to defund organizations that use taxpayer dollars for elective abortions. That's exactly what Planned Parenthood is.
SPEAKER 05 :
You know, I also think we should go further. Now, I know this, what I'm about to say cannot be included in reconciliation, which the defunding of abortion entities can be. But any organization that gets federal funds should not be able to engage in spending political money. I mean, you should have a choice. I know everybody has a free speech right, but you don't have a free speech right to take government money and use it for your political purposes.
SPEAKER 04 :
Well, there's certainly – when I start to think about the Hyde protections, they're already, in my opinion, breaking that federal law. And on top of that, adding insult to injury is the fact that those dollars can be moved around here for advocacy, certainly for a group like Planned Parenthood. But again, we need to be very clear in our principle as Republicans, pro-life Republicans, that we cannot allow taxpayer dollars to be used for elective abortions. So –
SPEAKER 05 :
I'm going to get your sense of how that's going to fare in the Senate, in the House. Even there's a there's a few Republicans from blue states who are raising questions about this. The speaker moving forward with it. It's in the language. How do you think that will fare in the Senate?
SPEAKER 04 :
Well, look, first, I'm very thankful for the strong pro-life leadership of Speaker Johnson. He is a godsend to our country. There's one leader that can unite and pull that house together with the thinnest of margins. He's got the toughest job every day when he walks into the office. That's Mike Johnson. I'm grateful for his leadership. And I'm glad to see at this moment it's going to be in the House bill. We'll see when they finally end up with the product. They've got to get a vote, certainly on the House floor. The margins are very, very thin, just a handful of votes. And then it'll come over here to the Senate. So let's first and foremost, let's hope and pray it survives the House, Mark. And then we'll live to play the next round here in the Senate in relation to protecting and preserving those provisions that will be in the House bill.
SPEAKER 05 :
And you're going to herd all those Senate cats and keep them all in line.
SPEAKER 04 :
And we'll do our very best on those Senate cats. Again, the margins on both sides are thin. The Speaker Johnson's got about a four-seat margin. That's not a lot of room for error. On the Senate side, we can't lose more than three. If we get 50 Republicans supporting us, then J.D. Vance breaks the tie. We've got it. So that'll be the trick over on the Senate side. The magic numbers are 218 in the House, 50 plus one in the Senate.
SPEAKER 05 :
Yeah. I mean, you're looking both sides. You got about three votes to play with. Let me shift gears, Senator. Let's talk about the Middle East. President Trump in the Middle East, in Saudi Arabia today, talking about economic deals that paving kind of the way for peace in the Middle East through economic transactions. Your response?
SPEAKER 04 :
Well, look, I'm thankful for President Trump's strong leadership. I was in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago, had a chance to kind of preview some of the things that are being discussed right now with President Trump and his team. There's going to be some $600 billion of deals done with U.S. companies, with the Saudis. But keep in mind the Saudis are looking to grow beyond being a regional power. They want to be a global power. And this is a very important ally we have in the Middle East because obviously the key to unlocking a lot of the challenges we face in Israel is would be at some point the normalization of relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia. That was on its way up until October 7th, the horrible terror attack when Hamas and frankly Iran disrupted that. But this would be the next place we can go building on the Abraham Accords success of Trump 45 administration with certainly this current administration. Keep in mind, The first visit President Trump made overseas when he was – during his first presidency was to Saudi Arabia. The first state visit for a second administration is to Saudi Arabia. Had it not been for the pope's passing, it would have been his very first international trip.
SPEAKER 05 :
We've just got about a minute left, and you probably can't unpack all this. But Saudi Arabia – we're talking about economic development – You know, one of the things that we've seen, and I was just talking about this with Marlon Stutzman, is religious freedom. There's an abundance of studies that show that if you want economic opportunity, you want security, stability, religious freedom. That's something that's lacking in Saudi Arabia. Has that been a part of the conversation?
SPEAKER 04 :
Well, it's going to be an important step they will move forward with as they seek to move from regional power to global power. The crown prince, the prime minister, Mohammed bin Salman, is taking important steps forward here in terms of getting women. They're driving now in Saudi Arabia. They're in the workplace in Saudi Arabia. He's starting to loosen up some of the restrictions they've seen in Saudi Arabia over many, many years. But there'll be another important step, and that'll be religious freedom, certainly, for Christians, as an example, there in Saudi Arabia. Some tremendous Christian archaeology in Saudi Arabia could be a great destination for Christian tourism. They open up some of these sites.
SPEAKER 05 :
All right, Senator, we've got to leave it there. Thanks for joining us. Talk to you soon. Don't go away, folks. We're back after this.
SPEAKER 15 :
At Family Research Council, we believe religious freedom is a fundamental human right that all governments must protect. That's why FRC President Tony Perkins went to Capitol Hill to testify on behalf of persecuted Christians in Nigeria. Islamist terror groups target Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria with brutal violence. Representative Chris Smith, who chaired the hearing, said 55,000 people have been killed and 21,000 abducted in the last five years alone. The congressman also stressed that 89% of Christians in the world who are martyred are from Nigeria.
SPEAKER 02 :
Yet the government of Nigeria has failed to make progress against religiously motivated persecution of Christians despite religious freedom being enshrined as an essential human right in their constitution.
SPEAKER 15 :
Tony Perkins called for the United States to send an unmistakable message.
SPEAKER 05 :
This is systematic religious violence. Nigeria must be redesignated a country of particular concern. The Biden administration's removal of this designation was a reckless mistake that emboldened the very terrorists who are slaughtering Christians.
SPEAKER 15 :
Redesignating Nigeria will enable the U.S. government to pressure Nigerian leaders to protect vulnerable Christians.
SPEAKER 05 :
These are not just numbers. These are fathers, they're mothers, they're children, they're families.
SPEAKER 15 :
Bishop Wilfred Anagabe risked his life to speak out, sharing firsthand accounts of the danger faced in his church district in central Nigeria.
SPEAKER 01 :
We live in fear because at any point it can be our turn to be killed. But to remain silent is to die twice. So I have chosen to speak.
SPEAKER 15 :
FRC is calling on President Trump to act now to promote religious freedom around the globe and speak up on behalf of Christians in Nigeria.
SPEAKER 05 :
Welcome back to Washington Watch. Thanks for tuning in. All right. This week, the second Pan-African Conference on Family Values is bringing together delegates from across Africa and around the world in a unified call to protect the family unit and uphold family values. Now, the effort in many respects is driven by the need to protect their countries from the pressures of the Western world. that have been exporting policies and ideologies that are hostile to biblical values. FRC's Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs, Travis Weber, joins me from Niobri, Kenya, where he spoke at the conference. Travis, welcome to Washington Watch from Kenya.
SPEAKER 10 :
Thank you, Tony. It's great to be with you.
SPEAKER 05 :
First off, tell our viewers a little bit more about this conference, which FRC is actually a co-sponsor of.
SPEAKER 10 :
Yes, we are. So the conference, as you said, is bringing together those who wish to defend the family from around Africa and with assistance from around the world. But really, this is African-led. So these are Christians and others from countries around the continent of Africa, heavily represented by sub-Saharan Africa. We're here in Nairobi, Kenya, with representation from a number of countries to the south of us and even some from North Africa. But These are African leaders, political leaders, church leaders, activists, and many of them are Christians who see the assault on their biblical faith, on their biblical values in society, the assault on the family, the assault on the families God decided. So they're seeing that, and they're seeing the West get behind this assault, and that's what's really disturbing to them. So when we show up and say, we're from the West, but we're with you, we're not gonna join the assault on your families, They're ready to hear that, and that's a welcome message.
SPEAKER 05 :
I was up on the Hill earlier today at the Values Action Team meeting in the Senate, actually was talking with Valerie Huber, who I know you've been communicating with since you've been there in Africa. But for the benefit of our viewers and listeners, as Valerie is one who is engaged in these value issues, life issue in particular around the globe, explain why it's important that we are engaged because many of these policies that are pushed out from our State Department by left-leaning individuals comes back through the United Nations and pressures put on the United States to change its policy. So this is somewhat helping out these countries, but it's also a defensive posture for policy here in the United States.
SPEAKER 10 :
Yeah, Tony, this is circular two ways. One, as you mentioned, and the second is we're in a global world. That means there are people from all the countries represented here living in the United States, and those people share the values of the people in their home countries. It's only when Sadly, sad to say, modern Western culture and social media, pop culture, entertainment get to them that their values start to erode. So it's important because of that connection. But as you said, it's important because it comes back to us. Every time the United Nations and the global apparatus is given another way to strengthen its global power, that power is used against African countries, Latin American countries and others, but it's used against us to pressure us. And it might not be seen and close to home for many people, but every time there's a statement from a U.N. bureaucrat in New York or Geneva about the United States needing to do more to get in line with Global norms, international law, and you could just fill in the blank with whatever the bar is set at in terms of their language and the pressure campaign. But that same bar is being used globally, whether it's against the United States or against Africans who are defending family. The family is the core of where this assault is.
SPEAKER 05 :
So by building these alliances with African countries and Central and South America countries that are also conservative when it comes to the family, we're building a kind of a bulwark where when, for instance, the World Health Organization, WHO, when they're pushing one of these global policies, we can go to these other countries and even provide a backstop when we have a bad administration here.
SPEAKER 10 :
that's right you know tony that issue came up today the who because it's going to be the world health assembly in a few weeks in geneva they're going to vote on the pandemic agreement so speakers spoke today about the threat that this is to national sovereignty the family and life and that education campaign that campaign of linking arms in solidarity with those defending the family around the world is one that will help all of us it'll it'll help everyone rise higher above the out of the water out of the mire that is assaulting the family in large part from the west but the assault is going global and so when the global institutions are weakened it helps everyone who wishes to stand against them in the name of the family wherever they are so would you say travis uh we got about two minutes left this is helping our neighbor It absolutely is. Because, Tony, the winds of Christianity are changing. Where Christians are in the world, the movement is in Africa. It has been in Latin America. We need to pray for revival in the West. But let's just say the numbers continue going as they are. The West needs African Christians to reside in our own lands and help our own lands. Now, people are called where they are to live by the Lord, and everyone makes a choice. But I'm just making the point that This is a matter of Christianity globally, and it's a matter of defense of Christian values and biblical values globally. So we're going to help our neighbor by linking arms with believers who are standing with us on Genesis 1 and 2 and the values God has instituted since the beginning, wherever they are around the world, for every nation. As we enter a time of a national sovereignty reset under President Trump, this is going to help every nation because the Lord intends us to be a blessing to every nation.
SPEAKER 05 :
Travis, you just have about 45 seconds left. You spoke today. What did you share with the audience?
SPEAKER 10 :
Yeah, Tony, I shared a message that we stand with the Africans who share our values at Family Research Council. And the themes here are faith, family, freedom, life, family, religious freedom. I also shared, I apologize and repented on behalf of our country for what we've done to these countries. It's shameful and it's wrong. And we need to apologize for it. And so that was well-received. And I think it's just an experience of blinking arms with our relievers as we strengthen each other during these hostile days in which we're living. So it was a blessing to be with them. It's a blessing for us to serve them and encourage them with what God has given us. And I look forward to more of it in the future.
SPEAKER 05 :
All right, Travis Weber, thanks so much for taking time to join us. And I look forward to you being back here in D.C.
SPEAKER 10 :
Thank you.
SPEAKER 05 :
All right, folks, don't go away. More Washington Watch straight ahead. Dr. A.J. Nolte joins me. So don't go away.
SPEAKER 17 :
Family Research Council is committed to advancing faith, family, and freedom from the East Coast to the West. So FRC is going to Southern California for this year's Pray, Vote, Stand Summit, October 17th and 18th at Calvary Chapel, Chino Hills. Join us for this powerful gathering of Christians desiring cultural renewal and spiritual revival. The Pray, Vote, Stand Summit brings together Christian leaders, issue experts, and government officials for a time of prayer, inspiration, and action. Together, we will seek God's guidance for our nation and engage in meaningful discussions on the intersection of faith, government, and culture. If the spiritual foundations and the cultural walls of our nation are to be rebuilt, we all have a role to play. May we each find our place on the wall as we build for biblical truth. Register now at PrayVoteStand.org. That's PrayVoteStand.org.
SPEAKER 08 :
What is God's role in government? What does the separation of church and state really mean? And how does morality shape a nation? President John Adams said our Constitution was made only for moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. Join Family Research Council for God and Government, a powerful 13-part series that equips you with biblical truth to engage in today's most pressing debates, from the Ten Commandments in classrooms to the immigration crisis of America. we'll uncover the foundations of our nation's history and why it's relevant for today. Defend God's plan for government because faith and freedom were never meant to be separate. New episodes available each Monday. To view the series on the Stand Firm app, text COURSE to 67742.
SPEAKER 16 :
How should Christians think about the thorny issues shaping our culture? How should Christians address deceitful ideas like transgenderism, critical theory, or assisted suicide? How can Christians navigate raising children in a broken culture, the war on gender roles, or rebuilding our once great nation? Outstanding is a podcast from The Washington Stand dedicated to these critical conversations. Outstanding seeks to tear down what our corrupt culture lifts up with an aim to take every thought and every idea captive to the obedience of Christ. Whether policies or partisan politics, whether conflict in America or conflict abroad, join us and our guests as we examine the headlines through the lens of Scripture. and explore how Christians can faithfully exalt Christ in all of life. Follow Outstanding on your favorite podcast app and look for new episodes each week.
SPEAKER 05 :
Welcome back to Washington Watch. Thanks so much for tuning in. All right. As the Congress moves forward with the reconciliation bill, this is the government funding bill. We have a chance for the first time to end taxpayer funding of abortion providers and so-called gender transition procedures. It's in the reconciliation bill. But there are some that are on the fence. So they need to hear from you. As I've said before, our republic was made for participants, not spectators. So this is where I need you to lean in. I mean, we're doing a lot of the groundwork. I was up on Capitol Hill earlier today talking with members of Congress at meetings. But I need you to weigh in. So text the word Congress. Congress to 67742. Congress to 67742. And I'll send you a link so that you can communicate with your member of Congress. Again, that's Congress to 67742 to ensure that organizations like Planned Parenthood, which received almost $800 million from the government last year, will not receive anything. All right. So text Congress to 67742. Our word for today comes from Ezra 311. As the returning exiles laid the foundation of the temple in Jerusalem, quote, and they sang responsibly, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid, end quote. The people rejoiced with loud praise, not because the temple was finished, but simply because the foundation had been laid. They sang, worshiped, and gave thanks to the Lord for his first step in the restoration of his house. This moment reminds us of the importance of celebrating the early steps of God's work in our lives. Too often we withhold our praise, waiting until everything is complete or perfect. But if we wait for the finished product... well, we may miss countless opportunities to acknowledge God's faithfulness along the way. As the prophet Zechariah wrote, for who has despised the day of small things? Don't overlook the small victories. Rejoice in them. Every step forward, no matter how small, is evidence of God's hand at work. So give him thanks today. To join us on our journey through the Bible, text BIBLE to 67742. Well, on the first day of his Middle East trip, President Donald Trump has already secured a $600 billion investment pledge with Saudi Arabia. Now, the trip is drawing no scrutiny over one glaring omission, Israel, America's closest ally in the region, is not on the itinerary. Now, recent moves by the Trump administration have led some Middle East experts to question the current strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance. Joining me now to unpack this is Dr. A.J. Nolte, associate professor and director of the Institute for Israel Studies at Regent University. Dr. Nolte, welcome back to Washington Watch. Thanks for joining us. Tony, it's always great to be here. Thanks for having me. So let's just start with this. Let's start with the president's deal with Saudi Arabia. He teased this trip a couple of weeks ago saying, are there going to be some big announcements? And it was pretty clear that it was going to focus on economic activity. What do we make of the deal the president announced today?
SPEAKER 14 :
I think this has as much to do with some of the recent post quote unquote Liberation Day tariff politics as it does with anything else in the sense that I think the president wants to show that America is still a strong place for investment. People still want to bring capital here. He wants to be able to show these successful international economic deals. And the Gulf is a good place to go for that. He's had very successful trips to Saudi Arabia. He had a very successful trip to Saudi Arabia. early in his first administration. Who among us can forget the famous iconic image of President Trump and MBS touching the orb together to open the counterterrorism center? And so I think he's building on that and he's going really looking for wins and looking for wins that will reassure markets and reassure investors. So I do think there are some security components to it, but I suspect that a lot more of that focus is sort of getting some big investment deals and showing that he's bringing capital into the United States.
SPEAKER 05 :
So is that why Israel is not on the itinerary? I mean, he's going to Saudi Arabia, he's going to Qatar, he's going to the UAE, but not Israel, America's closest ally in the region. And that has some kind of scratching their head.
SPEAKER 14 :
I think that is the reason why he's not going to Israel, because you're looking at these sort of gulf economic deals. I do think that it could be that there are some folks in his orbit that don't understand the economic power of Israel. In other words, and we'll talk about this, I think, as we move forward, there's some people that tend to think the U.S.-Israel relationship is more one-sided than it is, that are really in Trump's orbit. And I would love to see Trump really thinking about Israel as an economic partner, understanding that by my count, over 30 states have trade offices in Israel. And my own home state, the Commonwealth of Virginia, has received $12 billion in FDI just in one state from Israel since 1995. So I think he just doesn't think about Israel in financial terms as a as an investor country in the United States. And so it might be worth, you know, folks close to his orbit trying to change that perception. I think that could be beneficial.
SPEAKER 05 :
You know, I think that's a great point. In fact, when I was in Israel a couple of weeks ago with Ambassador Mike Huckabee, in his first speech that he made to the JNS symposium summit that was being held in Jerusalem, he made that point. He said, many see this as one-sided. It's not one-sided. It's a two-way street. We receive a lot from Israel. the technology that they export. I've been in their drone manufacturing plant. They do a lot of stuff that we actually rely on, even for national security.
SPEAKER 14 :
Absolutely. And one thing people sometimes forget is that a lot of that military aid that goes to Israel is also, we sometimes use the IDF for research and development. Their procurement system, you know, no offense to our friends in the DOD, but Israel, sometimes their procurement system's a little bit faster. They can test and live test faster than we can. And so it's not just, you know, they're a client of ours and we're buying bullets, which you sometimes hear from some folks, but actually they play a valuable role in our national security apparatus that we're not necessarily as well equipped to do in a couple of areas.
SPEAKER 05 :
Well, that's true. They're always putting our material to the test because they're using it more frequently than we are. But one of the issues that has caused some consternation, I think the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has been very circumspect on this. He hasn't raised it. But I have actually spoken to some members of the Knesset there. I've talked to other contacts in Israel. They're a bit concerned about the direct negotiations with Iran and the – The thinking that the Trump administration is putting forth that a deal could be arrived at with this ideologically driven regime.
SPEAKER 14 :
I'll give you the optimistic and the pessimistic case on this one, Tony. The optimistic case is after the Iraq study group came out, and this was back in 2000, gosh, late 2000s, early 2010s, I had an opportunity to interview the late Ed Meese, who was a member, very conservative, And they advocated for direct talks with Iran. And his response is, well, Reagan negotiated directly with the Soviet Union. And so sometimes you have to have those direct peer-to-peer talks, especially on arms control issues, to be effective. So that's the optimistic case. The pessimistic case is when I see headlines that say that the Obama team is praising Trump and the Trump administration for their approach, because the Obama team gave us the JCPOA, which was a disaster. uh on so many levels and so you know i think that there are reasons for concern um and there are you know president trump's instincts about jcpoa were very good he said it was a terrible deal and he eventually tore it up and so you know my hope is that he will remember those successful lessons from the past administration and realize that you know to a certain extent these folks are not going to negotiate in good faith um and i think Marco Rubio has been very right about no enrichment is a hard line for a civilian nuclear program. And so hopefully the Trump administration will stick to that.
SPEAKER 05 :
Is there a difference in the foreign policy approach to the Middle East in Trump two versus Trump one?
SPEAKER 14 :
Absolutely. So here's the way that I would portray it. Trump won, had a very consistent pro-Israel orientation, was very consistently hawkish on Iran, and sort of represented some of the best instincts on the Middle East that we've seen. And then if you look at sort of Obama and Biden, it was consistently the opposite. They were consistently dovish on Iran. They were consistently pushing Israel in ways that were undermining Israel's interests. And I would say not really representative of America's national security interests either. What we've seen thus far in Trump too is actually an inconsistency where it appears as though there are multiple different factions within the administration that have slightly different approaches to Middle East policy. And the president is sort of hedging and letting both of them sort of play things out a little bit to see whose assessment is best. I think the instincts that he has from Trump 1 are kind of still there. But his coalition has changed a little bit. And that means that there are different factions with different approaches. And I see him trying not to lean too hard one direction or the other.
SPEAKER 05 :
So what do you make of the departure of Mike Waltz, who was the national security director?
SPEAKER 14 :
Yeah, it's an interesting move because Waltz, I think, was in the Hawk camp. But, you know, then he's replaced as temporary national security advisor by Marco Rubio, who I think has four or five jobs now in the administration, who is also kind of similarly situated. I mean, Marco Rubio's record is very longstanding on this issue. And so what I think that did was it didn't so much change the balance of power as it did clearly establish polarity in the administration, with J.D. Vance representing what I would call the more non-interventionist slash restrainer camp, both in the Middle East and beyond, and Marco Rubio representing a fusion of MAGA with more traditional Republican policy. What's interesting is in the Meet the Press interview that Trump did about a week and a half ago now, When asked about successors, those were the two men that he mentioned. So I think he's partially also got an eye toward what happens, what his legacy is. And so there's been a little bit of a clarification now of those are the two different poles within within the administration.
SPEAKER 05 :
Dr. Nolte, I am what I call a rational isolationist. I don't like to get involved. As a veteran of the Marine Corps, I don't think we should be the world's policeman. I don't think we should be getting involved in all these different conflicts. The price is high. I do think there is a role that comes with leadership, and we are a leader of the free world, so I do think there's some element of leadership there. But I also think as an evangelical, I approach this from Bible believing evangelical that that Israel falls into a different camp and that we have to have, I think, a very clear biblical alignment with the Jewish people. That's not to say that we agree with everything that they do. But I think we need to be much more careful about our foreign policy approach to Israel.
SPEAKER 14 :
Yeah, so my read is, I probably would be a little bit more of a hawk, which isn't surprising to people who've heard me on Washington Watch before, but I certainly agree in terms of Israel, this is a vital interest for the United States for several reasons. One, because the Middle East is an area that is strategically important. because of hydrocarbons, which is why he's in the Gulf, because of free navigation of the seas, which is why the issue with the Houthis is so important, and because it's an area that has become a center point global commerce, which is important to us, also because of the biblical foundations. And finally, because if you look at American history, as we're coming up on the 250th anniversary, so much of our founding DNA is actually related to the Hebrew roots, the biblical roots of American civilization, that in other words, it really is a family issue. It's an issue of our national identity that links into our support for Israel as well.
SPEAKER 05 :
I want to shift to one of the countries that President Trump is going to visit next, the country of Qatar. They have, well, let's put it this way. They would not make the role of a Sunday school class. They have some real issues. I mean, they're linked to the funding of Hamas. Many of the Hamas leaders have been given sanctuary in Qatar. I'm a bit concerned about a cozy relationship with that country.
SPEAKER 14 :
I am more than a bit concerned, Tony. I'll give you a couple of additional data points. Number one, ISGAP, which is the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism program in Oxford, has done studies of Qatar and has basically estimated that they've spent about $1 billion in funding anti-Semitic and anti-Israel bias on U.S. campuses. That's a billion with a B. Second is, in addition to what you mentioned about them supporting Hamas and every other Muslim Brotherhood-aligned organ they could think of, Al Jazeera Arabic has basically been the platform and spokesperson for Hamas since the conflict started. Additionally, Qatar has also aligned itself in the past with Erdogan and opposed to the other Gulf countries to the point where they almost, you know, they blockaded Qatar for a long time because they were so antithetical to the interests of even our Gulf allies. So Qatar is a very dangerous country in many ways. They will try to have their cake and eat it too. And I would be very cautious about trusting them. And one of the biggest concerns that I have about the Trump administration is there's a lot of folks with ties and investments and things like that in Qatar. Now, I understand business is business, But keep in mind that business and politics are separate and that somebody who might be a good business partner when you're investing isn't necessarily a loyal ally with the United States. I think we've learned this lesson painfully about China in the past decade, and we need to not forget that lesson as we engage with Qatar.
SPEAKER 05 :
We just have about 45 seconds left, Dr. Nolte. What about this $400 million 747 that they want to gift to President Trump?
SPEAKER 14 :
My advice to the president would be to say thanks, but no thanks. It's just too much entanglement. It's too complicated. It raises too many questions. Lord, you know, we're, I think, probably all listening to this program, you know, hopeful for an outcome that President Trump would like in the midterms, but imagine Democrats with the House oversight gavel investigating this whole thing, and you could actually lose ground to them on national security. So I just, I wouldn't touch it. I would say, you know, thanks, appreciate the gesture, but, you know, I think we're going to pass for now.
SPEAKER 05 :
Yeah. Even if it's legal, it doesn't make it right. And I think it is not above the perception of it. It's just it's just it's bad.
SPEAKER 14 :
As the Bible says, not all things that are lawful are beneficial.
SPEAKER 05 :
Right. All right. Dr. Nolte, thanks so much for joining us. Always great to talk with you.
SPEAKER 14 :
Thanks. Thanks for having me.
SPEAKER 05 :
All right, folks, a lot to pray about. So I encourage you to pray, pray for our nation, pray for our president, pray for our Congress and pray for the peace of Israel as well. All right. Until next time, I leave you once again with the encouraging words of the Apostle Paul found in Ephesians 6, where he says, when you've done everything you can do, when you've prayed, when you've prepared and when you've taken your stand, by all means, keep standing.
SPEAKER 21 :
Washington Watch with Tony Perkins is brought to you by Family Research Council and is entirely listener supported. Portions of the show discussing candidates are brought to you by Family Research Council Action. For more information on anything you heard today or to find out how you can partner with us in our ongoing efforts to promote faith, family, and freedom, visit TonyPerkins.com.
Explore the global impact of the ACLJ as Logan Sekulow articulates the successful influence of their media and legal teams on significant policy shifts. In this episode, Sekulow highlights President Trump’s recent visit to the Middle East and his bold statements encouraging Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords. With contributions from Rick Grinnell and Jay Sekulow, the conversation underscores the courage and strategic advocacy pivotal in driving national and international change for the pro-life movement.
SPEAKER 07 :
We got breaking news. Thanks to ACLJ champions like you, the Trump administration has launched a massive hospital investigation.
SPEAKER 04 :
Keeping you informed and engaged now more than ever. This is Sekulow. We want to hear from you. Share and post your comments or call 1-800-684-3110. And now your host, Logan Sekulow.
SPEAKER 07 :
Welcome to Sekulow. We've got a great show lined up for you today. Will Haynes is joining me in studio. My dad, Jay Sekulow, will be joining us a little bit later, as well as Rick Grinnell, to wrap up the show. And we're talking about a lot of the breaking news. Obviously, President Trump right now in the Middle East, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, speaking live right now. We'll break into that if there's anything that's worth hearing. Of course, there's a big investment forum that's happening right now. But the breaking news that really came out, this happened last night, HHS. has really taken a little bit of a nod from you, the ACLJ supporter, the ACLJ champions who have been working so diligently on their fight for life. And look, there was a little concern. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. running the HHS, his views on life have kind of gone back and forth. He was at one point very, very pro-choice. Then he said he was kind of convicted, saw what was actually going on and realized that he needed to adjust his point of view. And of course, he is also fulfilling the Trump administration's policy. But maybe, and not maybe, we know this for sure. I always tell you to visit ACLJ.org, see all the incredible content that's happening here, watch this show, read our blogs, see what's going on. But guess who else was? Some people at the HHS. And they reached out to us, and now they're taking action, Will.
SPEAKER 03 :
That's right. So yesterday we get a press release from the Health and Human Services Agency that says HHS acts to protect health care workers' conscience rights. And it goes on to talk about an investigation, a compliance review out of the Office for Civil Rights at HHS. That is looking into this hospital and investigating their compliance with federal law that safeguards conscience rights in health care. The federal conscience protection statute known as the church amendments and the OCR has opened the review based on information that ultrasound technicians employed by the hospital allegedly faced potential termination because they have religious objections to conducting ultrasounds in an abortion procedure. Now, some of you may remember we talked about a case that the ACLJ was handling late last year. where we were representing five ultrasound techs at one hospital in New Mexico, in Albuquerque. And what they were being told was that they had to assist as ultrasound techs in abortion procedures. This hospital that had previously not performed abortions at all because it had historically religious ties had been bought and sold by several companies over the year. And now this hospital had contracted with a local abortion provider to basically subcontract out abortions. And they were using hospital personnel to assist this abortionist with those procedures. We had clients that came to the ACLJ and said, There used to be conscience protections, but they've amended it to try and force us to assist with this outside provider in his abortion business, his or her abortion business. And we think this violates our constitutional rights. And it did. And we got involved and we actually got those protections for them. But now there's a new administration in town
SPEAKER 07 :
and the hhs has launched this investigation based off of our clients cases that we handled for them it's really amazing again based on the support from the aclj and the aclj team and our incredible team whether that's the media team or the legal team the hhs is taking direct action because of us because of you the aclj supporter understand it is a new day and thankfully We are able to get this kind of real motion going, but we can't do it without your support. So I want to encourage you, if you feel in this moment like you actually have a chance, actually feel like we are turning a new leaf, it's really amazing, give me a call at 1-800-684-3110. I want to hear from you. We're going to take calls a little bit earlier in the show today because Rick Grinnell is on in the last segment. So call us now at 1-800-684-3110 and support the work of the ACLJ if you can at aclj.org. We'll be right back with my dad, Jay Sekulow, coming up in just a segment. Welcome back to Sekulow. I do want to hear from you at 1-800-684-3110. If you're watching on YouTube, I encourage you to hit that thumbs up. We really appreciate that. Throw a comment in. Let me know where you're watching from because this is a big day and it should be considered a big day for the ACLJ because it shows you what happens when a administration that is a little bit more favorable to our causes. You would never have had this in a Democrat run presidency. Okay. And look, uh, You can say a lot about the Biden administration. You can say a lot about the Obama administration. Certainly, they were not going to be fighting for the rights of pro-lifers and people that work in the medical field that are also pro-life. And I think we need to restate what's happening because this is, again, this is a big win, if you will, for all of us. And again, this is because of what we posted on our website. So again, shout out to our media team. Shout out to our legal team. Because someone at the HHS went to ACLJ.org, heard about what we were doing, read the article, reached out and said, we want to get involved. What can we do? Give us some more information. And then they launched this. And it's unbelievable. Again, take this as a big win as the HHS has launched this investigation into hospitals. Again, because we said, hey, we were defending five medical professionals for being forced to participate in abortions to not violate their conscience. And here we are.
SPEAKER 03 :
That's right. So what happened in this case for the ACLJ is that a hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico, early 2024, signed an agreement with a local abortionist where they could refer to this abortionist for abortions. And this practitioner, this abortionist would use hospital resources in those abortion procedures, such as using ultrasound techs for assisting in the procedure of abortion. And we had clients that reached out to us because they stated their objection over their conscience rights, which are well established in U.S. precedent, in law, Civil Rights Act. And they basically were told by the hospital that they had seen that while previously this hospital had strong conscience protections in their policies, they had kind of shifted it. to make it where there could be loopholes. And our clients were basically faced with either violate their conscience and be tasked by the hospital with assisting in abortions or lose their employment that was basically the choice that our clients had to make but they reached out to the aclj we represented five different ultrasound techs that did not want to participate in abortions that wanted to claim their conscience protections. We fought back. We were able to cite law under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as well as the FDA versus Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine that allows doctors and other health care personnel to refuse to perform or assist in abortion without punishment or discrimination from their employers. That's a Supreme Court opinion. And we actually got the hospital to cave for our clients. They granted full religious accommodations to each of our clients. Right. But it didn't stop there because we know that this was growing under the Biden administration. We had hospital workers in Kentucky and other places of the country that you wouldn't necessarily expect to have this kind of issue. So we know that this was not a priority of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Health and Human Services. But now there's a new administration in town, Logan.
SPEAKER 07 :
Times have changed. That's right. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, their Office for Civil Rights, has now launched a formal compliance review of Presbyterian Hospital's actions. So to find out how it happened, what had happened, and the review is determined whether the hospital violated federal conscious protection laws. including the church amendments. HHS's review follows the ACLJ's legal complaint. Of course, like I said, they reached out and wanted more information from us. And this is the impact of the organization. I can't undersell it or oversell it enough. The ACLJ is involved in so many different things. And our website is so important. And that's why, look, that's why our content, I always say, it's not behind a paywall. You have to log in to read it. Because if you did, guess what? This HHS person, employee, may probably never saw it.
SPEAKER 03 :
I don't think there was a grant for an ACLJ paywall like there was for, you know, Politico Pro, Reuters, millions of dollars a year for that.
SPEAKER 07 :
So instead, we rely on places like Google News or maybe you go to ACLJ.org directly. And this is the impact. They are taking it on themselves to figure out what happened here. And of course, they've reached out to our team. And that's just it's just amazing. It's such a change. And again, I can't help but just really encourage you all to keep supporting the work of the ACLJ. You may say, well, now you have a friendly administration and of course, you're going to work with you. Yeah, but we got to. These are the moments. Because now, instead of being completely on the defense, we can actually make some offensive actions. We actually can get things done and moved forward with a friendly administration. And again, this is coming from RFK Jr.' 's HHS. Someone that a lot of people in the pro-life movement thought, this guy is not going to be good for the lives of the unborn. But you know what? I got to give him props. We got to give him props. And though I don't know his direct involvement in this, we do know it's coming from his department. And that's a pretty miraculous thing. And that's showing that he's also changing some hearts and some minds and supporting a vision of a pro-life America, which is something that I don't know a decade ago, five years ago, even since the overturning of Roe, that you would have thought that this is where we'd be. And thankfully, we are now seeing these protections coming in from the federal government, stepping in, working with the ACLJ, reading our content, basing their investigations off of our clients and the work that we've done. Folks, this is incredible. So if you've ever thought about working or donating to the ACLJ and being a part of this and becoming a champion, or you've always worried that maybe we're not doing what we say we do or maybe we don't do enough, look at this. The proof is right in front of you.
SPEAKER 03 :
Well, and there are other implications in this as well. One, it is also key to remind the audience, the members, the champions of ACLJ that not only does our legal work matter, but this broadcast, our writing on our website, all of those things are a key component in how this action takes place because we can do the legal work and have great success, but it's also that public advocacy angle that caused this to not just be a win for five hospital workers in New Mexico. And that is a great win. That's really important for them. They get to keep their job and not have to violate one of their deeply held beliefs about the sanctity of life and not having to perform abortions. But when the Department of HHS gets involved, here are some things that also happen. It sets national precedent that every hospital, every provider that may think about, under the last four years, we could get away with a lot because you know what the civil rights office at HHS- They could get away with murder. Literally, and forcing people to participate in that. And they may have thought because the civil rights office was not concerned with the conscience protections of Christians, of conservatives, of those that have pro-life values. under the Biden administration actually those protections were weakened under the Biden administration but this new precedent puts all these providers on notice all the ones that we have to go toe-to-toe with and say cut it out or we're going to federal court and let these people remain employed and provide the service to you That if you do this, you're getting a federal investigation. We're not messing around. We're not the previous administration. As well as it also reaffirms that these conscience protections are going to be upheld. They are going to be viewed, rightly so, as the law of the land. And that's going to also help people get better care. Because they're not concerned about losing their job over being forced to participate in procedures that they hold a deeply held conviction against performing.
SPEAKER 07 :
There also was another big win for the pro-life movement. In the next segment, my dad, Jay Sekulow, is going to be joining us to talk about the history of ACLJ's involvement in these kind of cases and give you the details of all that went wrong. down it's going to be a great segment you're going to make sure you tune in we're also going to take some calls after that because in the end of the show rick ronell's going to be joining us usually we take the calls at the last segment we're going to be taking them a little bit earlier today so this is a great time to call in look president trump right now is uh currently in riad saudi arabia I'm sure there's a lot of thoughts. It's kind of a controversial moment to be in the Middle East, and obviously there's still what's going on in Israel. What are your thoughts as President Trump visits Saudi Arabia, visits Riyadh, and kind of makes a full Middle Eastern tour? He's there with a lot of people, including Elon Musk, Sean Hannity, a whole group of that is there live with him for this. I'd love to get your thoughts. Do you think this is the right thing to be doing right now? What do you think? 1-800-684-3110. But today, again, we are thrilled to share that breaking news. And, you know, we took that action defending those five ultrasound technicians. They're being forced to participate in abortions. The Biden administration said, you know, they had to do it. But we won. And now, in a major development, as we said, President Trump's HHS and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.' 's HHS just launched a formal investigation into the hospital's conduct. And the reason they got involved was because of people like you and our ACLJ media team. They're jumping into action because they saw an article on our website. That is the impact of the ACLJ. making national, international, global changes. It's not only the hearts and minds, but to the law. You should be a part of that team right now. Support the work of the ACLJ at aclj.org and support life. Welcome back to Sekulow. Phone lines are open for you at 1-800-684-3110. As I said, we're going to take calls a little bit earlier today because Rick Grinnell is going to join us in the last segment. My dad, Jay Sekulow, joins us live right now. Of course, we're going to be talking about a big win for the ACLJ, but do we want to lead with what was going on with President Trump right now? As soon as we get that sound, I think we'll play that and we are good to go.
SPEAKER 03 :
So let's do it.
SPEAKER 07 :
So this is President Trump speaking at, again, the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum right now. This just happened.
SPEAKER 02 :
And with the historic Abraham Accords that we're so proud of, all the momentum was aimed at peace. And it aimed very successfully. It's been an amazing thing, the Abraham Accords. And it's my fervent hope, wish, and even my dream that Saudi Arabia, a place I have such respect for, especially over the last... fairly short period of time, what you've been able to do, but will soon be joining the Abraham Accords. I think it'll be a tremendous tribute to your country, and it will be something that's really going to be very important for the future of the Middle East. I took a risk in doing them, and they've been an absolute bonanza for the countries that have joined. The Biden administration did nothing for four years. We would have had it filled out. But it will be a special day in the Middle East with the whole world watching when Saudi Arabia joins us. And you'll be greatly honoring me. And you'll be greatly honoring all of those people that have fought so hard for the Middle East. And I really think it's going to be something special. But you'll do it in your own time. And that's what I want. And that's what you want. And that's the way it's going to be.
SPEAKER 07 :
President Trump making that statement again, encouraging Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords. And who knows if this was a pre-approved statement that the Saudis knew was going to be stated. But, Dad, pretty powerful moment because, look, there's probably controversy just going over there and having these meetings. But when you're willing to go up on stage and say those kind of things to that crowd, pretty big moment.
SPEAKER 06 :
And there have been people criticizing President Trump because on this trip he's not going to Israel for meetings. And people were saying he's developing an anti-Israel view. And the first major statement that he makes is what? Well, we should have Saudi Arabia join the Abraham Accords, which, by the way, would be a game-changing moment in the Middle East. have been a game-changing moment, but this would take it up to a whole new level. And it just, you know, we've been involved in this. I mean, the ACLJ has been involved. It was involved in the Abraham Accords. I can't tell you how many meetings we had at the Oval Office and elsewhere on the issue of Israel. That was led by, as you remember, President's son-in-law, Jared Kirshner. And, of course, our colleague, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. So there's been great progress getting Saudi Arabia in would be, like I said, a game changing moment and something the American Center for Law and Justice would wholeheartedly endorse.
SPEAKER 03 :
keep following that that's a big moment but that's not why we had you on today we want to have you on because there's another win will that's right we discussed on the show yesterday that big victory out of ohio where we were defending a pro-life protester someone that protested against abortion in ohio in a criminal proceeding and we had that big win we wanted to talk to you about one just the the history of you with those type of cases but also why it was so important that we had that victory on friday
SPEAKER 06 :
Well, in 1988, we were then called Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism, and we had a case that we took, which was very controversial at the time, and that was representing Operation Rescue. pro-life protests in the 80s and 90s led by Randall Terry. And we ended up taking, well, you know that you don't remember this, but your dad would. We had a case in Atlanta that went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States on abortion protests. We had cases out of Wichita that went to the Supreme Court. Anyways, there was a series of them. And we were successful in both getting the jurisdiction So they couldn't go into federal court in the first place. And number two, ultimately on the First Amendment, free speech issues. But what you have is you still have to go back and back and back. And here you go again. And this one in Ohio is unique in this sense. I mean, we've had this happen a few times where you go into criminal court and the defense, we're ready to go. And then the prosecutor, the state totally folds. I will tell you where it's happened the most on these pro-life cases. Pat Monahan, one of the founders and senior members of the ACLJ, and I tried... Hundreds of cases just like this in Ohio. We tried them all over the country. And what I'm saying to our ACLJ members is we have to stand. Roe versus Wade has been overturned, and that's a huge thing. And I didn't know if I'd see that in my lifetime, and unfortunately we did. And that's a great thing. But the fight for life is always on the front lines. It's the crisis pregnancy centers. It's the pro-life sidewalk counselors. It's the protesters. That's the free speech. And that has to be protected. And we went into federal court or getting ready to go into federal court on a civil rights claim for these individuals. But also, more important than that right now is to understand the moment that your team was ready to go, ready to go because of the ACLJ members and champions around the country, ready to fight for life right there in Ohio, won the case with a dismissal in court. Now there'll be another series of cases on the civil side. But this is a long history we've had. with Logan and Will on both this issue and as we started the segment off, certainly in the Middle East.
SPEAKER 07 :
And so much for religious freedom and for that expression of free speech. I mean, I did, and I even told you this, Dad, I did an interview last night or I sat in on a podcast. It was all about Christian music and it was just a fun time. The guy right before the host. who is a local radio host in Bakersfield, California, and also is the weatherman there. And he, before he got on, he said, Hey, I just want to let you know, I never was able to tell your dad, but in 1996, 1997, me and my students in high school built a 45 foot cross and they were going to tell us we could not have it on display. And your dad flew out and took care of it for us. We have been doing this for my time in Bakersfield. I do remember that. Yeah. So we've been doing that for a long time. time and a long history. And those stories come up, and we're going to highlight those a little bit later this year as we celebrate the work of the ACLJ, because those stories come up, people reach out all the time who have had these, sometimes they were a one day experience like he did, where he was never able to reach out after that. But you have this, you have the HHS doing what they've done because they read a blog on our website. The impact is so large. I hope people understand the impact they're making when they support the ACLJ.
SPEAKER 06 :
Well, you know, you mentioned the situation with HHS and they go on to our website, which tells you our media advocacy is as important as the legal advocacy that is getting the information out. So kudos to our team, the media teams that worked on this to get the information out and then, of course, to get the results. But look, I mean, if you look at any of these cases, if you look at the issue as it relates to the HHS investigation, if you look at the pro-life protesters we're representing, if you look at what's happening right now in Saudi Arabia and say to yourself, as an ACLJ member, ACLJ champion, I'm making a difference on every issue we're talking about.
SPEAKER 07 :
right and it all changes when you have a more friendly administration but understand just because you have that look we can say this confidently when there is a more friendly administration a lot of times it's harder to raise funds to support the work of the aclj because you may look and go oh they're fine life was uh it was protected look at what happened they got a win there for their clients they don't need us we do need you because we couldn't do it without having the best of the best like you said whether it's the media team or a legal team if we not don't have the best of the best Success doesn't happen like it does, and you don't have these opportunities when you have a friendly administration to really get it taken care of.
SPEAKER 06 :
Exactly right, and that's why people need to go to ACLJ.org. Become an ACLJ champion if you can. Support our work monthly, or you can make a one-time gift, ACLJ.org.
SPEAKER 07 :
All right, thank you so much for joining us, Dad. We'll have you, I'm sure, again on a top topic. Look, we've got a second half hour coming up. Join us at ACLJ.org right now. Again, go to ACLJ.org. Be a part of the organization. We have a second half hour, though. If you don't get it on your local radio station or you're listening in a different way, you can find us broadcasting live each day, 12 to 1 p.m., on YouTube, on Rumble, on ACLJ.org, on the ACLJ app, which is an incredible experience as well. And later on, you can find his podcast. You can find us on all those outlets archived. You can go back and really explore that free content just like the HHS does on ACLJ.org. We'll be right back.
SPEAKER 04 :
Keeping you informed and engaged now more than ever. This is Sekulow. And now your host, Logan Sekulow.
SPEAKER 07 :
Welcome back to Sekulow. Second half hour coming up. Rick Grinnell is going to be joining us in the final segment of the show today. So sorry, just moved my mic about that. Sorry, audio guys. Phone lines are open for you. I'd love to hear from you at 1-800-684-3110. In the next segment, I'm going to take as many calls as we possibly can before we get to Rick Grinnell because he's got some important stuff to share with us. We're going to talk about President Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia, what that looks like, why it's important, and also now his push for Saudi Arabia to join the abraham accords what does that look like for the future of israel moving forward i think this is a good day a big day and of course if you are just joining us right now as i know some of you are the breaking news that came out of the world of the aclj is that the hhs has filed an investigation launched investigation into a specific hospital and a specific hospital that was maybe forcing their uh ultrasound techs to perform to be part of abortion procedures so you know guiding them or whatever it may be now we at the aclj had already been fighting on behalf of them we had already won but the hhs members of that team were on our website at ACLJ.org. They saw a story about this right on our website and they said, no, this is not enough. We got to take action. They reached out to our ACLJ team and we were able to provide them with other information we could. And now they are launching a full-blown investigation. Again, this is President Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.' 's HHS launching this investigation after reading a blog on our website. That is the impact of the ACLJ media team. Because this is an important day. And it's an important day for all of you pro-life activists who honestly have been concerned maybe about President Trump and concerned about RFK Jr.' 's stance on life. That it's been not as pro-life as some of you may want it to be. Of course, we all said it was much more pro-life than we would have gotten with a Harris administration or certainly with a Biden administration. But here we are taking action, again, supporting people's rights, people's conscience to perform the job they got hired to do and not violate their own moral convictions.
SPEAKER 03 :
I want to read this quote from the press release HHS put out. This is the acting director of the Office for Civil Rights. And think about this quote in the context that someone at HHS within the Office for Civil Rights read about this case that you made possible on our website, ACLJ.org, by reading the blog, and that you caused this to happen by your support of the ACLJ. The department is committed to enforcement of our nation's laws that safeguard the fundamental rights of conscience and religious exercise. healthcare professionals should not be coerced into, fired for, or driven out of the profession for declining to perform procedures that the federal law says they do not have to perform based on their religious beliefs or moral convictions. One, do you think a statement that strong would have come out of the Office for Civil Rights under the last administration? No. But it is now? And it's all because of you and the work that we do here with your support.
SPEAKER 07 :
It may have, but it may have said your morals don't matter.
SPEAKER 03 :
It's shocking. It's hard to fathom how great of a statement that is and how this case was started and this investigation was started.
SPEAKER 07 :
Yeah, absolutely. It's because of people like you, because of supporters like you, because people that said maybe it was during our life and liberty drives. Maybe it was during our faith and freedom months. Maybe it's going to be during our upcoming or maybe it's right now who just said, you know what? I feel like I need to be a part of this because they are making real change. They are actually being active and doing things, whether it's through the media or through the law. We are there around the world. Understand that. I mean, President Trump's talking about the Abraham Accords right now. Of course, we have on this show Mike Pompeo quite regularly. He was kind of the architect of those Abraham Accords. It's really amazing what our team has been able to do and accomplish when you have a friendly administration. But even when you have a friendly administration, it's not easy. It's certainly not cheap. So I encourage you to support the work. I do want you to call in right now. We got a few lines open, 1-800-684-3110. You're not going to be able to hold very long because I'm going to take calls in the next segment. So you got about a minute to call in. Call in right now. Get on hold and we'll get your calls coming up in just a second. Again, that's at 1-800-684-3110. Even if you're watching online, it's a great time to have your voice heard. I want to have a few questions, a few comments, even just support. I'd love to hear it. Be right back. Great time to call in at 1-800-684-3110. You've got a couple more minutes. This is about a 10-minute segment. We've got about three lines open for you right now, so this will be a great time to call in. Let's go ahead and kick things off with Ronald, who's calling in South Carolina, watching on Rumble, one of our favorite free speech platforms. Thanks for watching, Ronald, always on Rumble. Go ahead with your question or comment.
SPEAKER 09 :
Yes, thanks for taking my call. All I can say is, in a way of comment, is that morality, integrity... And decency is once again back in our government. And I just say that we are now having, and the reason why I believe that the trip is important that he's taking into the Middle East is because we need to see, they need to see a strong president and a strong cabinet and a strong America. And I think that is very, very, very necessary compared to the previous administration that we have had And I thank God for your work. As your father said, kudos to the media staff for getting the word out by which it was able to be seen and picked up by the HHS administration. So great job, guys. Great job. May God bless you and everyone at HHS.
SPEAKER 07 :
Yes, thank you here at the ACLJ. We appreciate it, Ronald. I really want to say, number one, thank you to you for calling in and sharing those feelings. This is a big moment for the ACLJ. This is a big year. You need to be a part of it as well. But I also, you know, you talk about, it seems like there's decency and morality, integrity to our government. Look, they're going to spin it every which way. You're going to see President Trump, he may have language that you may not like. He may have a personal life, a background that you may not care for. But you know what I can at least say about him is he's fulfilled a lot of those campaign promises that a lot of people did not do. A lot of presidents did not do. A lot of them talked a big game and they pretended maybe to be your moral authority. And I'm talking about Republicans and Democrats. They pretended to be holier than thou, mightier than thou. They never showed their flaws. President Trump is who he is, it seems like, whether you like it or not. But here's what I can say, whether he believes it or not, Look at the reaction. Look at what he has done for the pro-life world. Done more for the pro-life world, I would say, than any president in our history. The ones who've talked big games often got politicked out of doing the job they said they were going to do, but not this administration previously, and certainly not this one now. One now that should be maybe even a little bit more libertarian in their actions towards life. It's not what's happening.
SPEAKER 03 :
That's right. And even discussing with our attorneys about this specific investigation from HHS, they wanted to make sure that all of you understand that kind of the strategic legal success that the ACLJ can have in these situations where it isn't just defending the clients and being right on the law. Because that is important and we are and we win for our clients because of how good our attorneys are and because we are correct on the facts, correct on the law when we defend someone and defend their constitutional rights. But it's also that public advocacy angle. It's about people speaking out. It's about the ACLJ amplifying their voices, their freedom of speech, their First Amendment right when protecting their other constitutional rights. All these things work together to create successes like this and to create an environment where people at the Department of Health and Human Services can even know about this. Because if it isn't for this public advocacy, for speaking out, for you all sharing it and watching this broadcast and commenting and liking that gets this information to more and more people, That also is a major reason why something like this can even occur, that HHS can even see it and then be able to take action. So once again, that's why thanks to the media team, thanks to the attorneys, but also thanks to you, the viewer, the donor, the champion, those of you make it possible for this work to even happen.
SPEAKER 07 :
All right. We're going to take some more calls coming up. Is Ann ready? Is she clear? Can you, can we double check that just to make sure? Yeah, she is. Okay. We're going to go to Ann who is calling in France right now and you're on the air.
SPEAKER 01 :
Okay. So glad I have a question of your opinion. I would take, I heard it, I read it this morning and I agree with it. I would take a bullet for president Trump, but I am not happy with him taking this jet from the Qatar and I want your opinion.
SPEAKER 07 :
Yeah, I mean, I think this is a conversation that a lot of people should be having and going, okay, what is our relationship going to be like with a lot of our partners and friends in the Middle East? Are they friends? Are they not friends? Where do those lines get drawn? I think President Trump has created a much different negotiation tactic in terms of how he works with these countries. So look, you may like it, you may not like it. I don't think I know enough information, enough facts yet to say I have an opinion one way or the other. Of course, when you read the headline, the headline makes you cringe a little, and that's okay. And then you can make up your own mind and decide what it actually looks like. Of course, he's saying, hey, it's going to save us a bunch of money. Why wouldn't we? I can see that point of view and I can also see yours, Ann, that goes, you know, you love President Trump, but maybe this isn't the right path. It's OK to call it out when you feel like it.
SPEAKER 03 :
Well, and I think that point as well about we've only seen headlines at this point. I think that depending on what this ends up, it could be something that gives the left a problematic issue that they can pounce on. And I think that's the key details are what we don't have to know what it's going to be like, because the Qataris also have said they're a different version of what's being reported in The New York Times. And I think whenever you see a headline in the New York Times before anything has been announced, you have to take it with a grain of salt. And so, therefore, could it be a lease or a purchase? Now, there is one thing. We do have an ally in Qatar. However, we also know that Qatar is a very problematic nation. They are a major finance center for terrorism. They've allowed Hamas to live there. Some of that has been strategic planning so people could keep an eye on Hamas. But they aren't necessarily what you consider the best friend in the region.
SPEAKER 07 :
I don't know the connection or if there is a connection. But when you have something like Alexander getting released on the same day or couple days that this happens as well, I don't necessarily think that this is it. President Trump, again, working a bit three dimensionally and trying to figure out ways to negotiate and work with people and also getting deals done. You may not like it. It may throw it off. Number one, I want to say, Anne, thanks for watching from France. I appreciate that as well. We have the European Center, the ECLJ. You know, we don't talk about this show is worldwide. Thanks to YouTube. Thanks to Rumble. Thanks to these platforms. It's really amazing. We were able to reach all around the world. But I think we have to also look at how this president has worked at getting out the hostages in Israel. But as Will said, the New York Times, you've got to be a little more careful with too, because really their reporting, even for Eden Alexander, was a bit leaning in towards he is the last hostage. and really it was the last american living hostage uh there's still potentially many more that are alive but the new york times almost wrote it off as all right we got our last person out so what we're going to continue supporting this war uh a real weird flex coming in but let's uh let's go ahead and maybe take some more calls before we get to rick renell coming in the next segment yeah let's go ahead and go to royce on line one from colorado royce you're on the air
SPEAKER 05 :
Yes, this jet that the president is accepting is a nothing burger here. He's accepting it for the country and not himself and anything that. CNN or the New York Times or ABC, NBC report on that they want to stir up some trouble there. I go the exact opposite direction. All they're doing is trying to make trouble.
SPEAKER 07 :
Royce, I don't know about this exact topic, whether you like it or not like it, but I will say this. President Trump's most successful campaign since 2016. is calling out the news and saying, you know, really coming up with the whole fake news mantra that I believe had huge impact, by the way, on those platforms. Because where we would all be concerned about what the New York Times was going to say, we'd be concerned about what all of these news outlets were going to say. What's MSNBC going to say? You know what he said? He said, they're lying to you. And you know what? Most people, their eyes were opened and they saw through it. So now, if the New York Times wants to say something horrible about what's going on right now, maybe with the HHS launching this investigation and the ACLJ, whatever. Doesn't matter because we know people like you are listening smarter than that and know they are writing from their agenda and their side. So I can say without a doubt that has been something that has been very, very successful from President Trump.
SPEAKER 03 :
Now, I will say one other thing about this jet before we move on, and that is the. The main reason he's looking for another option is he commissioned a new Air Force One, which is 40 years old, back in his first term. Boeing has gone billions of dollars over budget already and still probably won't even be ready to have a jet by the time he leaves office. But I will also caution this. While Trump doesn't care what the New York Times says to some degree, The Democrats are going to run in the midterms on impeaching Trump. Mark my words, you already see Senator Ossoff from Georgia saying he would support it. So a senator. So where he has to be careful is before the midterms, if people try to find something that, like a trumped-up phone call during the first impeachment, if they can rally behind that as Democrats and win in the House of Representatives, it completely wipes out the second part of his term because they will just be trying to impeach him again. So there are some areas to maybe keep caution in for that very reason.
SPEAKER 07 :
All right, phone lines are pretty much closed. Unfortunately, we're not going to be able to take any more calls because coming up in the next segment... Our friend, colleague Rick Grinnell will be joining us. You're not going to want to miss that. We're going to talk about President Trump's trip currently in Saudi Arabia and so much more. We'll be right back. Welcome back to Sekulow. Rick Grinnell is going to be joining us in just a moment, but I wanted to take us to Saudi Arabia right now. President Trump just ended his speech in Riyadh, and he mentioned, not only mentioned, spent a good portion of his time talking about the Abraham Accord, something that's kind of controversial, I'd say, to just bring up and really take a bold stand about it. Let's hear from President Trump, and then we'll get reaction from Rick Grinnell.
SPEAKER 02 :
And with the historic Abraham Accords that we're so proud of, all the momentum was aimed at peace. And it aimed very successfully. It's been an amazing thing, the Abraham Accords. And it's my fervent hope, wish, and even my dream that Saudi Arabia, a place I have such respect for, especially over the last... fairly short period of time, what you've been able to do, but will soon be joining the Abraham Accords. I think it'll be a tremendous tribute to your country, and it will be something that's really going to be very important for the future of the Middle East. I took a risk in doing them, and they've been an absolute bonanza for the countries that have joined. The Biden administration did nothing for four years. We would have had it filled out. But it will be a special day in the Middle East with the whole world watching when Saudi Arabia joins us. And you'll be greatly honoring me. And you'll be greatly honoring all of those people that have fought so hard for the Middle East. And I really think it's going to be something special. But you'll do it in your own time. And that's what I want. And that's what you want. And that's the way it's going to be.
SPEAKER 07 :
All right, Rick, I want to get your immediate feedback. Of course, this is coming from President Trump in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia right now saying, hey, we want you to join the Abraham Accords. We want you to be a part of that peacemaking history. And hopefully we'll get you there soon. Another Trump negotiation tactic to say that clearly from that stage.
SPEAKER 08 :
I think I think the reality is, is that the Saudis. Can you hear me? Sorry about that. There was a delay. OK, no problem. I think the reality is, is that we would have had the Saudis in the Abraham Accords already if we didn't have a Biden administration that had funded the Iranian regime and terrorism to create this war in the Middle East. We were on a path of peace with Donald Trump. Remember, Donald Trump handed Joe Biden peace in the Middle East and peace in Europe. Joe Biden turned around and handed Donald Trump a war in Europe and a war in the Middle East. And so this has greatly impacted the historic Abraham Accords, the peace accords between Arabs and Israelis, because now we have war. between Arabs and Israelis. And we've got to fix this. And I think that's what President Trump is saying. In due time, we need to fix this. So as soon as we bring peace, as soon as Donald Trump brings peace to the Middle East, I think you'll see the Saudis quickly forge a peace agreement in Abraham Accord with the Israelis.
SPEAKER 03 :
Rick, I was planning on asking you, you know, we had all of these big moves yesterday, whether it be the prescription drug pricing executive order, the deal in framework with China and also the release of Eden Alexander by Hamas without having to give any terrorists back to Hamas for that. But. I was going to say, hey, now that President Trump's in the Middle East, do you think we could expect any more fireworks or something like this, some big announcements? But right off the bat, before I even got to ask you the question, we see him on stage in Saudi Arabia making this bold statement. But I guess I still will ask, do you think there's more to come as he goes on this tour of the Middle East and using his style, his very straightforward and special negotiation tactics, that we could see some other big announcements coming this week?
SPEAKER 08 :
I think there's no question that you're going to see a lot more big announcements. Donald Trump likes to make news, and he understands that when you're on a foreign trip like this, you need to make some news. And so there's no question we will see more. And I think it's going to be around this idea that President Trump just said, which I think will go down in history as an amazing line from so far this trip, which is we want, Donald Trump said, we want commerce, not chaos. We want technology, not chaos. more terrorism. And to have it put so succinctly that we're here for the economics, for the benefit of the family getting jobs and stability is so unique coming from a president that I think people will remember this and certainly the welcome that he's been receiving so far in Riyadh has just been unbelievable.
SPEAKER 07 :
That's right. It's not just in Washington, D.C. It's just not around our nation. We do have to make sure that we're involved in the global stage. Not only the ACLJ, but obviously the president and everything that goes on. We had an administration that felt like though they would spend some time in the Middle East here and there and kind of speak out of both sides of their mouth. They were not willing to actually get things done. Sit down, negotiate. It was all propaganda media campaigns. And now we're seeing a president actually using those negotiation tactics that we brought him in for. And you have things like Alexander getting free, the American hostage in Gaza. We've seen a lot of movement. In the Middle East. And again, it could be a very controversial time to be over there and to be part of it. And of course, he brings along a group like Elon Musk and Sean Hannity, all these people to really experience what it's like in these nations to not just deal with what's going on within our own walls and understand the global impact.
SPEAKER 08 :
And look, he has Secretary of State Marco Rubio with him. He has Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. He has a team with him that really knows how to solve problems and bring about peace rather than the chaos that we've had for the last four years. I think the Saudis, the Emiratis, the Qataris are very thankful that Donald Trump is concentrating on this region and making sure that we are bringing about commerce, not chaos.
SPEAKER 07 :
Some comments come in and like, well, what about what's going on in the States? Don't we need to make sure that we're focused on that, that we actually do have the resources and the time going on. And look, I was just in your home state of California this weekend with my son. It was one of his maybe second or third trip out to Southern California. And he was telling me he had sort of fallen in love with that area of the country and now being out there. though there is that push of going okay i see the way he connects with it i see the way people are commenting uh we need to not forget what's going on in our country and of course you have been trying to fix that state now for quite some time so i'm going to need you to do that for my kids
SPEAKER 08 :
Look, California is an amazing state and we just have had terrible leadership. We have leadership that tells us to take quick showers because we don't have enough water and we don't have enough water to fight a fire, but we live on the ocean. And so it just doesn't make sense to people. I think people are really over the fact that the leadership is nuts in California. And now you've got Gavin Newsom pretending that we all have to do something about homelessness after fanning the flames and really taking money. billions of dollars and just basically lighting it up in in a fire because it's been so wasted on homeless programs uh it's a whole industry it's a whole racket i actually think that the fbi should go investigate this the spending on homelessness in california to see the abuse the corruption the scandals and and that this all comes from a leader like gavin newsom I also think it's quite funny that Gavin Newsom is flirting with the idea of running for president. The idea that he's going to be in Wisconsin or Michigan or Pennsylvania and try to sell the California ways.
SPEAKER 07 :
Not going to happen. Rick, thank you so much for joining us. We always appreciate your guidance, your support, and of course, anything we do for you, let us know. Go to ACLJ.org to support the work right now. Thanks to our incredible media team for getting us into action. They did a great job on this, and that's because of you. Go to ACLJ.org today.
In this episode of The Good News with Angie Austin, listeners are taken on a journey filled with personal stories and life lessons. Angie and guest Jim Stovall dive into the beauty and chaos of traveling during childhood, touching on the unique character of Oklahoma City. They candidly discuss the importance of setting higher standards for oneself amidst the noise and comparisons often fueled by social media. This segment is a heartfelt reminder of the resilience and determination needed to overcome life's hurdles.
SPEAKER 01 :
Welcome to The Good News with Angie Austin. Now, with The Good News, here's Angie.
SPEAKER 03 :
Hey, it's Angie Austin and Jim Stovall with The Good News. Thanks so much for joining us. Hello, Jim Stovall.
SPEAKER 05 :
Well, hello, Angie Austin. It is always a high point in my week to visit with you.
SPEAKER 04 :
You know, I think that I was, you know, I've been to most of the states, right? Because actually, as dysfunctional as my childhood was, we actually did move around and travel a fair amount because my dad was a professor you know a high a drinking professor but we you know moved around anyway and we took some vacations in our car you know six of us in like a Volkswagen hatchback you know shoved in there I remember once I had to like uh kind of sleep across all of my brother's laps because there was no room you know to who travels like that right who travels like that I was like seven anyway I so I think I went to Oklahoma if if I recall correctly for the first time this weekend
SPEAKER 05 :
Well, great. I think everyone in life should have something to look forward to, and coming to Oklahoma is a good thing.
SPEAKER 04 :
There's like a brick district or river district there in Oklahoma City where, you know, you can take a boat down the river and then there's all these shots. It really was beautiful.
SPEAKER 05 :
Yeah, Bricktown is there. Yes, that was it. And you're lucky you came over the weekend. Were you there today and tomorrow? Oklahoma City is in the NBA championship and the playoffs. And that area turns into, oh, it's an amazing carnival atmosphere, but it's a bit of a zoo.
SPEAKER 04 :
No, I don't appreciate you putting salt in my wound because I was actually there at the end of the Oklahoma Nuggets game when the Nuggets were losing and we were the only Nuggets fans in sight.
SPEAKER 05 :
Oh, and that was not a pretty game, the one you were there, the previous one, because they lost by 50, but...
SPEAKER 04 :
No, I was there for the one where we just lost by a few yesterday. Not so bad. Not so bad. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yes, you're right. So it wasn't a home game. It was actually in Denver, and I was, oddly enough, in Oklahoma City. But, yeah, it was a cool experience. I'd like to come back when we're not just there for a weekend. And my kids, my daughter made, oh, I'll have to send it to you. She made a Caitlin Clark half-court shot. It was pretty funny. wow yeah send me that yeah yeah it was uh it was it was funny because she just turned around like nothing happened right but then one of her teammates did a dance like that i mean like one of the best dances ever but my daughter acted like she hadn't even made the shot you know she's funny she's like there's no time for celebration you got to move on to the next shot but it was like the light came on right because i think it was the end of the um it was halftime so like the light went on like a second after she made the shot so it was pretty funny it was kind of Reminded me of Aaron Gordon's shots that he makes or Jamal Murray. I'm not going to mention any of the Oklahoma guys, but I actually think your guy is probably going to get MVP for the NBA, don't you? I do, yeah. Yeah, I think so, especially because our poor guy, Jokic, has been having a little bit of a hard time. All right, so let's forget about basketball for a minute. Let's go back to your article titled Higher Standard. Tell us about this one.
SPEAKER 05 :
Well, you know, I think one of the biggest problems we have in our society today is comparing ourselves to everyone else. We get social media, we get everything else. But then when we're not performing well or when we criticize, and particularly the political environment has created this, We have a tendency to blame other people, you know, and it's almost endemic. You catch a politician not telling the truth in D.C. and you confront them with that. They say, well, they lied over there across the aisle. They lied worse than we did. And then you lied before I lied. And, you know. I mean, you can always look good if you compare yourself to somebody. I mean, everybody's better than Hitler. I mean, and if you're not careful, it's a race to the bottom. I mean, you know, okay, I didn't do good, but I did better than that guy. Well, that's not the standard we should hold ourselves to. We really need to, you know, have a higher standard. And really, when we come down to it, the only standard that really matters is comparing ourselves against... that which we know we should be, you know, look at our talents and abilities and, and how are we doing compared to, you know, what we've been given in this life?
SPEAKER 04 :
You know, I, um, I you and I've talked so much about losing your eyesight and maybe I can compare in that I had a really difficult start with my family. We wouldn't be who we are had we not faced these difficulties. And, you know, you develop the grit, et cetera. And you say your life is even better had you not gone through what you went through, you know, with losing your eyesight and being such a tremendous athlete. And then, you know, you know, then having to really just completely pivot, you know, in your life. And I think with me just having such appreciation for my post 18 years. And in fact, I said to my husband the other day, I said, oh, I think this summer I'm going to get to see my foster sisters and my foster mom. And he goes, you had a foster sister? Because I was saying that one of them, I was really close to, we were the same age. And I'm like, that's how little, Jim, in the 20-some-plus years I've been with my husband, that's how little I talk about the negative stuff that I went through. Yeah. That at 20-some, our kids are almost grown. And he said, you have a foster sister? You know, like, he was just, like, dumbfounded. And I think I mentioned I was in foster care a couple of times, you know, not through my own doing. It was due to my parents' doing, per se. Yeah. But anyway, so those difficulties make me so appreciative of my life now that not many days are bad days now.
SPEAKER 05 :
Yeah, and opportunities come disguised as problems. You know, when you find anybody that has succeeded in life, they found a problem and solved it. They found a need and filled it. That's how we succeed in the marketplace. And, you know, rarely do you see somebody, they had an easy life, a great life, everything was handed to them, and then they built on top of that. Most times people have overcome certain things, right? And those things make you strong. I remember the last time I competed as an Olympic weightlifting champion. And my coach knew I was going blind. And I thanked him for training me. We were done. And he said, look, I don't know the challenges you're going to face from here on as a blind guy. But always remember, a guy that can do what you just did can do anything.
SPEAKER 1 :
Yes.
SPEAKER 05 :
Yes. When I wrote The Ultimate Gift and when we made the movie, that great scene with Brian Dennehy, when this young guy builds this fence that goes off into the distance and out of sight over the horizon. Brian Dennehy said, look, a man that can build a good fence can do anything. Just remember that. And I think sometimes we have to build those up in our little success library in our mind and remember, okay, someday when it gets tough, I'm going to remember this. And a man or a woman that can do this can do whatever I need to do. And so the challenges you went through have made the Angie that we all know and love.
SPEAKER 04 :
You know, I think about The Ultimate Gift, and it just popped in my head, and I'm sure someone's probably told you this a million times when I think about the movie and the success you had with that and how high that book ranks in the all-time Christian booksellers or inspirational books. Yeah. And then, you know, how successful the movie was and that some guy tried to take your movie rights and with your books and you're like, no, no, let me have the movie rights. And then you laughed later because he didn't think you'd make a dime off the movie rights. And you made millions with, I think, 20th Century Fox, if I recall correctly. All right, so I was thinking about you as an athlete, and this is just a total sidebar. I'm going to take a complete right turn here, and then we'll get back to higher standard. But I'm dying to tell you, because I know how bruised you were after your football games, right? Like you look like you were in a car accident, right?
SPEAKER 05 :
Yeah.
SPEAKER 04 :
Okay. So my daughter, Faith, a complete right turn here, had so many bruises and cut seven from a really rough game where I really truly believe this girl got angry and was trying to hurt her and was trying to hurt other players. And I can't believe she didn't get fouled out, but, um, My daughter took so many spills and so many cuts and they were mocking her saying, like, is that all you know how to do is flop? Because she's not that big. And so she does go down pretty easily. Anyway, she went to school the next day and the kid said, wow, what did your parents beat you up? And she goes, oh, yeah. And the teacher looked at her and she had seven bruises and cuts and she goes. oh, great, now I have to turn you in, you know, because you have to be investigated by child social services now because you're so beat up. And I was like, oh, my gosh, I sent all my relatives the picture. I said, I want to go on the record. The social services might be visiting us. And I just want to show you what faith looks like. And this is all due to the game. Like, it was ridiculous, Jim. But, you know, all this this grit that you get through, you're going blind, which, you know, you can't compare to a game. Me having that horrible childhood with all the drug use and abuse and the cursing and the dysfunction and the murdered brother and the institutionalized brother and like all of that. Right. And then just the grit of being an athlete and getting through each game, not giving up. Cause I wanted to pull her and take her home. Cause I said, Mark, she's got to get hurt. And she actually did get hurt on the very last play of the game. Not enough that she was out the next day, but the coach thought that she was going to be out for a because of her knee and ankle. Anyway, these things that you go through, what did you say, adversity is a chance to improve, to get better?
SPEAKER 05 :
Yeah, I mean, that which does not destroy us makes us stronger. And that can be anything. It's you growing up in a dysfunctional family. It's me being blind. It's a kid getting beat up in a competition. You know, we're all only as big as the smallest thing it takes to divert us from who we need to be.
SPEAKER 04 :
Someone I read the other day said, if you ask me who I'm going to hire, if I'm hiring and I ask if you were a student athlete and for how long, like if you made it as a student athlete through high school and then through college, are you kidding me? Like that's the stuff I want in an employee. That's somebody who doesn't give up. That's someone who can problem solve. That's someone who can work with a team. Like all of these adversities just help build you and give us those skills to get through life where we don't give up, where that rock is in the middle of the river and we figure out how to, you know, repel it or, you know, go around it or build a bridge over it.
SPEAKER 05 :
Oh, absolutely. You know, the people who have won in the past and have overcome in the past. are the people that are going to do it in the future. And, you know, success leaves footprints and all you got to do is follow them. And the people who have been successful at little things will be successful at grand things in the future.
SPEAKER 04 :
I can't believe how you met John Wooden, your great friend and mentor, the late great coach John Wooden, later in life and how you got to be like one of his friends, that you got to talk to him so much. And you talk about him in this article and you often talk about him. So what is it that you bring up in this article about John?
SPEAKER 05 :
Well, I think the standard we need to look at is his standard, what would I do right now if I was amazing? Was that my best effort? Not adequate, not good. What would I do right now if I was amazing? Before you undertake any task, you do your radio show, you make a phone call, you go to a meeting, you do anything. What would I do right now if I were amazing? What would I do if I decided to make this day the focal point of my life? Something I'm going to do today is going to be transformational. And if you go out with that kind of attitude, and every time you have an opportunity to interact with somebody, you say, what would I do if I was amazing? Now, I've had people say, Jim, what if you're just doing something that doesn't matter? Then don't do it at all. I mean, if it doesn't matter, don't do it. If it matters enough to do, to take your time, effort, and energy, go be amazing. Just be amazing. You know, right now the bar in our society is so low that, you know, I mean, I referred a guy the other day to a neighbor of mine, and I said, you know, the guy shows up on time, does a good work, and bills you what he said he would. And the guy said, isn't it sad that that's now a great recommendation? I mean, just to meet the expectation, just... Because most people don't show up on time, they don't do good work, and they try to charge you more than they said they would.
SPEAKER 04 :
Now, you talk about your grandpa in this too. Like if I could come back in another life, which of course as a Christian I'm not planning on that, I would want to be your sister and grow up in your family. But what did your grandpa tell you about opinions?
SPEAKER 05 :
Well, you know, nobody really wants your opinion, including those people that ask for it. Most people just want you to endorse what they're doing right now. And, you know, before anybody asks me for my opinion, I always say, do you really want my opinion? Or do you want me to just... congratulate you for doing what you've done and leave you alone i i get books uh oh three or four a week from aspiring authors and they want me to review this and i always tell them you know i don't know any more than anyone else i i look at your book as i would if i were a reader not a writer and you know but uh if somebody sends me a book and cares that much you know we'll go through a couple of pages and i'll i'll tell them you know the writing seems good or um you know or not but uh You know, and I generally tell them you need to find an editor, and, you know, but so did Ernest Hemingway. He had to have an editor. So, I mean, it doesn't mean you can't write, but, you know, I am slow to give my opinion on anything unless I'm really asked.
SPEAKER 04 :
Well, I want people to find you at jimstowball.com. So appreciate you, friend. Thank you. You're the best.
SPEAKER 02 :
Arc Thrift has the summer clothing and household items you need. With 5,000 new items on the floor every day in 35 locations across Colorado, Arc Thrift also needs your donations of houseware, small furniture, electronics, and kitchen items. Donate generously and check out their stores. They're looking for small electronics like alarm clocks and radios and all types of home goods that could include lamps, side tables, blenders, food processors, and more. Clothing is always a need for families, and Arc Thrift knows how quickly kids grow out of their clothes every season. They have clothing for all ages and times of the year. For any large furniture, you can schedule an online pickup with Arc Thrift. And as long as there's a large furniture pickup, you can give them up to 20 boxes or bags for free. Go to arcthrift.com to schedule your large furniture pickup and to find the nearest location to you. That's arcthrift.com.
SPEAKER 03 :
Lakewood is locked in to the mighty 670 KLT Denver.
SPEAKER 04 :
Hey friend, welcome to The Good News with Angie Austin. You know we are all animal lovers here at The Good News. I'm sure you're well aware. And today we are talking about protecting our pets from common diseases, including Lyme disease and heartworm, and talking about locations that might have, you know, more prevalence of these diseases. Joining us is Dr. Brad Ryan, Senior Professional Services Veterinarian with Antec. Welcome, Dr. Ryan.
SPEAKER 06 :
Hi, thank you so much. I'm happy to be here.
SPEAKER 04 :
Okay, so I'm familiar with this because my favorite childhood dog, Teddy, which, Doc, is so weird. Yesterday, my kids, I was going through this special drawer and I had to move things around. And they're like, what's this? And I'm like, oh, it seems weird, but that's Teddy. You know, and so we just were talking about Teddy and Teddy had Lyme disease. And so I'm very well aware of it. And it's such a sad thing. So will you give us kind of an overview of these VBDs, these vector borne diseases? Right.
SPEAKER 06 :
Yeah. I had a dog that had Lyme disease as well. So I understand how hard that is. Vector-borne diseases are diseases that are transmitted by biting insects. So primarily we're concerned with mosquitoes that transmit heartworm disease. Most owners have heard of that one. And then we have ticks that are spreading all across North America, and they're bringing their diseases with them. So that includes not just Lyme disease but also anaplasmosis, which is transmitted by the same tick that transmits Lyme, by the way, and ehrlichiosis, which we have all over the south of the United States, and it's moving north every year. So those are the main ones that we're worried about in North America. And because our winters are warming up and we're seeing an increase in temperatures around the year, people move around, they travel with their pets on vacation and so forth. So we just never know where the next little hotspot is going to emerge for any of these VBDs.
SPEAKER 04 :
Now, why are we seeing an increase in them? Is that due to some of the travel and the movement, climate? Why are we seeing that increase?
SPEAKER 06 :
Climate's a big one. So we're seeing that It depends on the disease that we're talking about, but we have more heartworm, more ehrlichia in the south, but that's moving north throughout the country every year. We've had historically hot spots of Lyme disease and anaplasmosis in New England as well as the upper Midwest, so Minnesota, Wisconsin. And over the last decade, decade and a half, we've seen this bridging, right? So Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, these are all emerging hot spots for Lyme as well. California is seeing an increase in anaplasmosis. It's spreading a lot faster than Lyme is. But really, I think basically wherever you are in the United States or Canada, you should assume that your pet is at risk of exposure to these diseases year-round. And that's why it's so important that you have a communication with your veterinarian about the risk.
SPEAKER 04 :
Okay, this is going to seem like a silly question, but I go outside with my five pets together in the yard and two ragdoll cats and three Pomeranians. Okay, so when we go out together, the cats come in and out when I tell them to come in and out with the dogs. So the five of us are out there in the backyard, and I live in the Rocky Mountain region, so lots of big fir trees and elk come in the yard and deer and coyotes, foxes. So with that said... Are the cats at the same risk, I know this is a silly question, as the dogs?
SPEAKER 06 :
Cats are able to get heartworm disease. Cats can have Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, but they seem to have a more resilient response to those exposures. So we certainly are not out of the woods, so to speak, with our cats, but we see these diseases far more commonly in our canine companions.
SPEAKER 04 :
Now, what do we do to protect them? What can we do to remain vigilant? You said keeping in communication with our vet, but anything we should be doing at home in addition to being in communication with our vets?
SPEAKER 06 :
Well, my feeling on this is that always remember that low risk, if you happen to live in a low risk area for disease X, doesn't mean no risk. So always assume that there's some level of risk. There are very few places that I can think of in North America where there's not at least some risk. And it may not be for all four of those diseases I mentioned. We have Hot Pockets for Ehrlichia. We have Hot Pockets for heartworm disease. And then there are places like Virginia where all four diseases are a year-round threat. So I say at the end of the day, the good news about these vector-borne diseases is that we have a lot of agency in terms of making sure that our pets don't get them. So Year-round, 12 months of heartworm and flea and tick prevention is absolutely recommended for every pet in North America, as well as an annual screening test, not just for heartworm, but for all VBDs. So AcuPlex, TrueRapid4, these are some of the great tests that we offer at Antec that can ensure that your pet hasn't been exposed. And that's even more important if your pet wasn't on prevention for the last 12 months.
SPEAKER 04 :
Okay, so year-round protection and testing as well. And again, I feel like I'm pretty knowledgeable, but can our pets transmit these diseases to us?
SPEAKER 06 :
You're not going to have a situation where you pet your dog or you get your dog's saliva on you or something like that and you end up getting Lyme disease. That's not how it works. But what oftentimes happens, I'm assuming living where you are, you probably enjoy the great outdoors quite a bit. And when we share the great outdoors with our pets, these ticks are equal opportunity infectors, and they're just as likely to bite you as they are your dog. And so it's the fact that we share a lifestyle with our pets that puts us at an equal risk sometimes of being exposed to these vectors. But then we also, you've said the cats are coming in and out, the dogs are out playing, and then they come in from a hike or wherever and then into your home. And those ticks that caught a ride on your pet coming into the house, at some point, they decide to get off, and they might crawl over to you. So that's how you can end up being exposed. It's not direct transmission.
SPEAKER 04 :
Correct. I see that makes sense okay so then when we go to our vets with you know I've got five the five pets what do we ask our my good buddy kept Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald he does TV here that's how I met him we did animal house segments together that we started 25 years ago and he takes care of all my animals so what what do I say to him when I go in to visit him in terms of testing or this that and the other?
SPEAKER 06 :
Well, as it pertains to your pet, you're going to want to know when was the last time my pet was tested. And that's going to be all the more important, once again, if your pet wasn't on prevention for all 12 months of the previous year. And then from there, can I have my pet tested today? Can I have an AcuPlex run on him or her? Can I have a TrueRapid 4 done right now in the hospital so I know if my pet was exposed? And if you've had any sort of travel where you've moved outside of your community, I worked in Colorado 8,000 feet above sea level, but at some point you come down from the mountain with your pets and then the risk goes up. So travel history is important. Lifestyle is important. And then ask, what's the story in my neighborhood? What's here that wasn't here 10 years ago, 15 years ago? How are things changing?
SPEAKER 04 :
And one more question, Doug. Is this topical treatment or is it something oral or both?
SPEAKER 06 :
So on the flea and tick side, there are oral preventative medications. There are topical medications. That's going to be an individual preference, sometimes a veterinarian preference. That's certainly a conversation that I would recommend that you have with your veterinarian to decide what's best for you. There are some injectable heartworm medications that have six and 12 months of efficacy that So those are options as well for certain clients that are worried about missing that monthly prevention. So there are options. So have that conversation with your veterinarian.
SPEAKER 04 :
Well, Doc, you sure have made a right turn from your work working with the one-horned rhinoceros. I mean, you had quite a diverse career.
SPEAKER 06 :
Yeah, I started in wildlife. I worked in a rhino barn when I was 15 years old and Here we are all these years later. You know, I've spent the last five years with Antec crisscrossing the country, educating veterinarians about vector-borne diseases and other parasites. But next month I'm headed over to South Africa to help with a rhino project. So getting back to that. So life's funny. You know, you just end up sometimes back where you started and take all kinds of fun detours along the way. And that's what makes life so joyful.
SPEAKER 04 :
That's so cool, and I also relate to your national park fascination. I, too, haven't been to them all yet, and I understand that you have pretty much been to them all, right? But they're so amazing. I mean, what a blessing those national parks are to us, huh?
SPEAKER 06 :
They are. I think they're the best of America. It's a great opportunity to just connect with nature and with each other and remember that we're all human beings sharing this joyful experience of life together. And yeah, we have an amazing country. It took seven and a half years to get to all 63, but it's never worth pursuing. I did it with my grandmother.
SPEAKER 04 :
That is so cool. My cousins getting all the different stickers and doing that. But I probably am a third of where you are. All right, so I know we're out of time. I could talk to you for much longer. Where do we go for more information regarding protecting our animals?
SPEAKER 06 :
Well, you can never have too much information. So for anyone who wants to learn more about parasites, and especially parasites that can infect our dogs and cats, head to petsandparasites.org. And, of course, if you want to learn more about the diagnostic portfolio that we offer at Antec, the different options that you can ask for when you go into the veterinarian's office the next time with your pet, head to antecdiagnostics.com. That's A-N-T-E-C-H diagnostics.com.
SPEAKER 04 :
Excellent.
SPEAKER 06 :
Thanks, Doc. Thank you so much.
SPEAKER 04 :
Always love doing the animal interviews and learning more. I feel like I just got an education on prevention in terms of diseases regarding our pets. Hey, I wanted to share some good news with you as well. I thought this is a really cool story about a 17-year-old girl. She is like an incredible swimmer, and she had – a tumor on her pancreas, and then she had a friend with cancer, and she thought, you know what, I'm going to swim to raise money for pediatric cancer research. And she's raised over $150,000 for cancer research. And she wanted to swim New Zealand's Cook Strait, and it's considered one of the most dangerous stretches of open water in the world. Strong winds can produce violent storms. There's massive waves, unpredictable currents, and jellyfish. a lot of jellyfish on the surface, and of course the sharks down below. So she's 17 years old. Her name is Maya Merhage, and she was determined to cross that one. She wants to do the famous seven ocean swims, so I'll tell you about that. She's from California, and she's the youngest person ever to compete the famous ocean seven, and that really is the most daunting open water swims across the world. She did the English Channel last summer and then the Catalina Channel near Los Angeles and then the Molokai Channel in Hawaii. And then she did Cook Straight just last month, which she had to face one of her greatest fears, these jellyfish attacks. And the minute she was getting in the water, she was really scared already. Now, these marathon swimming guidelines allow her to wear a swimsuit, not a wetsuit. Now, the wetsuit would help protect her from the jellyfish and the very cold water, which peaked around 60 degrees. Now, some of her family members follow in a boat. And that Cook Strait, it's 13.67 miles. But because of the winds and the changing direction, et cetera, et cetera, it turns it into a 27-mile swim. And she did get stung a lot. The welts were just piling up on her body from these jellyfish. And she had to stop every 30 minutes to eat. And she did. I mean, she was able to do this. And she says one of the reasons she wants to do this, obviously, is to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer and all that money that she's raised. But also, she loves the idea of being able to travel all around the world. You know, she's been in Hawaii now. She just did Cook Strait. She's going to do the Strait of Gibraltar, spanning Spain and Morocco now. the North channel between Ireland and Scotland. And then she's going to do a straight in Northern Japan. And she wants to compete all of them by January of 2028. And she'll be the youngest person to have ever done it. And she says she just loves the connection with nature, helping kids fight cancer, raising money for research, and also just to experience different parts of the world and meet people in different parts of the world. I thought that was pretty inspirational. What a cool story. Hey, thanks so much for listening to The Good News. I'm Angie Austin.
SPEAKER 01 :
Thank you for listening to The Good News with Angie Austin on AM670 KLTT.
The episode navigates through the challenges facing major industries today, including the healthcare sector's setbacks and the advancements in nuclear energy. Bill Gunderson provides insights into the current health of the stock market, exploring both the short-term fluctuations and the long-term expectations for major indices. With guest experts, they examine crucial economic indicators and their broader implications, offering listeners strategies to make informed investment decisions in these turbulent times.
SPEAKER 01 :
He's been seen on CNBC, the Fox News Channel, and the Fox Business Channel. His articles can be found on MarketWatch, Seeking Alpha, TheStreet.com, and many other places. He's the author of the weekly Best Stocks Now newsletter and the inventor of the Best Stocks Now app. He's president of Gundersen Capital Management. Here is professional money manager Bill Gundersen.
SPEAKER 05 :
And welcome to the Tuesday, May the 13th, 2025 edition of the Best Stocks Now show with professional money manager Bill Gunderson, president of Gunderson Capital Management. I'm here with our CFA and CFP, Barry Kite, and we have a mixed open for the market today. The stocks that got left behind yesterday, which were mostly the leaders in the market so far, are doing well today, and the stocks that did well yesterday, mostly the stocks that have been left behind so far this year, had their day in the sun. Today it's the Dow that's down 138. After a 1,000-point day yesterday, the NASDAQ is up 184, however, and there's where your leadership stocks of 2025 are coming back into focus today. The NASDAQ is up 1% right now. The S&P 500 kind of splitting it right down the middle between the Dow and the NASDAQ. It's up 0.5% right now. Small caps are up 40 basis points right now. The bond market is flat. We did have a big jump in interest rates yesterday and a steepening of the yield curve big time. I want to talk about what that means. Today, the 10-year is at 4.47. Gold, which got hit pretty hard yesterday, I think 3%. It's up a quarter of a percent today to 32.34%. And we've got Bitcoin down $800 to $103,500. So welcome to today's Best Stocks Now show with professional money manager Bill Gunderson, president of Gunderson Capital Management. And I'm here with Barry Kite, our chartered financial analyst. And, you know, we had that 1,100-point day yesterday in the Dow. The only thing I can say, it wasn't really the leadership stocks, the so-called momentum darlings. It was more of the industrials, the trucking stocks, the financials, things like that that were really worried. And retail stocks, oversold retail stocks. Retail stocks that had been clobbered over worries of... The tariff war with China. Now, today we're getting those leadership stocks popping. And the ones that went up yesterday are lagging the market today. The NASDAQ yesterday was up 779. But remember, there's a lot of non-tech stocks. in that NASDAQ, and they were the ones that led the way yesterday. A lot of logistics.
SPEAKER 06 :
It seems like if you just follow the supply chain, any part of the supply chain, right? And I feel like those things certainly, you had some of those shippers like Zim were up, you know, what, 16%, 18% at certain points during the day yesterday.
SPEAKER 01 :
Yeah.
SPEAKER 06 :
And some of your laggards. I mean, you had some of your things that have been kind of beat down, some of the folks that kind of didn't put out a guidance or change some of their guidance. Obviously, the 90-day tariff pause will change their earnings to likely rising, making them go up, right?
SPEAKER 05 :
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, so it was the logistics. So we underperformed the market yesterday, but today we're outperforming the market. So every once in a while, even the dogs have their day in the sun, and that's kind of what happened yesterday. The steepening of the yield curve is quite breathtaking right now. You've now got a gap. You've got the 10-year at 4.46, the 2-year at 3.76. We're now 70 basis points down. Between the two-year and the 10-year, Barry, you can tell the folks what that is discounting and what that all means.
SPEAKER 06 :
Yeah, right. I mean, you've got the, in terms of, you know, the CPI where we had, you know, you saw that this morning, too, with the, you know, we had a point came in 0.2 for the month. It was supposed to be 0.3. As interest rates have risen, right, and I haven't looked at rates yet since the CPI report came out.
SPEAKER 05 :
It's flat. They're flat.
SPEAKER 06 :
Yeah, okay, not much of a movement. But, yeah, I mean, you had, you know, the rates yesterday, you know, popped up, and that's because, number one, you get to move, you know, fight from safety, right, moving over to the risk side, which does – bumps rates up. And as you bump those rates up, of course – You know, some PEs come down, and so some of your higher PE names yesterday didn't necessarily participate because of you had that interest rate offset, I think.
SPEAKER 05 :
And the other thing it means is the market is downplaying the chances of a recession big time.
SPEAKER 06 :
Oh, yeah, huge. So, you know, that was the big deal. Almost, you know, I heard Apollo. I mentioned it yesterday, Apollo. Slott from Apollo, he mentioned basically they took recession off the table based on even just a 90-day pause. I think he's saying no matter, basically he was kind of saying in the interview, no matter what happens after 90 days, even though he does expect obviously some progress, that Just that 90 days, right, will essentially kind of take, quote-unquote, the actual definition of a recession off the table, at least for this year.
SPEAKER 05 :
Yes. And so, you know, I mean, Jerome Powell should be cutting rates. The inflation's going down. The chances of a recession are nil and none. And he should be cutting rates now. But, you know, he's playing it very, very cautious. European markets flat after Monday's big rally. But they did rally yesterday. We have more earnings reports here today. Quite a few. We've got some interesting ones like Under Armour, JD.com, Sea Limited reported, and a few others that were quite impressive. Tomorrow is going to be Cisco. which is the epitome of a soggy stock these days. And then on Thursday, the big one is going to be Walmart. And, you know, I'm sure they're helped. And Alibaba also is going to report on Thursday as we wind down this current earnings season. Apparently, one of the parts of that China deal, and let's see how the stock is reacting today. Yeah, it's breaking out. Boeing. The Boeing breakout. That's what's going on today. Boeing could not get through that 185, 188 area. It's hitting 204 today. Boeing has gone on a tear. It's up about 80 points. That's about 60%.
SPEAKER 06 :
It was literally 136 on April 4th.
SPEAKER 05 :
Yeah, and now it's at 204. And apparently those planes, remember someone else was going to come in and buy them and blah, blah, blah. Well, China has lifted the delivery ban.
SPEAKER 06 :
Okay, so they're taking them now.
SPEAKER 05 :
I guess they had like a no parking sign out there in front of where they received the Boeing jets, you know. No parking for now. You're going to have to land somewhere else. And apparently Boeing didn't resell those planes somewhere else. China accounts for roughly 10% of Boeing's commercial backlog right now. I didn't realize, I've seen planes over there parked on their... their delivery tarmac that say southeast China. A lot of those are for Taiwan, okay, not CCP China. Yeah, right.
SPEAKER 06 :
No, exactly. And it's funny, I mean, when you drive by there, I mean, you see planes from all over the world flagged. I mean, you've seen Saudi Arabia. Israeli flag sitting right next to, you know. It's weird. Very strange. It's interesting. So there's a lot of... I mean, I love driving by there because you never know what you're going to see.
SPEAKER 05 :
The sign painter's got to have all the right colors and the logos right to paint those logos on those planes and make sure he doesn't get them mixed up, right?
SPEAKER 06 :
Some of the airlines I can't even pronounce. I've seen a couple over there that are a little bit of a different alphabet, you know what I mean?
SPEAKER 05 :
Pretty incredible. We build those things right here. Now, not from head to toe. I know some of the parts are flown in from Seattle, but they're tricked out and they're finished right here just a few miles from where we live at the big Boeing plant. Okay, now, so apparently China Airlines is expected to take 25 of the 30 remaining 2023 737 MAX jets and at least four 777 freighters. Those are huge. And Boeing stock is doing very, very well right now. That should have been in my value fund.
SPEAKER 06 :
Up 50%. I mean, literally up 50% since April 4th. But we've talked about it before. It takes to pull the trigger on that one, right? I mean, you're going against a lot of headwinds that had been out there.
SPEAKER 05 :
They've had their issues big time. All right, so now CPI inflation is the next big story that comes in once a month. And, you know, that's good news. I mean, inflation rises. It still rose less than expected. It was only 0.2. If you annualize that, that's 2.4. And that's within the Fed's 2% to 3% target range. So, you know, I don't know why he's being so hesitant to give us at least a quarter point rate hike. Maybe a between meeting, I mean rate cut, a between meeting rate cut. But now, obviously, he's got the market doing just fine, and it's getting expensive again. We'll talk about that when we come back. It's the Best Stocks Now show. Dan, welcome back here to the second quarter of today's Best Docs Now show. Well, airfares have dropped 8% versus this same time last year. You know, I did notice as I shopped and did my own logistics for the Cleveland trip, I did notice that it seemed cheaper for airline tickets. They were really getting kind of crazy, ridiculously priced. I did notice a little bit better, and it's confirmed here today by how they have been dropping. So it is good to see that inflation seems to be under control right now. Now, prices aren't coming down. Not going up as fast. Right. That's the bad news. Okay.
SPEAKER 06 :
I did see something on the airline side, which brought some of the prices down, too, is the fares, I guess, coming back from, say, places from Europe and other places have been cheaper simply because folks haven't, with the tariffs and things, folks haven't, overseas hasn't had their travels shut down, kind of closed down from coming to visit the U.S.,
SPEAKER 05 :
Well, Trump says he won, and she says that he won. Trump's stance is that we achieved... I would just say, I have to take my hat off to Scott Besson. It's not normally the Treasury Secretary's job to be the trade negotiator for a country, but he obviously has a lot of say, and I'm glad he does, because he's kind of the... He's kind of the adult in the room, right? I mean, with all of this temper tantrum going back and forth between she. I mean, she is drama, too, and Trump is drama. And Besson is pretty level-headed, and he went in there and got both sides to simmer down and hammered out a deal. So I have to really applaud him for what he did. Trump says we've achieved a total reset with China. Well, we'll see. The biggest thing he says that we are discussing is opening up China to American business. And they've agreed to do that, but it's going to take a while to paper it. And that's another issue with China. I mean, they've promised to do things before, like buying soybeans and wheat and corn. Yeah, purchase agreements. Yeah, not following through for one reason or another.
SPEAKER 06 :
I heard Besson in an interview yesterday, yesterday morning. Basically, he said that the Chinese counterpart just told him that once the Biden administration took over, they just quit making the purchases and no one ever really said anything.
SPEAKER 05 :
Well, you know, I mean, he did say China said that Biden never reached out. Right. I mean, that's I can't remember, like rigor mortis or something like that for four years. So China just quit doing business with us.
SPEAKER 06 :
Yeah, they quit buying the soybeans that they were supposed to. So, in other words, good news is, as Besson's mentioned before, that it takes about two to, you're talking about papering a deal, he's mentioned it takes about two to three years to get a full deal. you know, comprehensive deal in place. But in this instance, they still have the framework from, you know, from the... Trump's first. Exactly. So some of those, you know, so it's going to start out as likely some of those purchase agreements, right, start occurring. And then over time, right, I mean, you've got, you know, there's a lot of different, you know, there's a million different tentacles into those kind of trade agreements. So... It'll be, to me, it's a positive, certainly a positive note.
SPEAKER 05 :
And, yeah, he says, you know, Trump says it would be fantastic for our businesses if we could go in and compete. I could manage their money. You know what? I could run portfolios for the Chinese. I don't know if Schwab would allow it, but anyways. I think a lot of our business, look at Boeing. You know, and China was trying to develop their own airline industry themselves and build their own. It's one thing to copy an iPhone. It's another thing to copy a Boeing 737 liner.
SPEAKER 06 :
That you're going through the air on, right?
SPEAKER 05 :
Yes. You go first. Now, Xi's perspective is we will resolutely uphold the multilateral trading system. There are no winners in tariff wars or trade wars. The world is undergoing a century of rapid change with multiple risks. compounding one another bullying or hegemonism that's a new one hegemonism only leads to self isolation so anyways uh china attempts to cement its superpower status and challenge the u.s on the world states and they are a formidable competitor there's no question about it i mean You know, they made the big breakthrough with their AI. They're building their own mobile phones now. They're working on chips to rival NVIDIA's chips. So, you know, we have to tip the hat to them also. Goldman Sachs cuts their recession odds. Well, that doesn't take a genius to figure that out. They've lowered their recession forecast for the U.S. to 35%. That's still too high from 45%. And they upped their S&P 500 target price. Okay, I always like to see what others are saying because I do my own every single weekend. Let's see, where is it? Okay, their new three-to-month, three- and 12-month return forecast are 1% and 11%. That's pretty much in line with where I'm at. They've got a shorter-term target price of $5,900. That's about where I am over the next 6 to 12 months, which we're almost there. We're at $5,800 now. But now we're looking ahead now. We're looking out 12 to 18 months. They've got $6,500. I think that's almost right where I'm at. And I was way ahead of you, Goldman Sachs. You're finally catching up to me. So $6,500 is their target price on the S&P 500. Now, while things are going well at Boeing, Things continue to decline at UnitedHealthcare.
SPEAKER 06 :
Yeah, did you see that?
SPEAKER 05 :
It's down 14.5%. It's plunging. This is a troubled company. And what's happening today to cause this plunge? The CEO steps down and suspends guidance. It's been all downhill for UnitedHealthcare. I mean, you had the guy murdered in a very high-profile murder. You've had them miss their earnings estimates by a long shot. And now you've got the CEO, Andrew Witte, resigning, stepping down due to personal reasons. Whatever that is, okay. So, I mean, this is an Eden Prairie, Minnesota. That's where we stay pretty much, not too far from there when we go back to Minnesota. This is a member of the Dow. So they've already named a replacement for him, and this stock is tanking.
SPEAKER 06 :
In a defensive name, I mean, it's in the health care space, which is supposed to be kind of a defensive sector. So, I mean, you've got to think if you've got kind of like some sector health care ETF, I mean, it's big enough points where it's affected ETFs.
SPEAKER 05 :
It's affected the Dow big time. This thing has been cut in half since November. It's lost 50% of its market cap. It was a $600 billion company. Now it's a $300 billion company. Some very tough times at UNH. It's not one that we own. It may be a value play at some point. I'll be watching the charts because look at the bounce you've seen in Boeing. That could happen with UNH too at some point in time. We'll be right back.
SPEAKER 04 :
I've been on the right trail, but I must choose the wrong call. Hit us in a bad place, and I wonder what it's good for. I've been in the right place.
SPEAKER 05 :
This is Bill Gunderson. Thank you for tuning in to today's Best Stocks Now, Best Inverse Funds Now show. I put several hours of research in during the wee hours of the morning each day to bring you the very best cutting edge stories that I can. To get two free weeks of my newsletter, go to GundersonCapital.com. To talk to us about our fee-based only money management services, call us at 855-611-BEST. Now back to the second half of the show.
SPEAKER 04 :
Instigator Because there's something in the air
SPEAKER 05 :
And welcome back to the second half of today's Best Stocks Now show. I wonder if the folks at Dow Jones and Company, Barry, have a stop loss on stock, right, that is in free fall. Is there a point where they say, we need to cut this thing like Intel? I mean, they wrote Intel that way down. From It's High and a few others, CVS, they rode way down from It's High.
SPEAKER 06 :
Kind of makes you think they're not invested in the index. They're just tracking it, right? Yeah, they're just tracking it. If they were invested in it, then yeah, they might have a quicker hook.
SPEAKER 05 :
But I wonder what their criteria is. I wonder how often they revisit the 30 stocks that are in there. UnitedHealthcare has been cut in half within, what, three, five months?
SPEAKER 06 :
I was looking at their institutional ownership at the break.
SPEAKER 05 :
Oh, it's heavy. It's heavy.
SPEAKER 06 :
90%, and I'm being kind because it should be 91%, it's 90.99% institutional owned between the top two, or between Vanguard and BlackRock, they own 20% of these shares.
SPEAKER 05 :
Well, I mean, Dow Jones basically sets the model for... for the big Wall Street firms because they mostly own Dow Jones industrial stocks in their portfolios. Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, AT&T, right on down the line. And they won't go much further than that with their creativity or imaginations. They just really restrict what the people can buy. Their brokers can buy. I mean, the individuals can buy whatever they want, but... They're money managers. They're guys like me. They're investment advisors. They've got a little list of stocks to buy from. And that's why you see that 90% institutional ownership. That just proves the point that I'm saying, that they over-own these big, giant, liquid stocks. Weight loss drugs may be targeted as Trump vows to cut drug prices. Well... That's something that kind of slipped through the cracks with the big day in the market yesterday. The pharmaceuticals had a bad day. Big pharma had a bad day. I listened to an interview with the FDA, the head of the FDA, the new guy, McQuarrie, I think it is. And, you know, why is it that, for instance, okay, they're talking about the GLP drugs right now. Let's see, Wagovi and Zepbound, which can exceed $1,000 per month in the U.S. retail market, yet you can go to Europe and get it for like one-tenth that price. Okay, why is that? That's price gouging. That's what that is, right? I mean, why should it cost?
SPEAKER 06 :
Well, the problem is there's no – that's the problem with all of health care, right? There's no transparency, right? I mean, and the problem is, in reality, those – so take France, for example. Let's just use them – France is paying a big – the actual country is paying a big portion of whatever the drug cost is. And then their citizen pays, you'll say, a tenth, right? So then when you look at it as – look at what the drug cost is, well, it looks like it's $100 when in reality, right, it may be $800. It's just that France paid for a good portion of that drug.
SPEAKER 01 :
Yeah, they subsidized it.
SPEAKER 06 :
It's weird. Yeah, right. And so – to figure out exactly what they're paying. I still haven't got a great answer on some of that yet, but I've been kind of digging and trying to figure it out.
SPEAKER 05 :
It's kind of the old, if you want socialism, they'll take 80. They're happy to take 80% of your income, 70% of your. Remember when the Beatles or the Rolling Stones left England for greener pastures because their tax rate was 80%. They'll be glad to take that and then choose how to distribute it back to you, and that's why they're paying less. But they're really not paying less because it's being taken from them up front in the way of taxes. But Trump highlighted the vast price disparities. He said he was having a discussion with a guy. I heard him tell him this story. He says, the guy says, I'm in London, and I just paid for this fat drug that I take. Trump quoted the man as saying, I paid $88. In New York, I paid $1,300. What the heck is going on? It's the same box made in the same plant by the same company. He described the conversation without naming the medicine. Well, it was either Zepbound or Novo Nordisk. But this could put Castapal over the weight loss drugs. So let's just take a look at what Lilly is doing today. Lilly's come to pretty much a standstill in the $750 area. I still think it's going to be a trillion-dollar company. It's $710 billion now. But as far as momentum and relative strength, Lilly has a relative strength of 27 on a scale of 1 to 99 right now. It's just lost all of its momentum because of, number one, they've got the competition with Novo Nordisk. Number two, the cost of the drug. And now, number three, Trump breathing down their neck. Why are you charging Americans $1,300 and Europeans $100? So something's got to give there. Colorado.
SPEAKER 06 :
And you talked about one of the places to save money, right, and whether it's getting more people on ZipBound to save money for Medicare. We know that's a huge cost center, and they're focused. I think certainly the administration's focused on reducing those costs in some form or fashion, and drug prices are something they're easily focused on, and all of us would like lower drug prices. Who's going to argue with that, right?
SPEAKER 05 :
Well, he's going to slash them, and You know, even Bernie Sanders agrees with Trump on this. He says he doesn't want to see an executive order. He wants to see it legislated so it's more permanent. But anyways, this is something that the Democrats couldn't not accomplish. They wanted to accomplish it, and Trump is actually going after the drug companies. Colorado Supreme Court allows Boulder, Colorado to sue Exxon and Suncor over climate change. So I guess every time it rains or floods, you know, they're going to want some money from Exxon or Suncor or, you know, freezing or whatever it is. But anyways, that's going on around the world, making these companies almost like the tobacco companies, which got hammered with lawsuits.
SPEAKER 06 :
Like charging someone for El Nino or El Nina, I guess? Yes. That seems...
SPEAKER 05 :
That's hard to prove in court, I would think. But Hawaii's doing it also with that big fire that they had in Maui. Campbell's Soup, it's about time. They're going to shake things up and try to go after a younger crowd. They're going to really energize V8. When you get a V8, it's going to be a V8. And they're going to go into the cocktail. Listen to this.
SPEAKER 06 :
I believe it. I saw something. Run this story, and I'll tell you something I saw at this store recently.
SPEAKER 05 :
You can have a bean with bacon daiquiri, you know, or a chicken noodle soup. Chicken noodle seltzer. It doesn't sound very good, but they're definitely – maybe Campbell's Soup is worth a second look here, but they've seen – you know, they're so far behind the times.
SPEAKER 06 :
I recently – yeah, recently at the store I saw Simply Orange Juice, right? Florida grown, so that's – you know, growing up in Florida, always looking for the Florida grown, right? And then I'm going through a different part of the store recently, and it was – It was these little cans, right, the tall, you know, skinny cans, and it said Simply on it, right? And I, like, look a little closer, and it was Simply Seltzer brand. And I'm like, you know, how many people have made the mistake of accidentally picking up that for the kids? So now if we've got V8, you know, energized V8 with some alcohol in it, I've got to keep your eyes out there.
SPEAKER 05 :
Even with caffeinated, you'll see your preschooler running to class. Jumping off. Hey, Mom, that's for the ride, Mom. Okay, V8 was created in 1933 by W.G. Peacock in Evanston, Illinois. It actually sounds quite good. It has carrot, celery, beet, parsley, lettuce, watercress, and spinach juice in it. And Campbell Soup bought it from him in 1948, and now it's going to get a whole new look, baby. It's just like the guy that Hanson's Natural Soda, dad, in Riverside, used to deliver this natural juice. The kids came into the company, and they made monster energy out of it, so why not? NVIDIA in focus as the Trump administration nears a Middle East AI chip deal. And I would just say that, you know, NVIDIA has kind of been unshackled here. And that chart is gorgeous on NVIDIA. And we've been saying it. Palantir is 230 PE. NVIDIA is a 40 PE ratio and even lower forward PE ratio. It just seems to me like a lot of obstacles have been taken out of NVIDIA's course here. It remains one of our largest positions at Gundersen Capital Management. It's up 5.3% today. We'll be right back. And welcome back here to the final segment of today's Best Stocks Now show. And a few other, well, here's another one that's going to invest in the U.S., Carrier Global, which builds air conditioners.
SPEAKER 06 :
We can use more in the south. I know that.
SPEAKER 05 :
I don't know where they've been building them, but they're going to invest $1 billion in U.S. manufacturing and workforce expansion. So that's another one that is coming this way. Would you lend this company money? Kohl's looks to offer $360 million of senior notes in a private offering. What's the rate? It does not say they're borrowing under its revolving credit facility to repay all of its 4.25 notes due in 2025. I've got to believe they're paying a much, much higher rate than that.
SPEAKER 06 :
Yeah, because what it is is they waited, obviously, this long. Now it's come due. Obviously, they're not in as good of a financial position. And, yeah, that's going to be a high rate. I mean, the one thing is, I guess, but if you think about it, not any debt that we would think about tackling, but if you think about it, I mean, GameStop has lasted a lot longer than we expected. I mean, Bed Bath & Beyond, I thought they were gone for like five or six years before they finally went the wayside.
SPEAKER 05 :
I wouldn't take it at any price myself. I just wouldn't do it. I don't think it's going to be around five years from now.
SPEAKER 06 :
It was Boeing. Talk about Boeing. Remember me and you threw around that? It was a note that we saw from Boeing, and it was, I don't know, it was probably six months ago now. Yeah, and it was at a decent rate. And I think the yield to worst was closer to six, but we were still both like, I can't pull the trigger on that.
SPEAKER 05 :
Yeah, compare Boeing to Kohl's, which is like night and day. Okay, now here's an update on a very important nuke stock. New Scale, they reported earnings today. That's SMR. They are the only SMR company with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission design approval, and now they are targeting. This is an update in their earnings estimates, their earnings report. They say they're well ahead of the competition. And they continue to lead the market as the only near-term deployable SMR, which stands for something reactor, small. I think it's small modular reactor. And he says that Hopkins reiterated the company's expectations for a firm customer order during 2025. Okay, that's this year. Classifying nearly 10 ongoing customer discussions as advanced. Now this, you know, we're talking about data center here big time or, you know, FEMA deploying these things. He says that we anticipate that once we sign a contract with a major customer, uh... will start receiving payments in relation to the modules will receive positive cash flow so anyways uh... this is a pretty good update because the stock is up eighteen point three percent on four times normal volume today SMR, new scale, and I have noticed kind of a resurgence here. You ought to read this article. It's pretty good. I don't have time to go out there, but there was a question and an answer with the analysts, and there's a... There's a summary of that on seeking alpha today. How far out do you think it will be before we're actually using these things, etc.? The risks are tariffs, obviously. They do not anticipate any material impact. I guess it's the turnaround time of how fast can you turn around as soon as you get an order, right?
SPEAKER 06 :
Yeah, well, and what this made, you know, we've talked about the nuclear space being very long duration, right? And so what this does, at least for this particular company, right, it's pulling, essentially pulling those earnings forward, right? So in other words, they're at least seeing cash flow and potential sales, right, earlier than expected timeline-wise, which... It makes a big difference when you're discounting cash flows from future years, come bringing them back to today for evaluation, and that's where that 18% pops from.
SPEAKER 05 :
Yes. So I think that it shortens, too, the time to market. Oh, well, it says manufacturing supply chain, new supply agreement with Paragon, all supporting the 2030 delivery timeline. There it is. That's what I've been saying, 2030, for the first new scale module. So are you going to buy a stock today, this is 2015, that might have a product by 2030? You just got to realize that's what you're dealing with here, you know, with a lot of these.
SPEAKER 06 :
Yeah, five-year duration and new scale happens to be, I think, they're ahead of the curve. So in other words, some of the other potential companies may be further out than 2030. Yeah.
SPEAKER 05 :
So the other one here that's kind of been an exciting stock, but I think it's getting hit on the chin today.
SPEAKER 06 :
Is that Aquo?
SPEAKER 05 :
Rigetti. Oh, Rigetti. RGTI, which is a quantum stock. Rigetti's down 10%, and that's another thing that's out there probably 2030, according to Jensen Wang, before we see any kind of a, you know, a quantum... application that actually works for the data centers and for the speed that AI needs. So that's another one. I mean, you're buying a stock that might not have much in the way of earnings or sales for five years. Rigetti reported 1.5 million in sales. That's all they have. So those are two out there on the horizon, Regetti and SMR. SMR would interest me more than the Quantum. I think D-Wave, if you want to play Quantum, D-Wave is the way to go. Well, okay, we are out of time. My flight is booked and ready to go, and I'll be there bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on Tuesday morning, ready to meet with folks on Tuesday and Wednesday. That's always fun to get out of the office and actually see some human beings, you know, instead of computer screens for a while. and spend some time with the folks, talking with the folks, getting to know the folks a little bit. It's always fun to learn about a new area of America. And looking forward to teaching a class Tuesday night. Whatever it will be on, I don't know at this point in time, but I'm sure it will be worth your time to drive over to the Marriott in Warrensville, Ohio, 7 p.m. Tuesday or meet with us Tuesday and Wednesday. There are still a few open slots if you want to grab one. You better do it. Call us at 855-611-BEST, 855-611-BEST, or GundersenCapital.com. Have a great day, everybody.
SPEAKER 02 :
This show is not a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Bill Gunderson or clients of Gunderson Capital Management may have long or short positions in stocks mentioned during the show. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Gunderson Capital Management is a fee-based registered investment advisory firm. All accounts are held at Charles Schwab. Schwab is a member of SIBC and FINRA.