9/15/25 Blog: The War On Drugs Is A War Now, And A Civil Political Event

THE WAR ON DRUGS HAS CHANGED And I wrote this on last week's blog but then had to reschedule because of the dumpster fire that Wednesday turned into:

ABOUT THAT DRUG BOAT BOMBING I saw this when it first happened:

And though I am not okay with extrajudicial killing as a regular point of order, I saw this post that gave me pause.

Reeve Swainston is a Marine, former US Attorney and a prosecutor who worked drug cartel cases during his career. Here is an article about one of his cases. He's on at 1:00 to discuss why cartels must be treated like terror organizations and I think he might be right. This happened last night apparently.

What we're doing previously clearly isn't working. Today I've got Reeve on at 1 for real, assuming the world doesn't come crashing down today instead.

WANT TO SEE POLITICS DONE CIVILLY? There is a forum where all the Douglas County School Board candidates will be appearing, moderated by me and my friend and show partner Deborah Flora (click here for more on that show). It's part of Douglas County Citizenry's effort to elevate the dialogue and bring back those days where people could express differing viewpoints in a constructive way. Details are below, but I can already tell you that if you are a bad actor wanting to do harm probably half the people there will be skilled carry concealed folks. Just saying.

I JUST KEEP GETTING MADDER AND MADDER This weekend was a delight for me personally in many ways. Friday I spoke to a wonderful group of people up in Frederick and loved spending time with people who were also deeply affected by the death of Charlie Kirk. Then on Saturday I got to celebrate our friend Christian Toto's birthday, which is always fun. Yesterday I went to see a phenomenal production of a Stephen Sondheim musical called Assassins, which was outstanding and very topical obviously. But why do I find myself getting madder every day? Because of the concerted effort to rewrite history when it comes to Charlie Kirk. Charlie Kirk was not perfect, but none of us are, but seeing the way the left is using the same taken out of context quotes to justify his murder is making me seethingly angry. I may or may not (we'll see) have ended a 45 year friendship that has weathered all sorts of political storms because my dear friend decided to send me left wing propaganda to show me Kirk was "not a good person" while admitting that she has not seen one second of his actual interviews or college campus exchanges. We are not okay, we are not getting okay, and we will not BE okay. This post on X sums up what I wish the left would understand about this incident.

I'm trying to channel my inner Tulsi Gabbard here but DAMN it's hard right now.

"They have made God the enemy" shook me. I am trying to rise above but I feel RAGE. Actual, palpable RAGE. Not only that they assassinated a person because of what he says, but that they are trying to DEFEND it. Not sure what happens next but I don't like feeling like this and I'm guessing most of you don't either. Everything just feels so raw.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT KIRK'S SHOOTER Rather than dig through all the news myself I asked Chat to gather up what we know so far.

Evidence & Investigation Details

Here’s what law enforcement has disclosed so far:

• The murder weapon (Mauser .30-06 hunting rifle) was recovered near the scene. The Telegraph+2Wikipedia+2
• Bullet casings with inscriptions: Some of the bullets/unspent rounds reportedly had symbols or messages (e.g. anti-fascist, gaming culture references, “transgender” inscriptions) etched into them. AP News+2The Telegraph+2
• Other forensic evidence includes: DNA on items at the site, such as a towel used to wrap the rifle and a screwdriver; palm prints; footwear impressions; forearm imprints; surveillance video. New York Post+2Wikipedia+2
• Also, investigators have reviewed Discord messages and textual exchanges involving Robinson during the time period surrounding the crime. People.com+1

What Is Known About Motive, Background

• The shooter is reported to have held left-leaning or “leftist” ideological beliefs. Governor Spencer Cox said he had become more politically radical over time. The Washington Post+2AP News+2
• His family, however, are registered Republicans. Al Jazeera
• The shooter attended Utah State University but dropped out. He is reportedly enrolled in an electrical apprenticeship. AP News+1
• He has a romantic partner who is transitioning. This partner is co-operating with the investigation. Reuters+1
• He has not cooperated himself with law enforcement, and has not confessed. He is being held without bail. ABC News+3Reuters+3Business Insider+3

Charges

• The suspect is charged with aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury. CBS News+1

The stuff about Discord messages is interesting and I think what this is referring to below.

JIMMY SENGENBERGER WRITES ABOUT THE COARSENING OF CULTURE And it's a very well written column about the multiple tragedies of last week, not the least of which has been the joy and glee some are responding with.

COMMUTERS ARE TOLD TO RIDE SCOOTERS INSTEAD Good grief, y'all, this is the dumbest thing I've ever seen. In an effort to get more than lousy 3.1% of people heading to the Tech Center to use public transportation, the "people in charge" are suggesting that you grab a scooter to get from the light rail station to work. I especially love the fact they are advocating that you take a scooter to one of the entertainment districts for a fun night out when you will likely drink alcohol before you get BACK onto the scooter. This as scooter injuries are already soaring. I'm sure this will be great in the winter.

HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ROSE PUGLIESE STEPS DOWN And this is a HUGE loss for the Republican party and Colorado. In her resignation letter she cites several factors, none of them good. You can read more here, and she will be on with me tomorrow at 2:30 to talk about it.

A FIX IS IN THE WORKS FOR THE COMPETENCY ISSUE And I have to believe most Democrats are horrified that their legislation has led to the release of dangerously mentally ill men back into our community. After Elon Musk shined a light on the situation the Governor acted like he was shocked that the bill HE SIGNED did this, but I don't care if it fixes the problem. Read more here.

THE EVERGREEN SHOOTER SPENT TIME IN HORRIBLE ONLINE SPACES First off, thank you to Denver7 for not using the shooter's name in this story at all. I am refusing to name people who kill others on the show. I have that choice but news organizations get pressure to give ALL the details. In this story they do detail how the shooter spent time in online chat rooms where murder and mayhem are encouraged. I refuse to give the next shooter someone to emulate.

IS TIK TOK HERE TO STAY? President Trump says a deal has been cut, but details are slim to non existent. Treasure Secretary Scott Bessent says the company will be sold to American firm but gave no further information.

THE CRAFT BREW INDUSTRY IS HANGING IN THERE Although I do think we've hit what I'd call "Peak Craft Brewing". That being said, we are losing just slightly more than we are gaining, which is line with the national average. This is a good article that will give hope to those of you worried about the state of the industry.

JARED POLIS PUTS THE BLAME ON THE SHOOTER And he's not wrong. Watch his interview on ABC This Week.

In all my disagreements with the Governor, I don't remember him being the guy to call the right Nazis, or to blame them for heated rhetoric even as he has talked about heated rhetoric in the past. I got an email from a listener mad about this interview, but this is consistent with how he's responded to other such situations.

A RECORD BREAKING EMMY NOD HAS AURORA TIES And I just think this is cool.

IF YOU'RE READY TO GIVE UP ON THE US AND MOVE ABROAD Here is a list of the best countries to retire to.

WHO WAS RIGHT ABOUT THE BIDEN ECONOMY Spoiler alert: it wasn't the "experts". Read it here.

HERE IS COLORADO'S ENERGY PRICE FUTURE If we continue to pursue the same idiotic net zero policies pursued by New England, where energy costs have skyrocketed 36% in four years. Why? The Dems Green Energy Dreams.

GOOD NEWS ON DIVORCE Divorce rates aren't what they used to be. Divorce is down, especially among younger groups, and if you take out the divorce stats of people on their second or third marriage (which have a higher risk for divorce) they are even better. You can read an article about that here, but the stats I'm referencing aren't in it, they are in my head but I know them to be right.

SIGNS OF LIFE ON MARS Watch below or click here.

NEED A NEW WAY TO DRINK UNTIL YOU PUKE? Watch below or click here.

FOR YOUR NEXT 6PM RAVE We've got Toddler Techno. Watch below or click here.

SUPER MARIO BROTHERS 2 HAS A NAME And it's coming out in April of 2026, read more here.

I AM PART OF THIS GUY'S PROBLEM By having my phone on Do Not Disturb. I'm changing nothing after seeing this. Watch below or click here.

EVER WONDERED HOW PEANUTS GROW? I don't because my dad had a peanut field when I was kid for dove hunting so I already knew. Watch below or click here.

ABOUT CHARLIE KIRK THE RACIST

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED? AN ACDC POLKA COVER BAND Oh yes you do. Watch below or click here

RILEY GAINES HAS A GREAT IDEA FOR CHARLIE'S SHOOTER And I'm down with this.

COLORADO DEMOCRAT CRIES OVER A DEMAND FOR A STATE EMPLOYEE TO BE FIRED As the woman in question is a SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNSELOR who obviously hates anyone on the right, yeah, she should lose this job. What if a conservative came to her for help? Stop trying to make awful people PUBLICLY saying awful things the victims here.

WHAT A GREAT TOUCHDOWN CELEBRATION That includes the hearing impaired. Or at least I think it does. Watch below or click here.