2012 Show Archive
January 6th and 9th – Colorado Political Predictions 2012
Hey, invite some friends, break out some adult beverage and get the political New Year started this Friday night by tuning in to Devil’s Advocate as Denver Post editorial page editor Curtis Hubbard and Colorado Springs Gazette editorial page editor Wayne Laugesen give their 2012 political predictions. Watch this episode here.
January 13th and 16th – Hide Your Wallets, the Legislature is Back!
Hide your gold, lock up your liquor and prepare to guard your liberties, the Colorado legislature is back in session. Be sure and tune in to Devil’s Advocate this Friday night as host Jon Caldara is joined by Associated Press statehouse reporter Ivan Moreno and CBS Channel 4 reporter Shaun Boyd for a 2012 Colorado legislative preview. Watch this episode here.
January 20th and 23rd – Losing Local Voices in Colorado News Media
Put the kids to bed a little earlier tonight to catch my TV show Devils Advocate on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. Host Jon Caldara chats with Independence Institute investigative reporter Todd Shepherd and President/CEO of the Colorado Broadcasters Association Justin Sasso on the decline of local voices in our news media. We’ve lost some great local columnists, talk show hosts, radio hosts, editorial writers, and even cartoonists in the past few years. As someone who enjoys the local perspectives, what can we do to mitigate these changes? Watch this episode here.
January 27th and 30th – Scott Renfroe and former Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon
Be sure and tune in to the Independence Institute’s public affairs TV show Devil’s Advocate this Friday night. It’s the usual half-hour of public affairs excellence, but in two segments. First host Jon Caldara is joined by Colorado State Senator Scott Renfroe (R-Greeley) to discuss his bill to ban red-light cameras in Colorado. Then former Colorado Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon sits down to give his take on the current state of politics in Colorado. Watch this episode here.
February 10th and 13th – GOP Primary Voting, Kenny B on Cartooning
Syndicated columnist Jay Ambrose sits down with host Jon Caldara to discuss the odds of Republican primary voters picking a candidate who can’t beat Barack Obama in a general election. Watch the first segment here.Then, Kenny Be swings by to talk about his many years as the editorial cartoonist for Westword; Denver’s alternative weekly newspaper. Watch the second segment here.
February 17th and 20th – Fox 31 Reporter Eli Stokols, Denver Post Reporter Lynn Bartels
On tonight’s Devil’s Advocate, Fox 31 political reporter Eli Stokols and Denver Post reporter Lynn Bartels join host Jon Caldara for a Colorado legislative session update from the reporters who cover the statehouse beat. Watch this episode here.
February 24th and 27th – Reason’s Nick Gillespie on the Rise of the Independent Voter
Tonight is a can’t miss show as host Jon Caldara is joined by Reason.tv and Reason.com executive editor Nick Gillespie to talk about his new book (co-authored with Reason Magazine editor Matt Welch) “The Declaration of Independents: How Libertarian Politics Can Fix What’s Wrong With America.” Watch this episode here.
March 2nd and 5th – Amy Oliver on Education Transparency and Energy Policy, Yale King on Auto Bailouts
Amy Oliver sits down with host Jon Caldara to discuss a couple of her projects. One is concerning higher education transparency. Where is all that higher ed money going? Secondly, she discusses Colorado energy policy, specifically the ways in which legislators have been propping up the weak renewable energy market with subsidies and protections. Watch the first segment here. Former big time Jeep and GM dealer Yale King sits down with host Jon Caldara to discuss the political nature of the auto bailouts. How’s that Obama car bailout working for us now? Watch the second segment here.
March 9th and 12th – Former Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton
On this weeks Devils Advocate, catch former Colorado Attorney General and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton join me for the full 30 minutes to talk about her life as Secretary of the Interior under George W. Bush, as well as the current Keystone XL pipeline debacle. Watch this episode here.
March 16th and 19th – Halfway Through the Legislative Session
Watch out for your property and liberty ’cause we’re only halfway through the Colorado legislative session. On tonight’s Devil’s Advocate, host Jon Caldara joined by state house reporters Charles Ashby from the Grand Junction Sentinel and Shaun Boyd from CBS4 Denver for a mid-session legislative update. Watch this episode here.
March 23rd and 26th – Sean Paige, Jim Manley
First, Sean Paige from monkeywrenchingamerica.com sits down with host Jon Caldara to talk about…well, monkey wrenching America. Watch the first segment here. Next, Jim Manley from Mountain States Legal Foundation stops in to discuss the recent concealed carry on campus case he successfully argued before the Colorado Supreme Court. Watch the second segment here.
March 30th and April 2nd – Rep. Swalm on Auditing RTD, Wayne Laugesen on Tebow and Manning
State Representative Spencer Swalm sits down with host Jon Caldara to talk about his recent request for an audit of the Regional Transportation District (RTD). Watch the first segment here. Then, Wayne Laugesen, editorial page editor of the Colorado Springs Gazette swings by to discuss Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos with host Jon Caldara. Watch the second segment here.
April 6th and 9th – Campaign Finance Laws, Local Denver Music Scene
Attorney Mario Nicolais joins host Jon Caldara to talk about defeating Colorado’s campaign finance laws. Watch the first segment here. Next, David Barber joins host Jon Caldara to talk about his new book, "Gigging." In it, he tells stories about the local Denver music scene as it unfolded over the last couple of decades. Watch the second segment here.
April 13th and 16th – Tim Hoover and Joe Hanel on the Budget
Yesterday the Colorado House of Representatives passed a budget. For all the gruesome details tune in to the Independence Institute’s public affairs tv show: Devil’s Advocate. Tonight statehouse reporters Tim Hoover from the Denver Post and Joe Hanel from the Durango Herald join host Jon Caldara to survey the damage. Watch this episode here.
April 20th and 23rd – What Old Media Looked Like, Sen. Mitchell on Sentencing Reform
First up, Dusty Saunders recalls a time when the news media consisted of news print and 3 TV channels. Then host Jon Caldara inquires into Dusty’s career in newspapers and TV, and chats about his new book, “Heeeeeere’s Dusty.” Watch the first segment here. Next, Sen. Shawn Mitchell makes the case for his drug sentencing reform bill, while addressing conservative concerns over law and order, fiscal responsibility, and drug culture. Watch the second segment here.
April 27th and 30th – Ryan Call on the GOP, Tim Farmer on Options for Teachers
First, Colorado State Republican Party Chair Ryan Call sits down with Jon Caldara to talk about the recent state party assembly and other things Republican. Watch the first segment here. Then Tim Farmer from the Colorado Association of Professional Educators (PACE) explains Colorado House Bill 1333, “Options for Teachers” which would…well, you’ll just have to tune in to find out. Watch the second segment here.
May 4th and 7th – Ryan McMaken on Corporate Welfare, Darrin Gibby on Why America Stopped Inventing
Author and political science professor Ryan McMaken sits down with host Jon Caldara to define "corporate welfare" in all its forms (local, state, and nationa). Watch the first segment here. Then, Denver patent lawyer Darrin Gibby joins host Jon Caldara to talk about his new book, "Why Has America Stopped Inventing?" Watch the second segment here.
May 11th and 14th – Sen. Pat Steadman, Rep. Mark Ferrandino on Civil Unions
Host Jon Caldara is joined by State Senator Pat Steadman and State Representative Mark Ferrandino to discuss the recent legislative adventure of their civil unions bill. Watch this episode here.
May 18th and 21st – 2012 Colorado Legislative Wrap-Up
Eli Stokols and Associated Press reporter Kristen Wyatt join host Jon Caldara to survey the damage from the 2012 Colorado legislative session. Watch this episode here.
May 25th and 28th – Charlie Sykes on "A Nation of Moochers"
Author Charlie Sykes sits down with host Jon Caldara to talk about the Wisconsin public sector union battle involving Governor Scott Walker. Why should Coloradans care about what’s going on in Wisconsin? Charlie Sykes explains why it is important for Colorado and for the nation as a whole. Watch this episode here.
June 1st and 4th – Big Labor “Shames” & Blended Learning
Mark Latimer of the Association of Builders and Contractors and Wayne Sauer of the Parsec Group join host Jon Caldara to discuss the union tactic of "shaming" Colorado businesses for not using union labor. Turns out, the shaming is deceitful and often times does not reflect the situation at hand. Watch the first segment here. Dr. Amy Anderson and Ben DeGrow join host Jon Caldara to talk about one of the new ways kids are learning things these days. It’s called "blended learning," and instead of teachings our children the old fashioned way – with teacher and chalk – blended learning combines the old with the new, combining the classroom and technology together. Watch the second segment here.
June 8th and 11th – What Does Walker’s Win Mean for Colorado?
It’s all Wisconsin on this episode of Devils Advocate with host Jon Caldara. Jon sits down with the Colorado Springs Gazette’s Wayne Laugesen and Floyd Ciruli of Ciruli Associates to discuss what a Walker victory would mean for Colorado and other states dealing with public union issues. Watch this episode here.
June 15th and 18th – Former Governor Bill Owens
Former Colorado Governor Bill Owens joins host Jon Caldara to discuss the hottest political news, current events, and Colorado issues. Watch this episode here.
June 22nd and 25th – Shepherd on Journalism, Bell on Animal Cruelty
Host Jon Caldara is joined by investigative journalist and co-owner, co-editor of the highly popular news website Complete Colorado, Todd Shepherd. They discuss the state of journalism in Colorado and the democratization of journalism thanks to the Internet and dying print media. Watch the first segment here. Then, Caldara is joined by Debe Bell and her attorney for a bizarre story of animal cruelty in Jefferson County. Turns out, raising rabbits in an agricultural setting is to some people, "cruel." Watch the second segment here.
June 29th and July 2nd – Dave Kopel Explains SCOTUS ObamaCare Decision
Host Jon Caldara is joined by Dave Kopel, constitutional law professor and attorney of record for two (count ’em, two) Independence Institute amicus briefs in the Obamacare Supreme Court case, to dissect and explain the court’s rulings on the controversial health care law. Watch this episode here.
July 6th and 9th – Randal O’Toole on America’s Housing Crisis
Cato Institute and Independence Institute scholar Randal O’Toole sits down with host Jon Caldara to talk housing bubbles and his new book, "American Nightmare." Watch this episode here.
July 13th and 16th – Rob Natelson on ObamaCare, Wayne Laugesen on the Waldo Canyon Wildfire
Independence Institute constitutional scholar Rob Natelson sits down with host Jon Caldara to discuss his amicus brief on the Necessary and Proper Clause of the U.S. Constitution in the recent Obamacare Supreme Court case and how that clause affected the rulings. Watch the first segment here. Then, Colorado Springs Gazette editorial page editor Wayne Laugesen swings by to talk about the Waldo Canyon wildfire with host Jon Caldara. Watch the second segment here.
July 20th and 23rd – An Entrepreneurial Devils Advocate
Maureen Schaffer sits down with host Jon Caldara to talk about her margarita company Coyote Gold and how she grew it from a dream to a successful reality. Watch the first segment here. Then, Bob Melvin sits down with host Jon Caldara to discuss the business he founded, Colorado Pen Direct. Watch the second segment here.
July 27th and 30th – How the Media Covered the Aurora Theater Shooting
Denver Post News Director Kevin Dale and Independence Institute Research Director Dave Kopel join host Jon Caldara to discuss the aftermath of the Aurora theater shooting that took the lives of 12 people and wounded 58. How did the media cover the tragedy? What did they do right? What could they have done better? Watch this episode here.
August 3rd and 6th – How Social Media Affects the Political Landscape
Michael Humphrey, Tech Contributor of Forbes Magazine and Democratic Strategist Laura Chapin join host Jon Caldara talk about how social media tools like Facebook and Twitter affect politics and elections. Watch this episode here.
August 10th and 13th – The Truth About Fracking, Messaging for Women
Former petroleum engineer and Energy Policy associate Donovan Schafer joins Devils Advocate guest host Amy Oliver to discuss the war on fracking. Is it safe? What threat, if any, does fracking pose? What are the benefits? Watch the first segment here. Then, Krista Kafer of the Independent Women’s Forum joins Devils Advocate guest host Amy Oliver to discuss the mad scramble for the women’s vote this November 2012. How will candidates successfully speak to women this time around? What methods will we see? Watch the second segment here.
August 17th and 20th – Meet the Teacher Who Couldn’t Read
Meet the teacher who couldn’t read on this episode of Devil’s Advocate. Guest host Pam Benigno from the Independence Institute’s Education Policy Center is joined by John Corcoran from the John Corcoran Foundation, telling of his longtime struggles with illiteracy, and State Board of Education member Debora Scheffel discussing ideas and strategies to improve literacy for Colorado students. Watch this episode here.
August 24th and 27th – Daily Caller’s David Martosko on the Nanny State
Executive Editor of the Daily Caller David Martosko sits down with host Jon Caldara to talk about the demise of traditional media, the encroaching nanny state, and the Independence Institute’s Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Party. Watch this episode here.
August 31st and September 3rd – Attorney David Lane Argues Against Death Penalty
Colorado attorney David Lane, famous for representing notable clients like Ward Churchill and Balloon Boy’s father Richard Heene, sits down with Devils Advocate host Jon Caldara to make the case against the death penalty. Watch this episode here.
September 7th and 10th – Denver Public Schools or "Occupy" Training Camps?
Denver Public School teacher John Peterson and Pam Benigno from the Independence Institute’s Education Policy Center join host Jon Caldara to discuss why both teachers and parents should be concerned about new DPS teacher evaluation criteria that includes encouraging students to "challenge and question the dominant culture," and "take social action to change/ improve society or work for social justice." Watch this episode here.
September 14th and 17th – Jonah Goldberg on his book, "The Tyranny of Cliches"
In this episode of Devil’s Advocate, host Jon Caldara is joined by National Review Online Editor-at-Large Jonah Golberg to discuss Jonah’s new book, "The Tyranny of Cliches." Watch this episode here.
September 21st and 24th – Will Romney Win Colorado?
FOX 31’s Eli Stokols and the Denver Post’s Lynn Bartels joins host Jon Caldara to talk about the Romney campaign in Colorado. Are the gaffe’s really gaffes? How will it affect his campaign? Can he still win Colorado? Watch this episode here.
September 28th and October 1st – Gessler on Voter Fraud, Education on the Ballot
Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler sits down with host Jon Caldara to talk voter fraud and voter registration rules. Watch the first segment here. Then, Education reporter Todd Engdahl from Ed News Colorado sits down with host Jon Caldara to discuss the billion dollars worth of school district bond measures on this November’s ballot in Colorado. Watch the second segment here.
October 5th and 8th – Wall Street Journal’s Stephen Moore on Election 2012
Devils Advocate host Jon Caldara is joined by Wall Street Journal columnist Stephen Moore for a look at the presidential race thus far and what we can expect going into November. Watch this episode here.
October 12th and 15th – Ammendment 65 Debate, Romney’s 47% Comment
First, Ken Gordon from cleanslatenow.org and Ari Armstong (ariarmstong.com) sit down with host Jon Caldara to debate Colorado’s Amendment 65, the campaign finance and political speech amendment. Watch the first segment here. Then, Mike Franc and Bill Beach from the Heritage Foundation swing by to discuss the actual entitlement numbers behind Mitt Romney’s now infamous "47%" statement. Watch the second segment here.
October 19th and 22nd – Tom Tancredo vs. Ken Buck on Pot Legalization
Put fresh water in your favorite bong and stock up on Cheetos as host Jon Caldara moderates a debate over Colorado Amendment 64, the marijuana legalization amendment. In the pro-64 corner, former Colorado Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Tom "The Tank" Tancredo. In the anti-64 corner, Weld County District Attorney and former U.S. Senate Candidate Ken "Cowboy Boots" Buck. Don’t miss this one. Watch this episode here.
October 26th and 29th – What is Down Syndrome? The Facts and Myths Explained
Michelle Sie Whitten from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation joins host Jon Caldara to discuss Down Syndrome. Both Jon and Michelle talk about their experiences with Downs and what they’ve learned over the years. Michelle dispels some of the common myths surrounding Downs and describes the great leaps we’ve made in treating and living with it. Watch this episode here.
November 2nd and 5th – Colorado Ballot 2012: Referendum S and Denver’s 2A Tax Increase
Still trying to figure out that ballot? Then tune into Devil’s Advocate tonight for an explanation of some of those badly worded ballot measures. First, Miller Hudson swings by to discuss Colorado Amendment S, the personnel reform amendment. Watch the first segment here. Then, former Denver City Councilwoman Susan Barnes-Gelt joins host Jon Caldara to explain Denver Measure 2A, the forever property tax increase. Watch the second segment here.
November 9th and 12th – What Happened Colorado? Election 2012 Discussed
Post-election blues got you down? Go ahead and and stay curled up in a ball on the couch for Devil’s Advocate as host Jon Caldara is joined by Denver Post editorial page editor Curtis Hubbard and Colorado Springs Gazette editorial page editor Wayne Laugesen for a dissection of what happened on Tuesday, and what it might mean for Colorado in 2013 Watch this episode here.
November 16th and 19th – Colorado’s Every Member Option and Shepherd on Solar
First, education policy expert Ben DeGrow sits down with Host Jon Caldara to discuss Colorado’s "every member option." The EMO allows teachers to request back the portion of their union dues that would go toward political advocacy. Watch the first segment here. Then, CompleteColorado.com’s Todd Shepherd sits down with host Jon Caldara to discuss his investigation into Abound Solar – well before anyone knew how bad the solar company was hurting financially. Todd and Jon unravel the gory details of the story that ended up costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in guaranteed loans. Watch the second segment here.
November 30th and December 3rd – Sausage Fest with Mark DeNittis and the "Fiscal Cliff"
First, Il Mondo Vecchio owner Mark DeNittis sits down with me to describe how the USDA recently put his Denver-based artisan cured meats company out of business. That’s right, two Italian guys talking about sausages. Watch the first segment here. Then, Bob Berry of USAmends.com sits down with host Jon Caldara to discuss the so called "fiscal cliff" and how the debate around sequestration has been distorted by both sides of the aisle. Watch the second segment here.
December 7th and 10th – Pot’s Legal in Colorado, Now What?
After the passage of Amendment 64, Colorado voters decided to "regulate marijuana like alcohol." Now what? What sorts of rules and regulations should the legal pot industry expect to confront? Joe Megyesy who consulted the Amendment 64 campaign and Reason Foundation policy analyst Harris Kenny join host Jon Caldara to discuss the future of pot in Colorado. Watch this episode here.
December 14th and 17th –
Part 1: Sheriff John Cooke on Gun Control, Tragedies Weld County Sheriff John Cook joins host Jon Caldara to discuss the law enforcement perspective on horrific tragedies like the Sandy Hook school shooting and on gun control measures. Watch the episode here.
Part 2: How Article V Can Help America’s Debt Problem
It’s no secret America is facing a growing national debt problem. It almost seems insurmountable and beyond repair. Joining host Jon Caldara is North Dakota State Senator Curtis Olafson to discuss a potential solution: Article V. Find out how the states can band together to defeat this giant debt monster.
Watch the episode here.
December 21st and 24th – 2012 Colorado Legislative Session Review
Part 1: How Psychology and Overzealous Moms Play into Food Problems
Americans seem to have some issues with food. Some people can’t eat enough and some refuse to eat out of fear. What’s up with our eating and how did we get here? Author of "Fatlash! Food Police and the Fear of Thin" Karen Kataline joins host Jon Caldara to discuss the psychology and nannyism behind America’s growing food problems. Watch the episode here.
Watch the episode here.
December 28th and 31st – 2012 Colorado Legislative Session Review
Repressing what happened politically this year? Maybe just been too drunk to remember? Well, acceptance is the first step to recovery, so tune in to the Independence Institute’s public affairs TV show, Devil’s Advocate as host Jon Caldara is joined by Denver Post statehouse reporter Tim Hoover and Grand Junction Sentinel statehouse reporter Charles Ashby for a review of the 2012 political year in Colorado, and some pontification about the 2013 Colorado legislative session.
Watch the episode here.
