On April 19, 2024, Rick Turnquist, Mark Meckler, Jim May, Nephi Cole, and Ken DeGraff joined the show. Argued fossil fuels, limited government, and free markets form the three pillars of modern life Explained how Article V allows states to propose constitutional amendments limiting federal power Shared the story of W Warned HB 1292 would ban 50-80% of firearms including all semi-automatic rifles and most handguns Previewed Monday.
The Essential Role of Fossil Fuels in Modern Life
Start listening at 2:45 – Hour 1
Rick Turnquist makes the case that fossil fuels represent one of three pillars of modern civilization, alongside limited government and free market capitalism. Drawing on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Turnquist demonstrates that so-called renewable energy accounts for only 8% of total U.S. energy consumption despite massive government subsidies. He argues the green energy movement is fundamentally anti-human flourishing.
Turnquist details how fossil fuels power not just transportation but serve as essential feedstocks for plastics, chemicals, and virtually every modern product. He recounts driving past a gas station where an EV owner had resorted to charging via a standard orange extension cord, illustrating the impracticality of current electric vehicle infrastructure. The discussion turns to grid reliability, with Turnquist citing the February 2021 Texas disaster as proof that wind and solar cannot replace baseload power.
“The other day, our power went out, and just for a short period of time. But it really brings home to you, when something like that happens, how dependent we are on electricity and how strange it is when we don’t have it available to us to use.”
Rick Turnquist, Author and Policy Commentator
Convention of States and Constitutional Remedies
Start listening at 17:14 – Hour 1
Mark Meckler, co-founder of Convention of States and former Tea Party Patriots leader, explains how Article V of the Constitution provides states the power to propose amendments limiting federal authority. After the 2010 Tea Party wave produced no structural change in Washington, Meckler concluded that elections alone cannot fix a broken system. Nineteen states have passed the resolution, with North Carolina potentially becoming the twentieth.
The proposed amendments target three areas: fiscal restraints like balanced budgets and spending caps, term limits for Congress and bureaucrats (what Meckler calls “the Fauci Amendment”), and reducing federal scope in areas like energy, education, and healthcare. Meckler announces an April 25th rally at the Colorado Capitol and reports his grassroots in Colorado has grown 37% over three years despite facing hostile legislative committees.
“Our ideas as conservatives are just the truth. They’re the facts. They’re reality. Ultimately, I believe, if you speak the truth long enough, it will prevail.”
Mark Meckler, Co-founder, Convention of States
American Innovation in Cattle Feeding
Start listening at 68:16 – Hour 2
Jim May of Lavaca Meat Company shares the story of W.C. Foxley, a Marine Corps officer turned cattle feeding pioneer who built innovative climate-controlled barns in Nebraska’s Sand Hills. Foxley’s vision transformed 20,000 acres known as Thunderbolt Ranch into a 60,000-head operation, defying skeptics who warned the harsh weather would defeat any cattle operation.
May delivers an original cowboy poem honoring Foxley’s legacy, recounting how the innovator designed barns facing south so the sun reaches the back on December 22nd for warmth while providing total shade on June 21st. The discussion pivots to defending the beef industry against animal rights activists who, May argues, understand nothing about cattle behavior or the genuine care ranchers provide.
“Foxley had a vision. He would not be denied. He said, I won’t fight the weather, I’ll put them inside. They started building the barns and after the first three or four, he flew over one day and said, let’s build a dozen more.”
Jim May, Cattleman, Lavaca Meat Company
Colorado’s Sweeping Gun Ban Threatens Constitutional Rights
Start listening at 88:00 – Hour 2
Nephi Cole, State Affairs Director for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, warns that House Bill 1292 represents the most expansive firearms prohibition attempted in any state. The bill would ban all semi-automatic centerfire rifles, semi-automatic shotguns, pump shotguns, and any handgun capable of accepting higher-capacity magazines. Cole estimates 50-80% of the firearms market would be eliminated.
Cole explains the bill’s language is deliberately vague, prohibiting any firearm that “is or could be modified” to meet their criteria. The legislation was routed to Veterans and Military Affairs rather than Judiciary, suggesting sponsors lacked votes in the proper committee. He urges constituents to contact specific senators with respectful, reasoned appeals rather than angry emails that will be dismissed.
“If you want to see if you can trust Democratic leadership, this is your test. Because what you’re seeing now is a bill that’s clearly, very clearly unconstitutional. It’s very clearly targeting firearms that are in common use for lawful purposes.”
Nephi Cole, State Affairs Director, National Shooting Sports Foundation
Parental Rights Resolution and Legislative Updates
Start listening at 107:19 – Hour 2
Colorado State Representative Ken DeGraff previews a House resolution affirming parental rights scheduled for Monday. DeGraff contrasts the conservative view that parents bear responsibility for children’s upbringing with the progressive institutional approach that seeks state control over education and child development. He warns of legislators like Stephanie Hill who want the state to make decisions for children.
DeGraff, part of what Kim calls the “Mighty 19” Republican legislators, notes he is heading straight into “gun grab Friday” hearings after the interview. The discussion underscores how Colorado’s Democratic majority simultaneously pursues removing parental authority while stripping citizens of self-defense capabilities.
“Centralized control always centralizes corruption, and that is devastating. And I think we’ve seen that historically.”
Ken DeGraff, Colorado State Representative