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Devils Advocate Archive 2005

2005 Catalog of Shows

December 30:
Sparks fly this Friday night on Independent Thinking.  Tune in for a spirited discussion as I review the events of 2005 and make predictions about 2006 with one of my favorite liberals Denver civil rights attorney Dani Newsum. 

December 23:
What roles do faith and the Catholic Church play in today’s society?  For answers, tune into Independent Thinking for a special one-on-one interview with The Most Reverend The Archbishop Charles Chaput.

December 16:
To torture or not to torture?  That is the question that pits the Republican-controlled US Senate against President Bush.  Tune into Independent Thinking for a lively discussion between Dan Winters of the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center and II’s own David Kopel. 

December 9:
Meet Ms. Davis, along with her attorney Gail Johnson.

December 2:
So where is all that tobacco settlement money going? Remember, Colorado was going to get a truckload of money from tobacco companies. Would you be surprised that it isn’t working like it was planned? Tune into Independent Thinking this Friday night with Fred Smith of the Competitive Enterprise Institute and State Treasurer Mark Hillman.

November 25:

November 18:
So why have donations to the CU Foundation decreased? Maybe it’s because an audit showed it’s not very good at managing the money it does have. Tune into Independent Thinking for my conversation with CU Regent Tom Lucero.

November 11:
Is Samuel Alito the answer to conservative prayers for the U.S. Supreme Court? Join host Jon Caldara, attorney Lee Mickus and Independence Institute Research Director David Kopel for a lively, legal conservation about President Bush’s latest attempt to shape the highest court in the land.

November 4:
Will legalizing marijuana use make Denver a safer place to live? We attempt to answer that question this week on Independent Thinking as Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown and Mason Tvert, Executive Director of SAFER, debate Initiative 100.

October 28:
Bonafide media royalty!  Tune into Independent Thinking for a one-on-one discussion with legendary Wall Street Journal columnist and editorial board member John Fund.

October 21:
Ken’s great adventure!  Tune into Independent Thinking for a conversation with State Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon as we discuss his trek across Colorado promoting the massive tax increase, a.k.a. Referenda C and D.

October 14:
Think your private property rights are secure?  Think again.  Private property rights are under attack.  Join me this Friday for Independent Thinking as I discuss the assault on this most basic constitutional right with William Mellor, President of the Institute for Justice, which took the lead role in the one of the most controversial Supreme Court cases Kelo v. New London

October 7:
Columbus: saint or sinner? Jon discusses one of Denver’s most volatile and controversial holiday celebrations with Sons of Italy President George Vendegnia and Mark Freeland of Colorado American Indian Movement

September 30:
Rocky Mountain News columnist Jason Salzman thinks that I shouldn’t be allowed to talk about Referenda C and D on my 850 KOA radio show, channel 12 TV show, or even in my newspaper column. And I thought liberals were all about free speech!

September 23:
Barry Poulson from the University of Colorado joins Jon to discuss the questionable practice of corporate welfare from the state of Colorado

September 16:
Is PERA solvent?  Or are taxpayers going to have to bail out the most lavish retirement program in the state? Colorado State Treasurer Mark Hillman and Rocky Mountain News Financial Editor David Milstead join me this week on Independent Thinking to discuss PERA’s financial future.

September 9:
One of the biggest scare tactics that Referendum C supporters are utilizing to terrorize you right out of your money is the idea that higher education will cease to exist in Colorado if Referendum C goes down.   This week on Independent Thinking, join me along with the President of the University of Northern Colorado Kay Norton and our own Jessica Peck Corry, Director of the Campus Accountability Project, for an “honest” debate on higher ed funding.

September 2:
Pam Benigno and her Education Policy center are at it again uncovering more innovative programs in public education. The fight for educational choice continues, even inside public schools. Join us for Independent Thinking as we take a look at three interesting innovations in Colorado that could gather quite a bit of national attention.

August 26:

August 19:
When it comes to prescription drugs, why does Medicaid insist on being user unfriendly to those it claims to help? Join host Jon Caldara this Friday on Independent Thinking as Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition Executive Director Julie Reiskin and State Senator Lois Tochtrop debate the issue.

August 12:
So how many laws did you break this week? Don’t know. Well you are in good company. Tune into Independent Thinking as host Jon Caldara moderates a discussion between Independence Institute Senior Fellow Mike Krause and Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck regarding the expansion of “public welfare” laws in Colorado.

July 29:
Is there a liberal bias in the mainstream media? Join host Jon Caldara as he discusses that question and more with Denver Post Editor Greg Moore.

July 22:
This week on Independent Thinking, enjoy the savage wit of internationally known Vanity Fair columnist Christopher Hitchens as host Jon Caldara goes one-on-one with the only journalist to visit North Korea, Iran and Iraq. Hitchens gives his perspective on everything from the war on terror to the current trend to curb individual civil liberties.

July 15:
Why must Colorado taxpayers shell out more of their hard earned dollars? State Representative Jim Reisberg explains why. Join host Jon Caldara as he and Representative Reisberg debate the “NO REFUND FOR YOU!” tax increase, a.k.a. Referenda C and D.

June 24
Let the verbal sparks fly! Two against one as I discuss Colorado issues with Denver Post columnist Diane Carmen and Mike Littwin, columnist for the Rocky Mountian News.

June 17
A debate on the Supreme Court decision regarding medical marijuana. While it is a victory for those who are against medical marijuana, it is a serious hit to the sovereignty of states. Make sure to tune in as our Senior Fellow Mike Krause and Mark Pautler Senior Chief Deputy District Attorney from Jefferson County dissect this decision.

June 10
Kyoto goes local! Join host Jon Caldara and Boulder County Commission Will Toor and Independence Institute Health Care Policy Center Director Linda Gorman as they debate the practicality of this latest environmental trend.

June 3
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper thinks he can eliminate homelessness with a plan that spends hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. Join host Jon Caldara and guests Bob Cote, Director of Step 13, and John Parvensky, President of Colorado Coalition to End Homelessness, as they debate the benefits and consequences of this ambitious project. That’s this Friday night at 8:30 PM on KBDI Channel 12, and repeated Sunday morning at 11:30 AM.

May 27
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper thinks he can eliminate homelessness with a plan that spends hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. Join host Jon Caldara and guests Bob Cote, Director of Step 13, and John Parvensky, President of Colorado Coalition to End Homelessness, as they debate the benefits and consequences of this ambitious project. That’s this Friday night at 8:30 PM on KBDI Channel 12, and repeated Sunday morning at 11:30 AM.

May 20
Is Denver a “sanctuary city” for illegal immigrants? Tune into Independent Thinking as host Jon Caldara moderates an immigration policy debate between Denver Immigration Attorney Ann Allott and William Herron, Chairman of Defend Colorado Now.

May 13
Dr. Lawrence Hernandez, Principal, Cesar Chavez Academy and Randy DeHoff, State Board of Education and the Director of the Charter School Institute will discuss the recent legislative attacks on Colorado’s charter schools.

May 6
The Colorado legislature seems to be asking one big question, “Who’s your nanny?” One of the proposals is to increase the enforcement of Colorado’s seatbelt laws. Tune into Independent Thinking for a debate between State Representative Jim Welker and County Sheriffs of Colorado Executive Director George Epp.

April 29
Should Colorado entertain the idea of a casino near DIA? Council Tree Communications President Steve Hillard, who supports the proposed Indian casino, debates the issue with Denver Post Columnist Jim Spencer.

April 22
Will Denver voters approve yet another tax increase on May 3, this time to finance a new jail? This week on Independent Thinking, Denver attorney Phil Cherner and Mayor John Hickenlooper’s Chief of Staff Michael Bennet debate the need for more taxes and more jail space.

April 15
The principled Republican versus the squishy Republican. This week on Independent Thinking former Congressman and current Club for Growth President Pat Toomey debates republican principles with former Colorado legislator Brad Young.

April 8th
Is it time to embrace Canadian style health care when it comes to pharmaceuticals here in Colorado? Linda Gorman, the Director of our Health Care Policy Center, and Colorado State Representative Kevin Lundberg debate the issue, which is going through the Colorado Legislature.

April 1st
Can there be efficiencies found in higher education? One man who not only found them but also proceeded to make the necessary changes is former Senator Hank Brown. As President of the University of Northern Colorado, he cut more than $7 million a year in administrative overhead charges alone. He also increased faculty productivity immensely and got our money where it belongs: back in the classroom.

March 25th
Not all Republicans are looking out for taxpayers. Tonight is a special presentation of Independent Thinking. Governor Bill Owens, who endorses the plan, discusses TABOR, his signed taxpayer pledges and more.

March 18th
Should Colorado ban smoking in private establishments? Representatives David Schultheis and Mark Larson debate the issue

March 11th
Should the United States adopt the the Canadian system of health care? Jon addresses that question and others with Pacific Research Institute President Sally Pipes and Dr. Gary VanderArk Chairman of Neurosurgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Executive Director for the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved.

March 4th
Eaglecrest High School teacher Steve Hinman, Society for Independent Teachers and Parents Executive Director Linda Stahnke, and Education Policy Center Director Pamela Benigno will discuss the rights of teachers to control their paychecks.

February 25th
Jon Caldara debates the liberal bias in the mainstream media with Rocky Mountain News publisher John Temple.

February 18th
Jon discusses the first five weeks of the legislative session with Colorado State Senate President Joan Fitzgerald and Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff.

February 11th
Jon discusses the solution to Colorado’s budget shortfall with fiscal policy experts from the Reason Foundation, Geoff Segal and George Passantino.

February 4th 
One-on-one conversation with ABC’s 20/20 Co-Anchor and bestselling author John Stossel.  We will discuss his latest work Gimme a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats and Scam Artists and became the Scourge of the Liberal Media, which just came out in paperback.

January 28th
Senior Fellow Mike Krause and Defense Attorney and TalkLeft.com creator Jeralyn Merritt discuss sentencing reform for non-violent drug offenses.

January 21st
Leanne Abdnor, Executive Director of Women for Social Security Choice, and Former Regional Administrator for Social Security Rich Gonzalez debate whether privatization can save Social Security.

January 14th
Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon and Assistant House Majority Leader Michael Garcia discuss what’s on the agenda for the 2005 legislative session.