Radio, Mar. 4: Cheney lives!

    Update after 3/4 show: Go to DivestTerror dot org, part of Frank Gaffney's national security effort, for more about the push to cut off US investment in companies that do business with our enemy in Iran -- as I discussed on air with California Assemblyman Joel Anderson. Economist Richard Vedder has out a terrific book on Wal-Mart, another great one on the higher education funding racket, and this devasting expose' of self-promotion by public universities. Former State Rep. Brad Young is weak on what to put in TABOR's place if we don't want government to grow, but his thoughtfully skeptical book on TABOR will make you think.

Join us on radio every Sunday, 5-8pm on 710 KNUS, Denver To listen online from anywhere, click 710knus.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vice President Dick Cheney is okay, thank God, after what was probably an Al Qaeda attempt on his life (costing a score of other lives) in Afghanistan this week. I heard the news while in Washington with Claremont for a series of national security meetings with senators and congressmen.

What if the assassins had gotten Cheney, we asked each other in one meeting. Would it have rallied America and stiffened our national will to win? Or would it only have deepened the defeatism that is already so strong among our political and media elites? The question must be asked. The bombing itself is a reminder this war is real and the enemy is relentless.

On Capitol Hill, we talked with Reps. Mike Pence (R-IN), John Culberson (R-TX), Trent Franks (R-AZ), and Jeff Flake (R-AZ), as well as House freshmen Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and Doug Lamborn (R-CO). Sens. Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Jim DeMint (R-SC) inspired us with their backbone. But it's a tough time for Republicans - and conservatives especially - with Democrats now running things.

Colorado issues matter a lot to me, and "Backbone Radio with John Andrews" will fully air them this Sunday as usual. But the imperative of defending ourselves in a dangerous world, highlighted for me by this Washington trip, will figure in our show as well. I hope you'll tune in.

** Dick Wadhams, newly confirmed as state Republican chairman, will bring his perspective on state and national issues as we approach 2008. Mike Littwin, Rocky Mountain News columnist, adds his contrasting view.

** Joel Anderson, a state legislator in California, report on his drive to withdraw all US investments from nations that tolerate terrorism. Brad Young, a former state legislator here, will try to persuade me that TABOR disserves his and my fiscal conservative beliefs (good luck). And Ohio University economist Richard Vedder will explain the fiscal insanity of higher education policy.

Spin the dial, surf the net, troll through the weekdays -- you just won't find anything else like Backbone Radio. Please be part of our show this weekend by tuning in at 5pm Sunday.

Yours for self-government, JOHN ANDREWS