Radio, Sept. 17: Live from Washington DC

Join us on radio every Sunday, 5-8pm on 710 KNUS, Denverand now also on 1460 KZNT, Colorado Springs To listen online from anywhere, click 710knus.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunday is Constitution Day, the 219th anniversary of the signing of America's basic charter of self-government. Washington DC itself, you may remember, only exists as our capital city because of the Constitution. We at the Claremont Institute will be there for a Monday seminar and dinner in observance of the oft-overlooked day.

My seminar talk on the state of conservatism in the states will set the theme for our September 17 edition of "Backbone Radio with John Andrews." We'll broadcast live from the Heritage Foundation studios near the US Capitol. Aaron Johnson of Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave's staff will be my mike partner. I hope you'll be listening.

** What's the view from President Bush's senior staff as a tough election nears? Deputy White House press secretary Dana Perino, a Coloradan, is my guest for an inside look.

** How is the nation's will to win holding up against the shadowy Islamofascist enemy, in perspective with wars in the past? Victor Davis Hanson, historian and author, tells us.

** How goes the battle of ideas for conservatives inside the Beltway liberal establishment? Seth Leibsohn, Claremont fellow and producer for Bill Bennett's radio show, returns as my guest.

** Plus a conversation with two men who heavily influence the way Coloradans see Washington DC, reporters John A. Farrell of the Denver Post and M.E. Sprengelmeyer of the Rocky Mountain News.

Please tell your friends about "Backbone Radio with John Andrews." America and the West, still not fully aroused to the threat we face five years after 9/11, need a lot more backbone right now. We're committed to helping. How about you?

Yours for self-government, JOHN ANDREWS ------------------------------------------------------------- "A Black Conservative in Hollywood: Inside Report" is the topic of our next Claremont luncheon briefing, September 25 in Denver. Joseph C. Phillips, the Cosby Show veteran now appearing in "Vanished" on Fox, is the speaker. A few tickets remain. Email Declaration1776@aol.com if you want to join us.

Radio, Sept. 10: Five years after 9/11

Update 9/9: The show will lead off at 515pm with Randy Graf, Arizona congressional candidate and immigration reformer, commenting on the incredible meddling by Colorado's Republican Party in his 9/12 primary. Why would the GOP up here send $5000 to Graf's opponent, along with DC bigwigs, who have sent far more? For info and to donate, go to VoteGraf.com.

Join us on radio every Sunday, 5-8pm on 710 KNUS, Denver and now also on 1460 KZNT, Colorado Springs To listen online from anywhere, click 710knus.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------- It was five years ago Monday that the conflict some are calling World War III went from cold to hot, with Islamist attacks on America's leading cities. How are we doing? Who actually is our enemy, and what are the stakes? How can we win?

I will explore those questions this Sunday on "Backbone Radio with John Andrews," the most principled, most patriotic, most faith-based, most Colorado-proud spot on your weekend radio dial.

** Richard V. Allen, former national security adviser to President Reagan, and Bill Armstrong, former US senator, now a university president, will be my guests to discuss the outlook five years after 9/11.

** Carol Chambers, district attorney for Arapahoe and Douglas counties, and Paul Jacob, director of Citizens in Charge, will join me to talk about the Amendment 40 proposal for term limits on judges.

** And with the election barely eight weeks away, we'll talk some politics as well. Rich Mancuso, Republican challenger to Democrat Congressman Mark Udall of Boulder, checks in with a report on his underdog campaign. I'll also get Sen. Armstrong's reading on this year of challenge for Bush and the GOP.

Please tell your friends about "Backbone Radio with John Andrews." America and the West, still not fully aroused to the threat we face five years after 9/11, need a lot more backbone right now. We're committed to helping. How about you?

Yours for self-government, JOHN ANDREWS -------------------------------- Who are they kidding? Judicial performance commissions recommended voters retain all of the 108 judges on this year's Colorado ballot. Yet opponents of term limits claim the existing review process is "rigorous" and our proposal is "nutty." The status quo is deficient, a Rocky editorial says. That's an understatement.

Radio, Sept. 3: Labor Day set right

Update, Sunday night: Our critique of the Liebeskind architectural infestation of Denver, with Susan Barnes-Gelt, had to be postponed to a future show. In its place we welcomed State Rep. Matt Knoedler, running hard for a Dem-held Senate seat in Lakewood. That segment ended with every candidate's dream, a supporter (Ellie, whom we ascertained was not a plant) calling in live to learn how she could send a check. Should you wish to do the same, or just read up on this fine young conservative, go to www.mattknoedler.com.

Join us on radio every Sunday, 5-8pm on 710 KNUS, Denver and now also on 1460 KZNT, Colorado Springs To listen online from anywhere, click 710knus.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ When you think about it, Labor Day's not quite right. One last long weekend to say goodbye to summer is fine. But the day itself has an anti-capitalist edge that we should also say goodbye to, for good. The amazing opportunity and prosperity machine that is 21st century America has no place for the class antagonism of bygone union struggles.

Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Committee, is my guest this Sunday for a discussion of how to set Labor Day right. Certainly we should honor those among us who do the tough jobs and work the long days. But let's also be real about the way organized labor often disserves the best interest of working Americans. When markets, individual freedom, and Econ 101 are violated, everyone suffers.

"Backbone Radio with John Andrews," every Sunday from 5-8pm, now boasts two years on the air and two good places to listen, 710 in Denver and 1460 in Colorado Springs. I hope you'll be listening to our September 3 show when Krista Kafer and I interview not only Mark Mix, but also...

** Marvin Olasky, who's written an important new book about the lessons of Katrina for conservatives, and

** Mike Littwin, the Rocky Mountain News columnist who this week scalded DA Mary Lacy and GOP candidate Bob Beauprez, and

** Susan Barnes-Gelt, with whom I share space on PBS and in the Denver Post, turning thumbs down on the Liebeskind makeover plan for Denver's proud old Civic Center, and

** Andy McKean, the Colorado citizen activist who has made Liberty Day into a national movement for renewal of civic knowledge among America's kids.

Please tell your friends about "Backbone Radio with John Andrews." America and the West, still not fully aroused to the threat we face five years after 9/11, need a lot more backbone right now. We're committed to helping. How about you?

Yours for self-government, JOHN ANDREWS ------------------------------------------------------------- Speaking of that threat, Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is right when he diagnoses "moral confusion" in those who minimize it, Sen. Ken Salazar unfortunately among them. Read Rumsfeld's speech and see for yourself that it's altogether patriotic, not in any way partisan.

Radio, Aug. 27: Another fighting congressman?

Join us on radio every Sunday, 5-8pm on 710 KNUS, Denverand now also on 1460 KZNT, Colorado Springs To listen online from anywhere, click 710knus.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Colorado has done well in electing first-term congressmen who get into the right fights and quickly make their mark as fighting conservatives in Washington DC. Think Tom Tancredo as a defender of our borders, Marilyn Musgrave as a defender of marriage. Will my former state Senate ally, Doug Lamborn, be the next one?

I'm predicting yes. Lamborn's vision for November and beyond, after his hard-fought win in the CD-5 Republican primary, will be up for discussion this Sunday when he's interviewed on "Backbone Radio with John Andrews." Joshua Sharf and Krista Kafer will host the show as I'm away doing immigration research at an undisclosed tropical location.

But speaking of Tancredo, is he edging into the 2008 presidential race, running while seeming not to? Scroll down to my latest Denver Post column, which says he is.

And speaking of Joshua, click here for his critique of Islamic doublespeak, Colorado style. Also scroll down here at Backbone for Krista's report from Turkey, so valuable in the Muslim world as an ally of the US and a friend of Israel.

Finally, check out the very next post below this one -- a penetrating 9/11 anniversary piece by Houston-based commentator Jim Windham.

Please tell your friends about "Backbone Radio with John Andrews." America and the West, still not fully aroused to the threat we face five years after 9/11, need a lot more backbone right now. We're committed to helping. How about you?

Yours for self-government, JOHN ANDREWS

Radio, Aug. 20: Winning or losing?

Join us on radio every Sunday, 5-8pm on 710 KNUS, Denverand now also on 1460 KZNT, Colorado Springs To listen online from anywhere, click 710knus.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Why we are losing the war" is a current lecture topic being promoted by one of my guests this Sunday, Yaron Brook. As an Israeli military veteran, American entrepreneur, and president of the Ayn Rand Institute, Brook certainly doesn't want us to be losing. But he's got the backbone to confront audiences with the hard truth that maybe right now we are.

Muhammad Ali Hassan, founder of Muslims for America, returns to the show this week, and we'll see what hard truths he has to add. This is not the time for sugar-coating, friends.

And politically, right here in Colorado, there's a battle royal over who will be the next governor. Are Bob Beauprez and the Republicans winning or losing that one? Janet Rowland, Beauprez's newly announced nominee for lieutenant governor, joins us for an update.

"Backbone Radio with John Andrews" looks behind the headlines every Sunday, bringing you the people, principles, and untold stories so often overlooked (or blacked out) in the mainstream media.

** Our August 20 show also features Denver singer-songwriter Linda Storey, who is NOT losing but winning against a tough adversary called MS, and Denver Post columnist David Harsanyi, whose libertarian laser touches topics from JonBenet to the Minutemen.

** And starting this weekend, Colorado Springs listeners join the conversation as 1460 KZNT begins carrying all three hours of our show in parallel with 710 KNUS. Helping me with the kickoff will be Ted Robertson, the conservative political host on KZNT with whom I shared a mike on primary night.

Tune in from 5-8pm this Sunday, August 20, on 710 KNUS in Denver, 1460 KZNT in Colorado Springs, and 710knus.com around the world. Call in with your two-cents at 303-696-1971. Or email me, during the show or right now, at backboneradio@aol.com.

There's nothing else quite like Backbone Radio, the most principled, most patriotic, most faith-based, most Colorado-proud spot on the dial. Tune in for another lively Sunday evening of fact, opinion, and insight.

Yours for self-government, JOHN ANDREWS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Does a political radio road trip to Washington DC sound good for November 13-16? I'm teaming up with KNUS newsman Bill Jones to host a Colorado safari in the nation's capital just after Election Day. Bill's website, AndawayWego.net, has details. Book now, space is limited.