Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Mandy Connell Show is sponsored by val and Pollock
Accident and Injury Lawyers.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
No, it's Mandy Connell on KAM ninety one FM.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
So god way, can the Ny.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Andy Connal keeping sad day?
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Let me hear the harmonica play at the top of
a segment.
Speaker 4 (00:44):
You know, Tenny san murders in the house.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
It's filling in for Mandy Connall today on this Friday,
February fourteenth, aka Valentine's Day.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
Happy Valentine's Day.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
One and all, including to a rod right there behind
the glass here on KOA. You've already got me feeling good.
I'm revved up and ready to go and to take
on the world today. Done my job, you have boom,
although you still have three more hours of a job
to do. So we will see if you can keep
(01:23):
up with everything as.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
You have so far. Can you keep up with me?
Speaker 3 (01:28):
That is the real the sing in burgering this I
need to be the sanging has to be burgering, brother,
It's gotta be otherwise.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
What are we doing here? What are we doing here?
Happy Valentine's Day? By the way, you too, buddy, Thank you,
thank you, and.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
To everyone listening, if you want to join in to
the festivities. You can participate in the KOA Common Spirit
health text line. It just text five six six nine zero.
We've got an action packed show today. Lots going on,
including in just a few minutes, I will be joined
by Joe Kelly. He is the CEO of King Supers,
(02:06):
which is of course the affiliate or the company in Colorado,
King super City Market owned by Kroger, and the union
for King super City Market for a number of locations
throughout the Front Range. The slew of different cities and
(02:26):
counties is on strike. You probably have noticed it if
you've driven up to King Supers and you've seen the
white signs, the placards that are written that have read
text on them accusing the company of unfair labor practices
(02:47):
and declaring therefore an unfair labor practice strike. The union
is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers UFCW
Local seven, which has insisted that this isn't about a
broader dispute with King Soupers or with other companies or entities.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
It's just about King Supers now.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
On Tuesday, I had a column critical of these strikes
entitled in the Denver Gazette. Strike serves outside agenda, not
local workers. And I want to be right up front
with where I'm coming from on this because to me,
(03:34):
we had this strike three years ago coming out of COVID,
and you could understand there's a lot of sympathy at
that time because of the strife and difficulties of COVID
for frontline workers, including grocery store workers, and the risks
that people were taking and going out in particular jobs
and being more susceptible to the virus AMID, a dangerous pandemic. Now,
(04:01):
three years later, though, we have another strike, and the
question is is this one that has merit? You know,
I went to King Soupers over the weekend. I did
cross the picket line. It was Super Bowl Sunday. Had
a few things to grab, so we ran in there
real quick, and coming out of the store, I grabbed
(04:25):
one of the flyers the guy was handing out.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
In all caps.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
It said King Supers, dropped the ball and declaring that
in big bold font they accused the company of breaking
the law and urged patrons to shop elsewhere, particularly Safeway.
Now to me, the details as I looked at this
handout were puzzling. The union's main complaint of illegal behavior,
(04:55):
according to the handout, at least was about allegedly trying
to quote take away eight million dollars from the Retirees
Healthcare Fund money. The flyer says the company wants to
redirect toward raising current workers' wages. Now that's something that
(05:15):
King Supers denies, that eight million dollars is being siphoned
from retirees healthcare to fund wages. But it did to
me seem like rather strange grievance, especially since King Supers
flatly denies it, as I mentioned, and something didn't add
up as workers were standing in the cold holding up
(05:36):
their signs. We've seen it throughout the past week plus now,
and their main pitch to at least Super Bowl Sunday
shoppers was about retiree benefits, not their own working conditions,
and their handdown admitted that King Supers was boosting wages
for current workers, assuming, of course, the claim about benefit
(06:00):
cuts for retirees.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
We're legitimate to begin with. So there is a lot.
There's always two sides to the story.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
And especially when you have something of a labor dispute
and you have the union that says, hey, we're going
on strike and the company that says we made a
reasonable offer and they did not accept it, and we're
sort of we're at an impasse right now. Where do
we go from here? But when we are all being
(06:35):
called by the union to participate in their strike in
effect by quote unquote honoring the picket line, that means
that you are being drawn into a cause, and you
might not know the two sides of that cause. I
want to understand a little bit better where the company
(06:57):
is coming at this whole, which is why I'm pleased
to welcome here to the Mandy Connell Show, Jimmy sang
and Berger filling in for Mandy here on KOA.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Joe Kelly, he is the CEO of.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
King Soopers kind enough to take some time this afternoon
to join me on the program.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
Good afternoon, Joe, and.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Welcome, good afternoon.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Thank you for having me, Thank you for coming on.
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
So let me just ask you a big top line
question from your dvantage point as the CEO of the
company on the opposite side of.
Speaker 4 (07:28):
The union, how do you view the strike and how
we got to this point?
Speaker 5 (07:35):
How I view the strike is totally unnecessary, totally premature.
This strike has absolutely nothing to do with our proposed wages,
our best in class healthcare, or our pensions. This has
to do with Local seven and Kim Cordova asking our associates,
our members to take a strike vote on a unfounded
(07:55):
unfair libor practice issue on strike just for that reason,
which at the day, maybe have them vote on the offer.
That's their right to do so. She still has yet
to do it. So for them to be out on
strike right now is your foolishness.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Why don't you lay out for us for a moment
what your last best and final offer to the union was.
Speaker 5 (08:15):
Yes, I think we you know, we've been talking about
this now for months. Right when we think about our
last best and final offer that we put on the table,
it's you know, if you're all the way back to
twenty twenty two when she went the union did the
exact same thing, took them out on strike on an
unfounded unfair labor practice, which, by the way, that's why
you have the National Relations Labor Board. They're the ones
(08:37):
who made that decisions and they have not found us
to have committed any unfair labor practices at that time
or this time. But if you were all the way
back and you take the contract that was ratified in
twenty twenty two, and then you take the contract that
we're hoping to get ratified now. This three hundred and
fifty million dollars in incremental wages. This contract right now
(08:57):
alone has an incremental to one hundred and eighty million
dollars that we are putting into wages. We have our
most tenured associates who are going to see a four
dollars fifty cent an hour over the course of the contract.
We have everyone receiving a raise throughout the contract depending
on how many hours they may be maybe working. And
(09:19):
at the end of the day, you know, the first
year alone is over six percent of wage increases. As
it relates to healthcare, which I think these are the
three major points right Wages, healthcare, and pension. Our associate
with a family, them and their family. They pay twenty
six dollars a week for their healthcare. I don't know
what you pay, but most people pay a lot more
than that. As a matter of fact, we're asking them
(09:39):
for me a three dollars increase, So for twenty nine
dollars twenty nine dollars a week, you can they can
cover their sales and their entire family. The average Colorado
family pays one hundred and thirty three dollars and fifty cents.
And then lastly is the pension. The pension is fully funded,
the reserves are in great shape, the account is in
the green. So we think we have an excellent, last,
(10:02):
best and final offer, and we gave that to them
in the beginning of January. We actually gave my first
comprehensive offera back in December. At the last best and
final offer that we asked them to have the Associates
road on their members, we gave it to them the
beginning of January.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
So one of the things that I noticed when I
and I was just talking about a handout, I got
at King Supers from one of the picketers on Super
Bowl Sunday and griped that King Supers allegedly is trying
to quote take away eight million dollars from Retirees Health
Fund healthcare Fund in order to pay for worker wages increases.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Is that true?
Speaker 4 (10:38):
My understanding is King Supers is denying that.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
Well, I am denying that. It's a one hundred percent false.
The Retirees Healthcare is in terrific shape. It's funded and
it's in the green. If we're putting on one hundred
and eighty million dollars into wages, I don't think we
need the eight million dollars out of anybody's health care.
So it's again rhetoric, it's dangerous. It's a commercial that
(11:02):
Local seven Kim Kudoba continue to play and it's completely untrue.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Joe Kelly, our guest CEO of King Supers, I'm looking
at this whole situation. It begs the question when you
have a last, best, final offer that you have offered,
and to me, it definitely does seem reasonable, especially when
I don't see particular gripes from the union that align
against specific provisions within that offer. And yet there's always
(11:30):
a question, folks will wonder, is there anything that you believe,
any demands that they are making that you believe are
legitimate and could possibly be met without raising prices.
Speaker 5 (11:42):
Well, first of all, I don't go into any negotiations
with the thought that we're going to raise prices to
pay for a new contract. That has never been our
philosophy and never will be our philosophy, that that's one
of our goals. So at the end of the day,
we're more than willing to go back to the table.
We've asked local said than three or four times over
the last few days to come back to the table
(12:03):
while we keep heiring from the very beginning is that
we're going to see a wage proposal. We've seen nothing
from them. They've given us none. We've had thirteen bargaining sessions.
We've given them four wage proposals, including the last, best
and final. Now that all the money is on the table,
they've given us none. They continue with this rhetoric about
we're dreadfully understaffed. We have over four thousand more people
(12:25):
than we had before COVID. We're staffed better than we
ever were. Does that mean we were fully staffed. We're
always looking to hire people. We're hiring people part time
in full time today. That's an ongoing challenge that we
want to do. But the union has been promising us
a staffing proposal. They've yet to give us a staffing proposal.
So the two things they continue to talk about, we're
going to give you a staffing proposal and a waste proposals.
(12:47):
They've never done it. So we've spent thirteen sessions, then
we spent since October, negotiating against ourselves, and this is foolishness.
But to answer your question, so I'm very clear, we'll
go back to the table today, tonight, tomorrow and talk
about whatever they want to talk about. All I wanted
to make clear of them is all the money is
on the table. We can move some around, we can
(13:09):
talk about burbage, we can talk about any concerns they
may have, but we can't do it if we don't
get to the table. And right now, nobody's winning, not
the company, not the union, not our associates, and not
our customers. And it's very disappointing and it's not necessary.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
One other thing that they have said, Joe Kelly, at
least according to the flyer that I had been given
in some of the other materials I've seen, is that
they want lower prices for consumers. I'm a consumer, I'm
a shopper at King Supers. Of course I want that.
I also do understand the way that the economy has
gone in terms of inflation, the rising.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
Costs of goods and services.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
How do you look at the causes, the underlying causes
of why we have seen an increase in the price
of goods over the past couple of years.
Speaker 5 (13:53):
Well, I think is the number of things that drive
that right, and I think it's been clearly noted noted
by the government, things of that sort. But to the Union,
to think is part of a contract that they can
negotiate lower prices or higher prices. That has nothing to
do with a labor contract, nothing to do with it
whatsoever as a matter of fact, and they continue to
(14:14):
talk about the staffing model. They keep talking about sales.
Staffing isn't driven based on sales. Staffing is driven by units,
the items that go through the registers. How many hours
does it take to put the product on the shelf
and how many hours does it take to replenish it.
It has nothing to do with sales. So whether price
is a high or prices are low, it comes down
to how many hours does it take to stop something
(14:37):
as it relates to price. If you go back ten
years ago, we've been on a mission at King Soupers
in City Market to improve our pricing. We are well
documented that we're ten to twelve percent cheaper than Safeway today,
which is where the Union is telling our customers to
go shop, which is going to cost our customers ten
to twelve percent more if they do that. And then
we've also been very focused on Walmart. We're the closest
(15:00):
our prices have ever been to Walmart. As matter of fact,
we are making less on groceries today than we were
ten years ago from a margin perspective. So it is
top of mind. We need to make sure that we're
keeping the consumer in mind. We're constantly looking at our promotions,
We're constantly looking at our loyalty programs and everything that
comes along with it, and we will continue to do so.
(15:20):
That's our job, just reponsibility.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
Sure, just a few minutes left with our guests.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
Joe Kelly, CEO of King Supers, I want to talk
about a lawsuit that was filed by King Supers I
think a week ago today in federal court alleging coordination
with out of state unions.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
I looked into some of the claims that were made in.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
The lawsuit and checked out some of the sources, and
there is some real strong legitimacy here. I will say
in October, when King Soupers had objected getting word as
I understand it, that you know outside unions would be involved,
you said, hey, we don't want that. We don't have
a bargaining relationship with the company. Yet two days later,
(16:00):
the United Food and Commercial Workers Union three thousand had
their president, Fay Gunther, fly in anyway and participate in
the first day of negotiations, and the next day this
union UFCW three thousand openly declared intentions to quote coordinate
proposals and actions through their United Coalition to force both Kroger,
(16:23):
which owns King Soopers and Albertson's to bend. And this
individual has a very clear political agenda in terms of wanting.
Speaker 4 (16:33):
To change and tack.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
The words she said was transform the entire grocery industry,
or at least articles summed up her position. And to me,
that's really stunning, Joe Kelly, when you have out of
state unions coming in to get involved in negotiations, especially when.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
There seems clearly to be a political agenda.
Speaker 5 (16:54):
Well, I can't speak to her agenda, and I can't
speak to Kim Kurgover, president of the Local seven's agenda,
and I can speak it is certainly UFCW Local seven
forced King Soupers to bargain with the unions from California
and Washington, who represents certainly interests outside of Colorado, not
King Soupers and City Market associates, and not local sevens members.
The bottom line, this accent is unlawful and intentionally causes delays,
(17:18):
which is unfairly impacting our associates and our customers. Unfortunately,
I can't comment it on it much further than that
because we're in litigation, but it is very disturbing. I
just think it's one more example of delaying negotiations and
trying to get this contract ratified into the finish line,
which isn't the best interest of our associates trying to
put more money in their paycheck, and trying to certainly
(17:40):
take the stress off our communities and our customers. The
great news is still well over fifty percent of our customers.
I think he made a comment about Super Bowl Sunday.
The Union keeps telling everybody we didn't have anybody in
the stores. Our stores are extremely busy leading into Super Bowl.
Our customers are extremely loyal and we couldn't be more
proud and pleased and thankful for that. We also have
had at over ten percent of our workforce come back
(18:02):
to work already. They're frustrated. They're asking me why the
union won't allow them to vote on the last, best
and final offer. I can't answer the question. The only
one that can is the union.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
Two final quick things, Joe Kelly.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
If I go into king Soopers and a Saturday before
ten am, it can be hard to get a cashier
if I don't want to use self checkout, and then
I have to go use self checkout.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
With that in mind, does the union have any point.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
About their staffing issues or your point about four thousand
more workers?
Speaker 4 (18:33):
Is that how you respond to that? Click gripe Chris.
Speaker 5 (18:37):
Rob'd be happy to talk to talk about staffing with
the union at any time. I've been very willing and
open to try to test some things in some of
our stores, and these are the types of things we
should negotiate at the table. I am not suggesting for
one second that we don't have a certain store or
a certain day, a certain hour, that we don't have
issues where we need more staff, sick calls, things of
that nature. So, by no means of my naive, we've
(18:59):
also offered to expand the Joint Labor Management Committee, giving
associates a collective stake in staffing discussions, which we're willing
to do that and have that discussion and test some things. Unfortunately,
we can't do that when the union won't come back
to the table. And again we will continue to ask
them to come to the table. We'll continue to ask
them to let their members our associates vote on this offer.
(19:22):
I see only way we're going to get it resolved.
Same time, same thing that happened in twenty twenty two,
took them out on strike, came back to the table,
we had it resolved in under three days, and unfortunately,
are their members our associates came back for eighteen million
dollars less than what that last best and final offer
was going to be. We have to protect our business
and we have to protect our customers and our communities.
Speaker 4 (19:42):
At the same time, thirty seconds, how does this end?
Speaker 5 (19:46):
When I'm ready to end it today and we're willing
to go to the table today and we're willing to
have discussions today, the union has proven that they will
not come to the table. And we gave them the last,
best and final offer at the beginning of they said
we'll be back in touch. They have not been back
in touch. They have not responded to that offer, and
they have not allowed the associates their members. Our associates
(20:08):
to vote it. If they would do that, we can
get to stand. If they think it's such a poor offer,
then let our associates their members vote on it. It's
their prerogative to turn it down, and it's their prerogative
to ratify it. We're hearing nothing. I shared the last,
best and final offer with all of our associates, so
they knew what it looked like because the union refused
to do so. So if I wasn't proud of that offer,
(20:29):
I wouldn't have shared it. And we're hearing much more
from our people about wanting to vote. So come to
the table. That's how it gets resolved.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Joe Kelly, CEO of King Soopers, really appreciate you taking
some time to share your side of the story today.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 5 (20:43):
It was my pleasure. Thanks for having me have a
great day.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
We're going to take a break.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
We'll get to your text on the other side from
the CHOA Common Spirit Health text by in five sixty
six nine zero. Keep them coming on this as we
continue on KOA. Jimmy Sang and Berger in from Andy Connell.
Jimmy Sang and Berger in for Mandy today on this
Valentine's Day, fascinating interview in the last segment with Joe
(21:07):
Kelly's CEO of King Supers and what I wanted to
do here, why I wanted to invite Joe Kelly on
to actually have a longer form conversation than just a
quick SoundBite as you tend to get in the mainstream media,
is to hear more of that other side. Because well,
(21:28):
one texter on the KOA Common Spirit Health text line
laid it out pretty right, pretty well. Most news sources
cover strikes by only interviewing the striking union employees, then
some customers either supporting the striking employees or complaining about
how the strike affects their customer experience, and then finishing
(21:50):
with an anchor or reporter giving a mini SoundBite of
the company position, way to go, Jimmy, and covering the
other side of the strikes.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
I appreciate that.
Speaker 3 (22:01):
I think it is important, especially because, as I said before,
there is this compulsion the union wants you to be
pulled in to supporting where they are coming from and
to not cross the picket line in solidarity with them.
I think it's very important to understand the issues a
(22:25):
bit more before deciding, oh, you know what, I am
going to abide that and make that position known to
essentially virtue signal if you're just joining us. I wrote
a column on Tuesday in the Denver Gazette strike serves
outside agenda, not local workers, and that lays out a
(22:46):
lot of these factors in some of the outside union
influence from out of state and so forth that's happening
to really try and transform the grocery industry here in
Colorado and across the country. And it's it's very clear
to me, especially after talking with Joe Kelly in the
last segment's CEO again of King Soupers, that the company
(23:08):
seems to be offering the right kind of proposal, final offer.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
They're willing to go to the table. The union is
not going to the table, at least how they tell
it that.
Speaker 3 (23:18):
I've seen nothing to contradict that and everything to support
the position of the company.
Speaker 4 (23:28):
And I think when we look at.
Speaker 3 (23:32):
This situation and as shoppers, it's about where can we
get the best deal, where can we keep our prices down?
And if that's King Soupers right now, great, go continue
to go there if you want to, or if you
want to send a message. Otherwise, go ahead in too,
Safeway or some other location or store instead. A few
(23:55):
other touchts that had come in that I think are
worth mentioning. I am a teamster and I love King Soupers,
and we'll keep shopping there. I have no problem. This
is Ralph text.
Speaker 4 (24:08):
Again.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
I have no problem whatsoever crossing picket lines. These outside
unions are screwing with our state's businesses for more money
for union leaders. And yes, the union bosses is key
the head of the UFCW three thousand union, Fay Gunther,
who is interfering basically with the negotiations here. She attended
(24:29):
the first negotiation bargaining table between King Soupers and Local seven,
the UFCW affiliate here in October. Even though King super
said we don't have any bargaining relationships with these other unions,
we don't want them here. Well, Fay Gunther attended anyway,
and she has a hyper partisan political agenda well documented.
(24:55):
I lay it out in my Tuesday Denver Gazette column.
But it's important to oath these union bosses make some
pretty good pay. When she led Local twenty one. This
is in Washington State, by the way that Fank Glnther
is at. She led a union local twenty one, made
(25:16):
one hundred and sixty six four hundred and forty seven
dollars in twenty twenty one, and that was before they
emerged to form UFCW three thousand, where she's at now.
So we are talking a pretty nice, swanky six figure
salary for union bosses.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
At this level.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
They're not affected by what happens with these strikes that
could force their political agendas.
Speaker 4 (25:43):
However, they want goodness. Just keep that in mind.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
Text Based on what Joe Kelly said, I'm continuing to
cross their benefits are better than mine for employees. Seriously. Yeah,
so there's definitely some criticism of the union coming in
and then a little bit of support otherwise. I have
shopped it Safeway for many years. Always like their stores
(26:13):
better anyway. I'll tell you the thing I really like
about Safeway. I love their bagels. They have delicious bagels
that are just perfect. So that's one thing that I
always go to Safeway for. And one of the reasons
why I was kind of hoping that that merger didn't
go through, even though I do think it would probably
(26:34):
be better for consumers.
Speaker 4 (26:37):
Is because I didn't want to lose out on the bagels. Now,
this union issue is.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Important why I'm dovetailing a little bit more into it
this hour because we heard during the news break about
a bill introduced to the Colorado State Senate yesterday that
would eliminate a key requirement before a labor group can
negotiate with the company to impose dues on non union members.
(27:06):
The Denver Gazette reporting more on this as we heard
as well during the news that this proposal would delete
key provisions of an eighty year old labor law that
deals with union elections. And assuming the Senate passes this bill,
then it's the state House.
Speaker 4 (27:25):
Where we will see a battle royale come to be.
Speaker 3 (27:29):
Now, under this law, there's a first election to form
a union that has a simple majority to pass, but
then a second election allows the establishment of a quote
union security agreement at a unionized workplace that requires seventy
five percent to pass. Now, assuming that second election meets
(27:50):
the vote threshold of seventy five percent, the union can
then negotiate with the company to impose a fee on
non union workers. And this bill would get rid of
that second level and say, okay, you just need the
one vote and then you can impose dues on non
union members. I think that is an affront to good business.
(28:15):
It would be destructive to the business climate in Colorado,
and it would cause significant more, significantly more challenges moving forward.
Speaker 4 (28:27):
So King supers Issue ties right in with this bill.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
And it's the same kind of movement happening across the country,
especially on the farther left, and I think it's important
to understand what's going on there. I'm Jimmy Sayingenberger filling
in for Mandy Connor. Lots more coming up ahead as
we continue on KOA Happy Valentines Day. Coming up at
the top of the hour, we will be joined to
buy Corey de Angelis, writer author of The Parent Revolution,
(28:56):
a powerful book talking about the ways in which parents
have been rising up and pushing back on school districts
across the country and the advance of school choice, and
what's happening here in Colorado, which he's been following somewhat
from the very disturbing things happening, especially in Jefferson County
(29:18):
school So that's coming up at the top of the
next hour.
Speaker 4 (29:23):
I also want to share something very.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
Sad, especially for those of us who at least for me,
I came up in Arapahoe County for politics and one
of the earliest memories of any politician that I met
and got excited.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
Oh my gosh, I met this person.
Speaker 3 (29:41):
I think he was running for county commissioner at the
time in a rapah home.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
Was not a county commissioner at the time, but I
can't remember.
Speaker 3 (29:49):
I was thirteen or fourteen when I met former state
Representative Rod Bockenfeld, who passed away.
Speaker 4 (30:01):
I believe yesterday very very sad news.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
The Colorado House Republicans put out a statement regarding the
passing of the former Republican representative, calling him a dedicated
public servant, a steadfast leader, and a beloved friend. Representative
Bockenfeld's on wavering commitment to Colorado was evident in everything
he did. He led with integrity, fought tirelessly for fiscal responsibility,
(30:32):
and always.
Speaker 4 (30:33):
Put the needs of the people first.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
Representative Bockenfeld's service to our state was a testament to
his deep love for Colorado. From his years as an
Arapahoe County Commissioner to his tenure in the House of Representatives,
he worked with determination and a sharp sense of purpose,
whether guiding critical budget decisions on the Joint Budget Committee
(30:57):
or standing firm in his principle on the House floor,
he never backed down from doing what he believed was right.
Beyond his leadership, Representative Backetfeld will be remembered for his kindness,
as humor, and.
Speaker 4 (31:12):
A steadfast friendship.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
He had a way of bringing people together, always ready
to lend his expertise, share a story, or offer a
word of encouragement. His loss will be felt deeply by
all who had the honor of knowing him. And ain't
that the truth? Rod Bockenfeld, May you rest in peace, sir,
Thank you for all that you have done for Colorado
(31:36):
in your many, many years of public service.
Speaker 4 (31:41):
A truly good man lost, but he will live on
in the next life. I am sure.
Speaker 6 (31:54):
You know.
Speaker 3 (31:54):
When we look at the politics of this state, one
of the things that comes to my mind, especially thinking
about Rod Bachenfeld and when he brought to the table
in his many, many years decades of public service, is
that Colorado has clearly gone in a very different direction
from where it was in the past, where Republicans used
(32:18):
to have for example, in Arapaho County, full control of
the county now almost nothing except for municipalities like Centennial
and Aurora. And then you have seen the Democrats continue
to strengthen their hold over this state year after year.
(32:38):
And one of the big reasons for this is because
the Colorado Republicans have continued to shoot themselves in both
feet both feet. The Democrats that the blueprint that they
brought to take over Colorado Republicans have participated in expanding
their power and consolidating it by making all kinds of
(32:59):
errors because of hubris and because of a narrow view
of if you're not in our particular club, then you
are out. You're a rhino, you are excised from the party.
And in fact, now they're bringing a lawsuit. Dave Williams
has brought a lawsuit against those who were trying to
(33:21):
remove him with some absurd claims. And I'm looking at
this like move on, especially as you have new leadership
about to take over, even if the new leadership is
not very good in of itself, but we have a
Republican party that is anathema to I think what Rod
(33:43):
Bachenfeld brought throughout his tenure and as a county commissioner
and as a state legislator, and goodness, it's just not
showing any signs of getting better, and quite frankly, I
think it will get worse in March with leadership that will.
Speaker 4 (34:01):
Double down on what we have seen under Dave Williams.
Speaker 3 (34:04):
And Republicans will take at least two years more to
start learning some of their lessons.
Speaker 4 (34:14):
Will that happen, We'll see. Only time will tell.
Speaker 3 (34:19):
I'm Jimmy sanging Berger Filly in for Mandy Connell as
we continue two more hours up ahead right here on KOA.
Speaker 1 (34:28):
The Mandy Connell Show is sponsored by Belle and Pollock
Accident and injury Lawyers.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
No, it's Mandy Connell on KOAM, got way.
Speaker 7 (34:46):
The nicety.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
And connal keeping sad bab.
Speaker 3 (35:06):
Time Now for the second hour. Jimmy Sangenberger in for
Mandy Connell. Gotta love the text earlier in the show
here on KOA from the KOA Common Spirit Health text
line five six six nine Zeros saying, every time I
hear that harmonica play, I know Jimmy Sangenberger's coming our way.
Speaker 4 (35:29):
Woo. I love the rhyme.
Speaker 3 (35:31):
There's a real lyrical quality to that text, and I
love it. Glad you enjoy it and glad to be
here with you today as we continue to talk about
some of the most important topics of our time, including
K through twelve, education and the parent revolution increasingly sweeping
(35:52):
the nation. In fact, that is the title of the
book by my next guest, Corey de Angelis, PhD. It's
entire the Parent Revolution, Rescuing your kids from the radicals
ruining our schools. He is a senior fellow at the
American Culture Project and I would contend the most foremost
(36:13):
advocate in the country right now for school choice. Corey Brother,
welcome back to Koa.
Speaker 8 (36:19):
Hey, Jimmy, thanks for having me.
Speaker 4 (36:21):
Good to have you.
Speaker 3 (36:22):
I want to get in a moment to the big
thing sweeping the nation, but I want to start it
right at home. That helps underscore why what the Trump
administration is doing in a variety of areas is important.
Speaker 4 (36:34):
Here in Colorado, as you well know because back.
Speaker 3 (36:37):
In December you reached out to me about the story
of David Weiss, the former chief of Schools Number three
for Jefferson County Schools, which is the second largest school
district in the state, who eventually would take his own life,
but he was being investigated for possession of child pornography.
(36:57):
Then we have a story that just broke from CBA
Colorado yesterday about a situation also in Jefco Schools at
Columbine High School, whereas the story reports, school officials help
the student, a high school student live female on a
federal form and then hid it from her parents so
(37:19):
she could move in with a teacher, also a female educator,
who had been grooming that student. This is one school district, Corey,
take it away.
Speaker 8 (37:29):
I mean, it's sick. We're seeing this in the other
states as well, where you have the union owned politicians
catering to the adults as opposed to the kids. And
they're also just trying to wedge themselves between children and
their own parents under the guise of so called safety,
as if the kids need to be rescued from their
(37:50):
own parents. But you know, on average, in general, parents
are going to have the best interest of their children
in mind, much more so than any government bureaucrat or
school employee. And this story that just came out of
Jeffco's schools yesterday of the teacher grooming the child and
keeping secrets and parents just goes to say there are
(38:12):
unintended consequences of keeping parents in the darks. Government bureaucrats
and school employees are not perfect, and they're less likely
to have the best interests of young children in their
mind than their own parents. I mean, that doesn't rocket science.
Speaker 5 (38:27):
Jimmy, you know this.
Speaker 8 (38:28):
I know this, and hopefully officials in Colorado and other
Blue states start to realize this as well, that you
can't you can't circumvent parental authority and not expect bad
things to happen. We don't live in fairy tale land
where everybody who works for the government is a perfect
(38:50):
human being. So that's why we need to have more information.
Speaker 4 (38:53):
And if there is.
Speaker 8 (38:55):
Anything negative happening with parents, well then the law should
step in at that point. But the standard, the default.
Parents should be maximally of all involved in their child's upbringing,
and you shouldn't keep secrets from them. Yeah, they play
California are doing this. They're passing policies to not allow
(39:16):
to not have school districts inform the parent when their
child changes their gender at school. Parents need to know
about these things. They know how to navigate their children's
upbringing better than anybody else.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
You know, one thing I think is so striking is
not just what's happening with some of the employees, but
the way that school districts are handling this. For example,
in the David Wise scenario situation, third ranked person in
the district chief of schools, and they wait weeks to
put anything out to families and at most they're just
providing some information to the media. Then, in this particular case,
(39:52):
hiding things from this student's parents, the district school staff
helped the student file paper to report herself as homeless
so she could move in with the teachers behind the
parents back, and then when the mom found out went
to the principal, the principal dismissed it and said that
the teacher just helps students navigate their sexuality. Why coried
(40:16):
Angelis or school districts across the country operating with so
much hubris, because that's what it comes down to.
Speaker 4 (40:22):
Hubris.
Speaker 8 (40:23):
Well, it's because they're monopolies. They have no incentive to
do the right thing, and so when there's a scandal,
they just cover it up. They keep parents in the dark,
they keep the community in the dark, and they don't
want any transparency whatsoever. That's why parents need to be
able to vote with their feet to get out of
these crazy institutions that we call schools that aren't listening
(40:45):
to parents. But that would give them an incentive to actually,
I don't know, focus on the basics, not get into
all of this sexuality stuff at school. And that's not
the job of the teacher. The teacher's job is supposed
to be able to teach the kid how to read
and do math. They're not doing that well because they're
focusing on all these other issues. The schools are focused
(41:05):
more on the LGBTs than the ABC's. And it shouldn't
surprise us that our nation's report card scores just came
out last month showing decades of learning loss. Since twenty nineteen,
we've dropped five to six points in math and reading,
and we spend more than any other country on the planet.
We spend about twenty thousand dollars per student per year
(41:27):
in the government schools.
Speaker 7 (41:29):
That's about fifty.
Speaker 8 (41:30):
Two percent higher than average private school tuition in this country.
Let's have the money follow the student. We'll have more accountability.
Red states are figuring this out right now. Trump has
figured this out. And Trump won the parent vote by
nine points after campaigning on school choice every single rally.
In fact, there was a nationwide polster on two occasions
(41:52):
called Atlas Intel, the most accurate poster over the past
two elections. They asked voters who they supported more on edge,
and in both cases voters went towards Donald Trump as
opposed to Kamala Harris, which, for any political scientists in
the audience, you'll be quick to realize that for decades
the Democrats have had a double digit advantage on education.
(42:16):
Not anymore, because it's not about who's throwing more money
at the problem. It's now a conversation about who's going
to respect the authority of parents, and the GOP has
emerged as the parents party recently.
Speaker 3 (42:28):
Coridy angelis again our guest author of the book The
Parent Revolution. Let's talk about some of the things that
are happening now at the federal level under President Trump.
We have just seen a lot happen this week, including
executive orders dealing with school choice DEI, which is of
course diversity, equity and inclusion, and what we have seen
(42:48):
with what you could call gender ideology. Talk to us
about the executive orders and what these entail.
Speaker 8 (42:55):
Yeah, DEI needs to die and Trump has banned it.
From federal as agency is using an executive order, and
the Department of Education actually put out a statement immediately afterwards,
the new one under Trump, saying that they're they're cutting
millions of funding INDI uh, you know this is this
is deviceive ideology, dividing people based on a mutable characteristics
(43:18):
like race. It's a it's the opposite of being colorblind.
It's a huge problem. I'm glad that Trump is taking
steps to root it out of our society because we
our success should be based on our merit and we
shouldn't judge people based on the color of their skin.
That's that's a huge problem that we should get away from.
(43:39):
And Trump also did have a good executive order on
school choice that directs the Department of Education if it
still exists by the time that they are implementing this order,
to use their discretionary funding to promote school choice. Now,
the truth is, there's only so much you can do
with an executive order as a president. This does put
(44:01):
wind at the sales of the school choice movement, and
it does it's a smart use of the bully pulpit
to put more sunlight on the issue to allow more
people to start talking about it, but there's only so
much discretionary funny that the Department's going to use for
school choice. And we have fifty million kids across the
country in kate to twelve education. Congress needs to act
(44:22):
in order for there to be more meaningful nationwide school choice.
And there's a bill right now in Congress called the
Educational Choice for Children Act. Speaker Mike Johnson's on board,
the Senate leader John Thune's on board. Trump said he'd
sign the bill. It would create a federal tax credit,
you keep more of your own money for kate's twelve
education spending, and that would boost school choice as well,
(44:43):
even in blue states because the politicians and the legislature
wantn't be able to stop parents from capitalizing on that benefit,
even in a place like Colorado or California. But it
can't stop there. The states need to take action too.
Speaker 7 (45:00):
Kates are already doing it.
Speaker 8 (45:02):
My home state of Texas, we're probably going to be
the next state to go all in. Our Senate passed
the bill nineteen twelve. Donald Trump tweeted, and so did
Elon musk At our House Speaker Dustin Burrows, who replied.
Speaker 7 (45:15):
We will pas school choice sorry.
Speaker 4 (45:17):
Nice, it's going to happen.
Speaker 8 (45:19):
Governor Abbotts on board, and hopefully some Democrats start to
defect on the issue. They've been owned by the teachers
unions for too long. But you know what, there's a
new sheriff in town. They're called parents, and they're more
powerful than the employees in the system because they care
about their kids more than anybody else.
Speaker 4 (45:35):
Cordy Angelus, our guest.
Speaker 3 (45:37):
One of the things that you and I have talked
about for years, both together and separately before we've known
each other for like five years now, since before even
meeting each other, is the need to eliminate, to abolish,
to terminate, the Federal.
Speaker 4 (45:50):
Department of Education, something.
Speaker 3 (45:52):
That was never really a mainstream discussion even among Republicans
until the last several years, particularly as a result of
the COVID era what we saw there with affronts to
parents in school choice, hence bringing about what you call
the parent revolution. Why is it important and necessary, Corey
to abolish the Department of Education? And is it not
(46:16):
the case that, as we hear from those who bring hysteria,
that this will actually diminish the quality if we get
rid of the Federal Department of education. We will see
the quality of education creater even more.
Speaker 8 (46:28):
No, would actually be better. Look, the Department of Education
is an unconstitutional waste of time and money. They got
like forty four hundred useless bureaucrats pushing paper in DC
telling you what to do with your own money. And
there's a bill in Congress right now to send that
money back to the state. So we want to defund
education in any way. You actually have more money for
education if you weren't paying these useless bureaucrats in DC
(46:51):
who cut it, take a cut off the top. The
states would direct that own funding. You'd have more local control,
and that that would mean more money for education, more
local control of individuals who are more accountable to the
people in their own states. And this department was created
in nineteen seventy nine by Jimmy Carter as a payoff
(47:14):
to the Teachers Union, the National Education Association, the largest
label labor union in the country. It was built to
supposedly reverse achievement, to close achievement gaps. They've actually gotten worse.
We've spent about two trillion dollars since the inception at
the federal level of the Department of Education. So it
hasn't reached its stated purpose. And look, Mike round has
(47:38):
the bill in Congress right now. He's a Republican out
of South Dakota. It's called the Returning Education to the
States Act. And look, Linda McMahon, the next Education Secretary,
just had her confirmation hearing yesterday went really well. I
hope she gets in into that department and body flams
at once and for all.
Speaker 4 (47:56):
I like that body slams at once and for all,
which is very fitting for Linda McMahon.
Speaker 8 (48:01):
Well, she had Triple Ah sitting right behind her. Wwe
store there you go, we'll be hearing. It was fantastic.
Speaker 3 (48:09):
We'll talk more about Linda McMahon in just a moment,
but I want to ask you a big picture question
about some of the things that Trump is doing. One
might say that this is antithetical to the idea of
states rights and local control on education because you have
the federal government, under the auspices of the president, putting
(48:32):
in place different requirements and different things that are mandating actions.
Speaker 4 (48:37):
Or what have you by the state and local government.
So while you may.
Speaker 3 (48:40):
Abolish the Department of Education if you have that kind
of governance, or maybe you have strings attached to the
money that does get sent to states in the forms
of block grants, so then the states can decide. But
you have strings attached, then you still have federal overreach
contrary to the state admission.
Speaker 8 (48:59):
How do you look at that, Well, then the Democrats
should be asking for the federal government to lower taxes.
Whatso they should be asking to cut taxes. Don't take
the money from us to begin with, and then there
won't be any strings at all attached when it's sent
back to the states. But if you look at Senator
Round's bill out of South Dakota, there aren't any strings
(49:19):
attached based on what the curriculum has to be or anything.
It just says very broadly that the money has to
be used for education. So there isn't any of this
other curriculum type of order included in the bill. So
the Democrats should be jumping for joy trying to pass
this bill from the Republican out of South Dakota called
(49:40):
the Returning its Education to the State dec So I
think this should be supported in a bipartisan way. Linda
McMahon pointed out several times YESTERDA at her confirmation hearing
that that doesn't get rid of any education funding whatsoever,
and any.
Speaker 5 (49:57):
Types of.
Speaker 8 (49:59):
Kind of services that are currently being provided by the
Department of Education that are vital in any way would
move under different departments. For example, any enforcement of civil
rights protections for students would move under the Department of Justice,
the money would be blocked granted on the Department of Treasury.
(50:20):
Tele Grant scholarships for college would move under the Department
of Treasury as well, and special needs law for students
and programs benefiting them at KY to twelve that funding
and that those programs would move under the Department of
Health and Human Services. So when you really look at
how this would work in practice and you look at
the actual bill, it's not as monumental of exchange as
(50:43):
what the teachers dream would like you to believe, because
you're just really returning power to the states. That's exactly
what Trump said. You're not defunding the schools, You're actually
providing more money to them at the state level. And
guess what, we already have state department of Education in
each state. Why do we have another one in DC?
Speaker 4 (51:04):
Yeah, we don't need it.
Speaker 3 (51:06):
You've hit on an important point, a critical point that
those things like Title nine or civil rights protections, what
have you have other agencies of the federal government departments
that they would fall under, you just wouldn't have it
under this b amith of a Department of Education, So
those things will still be protected. Finally, let's talk a
little bit more about Linda McMahon. According to Angelis, how
(51:29):
did you assess her confirmation hearing? What would you expect once?
I think she'll get confirmed. Once she's confirmed and in
the administration, I was.
Speaker 8 (51:40):
Actually very impressed with Lindi Man and she did a
great job keeping her composure were there were some protesters
kind of speckled throughout the hearing that every five or
ten minutes would get up and start screeching. On One
of the protesters was screeching and saying that I'm a
public school teacher, and I don't know why they had
(52:02):
felt compelled to say that. Another one said, I'm a
public school graduate, and they're almost making.
Speaker 7 (52:07):
Our case for us.
Speaker 8 (52:09):
They don't know how to behave themselves and they went
to the public school system. This is why we need
school choice. You're telling me that you're a teacher and
you can't behave yourself in an official hearing at the
federal level. That's an embarrassment and I want to send
my kids to you to learn to be a brat
like you were at the hearing yesterday. But Linda did great,
(52:29):
and she hit on school choice a lot and leaned
into parental rights, education freedom, having the money follow the child.
She had a lot of really good quotes. One reminded
me of fun students not systems. Yes, she said something
along those lines. I tweeted out a bunch of the
videos yesterday. She talked about how school choice competition improves
(52:49):
the public schools. She was just hitting the nail on
the head with basically everything that she was talking about.
So I feel very confident she's going to be confirmed.
I think the report publicans are all going to vote
in favor of her. I don't think any Democrats will
just because you know, they're just they just won't don't
want to vote for Trump's pick. But I feel really
(53:11):
good about her leading the department.
Speaker 4 (53:13):
Very encouraging.
Speaker 3 (53:14):
Indeed, And yes, if you've ever heard the term fund
students not systems, is this guy right here. Corey de
Angelis popularize that phrase, and it is exactly how we
need to approach K through twelve education. I'll just say
I'm a public school graduate and I thoroughly support school
at Choice. Author of the Parent Revolution Rescuing your kids
(53:35):
from the radicals ruining our schools, and senior fellow at
the American Culture Project, Cori D'Angelis joining us. Thank you
so much, my friend Fritz taking some time today.
Speaker 8 (53:45):
Yeah, thank you so much. Jimmy, good talking to you.
Speaker 4 (53:48):
Always a pleasure.
Speaker 3 (53:48):
Once again, Coridy angelis joining us, following follow him on
x at DeAngelis Corey with an E y in Corey,
I'm Jimmy Sangenberger filling and for.
Speaker 4 (54:00):
Mandy Connell moving ahead with a lot more to come
right here on KOA. Just because you can don't mean
you should.
Speaker 3 (54:08):
A very important message for so many things, including a
school district like Denver Public Schools that is playing politics
with immigration and has filed a federal lawsuit to stop
Immigration and Customs enforcement from enforcing the law. Just because
(54:35):
you can file the lawsuit don't mean you should, especially
when it's very transparent. What's really going on here in
DPS is the first school district to do this, to
take any step legally and try to thwart ice from
enforcing a rollback of previous provisions policies under the Biden
(54:58):
administration that forbade ICE agents from carrying out operations and
arrests in so called sensitive locations, that is, areas in
and around at or near is the term at or
near schools, churches, medical facilities, daycare centers, several other kinds
(55:25):
of locations. And what the rule actually specified was within
linear site of those locations, meaning if there was a
nearby house or apartment complex, near a school, near a
home daycare office, you know, you have your home and
(55:48):
you got your daycare business inside there, or a church
on the edge of the community, and it's within linear
site near that location, ICE could not do anything, which
is patently absurd. And that's really what this comes down to.
(56:09):
And the thing is that in a lawsuit, it's very
clear where DPS is coming from. In fact, in a
press release on Wednesday evening, Superintendent doctor Alex Morrero acknowledged
ICE enforcement.
Speaker 4 (56:27):
Hasn't been happening in.
Speaker 3 (56:28):
Schools, but quote in neighborhoods surrounding some DPS schools. Last week,
on February fifth, Morero sent an alarming message about federal
activity at a nearby apartment complex.
Speaker 4 (56:44):
But he also admitted then as well, at.
Speaker 3 (56:47):
This time, there has been no law enforcement activity in
our schools.
Speaker 4 (56:52):
And let's be real, that's not the intention of what's
going on here.
Speaker 3 (56:57):
ICE has no desire or plan to in the middle
of a school day at say nine am, or as
kids are rolling up at seven point thirty or getting
picked up at three o'clock, they're going to rush into
the school and go arrest somebody.
Speaker 4 (57:16):
That's not what's happening.
Speaker 3 (57:17):
It's just the narrative that is being pushed by people
who oppose and forcing the law here.
Speaker 4 (57:27):
It's very clear what.
Speaker 3 (57:28):
The policy is about and what it was about before
in preventing ICE from doing its job.
Speaker 4 (57:35):
John Fabricatory, you've heard of me.
Speaker 3 (57:37):
You're on koa former Denver ICE field director, told me
for my column today in the Denver Gazette. DPS chief
placed politics with immigration. He told me the policy was
never really about keeping ICE out of schools. It was
about keeping ice out of neighborhoods that schools are in.
And you know, for weeks and weeks Fabricatory has been
(58:01):
warning about this and that the sensitive locations policy was
shielding entire communities from enforcement through the provision of Act
or near very broad, and that's the main reason that
the Trump administration went in and made this change. It's
(58:21):
important to note that, as Fabricatory pointed out to me,
no other law enforcement agency has this restriction. It's also
critical to keep in mind while all this is being discussed,
and while DPS is effectively wanting to prevent enforcement of
the law altogether, because this is not about protecting the
(58:45):
inside of the school. This is about two things. Preventing
enforcement period from arrests and number two of illegal immigrants
in particulars get to in a moment, criminals, and number.
Speaker 4 (59:00):
Two enrollment and the funding that comes with it.
Speaker 3 (59:05):
Denver Public Schools, like all school districts in the state,
well most has seen a precipitous decline in enrollment, at
least from legal residents. Their lawsuit, though, claims that lower
attendance because some illegal immigrant students aren't coming to school
they're staying home quote, constitutes a clear threat to DPS's stability,
(59:30):
and that's because.
Speaker 4 (59:31):
Funding depends on enrollment.
Speaker 3 (59:34):
Over five years, DPS has lost one point eight percent
of its student enrollment, but an influx of forty seven
hundred illegal immigrant students has propped up in enrollment, resulting
in a net gain last year. So let's be clear here,
the district isn't just saying the quiet part out loud.
(59:56):
They are shouting it from the rocky mountain tops. They
rely on illegal immigration to pad enrollment and keep the
money flowing, even as the district continues to fail with
academic outcomes that are deeply poor, especially amongst black and
brown students, and school safety concerns that continue to perpetuate,
(01:00:20):
not because of any Ice enforcement but because of failures
of district leadership. That's all driving away citizens and legal residents.
But the districts in enrollment is buoyed by illegal immigrants,
and so of course they want to keep that enrollment
up so the funding continues. But it is absolutely critical
(01:00:41):
to note that immigration officials are focused on criminals six
hundred thousand priority criminals, roughly three hundred thousand annual visa overstays,
and one point four million ordered for deportation by a judge.
Speaker 4 (01:00:58):
But still.
Speaker 3 (01:01:01):
And the focus remains on these major categories, although they
want criminals more broadly as well. Tom Holman talking about
New York City's cooperation and having rikers Island hold illegal
immigrant criminals.
Speaker 4 (01:01:14):
Said this yesterday on Fox Back.
Speaker 6 (01:01:19):
Getting my SO officers back in Rukers as meaningful because
we agree that you know, the worst of the worst,
the firearms violations and murderers, the kidnappers, a rapist. You
know we'll come to our attention, so release we can
grab them, right. I made it clear I want everybody.
If you're an illegal, you get booked in Rukers Island,
I don't care it's for shop lifts and I want them.
So this is a start to deal with the worst
(01:01:39):
of the worst in the beginning, but I made it
clear that my plan on the whole of them I want.
I want everybody. So we're gonna work toward that. We
agree with some other things. I'm not going to discuss
on national TV because I want the city council.
Speaker 5 (01:01:53):
Know what I'm doing.
Speaker 3 (01:01:54):
So that's a little bit talking about New York City
and the controversies there and city council pushing back. But
the bottom line is that the focus is on criminals,
especially the worst. Doesn't mean others won't get caught up
in there too, but that's the focus. And for DPS
to file this lawsuit and try to obstruct that it's
just oh, it's no surprise, but it is beyond the pale,
(01:02:19):
and I think we just need to have an honest
discussion about all this and what's really happening. We can
disagree and reasonable minds will disagree. For example, I support
it for years providing legal status to the group called Dreamers,
kids who came across the border illegally as young people,
as children, and they've built lives for themselves in the
(01:02:39):
United States. There is disagreement on the right. A lot
of folks say no, we shouldn't. I think we should
through Congress, not the President. There are a lot of
different areas of disagreement, but let's actually have that discussion
and do so honestly.
Speaker 4 (01:02:53):
DPS is unwilling to engage in that.
Speaker 3 (01:02:57):
I'm Jimmy saying in Burger filling in for Mandy Connell.
Keep it right here as we continue. Lots more head
on Koa Friday, And that is from Tommy Castro Bluesman Extraordinary.
His new album Closer to the Bone, just released a
week ago today on the seventh, and he's returning to
(01:03:17):
Colorado next.
Speaker 4 (01:03:19):
Month on tour.
Speaker 3 (01:03:20):
So I'm having him return to Koa at the bottom
of the next hour.
Speaker 4 (01:03:24):
He's always just an absolute blast to talk to.
Speaker 3 (01:03:27):
Tommy Castro joining us just after two thirty here on Koha.
You want to join into the festivities, the Koa Common
Spirit Health text line is available for your participation at
five six six nine zero.
Speaker 4 (01:03:44):
So the.
Speaker 3 (01:03:46):
Hysteria overdoze, some of which I can understand, is taking
extraordinary levels, going to extraordinary levels. The Department of Government Efficiency,
by Elon Musk is doing a lot very quickly. I
can understand some of the hesitation. Some of it I
(01:04:08):
question the legality of what the Trump administration is doing
in some areas. I can understand why there might be
pushed back because the power of the purse belongs to Congress,
and if an agency or department is created by Congress,
the expectation is that the laws will be carried out.
(01:04:29):
But that doesn't mean that we don't have significant amount
significant amounts of waste, fraud, and abuse. Malfeason is going
on programs that go beyond the confines of the law
and having those go in to look it over and
the administration to take some actions on it is at
the very least reasonable and sensible. And while there's some
(01:04:54):
understandable consternation. The problem that we're seeing is more about
those who want to cover up what's being done and
are more focused on the actions taken by Musk and co.
Than by the failure to be fiscally responsible. Of course,
again two sides to the coin. Well, when I hear
(01:05:15):
David Axerod, who of course was the brains behind Obama's
successful campaigns in twenty twelve.
Speaker 4 (01:05:24):
Say the following, it makes me go really, really, David,
You know, I think.
Speaker 9 (01:05:29):
Government can be more efficient. Every bureaucracy can be challenged
and refined, and every job should be scrutinized. But you
can't send people in, first of all, overnight and assess
large organizations and say you're worth something. You're not worth something.
This whole organization isn't worth something. Secondly, they are sending
(01:05:53):
a message essentially that everyone in government is either corrupt
or a slug and really under bullying you, Jake, is
a philosophy that somehow, if you go into public service
rather than going into the pursuit of more money for yourself,
that you are somehow deficient, that you are not up
(01:06:13):
to snuff.
Speaker 4 (01:06:14):
One of the lasting pieces of.
Speaker 9 (01:06:17):
Damage that I am worried about is that it will
send a message, particularly to younger people, that public service
somehow is not worth pursuing.
Speaker 3 (01:06:27):
A couple of thoughts here. First, I do agree that
it's a little bit difficult to just assess an organization
and say oh, you're completely bad overnight, like there's a
point to be made there. Well, when he says that
the impression to here is everyone in government is either
corrupt or a slog is not the lesson to take
(01:06:49):
away here. The lesson is people are fallible, systems are fallible,
and we need to clean it up. And that government
employment does not mean you get to do whatever you
want or to waste taxpayer money recklessly. Doesn't mean everyone's
a corrupt or slug but it means there's a lot
(01:07:11):
of corruption and sluggery going on in the all knowing,
all powerful federal government and it needs to be reined in.
And the other thing that he says there about going
into public service that rather than making more money for yourself,
means your deficient. I remember, I'm old enough to remember
the Obama administration implying exactly the opposite, from certain types
(01:07:35):
of student loan forgiveness to other steps and actions that.
Speaker 4 (01:07:40):
Said precisely the opposite.
Speaker 3 (01:07:42):
If you are in the private sector, then you were
deficient sending the message if you're in the private sector,
you're devalued compared with the public sector. We value government
employment more. That was the administration that Axelrod. I'll put
it to play, and quite frankly, I find it refreshing
(01:08:03):
to have an administration that says, you know what, we
are going to make sure that public service means you
are accountable to the public, and at the same time,
we want to encourage.
Speaker 4 (01:08:18):
Jobs that are not in the public sector.
Speaker 3 (01:08:20):
In and of itself, it's okay to encourage private sector
work and say that's okay, and that government must be
accountable to the people. But axel Rod saying the kinds
of things we are hearing from critics that go a
(01:08:41):
little bit too far and are or rather intriguing coming
from somebody again from an administration that overvalued government employment
and undervalue the private sector. One more hour up ahead,
Tommy Castro at the bottom of it, I'm Jimmy Sangenberger
filling in for Mandy Connell. Don't go anywhere as we
(01:09:02):
continue right here, Okay, Oh, the.
Speaker 2 (01:09:05):
Mandy Connell Show.
Speaker 1 (01:09:06):
Is sponsored by Belle and Pollock Accident and Injury Lawyers.
Speaker 2 (01:09:10):
No, it's Mandy Connell on KLA ninety four one FM.
Speaker 4 (01:09:20):
So God Kenny Connell keeping sad thing. Little time now
(01:09:43):
for the final hour. Gotta love it.
Speaker 3 (01:09:46):
Thank you a Rod doing yeoman's work as always behind
the glass and keeping us moving that Jimmy Stangenberger in
for Mandy Connell on vacation today.
Speaker 4 (01:10:00):
Happy Valentine's Day one end all. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3 (01:10:04):
Is sticking around here on ko A if you want
to join in to the conversation of course, KOA Common
Spirit Health text line at five six six nine zero.
Speaker 1 (01:10:17):
So.
Speaker 3 (01:10:17):
One thing that I am not pleased with regarding the
Trump administration and what they are doing and doing so quickly,
is the approach taken to trade.
Speaker 7 (01:10:31):
Now.
Speaker 3 (01:10:32):
President Trump has never really been a free trade guy.
You go back to the nineteen eighties, you'll see him
in interviews with Oprah and others talking about how at
the time Japan was screwing over the United States, taking
advantage of us, and we were losing, as though there's
a zero sum game to trade, instead of trade as
(01:10:55):
it really is by definition being a mutually beneficial.
Speaker 4 (01:11:01):
If you go to a store, for example, and you
buy some tea and some honey.
Speaker 3 (01:11:09):
Clearly the ten dollars or whatever that you're spending to
buy those things isn't as important to you as those
things are. So you will hand over the money in
exchange for the goods that then will make your life
better in some way. That's a mutually beneficial exchange. And
(01:11:30):
trade is really that, only it's on an international scale.
So when a product comes in, Let's say it is
a car, it is tea, it's a mug, it's a pencil,
whatever it is, the product comes in and then somebody
(01:11:55):
will eventually buy it. But you have a company involved
in making that transaction with another company, and so when
a tariff is paid, that is paid by the company
with the product coming in to this country for sale,
and then of course it will be passed those costs
(01:12:17):
will be passed on to consumers.
Speaker 4 (01:12:21):
The nature of a tariff is that it is a tax.
Speaker 3 (01:12:26):
And now the Trump administration is talking about reciprocal tariffs.
This idea that if a country charges five percent or
twenty five percent on a widget, then we are going
to put a reciprocal tariff on widgets coming into our
(01:12:46):
country from the other country. Again, it is the company
that pays that tax, and it will get passed on
to consumers, or the company will do its best to
eat the cost so that it's not passed on to consumers.
Speaker 4 (01:13:01):
And a lot of these tariffs.
Speaker 3 (01:13:02):
Will face that because if they pass on costs to
consumers in higher prices, consumers might buy less, So they're
going to be sensitive to that.
Speaker 4 (01:13:11):
But there's only so long.
Speaker 3 (01:13:13):
That a company can go without passing and along to
consumers or cutting costs such as employees. We're not going
to have as many workers because we need to find
some cost savings because of the tariff. Well, Kevin Hassett
is the chairman of President Trump's National Economic Council, and
(01:13:34):
he was on Gosh it was either NBC or MSNBC
yesterday talking about reciprocal tariffs, and I.
Speaker 4 (01:13:41):
Was struck by a couple of things that he said
in this interview.
Speaker 10 (01:13:47):
US companies, US based companies paid foreign governments three hundred
and seventy billion dollars in taxes. Meanwhile, foreign companies paid
the US fifty seven billion dollars in taxes. So we
mailed foreign governments three hundred and seventy billion dollars in taxes,
and those taxes are being paid for by US citizens.
(01:14:08):
And so if you think that that asymmetry is something
that could be addressed, could be improved upon, and if
we did that it would be good for US citizens.
Is it good for US citizens to mail three hundred
seventy billion dollars to them while they're setting fifty seven
billion to us? And are we supposed to keep doing
that because of some economic model that doesn't have the
whole real world in it says that it we're better
(01:14:30):
off because of inflation, if we keep setting three hundred
and seventy billion dollars to foreign governments, it just.
Speaker 4 (01:14:34):
Doesn't make sense.
Speaker 3 (01:14:38):
I don't know that Kevin Hasset, being the smart economist
he is, that he believes what he say, because first
and foremost, it's not that we're mailing foreign government's checks
and taxes as not how this functions US citizens mailing
nearly three hundred and seventy billion dollars. First of all,
(01:15:00):
at least acknowledging that a tariff is a tax. But
he's doing two things that are problematic. Number one, making
it like it's a country in a country exchange citizens
are doing this and paying this.
Speaker 4 (01:15:13):
No, the only way that citizens are paying this in
the United.
Speaker 3 (01:15:16):
States is in the form of higher prices because the
tariff is passed on to consumers. But then what Kevin
has it also does is he factors in quite clearly,
is factoring in something that Europe has in there countries
in the European Union, that's required in their law that
(01:15:39):
is more than just the tariff.
Speaker 4 (01:15:41):
It is called a value added tax. That's a consumption
tax like a sales.
Speaker 3 (01:15:46):
Tax, applied at each stage of production and distribution. So
a manufacturer will sell to a wholesaler for a certain
amount plus the value added tax.
Speaker 4 (01:16:01):
Then the wholesaler will pass on to the retailer for that.
Speaker 3 (01:16:07):
Amount plus value added tax, and then the retailer will
sell the consumers for that amount plus a value added tax.
It's a terrible system that you're a past, but they
have it, and Kevin Hassett is including that in his calculations,
and that is disingenuous. The whole thing is disingenuous with
(01:16:30):
reciprocal tariffs, and that's abundantly clear there from Kevin Hassett.
Speaker 4 (01:16:36):
One other thing I want to play.
Speaker 3 (01:16:37):
We got to runder a break, but let's hear Kevin
Hassett talking about is struggling a bit to talk about
the prospect of price increases on tariffs.
Speaker 4 (01:16:44):
Then give the fact that you say this is false.
Speaker 8 (01:16:46):
Can you, without invoking the mass administration guarantee that prices
won't rise because of these tariffs?
Speaker 10 (01:16:53):
I you know, prices move up, prices move down. That's
the way the world works, right, the economy, but you're
an economy.
Speaker 3 (01:17:03):
Rise.
Speaker 10 (01:17:04):
My expectation is that prices will fluctuate, and that when
economists study the fluctuations of the prices that they'll wonder
what the causes were, and there will be many and
so my confident that there won't be strong evidence of
a price effect of tariffs.
Speaker 3 (01:17:19):
Yes am, I confident that there won't be strong evidence
of a price effect from tariffs.
Speaker 4 (01:17:25):
Yes, I am.
Speaker 3 (01:17:26):
Did you hear the way in which he meandered to
get to that point, gobbledygook, gobbledygook.
Speaker 4 (01:17:32):
Well, you know, I'm confident that there will not be
a big price effect.
Speaker 3 (01:17:37):
It's quite a way of trying to deny that there
could be price increases.
Speaker 4 (01:17:42):
When Kevin has it knows full well that there is.
Speaker 3 (01:17:45):
But Trump wants tariffs and he's going to go with
what the boss says, and he signed up for it
as the National Economic Advisor.
Speaker 4 (01:17:53):
So there you go.
Speaker 3 (01:17:55):
It's just a policy that's foolhardy, and I wish it
wouldn't happen, but Trump is being Trump on this one,
and we'll see what happens moving forward. Jimmy Singenberger in
for Mandy Connell. Keep it here as we continue on KOA.
Truth is a fickle thing, especially when you have all
kinds of discussions left and right on what is.
Speaker 4 (01:18:15):
Truth or this is true or this is my truth
or your truth or.
Speaker 3 (01:18:19):
This is a truth that I posted on truth social
or whatever it is. Well, now this is coming up
as an issue over this whole thing relating to President
Trump renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.
Here is Caroline Levitt, the White House Press Secretary, tussling
with Caitlin Collins, CNN host.
Speaker 11 (01:18:41):
Their retaliatory in nature is the argument because there's the
reason that the APUs bar, which they say, is because
they're not using the phrase Gulf of America.
Speaker 8 (01:18:49):
They're using Golf of Mexico in line with their standards.
Speaker 7 (01:18:52):
And so the question here is is the setting a
precedent that this White House will.
Speaker 11 (01:18:56):
Retaliate against reporters who don't use the language that you
guys believe, And how does that align with the First
Amendment commitment.
Speaker 5 (01:19:03):
That you we were just talking about.
Speaker 11 (01:19:04):
I was very up front in my briefing on day
one that if we feel that there are lies being
pushed by eltletts in this room, we are going to
hold those lives accountable. And it is a fact that
the body of water off the coast of Louisiana is
called the Gulf of America. And I'm not sure why
news outlets don't want to call it that, but that
is what it is. The Secretary of Interior has made
(01:19:26):
that the official designation and the geographical identification name server
and Apple.
Speaker 2 (01:19:32):
Has recognized that. Google has recognized that.
Speaker 11 (01:19:34):
Pretty much every other outlet in this room has recognized
that body of water as the Gulf of America. And
it's very important to this administration that we get that right,
not just for people here at home, but also for
the rest of the world.
Speaker 3 (01:19:45):
Look, I think Caroline Levitt is doing a kick ass
job as the Press secretary for Trump, so much of
an improvement from Karine Jean Pierre, but This is ridiculous
saying that you want them to to be telling the truth,
getting it right, that it's a lie, that it's the
Golf of America when for hundreds of years it has
(01:20:06):
been called the Golf of Mexico, and then here you
change it to Golf of America and the Associated Press says,
you know what, We're not gonna do that and.
Speaker 4 (01:20:14):
Jump on board. I appreciated a tweet put out by.
Speaker 3 (01:20:21):
Someone named Bridget Fittasy and she said the following. This
Golf of America stuff feels insane to me. I voted
against compelled speech. This feels like punishing journalists for dead
naming the Golf of Mexico. You can't just rename a
body of water and demand everyone go along with it
(01:20:44):
and call us liars if we don't.
Speaker 4 (01:20:47):
This is a Trump supporter. I agree with her completely.
Speaker 3 (01:20:50):
I still am wrapping my head around calling it the
Gulf of America. In my mind, it's still the Golf
of Mexico. Sort of penalise a media outlet or any
for this, and to declare that it is a lie
when it's been for hundreds of years, I'm sorry. That's
just a bridge too far from me. And strikes me
as a ridiculous tactic that if you're a conservative you
(01:21:12):
might say, Aha, that's what the left is trying to do.
Speaker 4 (01:21:16):
Yep, that is right in this case. Don't know what
to tell you.
Speaker 3 (01:21:23):
I'm Jimmy sangen Berger once again in for Mandy Connell.
Blues man Tommy Castro, great guy, always great to talk
with him. Coming up on the other side as we
rock and roll ahead. I'm kaa the man and the
vocals and.
Speaker 4 (01:21:36):
That fiery guitar. I is someone that Living Blues says is.
Speaker 3 (01:21:41):
Sizzling flow, burning gritty blues and rock, shimmering, swampy, downrighte
funky vibes, drenched with Castros, stinging, pure and crisp lead
runs and fluid jet fueled solos. Tommy Castro returning here
on a o A brother, Hello, that's see.
Speaker 7 (01:22:03):
That's quite a mouthful man.
Speaker 3 (01:22:05):
Living Living Blues said that all that's a yes, brother,
and I think it fits very well. And of course
you are and we'll get to where coming back to
Colorado next month.
Speaker 4 (01:22:18):
Which I'm very excited for about.
Speaker 3 (01:22:20):
Well, welcome, you're on tour once again and it's great.
Speaker 5 (01:22:23):
To have you.
Speaker 4 (01:22:23):
As you're kicking things off.
Speaker 7 (01:22:25):
Thanks, you know, it's it's been it's been a lot
of fun playing this, playing these songs live, because as
you know, you know, the blues is really what got
me into all in this. You know, we got got
started on the blues. And then when you become a
sort of a contemporary or a modern day blues artist,
(01:22:48):
you know, you're you're always striving to create your own
uh you know space, you know, to contribute your own
uh something to the music, you know, and so I've
always been careful to h you know, write, try to
write good songs, collaborate with other songwriters, and create h
(01:23:12):
you know, some good good tunes that that sort of
you know, in our case, combined traditional blues with you know,
rock and roll and soul music. And so those those
are the three basic elements. Maybe uh we sometimes we
lean into a little bit of funk or occasionally something
that nobody knows what it is. It's just a song
(01:23:35):
that I wrote and we have playing it like this,
you know, and so so you put that all together
and to make a big gobo out of it or whatever,
and it's it's a contemporary sound typically from us. But
I felt the need to just go back to the
roots and just get into the bruise this time. I
just really wanted to make a bruise record like I
(01:23:56):
imagine I would have made if I was a blues artist,
if yeah, something like that, you know. And so it
was a lot of fun doing it. You know, we
worked with Kid Anderson, which is you know, that's like
a right at Disneyland.
Speaker 4 (01:24:09):
Right there, just going to this phenomenal video.
Speaker 7 (01:24:13):
And yeah, so far, so good. I just gota. We
got a number one slot today on on some you know,
the college public radio sort.
Speaker 3 (01:24:27):
Of really congratulations for one.
Speaker 7 (01:24:31):
Spot that we just found that out today, and that's that's.
Speaker 4 (01:24:33):
Cool, that's fantastic.
Speaker 3 (01:24:35):
Well, the album came out just a week ago, called
Closer to the Bone, And let's talk about the name
for a moment, because to me, it really gets to
the heart of Tommy Castro. The blues is a musical
form and you going to your roots here closer to
the Bone, where really it cuts right through when.
Speaker 4 (01:24:55):
You're having the blues right or you're playing the blues.
Speaker 5 (01:25:00):
Yeah, I was.
Speaker 7 (01:25:01):
We were really searched high and low to come up
with the right title for this record. You know, none
of the none of the song titles seemed to be
the right ones. And uh and and one of the
great things about working with Alligator Records is I could
go to the you know, go to the staff. There's
a there's about I mean, I guess there's about ten
(01:25:21):
people on the staff at Alligator Records. The various jobs publicity,
you know, handling, distribution, and our department, all of these
different people that have been with with Bruce an Alligator
for you know, twenty five thirty years. These people are
not you know, there's no turnover at Alligator. It's a
(01:25:44):
good gig and people people stay and so as a result,
they're very knowledgeable and they created a lot of uh
records over the years and and and this is one
of the things I was just you know, here's some
ideas I have. We'll come up with some ideas and uh.
And then we kind of almost like vote on what
what what everybody likes the best? And and uh, I
(01:26:07):
think I made the final call for Closer to the Bone.
You know, we had a couple of everybody was good
with and then I said, well, I think I like
this one. So anyway, it does describe what it is
we're trying to do there and get right down to it, man.
You know you notice we had a couple of your
probably favorite harmonica players on on the record.
Speaker 4 (01:26:28):
Yes, indeed, like Will led.
Speaker 7 (01:26:31):
Right Well, we got we got Rick Estron, Rick, and
I think what you're thinking of is Billy Brandt, the Alligator,
the Alligator Stable, you know, and and and Billy Brandts
is probably the Little Walter of our time, absolutely yeah,
(01:26:52):
because all of the you know, all of the great
legendary guys have gone. Now you got Junior Wells and uh,
James Cotton, you know, Big Walter, Little Walter, I mean,
all those guys are gone, and and and the you know,
the guy that's kind of taken that mantle in Chicago
these days is Billy branch And So I had had
(01:27:15):
a song that reminded me of Uh it's an original song,
and it kind of reminded me of mellow down Easy
or one of those yes grooves.
Speaker 2 (01:27:25):
For sure.
Speaker 7 (01:27:26):
So well and we called it, we called him in
great a great job.
Speaker 4 (01:27:30):
Yeah, Rick asfer of the Nightcats. I was getting myself
confused for.
Speaker 2 (01:27:34):
Just a moment.
Speaker 3 (01:27:35):
But Rick Aston, I've seen him live at a Blues
from the Top and he's fantastic.
Speaker 5 (01:27:39):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (01:27:39):
He had heard his music for years. He's one of
the great hard players at Billy Brandt.
Speaker 3 (01:27:43):
So you're talking about when we look at the blues
as a as a musical form, it's so powerful, Tommy Castro,
but it really is rooted in a lot of things.
And for you, there are a slew of different influences
from the blue side to the soul slide side that
have really influenced and impacted your musical style and how
(01:28:04):
you've approached things. Talked to us for a moment about
some of your early musical influences.
Speaker 7 (01:28:10):
Oh wow, Okay, I'll just say one thing that popped
into my brain. You know, when I was in high school,
I liked I was discovering guys like Johnny Winter and Osmahal,
you know, because they were getting played on the radio.
They were getting played on major rap radio in those days,
(01:28:32):
and you would you would hear Albert King and people
like that on sm radio. And then I was in
high school once and I came out of my art
class and I heard this sound. It was ten years
after doing Going Home from Woodstock from the Woodstock album,
and Woodstock album had just come out, so this musn't
(01:28:55):
been in nineteen seventy and I come out with I
come out in my R class and you know, long hair,
and you know, the sun was shining and every all
the kids were out, you know, and this kind of
a little uh uh you know, kind of a what
am I trying to say? There's a grass area in
(01:29:18):
between all the buildings where everybody would gather and you
could bunch and stuff like that. And then and somebody
it just and they would play repords over the loudspeakers,
and and this song just came out. And when you
get a chance, look up on YouTube, go to uh
ten years after Woodstock and check out that that performance
of going Home, and it's it's really something, and it
(01:29:41):
fired me up. So that was one of my influences
that kind of carried me a long ways because I
made it a point to learn that whole guitar part,
all the way through, from front to back, and a
long track. It was a lot of licks, and I
was just a kid, you know, it was It wasn't easy,
but I became famous for it in my neighborhood for
(01:30:02):
knowing HAPs they go at home. But then you know,
I found my bb King Wrackers. I found my uh
you know, Muddy Waters and I remember that Fathers and
Son album. Yeah, Muddy with Muddy did with Johnny Winter
and uh Bloomfield and all those guys. Really, you know,
(01:30:22):
that's my favorite version of Mannish Boy, which I think
you've played with us before.
Speaker 4 (01:30:29):
Oh it's it's uh, it's a blast of a tune
to play. So so is U, Gucci Man. Both Muddy
Waters classics simil.
Speaker 7 (01:30:37):
Similar riff, know, different different arrangement, different words, but you know,
so so that was it.
Speaker 3 (01:30:46):
You know.
Speaker 7 (01:30:46):
Also, of course listened to the Almond Brothers and uh
Eric Eric clapped in Elba. Bishop was one of my favorites.
You know, I'd hang out with a bunch of kids
my age and typically, I mean I was always listening
something a little bit different than everybody else. You know,
they were listening to the They might have been listening
(01:31:07):
to Blacksabba or The Doors or any you know, different
kinds of rock music that was out at the time,
but minor for me. It was always a blues stuff.
Speaker 4 (01:31:18):
Yeah, yeah, there you go. Tommy Castro again our guest.
Speaker 3 (01:31:24):
He is on tour now and we'll be coming back
to Colorado, a stable place for thirty plus years for
Tommy Castro Fort Collins on March eleventh, right here in
Denver on March thirteenth at the Oriental Theater, and then
at the Stargazers Theater in Colorado Springs on March fourteenth.
(01:31:46):
And before we get to what a Tommy Castro show
is like and what it's like coming back to Colorado
after all these years and you make sometimes multiple stops
in a year in Colorado, let's give folks a little
bit more of a taste of your new album, Closer
to the Bone.
Speaker 8 (01:32:02):
This is a song.
Speaker 3 (01:32:04):
It's entitled she Moves Me Tommy. For folks who don't
know talk to us about you Indiana for a moment.
Speaker 7 (01:32:12):
Well, Deanna Bogart, she uh, well, she started back in
the eighties in a band called Cowboy Jazz. I don't
know you were going yet. I don't think Jimmy, but
there was They were, uh, you know, bands like a
Sleep at the Wheel and Commander Cody and New Riders
(01:32:35):
of the Purple Shades. There was a sort of a
country Western swing meets blues, jazz and R and B
and all that stuff kind of got mixed together and
there was quite a scene out there. Marshall Ball was
part of that scene and Indiana. Anyway, she came out
of that. Her band disbanded for various reasons after a
(01:32:58):
few years, and she kind of carried on on her
own as Dianna Bogert. And uh, you know, she was
a piano player since she was three years old, when
she sort of still her main instruments. I mean, she's
she's a phenomenal piano player. Is different than anybody I know,
she does something a little bit different. She could play
(01:33:20):
with you know how you know, right hand on her
left handed, or you're ambidexist. She's ambidexist, so that makes
that's really handy with you're a piano player, and so
she kills on that thing. But she wanted to play
the saxophone in the school band. And when she asked
the band leader at her school she could play saxophone,
(01:33:40):
she goes, they told me that girls don't play saxophones, right,
and so she said, well, uh, well, she wasn't being
a smart ass, you know, she was just saying, hey, well,
if you close your eyes, how do you know if
it's a boy or a girl player. They sent her
to the office. Yes, they thought she was being a
(01:34:03):
wise you know, you're a wise guy. So anyway, years
later she winds up winning four or five Blues Music
Awards for you know, best horn player. That's that's my girl. Yeah,
and she she writes wonderful songs and say it was
a beautiful voice. And you guys can look her up online.
I got a lot of great nesia.
Speaker 3 (01:34:23):
What what I love is that you had collaborated on
some things. He did a lot musically for decades, and
then it took you a long time before you finally got.
Speaker 8 (01:34:30):
Together, right, I love that I forgot that piece, you know,
during that pandemic.
Speaker 7 (01:34:37):
Guys, we were just being friends and talking on the phone.
We realized that I was single and she was single
at the time. Uh, it took me a little you know,
I to be a little bit kicky and a little
bit clever and sneaky to kind of figure that out,
of course without embarrassing myself. So but I did find out,
and then I uh kind of invited myself down to
(01:35:00):
go visit her in the desert when I was living
in the Bay Area. And there we go out for
about a week or so, and all the rest is history.
We're getting married in October on the legendary rhythm.
Speaker 5 (01:35:10):
And blues cruise.
Speaker 3 (01:35:11):
Oh fantastic, well early, congratulations on that, and look, brother.
Speaker 4 (01:35:18):
I only got a couple of minutes left, so let's
get right to this.
Speaker 3 (01:35:20):
You're playing March eleventh, at Fort Collins March thirteenth, and
Denver March fourteenth in Colorado Springs. You've been coming to
Colorado for decades. What can folks expect from a Tommy
Castro show?
Speaker 7 (01:35:35):
Well, at number one, I keep my set lists, so
the last time we came through, we'll try to play
a different playlist for you, and you know, it's got
hundreds of songs to choose from, and of course we'll
be playing a good chunk of this new record. And
the man's a really good form right now. So you
can expect a party, a really good time, and maybe
(01:35:58):
a guest appearance of me, Jimmy on the hall.
Speaker 4 (01:36:04):
What's what's Jimmy Jr?
Speaker 7 (01:36:07):
Jimmy Junior? Yes, right up, all right, that's that's great.
You know you got that's just in line with the
old Chicago guys.
Speaker 4 (01:36:14):
You know, Junior Wells is one of my favorites.
Speaker 7 (01:36:17):
Yeah, Junior Wells, you got guitar, Junior, you got guitar.
Slim you got Magic Sam Magic Slim.
Speaker 4 (01:36:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (01:36:27):
I love names like that, and that's a good one
for you, Jim.
Speaker 4 (01:36:30):
I know, I can't wait to get back up on stage.
Speaker 3 (01:36:32):
We had a couple of stops and starts last year,
so this will be awesome when you come through Denver.
Speaker 7 (01:36:37):
Listen, listen to that so unquote the way the way
you do. Yeah, play play alone on that one, and
of course we'll keep it fresh the rest of this stuff.
We'll just have some.
Speaker 3 (01:36:50):
Oh better believe it. I'm excited. Let me ask you
just finally, because you've come to Colorado for decades now,
what is it about this state that makes it one
of these that you just have to come through sometimes
multiple times a year.
Speaker 7 (01:37:04):
Well, it's music lovers. Colorado. It's famous for music lovers.
There's really a great audience there.
Speaker 2 (01:37:12):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (01:37:12):
People tend to be a little bit looser, you know,
a little bit more relaxed. They like to dance. They
you know, there's a there's a good percentage of old
hippies and around the state, you know that might have
gone to Grateful Dead concerts at one time or also
(01:37:35):
along with people that are just really serious music fans,
you know, following you know, groups like the Almond Brothers
or I know Tabin Wabb does real well in the
state of Colorado. So that says a lot about you.
That's you have to be a soulful population to to
(01:37:56):
to get into this kind of music and to really
understand because a lot of places, you know, you come
through town and they really don't. So there are shitties
in the country where they really could care less about
the blues. Yeah, it's sad, but it's true and so
not so in Colorado.
Speaker 4 (01:38:16):
Yeah, amen to that, brother, We got to leave it there.
Speaker 3 (01:38:19):
Tommy Castro again coming through Colorado shows and multiple parts
of the front Range next month and his new album
Closer to the Bone.
Speaker 4 (01:38:28):
You gotta check it out. Brother, always the blast.
Speaker 3 (01:38:31):
Thanks so much for joining us again here on KOA
and we'll see you in just a few weeks, all.
Speaker 7 (01:38:36):
Right, Jemmy, looking forward to it. Brother, me too.
Speaker 3 (01:38:39):
Once again, Tommy Castro joining us on the program, and yeah,
I look forward to sitting in with Tommy Castro and
the Painkillers when they are in Denver on the thirteenth
of March. I'm Jimmy Sangenberger. That's it for me today.
Heading into sports next as we continue on KOA, God
bless America and Happy Valentine's Day.
The Mandy Connell Show is sponsored by val and Pollock
Accident and Injury Lawyers.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
No, it's Mandy Connell on KAM ninety one FM.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
So god way, can the Ny.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Andy Connal keeping sad day?
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Let me hear the harmonica play at the top of
a segment.
Speaker 4 (00:44):
You know, Tenny san murders in the house.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
It's filling in for Mandy Connall today on this Friday,
February fourteenth, aka Valentine's Day.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
Happy Valentine's Day.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
One and all, including to a rod right there behind
the glass here on KOA. You've already got me feeling good.
I'm revved up and ready to go and to take
on the world today. Done my job, you have boom,
although you still have three more hours of a job
to do. So we will see if you can keep
(01:23):
up with everything as.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
You have so far. Can you keep up with me?
Speaker 3 (01:28):
That is the real the sing in burgering this I
need to be the sanging has to be burgering, brother,
It's gotta be otherwise.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
What are we doing here? What are we doing here?
Happy Valentine's Day? By the way, you too, buddy, Thank you,
thank you, and.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
To everyone listening, if you want to join in to
the festivities. You can participate in the KOA Common Spirit
health text line. It just text five six six nine zero.
We've got an action packed show today. Lots going on,
including in just a few minutes, I will be joined
by Joe Kelly. He is the CEO of King Supers,
(02:06):
which is of course the affiliate or the company in Colorado,
King super City Market owned by Kroger, and the union
for King super City Market for a number of locations
throughout the Front Range. The slew of different cities and
(02:26):
counties is on strike. You probably have noticed it if
you've driven up to King Supers and you've seen the
white signs, the placards that are written that have read
text on them accusing the company of unfair labor practices
(02:47):
and declaring therefore an unfair labor practice strike. The union
is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers UFCW
Local seven, which has insisted that this isn't about a
broader dispute with King Soupers or with other companies or entities.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
It's just about King Supers now.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
On Tuesday, I had a column critical of these strikes
entitled in the Denver Gazette. Strike serves outside agenda, not
local workers. And I want to be right up front
with where I'm coming from on this because to me,
(03:34):
we had this strike three years ago coming out of COVID,
and you could understand there's a lot of sympathy at
that time because of the strife and difficulties of COVID
for frontline workers, including grocery store workers, and the risks
that people were taking and going out in particular jobs
and being more susceptible to the virus AMID, a dangerous pandemic. Now,
(04:01):
three years later, though, we have another strike, and the
question is is this one that has merit? You know,
I went to King Soupers over the weekend. I did
cross the picket line. It was Super Bowl Sunday. Had
a few things to grab, so we ran in there
real quick, and coming out of the store, I grabbed
(04:25):
one of the flyers the guy was handing out.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
In all caps.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
It said King Supers, dropped the ball and declaring that
in big bold font they accused the company of breaking
the law and urged patrons to shop elsewhere, particularly Safeway.
Now to me, the details as I looked at this
handout were puzzling. The union's main complaint of illegal behavior,
(04:55):
according to the handout, at least was about allegedly trying
to quote take away eight million dollars from the Retirees
Healthcare Fund money. The flyer says the company wants to
redirect toward raising current workers' wages. Now that's something that
(05:15):
King Supers denies, that eight million dollars is being siphoned
from retirees healthcare to fund wages. But it did to
me seem like rather strange grievance, especially since King Supers
flatly denies it, as I mentioned, and something didn't add
up as workers were standing in the cold holding up
(05:36):
their signs. We've seen it throughout the past week plus now,
and their main pitch to at least Super Bowl Sunday
shoppers was about retiree benefits, not their own working conditions,
and their handdown admitted that King Supers was boosting wages
for current workers, assuming, of course, the claim about benefit
(06:00):
cuts for retirees.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
We're legitimate to begin with. So there is a lot.
There's always two sides to the story.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
And especially when you have something of a labor dispute
and you have the union that says, hey, we're going
on strike and the company that says we made a
reasonable offer and they did not accept it, and we're
sort of we're at an impasse right now. Where do
we go from here? But when we are all being
(06:35):
called by the union to participate in their strike in
effect by quote unquote honoring the picket line, that means
that you are being drawn into a cause, and you
might not know the two sides of that cause. I
want to understand a little bit better where the company
(06:57):
is coming at this whole, which is why I'm pleased
to welcome here to the Mandy Connell Show, Jimmy sang
and Berger filling in for Mandy here on KOA.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Joe Kelly, he is the CEO of.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
King Soopers kind enough to take some time this afternoon
to join me on the program.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
Good afternoon, Joe, and.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Welcome, good afternoon.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Thank you for having me, Thank you for coming on.
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
So let me just ask you a big top line
question from your dvantage point as the CEO of the
company on the opposite side of.
Speaker 4 (07:28):
The union, how do you view the strike and how
we got to this point?
Speaker 5 (07:35):
How I view the strike is totally unnecessary, totally premature.
This strike has absolutely nothing to do with our proposed wages,
our best in class healthcare, or our pensions. This has
to do with Local seven and Kim Cordova asking our associates,
our members to take a strike vote on a unfounded
(07:55):
unfair libor practice issue on strike just for that reason,
which at the day, maybe have them vote on the offer.
That's their right to do so. She still has yet
to do it. So for them to be out on
strike right now is your foolishness.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Why don't you lay out for us for a moment
what your last best and final offer to the union was.
Speaker 5 (08:15):
Yes, I think we you know, we've been talking about
this now for months. Right when we think about our
last best and final offer that we put on the table,
it's you know, if you're all the way back to
twenty twenty two when she went the union did the
exact same thing, took them out on strike on an
unfounded unfair labor practice, which, by the way, that's why
you have the National Relations Labor Board. They're the ones
(08:37):
who made that decisions and they have not found us
to have committed any unfair labor practices at that time
or this time. But if you were all the way
back and you take the contract that was ratified in
twenty twenty two, and then you take the contract that
we're hoping to get ratified now. This three hundred and
fifty million dollars in incremental wages. This contract right now
(08:57):
alone has an incremental to one hundred and eighty million
dollars that we are putting into wages. We have our
most tenured associates who are going to see a four
dollars fifty cent an hour over the course of the contract.
We have everyone receiving a raise throughout the contract depending
on how many hours they may be maybe working. And
(09:19):
at the end of the day, you know, the first
year alone is over six percent of wage increases. As
it relates to healthcare, which I think these are the
three major points right Wages, healthcare, and pension. Our associate
with a family, them and their family. They pay twenty
six dollars a week for their healthcare. I don't know
what you pay, but most people pay a lot more
than that. As a matter of fact, we're asking them
(09:39):
for me a three dollars increase, So for twenty nine
dollars twenty nine dollars a week, you can they can
cover their sales and their entire family. The average Colorado
family pays one hundred and thirty three dollars and fifty cents.
And then lastly is the pension. The pension is fully funded,
the reserves are in great shape, the account is in
the green. So we think we have an excellent, last,
(10:02):
best and final offer, and we gave that to them
in the beginning of January. We actually gave my first
comprehensive offera back in December. At the last best and
final offer that we asked them to have the Associates
road on their members, we gave it to them the
beginning of January.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
So one of the things that I noticed when I
and I was just talking about a handout, I got
at King Supers from one of the picketers on Super
Bowl Sunday and griped that King Supers allegedly is trying
to quote take away eight million dollars from Retirees Health
Fund healthcare Fund in order to pay for worker wages increases.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Is that true?
Speaker 4 (10:38):
My understanding is King Supers is denying that.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
Well, I am denying that. It's a one hundred percent false.
The Retirees Healthcare is in terrific shape. It's funded and
it's in the green. If we're putting on one hundred
and eighty million dollars into wages, I don't think we
need the eight million dollars out of anybody's health care.
So it's again rhetoric, it's dangerous. It's a commercial that
(11:02):
Local seven Kim Kudoba continue to play and it's completely untrue.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Joe Kelly, our guest CEO of King Supers, I'm looking
at this whole situation. It begs the question when you
have a last, best, final offer that you have offered,
and to me, it definitely does seem reasonable, especially when
I don't see particular gripes from the union that align
against specific provisions within that offer. And yet there's always
(11:30):
a question, folks will wonder, is there anything that you believe,
any demands that they are making that you believe are
legitimate and could possibly be met without raising prices.
Speaker 5 (11:42):
Well, first of all, I don't go into any negotiations
with the thought that we're going to raise prices to
pay for a new contract. That has never been our
philosophy and never will be our philosophy, that that's one
of our goals. So at the end of the day,
we're more than willing to go back to the table.
We've asked local said than three or four times over
the last few days to come back to the table
(12:03):
while we keep heiring from the very beginning is that
we're going to see a wage proposal. We've seen nothing
from them. They've given us none. We've had thirteen bargaining sessions.
We've given them four wage proposals, including the last, best
and final. Now that all the money is on the table,
they've given us none. They continue with this rhetoric about
we're dreadfully understaffed. We have over four thousand more people
(12:25):
than we had before COVID. We're staffed better than we
ever were. Does that mean we were fully staffed. We're
always looking to hire people. We're hiring people part time
in full time today. That's an ongoing challenge that we
want to do. But the union has been promising us
a staffing proposal. They've yet to give us a staffing proposal.
So the two things they continue to talk about, we're
going to give you a staffing proposal and a waste proposals.
(12:47):
They've never done it. So we've spent thirteen sessions, then
we spent since October, negotiating against ourselves, and this is foolishness.
But to answer your question, so I'm very clear, we'll
go back to the table today, tonight, tomorrow and talk
about whatever they want to talk about. All I wanted
to make clear of them is all the money is
on the table. We can move some around, we can
(13:09):
talk about burbage, we can talk about any concerns they
may have, but we can't do it if we don't
get to the table. And right now, nobody's winning, not
the company, not the union, not our associates, and not
our customers. And it's very disappointing and it's not necessary.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
One other thing that they have said, Joe Kelly, at
least according to the flyer that I had been given
in some of the other materials I've seen, is that
they want lower prices for consumers. I'm a consumer, I'm
a shopper at King Supers. Of course I want that.
I also do understand the way that the economy has
gone in terms of inflation, the rising.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
Costs of goods and services.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
How do you look at the causes, the underlying causes
of why we have seen an increase in the price
of goods over the past couple of years.
Speaker 5 (13:53):
Well, I think is the number of things that drive
that right, and I think it's been clearly noted noted
by the government, things of that sort. But to the Union,
to think is part of a contract that they can
negotiate lower prices or higher prices. That has nothing to
do with a labor contract, nothing to do with it
whatsoever as a matter of fact, and they continue to
(14:14):
talk about the staffing model. They keep talking about sales.
Staffing isn't driven based on sales. Staffing is driven by units,
the items that go through the registers. How many hours
does it take to put the product on the shelf
and how many hours does it take to replenish it.
It has nothing to do with sales. So whether price
is a high or prices are low, it comes down
to how many hours does it take to stop something
(14:37):
as it relates to price. If you go back ten
years ago, we've been on a mission at King Soupers
in City Market to improve our pricing. We are well
documented that we're ten to twelve percent cheaper than Safeway today,
which is where the Union is telling our customers to
go shop, which is going to cost our customers ten
to twelve percent more if they do that. And then
we've also been very focused on Walmart. We're the closest
(15:00):
our prices have ever been to Walmart. As matter of fact,
we are making less on groceries today than we were
ten years ago from a margin perspective. So it is
top of mind. We need to make sure that we're
keeping the consumer in mind. We're constantly looking at our promotions,
We're constantly looking at our loyalty programs and everything that
comes along with it, and we will continue to do so.
(15:20):
That's our job, just reponsibility.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
Sure, just a few minutes left with our guests.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
Joe Kelly, CEO of King Supers, I want to talk
about a lawsuit that was filed by King Supers I
think a week ago today in federal court alleging coordination
with out of state unions.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
I looked into some of the claims that were made in.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
The lawsuit and checked out some of the sources, and
there is some real strong legitimacy here. I will say
in October, when King Soupers had objected getting word as
I understand it, that you know outside unions would be involved,
you said, hey, we don't want that. We don't have
a bargaining relationship with the company. Yet two days later,
(16:00):
the United Food and Commercial Workers Union three thousand had
their president, Fay Gunther, fly in anyway and participate in
the first day of negotiations, and the next day this
union UFCW three thousand openly declared intentions to quote coordinate
proposals and actions through their United Coalition to force both Kroger,
(16:23):
which owns King Soopers and Albertson's to bend. And this
individual has a very clear political agenda in terms of wanting.
Speaker 4 (16:33):
To change and tack.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
The words she said was transform the entire grocery industry,
or at least articles summed up her position. And to me,
that's really stunning, Joe Kelly, when you have out of
state unions coming in to get involved in negotiations, especially when.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
There seems clearly to be a political agenda.
Speaker 5 (16:54):
Well, I can't speak to her agenda, and I can't
speak to Kim Kurgover, president of the Local seven's agenda,
and I can speak it is certainly UFCW Local seven
forced King Soupers to bargain with the unions from California
and Washington, who represents certainly interests outside of Colorado, not
King Soupers and City Market associates, and not local sevens members.
The bottom line, this accent is unlawful and intentionally causes delays,
(17:18):
which is unfairly impacting our associates and our customers. Unfortunately,
I can't comment it on it much further than that
because we're in litigation, but it is very disturbing. I
just think it's one more example of delaying negotiations and
trying to get this contract ratified into the finish line,
which isn't the best interest of our associates trying to
put more money in their paycheck, and trying to certainly
(17:40):
take the stress off our communities and our customers. The
great news is still well over fifty percent of our customers.
I think he made a comment about Super Bowl Sunday.
The Union keeps telling everybody we didn't have anybody in
the stores. Our stores are extremely busy leading into Super Bowl.
Our customers are extremely loyal and we couldn't be more
proud and pleased and thankful for that. We also have
had at over ten percent of our workforce come back
(18:02):
to work already. They're frustrated. They're asking me why the
union won't allow them to vote on the last, best
and final offer. I can't answer the question. The only
one that can is the union.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
Two final quick things, Joe Kelly.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
If I go into king Soopers and a Saturday before
ten am, it can be hard to get a cashier
if I don't want to use self checkout, and then
I have to go use self checkout.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
With that in mind, does the union have any point.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
About their staffing issues or your point about four thousand
more workers?
Speaker 4 (18:33):
Is that how you respond to that? Click gripe Chris.
Speaker 5 (18:37):
Rob'd be happy to talk to talk about staffing with
the union at any time. I've been very willing and
open to try to test some things in some of
our stores, and these are the types of things we
should negotiate at the table. I am not suggesting for
one second that we don't have a certain store or
a certain day, a certain hour, that we don't have
issues where we need more staff, sick calls, things of
that nature. So, by no means of my naive, we've
(18:59):
also offered to expand the Joint Labor Management Committee, giving
associates a collective stake in staffing discussions, which we're willing
to do that and have that discussion and test some things. Unfortunately,
we can't do that when the union won't come back
to the table. And again we will continue to ask
them to come to the table. We'll continue to ask
them to let their members our associates vote on this offer.
(19:22):
I see only way we're going to get it resolved.
Same time, same thing that happened in twenty twenty two,
took them out on strike, came back to the table,
we had it resolved in under three days, and unfortunately,
are their members our associates came back for eighteen million
dollars less than what that last best and final offer
was going to be. We have to protect our business
and we have to protect our customers and our communities.
Speaker 4 (19:42):
At the same time, thirty seconds, how does this end?
Speaker 5 (19:46):
When I'm ready to end it today and we're willing
to go to the table today and we're willing to
have discussions today, the union has proven that they will
not come to the table. And we gave them the last,
best and final offer at the beginning of they said
we'll be back in touch. They have not been back
in touch. They have not responded to that offer, and
they have not allowed the associates their members. Our associates
(20:08):
to vote it. If they would do that, we can
get to stand. If they think it's such a poor offer,
then let our associates their members vote on it. It's
their prerogative to turn it down, and it's their prerogative
to ratify it. We're hearing nothing. I shared the last,
best and final offer with all of our associates, so
they knew what it looked like because the union refused
to do so. So if I wasn't proud of that offer,
(20:29):
I wouldn't have shared it. And we're hearing much more
from our people about wanting to vote. So come to
the table. That's how it gets resolved.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Joe Kelly, CEO of King Soopers, really appreciate you taking
some time to share your side of the story today.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 5 (20:43):
It was my pleasure. Thanks for having me have a
great day.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
We're going to take a break.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
We'll get to your text on the other side from
the CHOA Common Spirit Health text by in five sixty
six nine zero. Keep them coming on this as we
continue on KOA. Jimmy Sang and Berger in from Andy Connell.
Jimmy Sang and Berger in for Mandy today on this
Valentine's Day, fascinating interview in the last segment with Joe
(21:07):
Kelly's CEO of King Supers and what I wanted to
do here, why I wanted to invite Joe Kelly on
to actually have a longer form conversation than just a
quick SoundBite as you tend to get in the mainstream media,
is to hear more of that other side. Because well,
(21:28):
one texter on the KOA Common Spirit Health text line
laid it out pretty right, pretty well. Most news sources
cover strikes by only interviewing the striking union employees, then
some customers either supporting the striking employees or complaining about
how the strike affects their customer experience, and then finishing
(21:50):
with an anchor or reporter giving a mini SoundBite of
the company position, way to go, Jimmy, and covering the
other side of the strikes.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
I appreciate that.
Speaker 3 (22:01):
I think it is important, especially because, as I said before,
there is this compulsion the union wants you to be
pulled in to supporting where they are coming from and
to not cross the picket line in solidarity with them.
I think it's very important to understand the issues a
(22:25):
bit more before deciding, oh, you know what, I am
going to abide that and make that position known to
essentially virtue signal if you're just joining us. I wrote
a column on Tuesday in the Denver Gazette strike serves
outside agenda, not local workers, and that lays out a
(22:46):
lot of these factors in some of the outside union
influence from out of state and so forth that's happening
to really try and transform the grocery industry here in
Colorado and across the country. And it's it's very clear
to me, especially after talking with Joe Kelly in the
last segment's CEO again of King Soupers, that the company
(23:08):
seems to be offering the right kind of proposal, final offer.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
They're willing to go to the table. The union is
not going to the table, at least how they tell
it that.
Speaker 3 (23:18):
I've seen nothing to contradict that and everything to support
the position of the company.
Speaker 4 (23:28):
And I think when we look at.
Speaker 3 (23:32):
This situation and as shoppers, it's about where can we
get the best deal, where can we keep our prices down?
And if that's King Soupers right now, great, go continue
to go there if you want to, or if you
want to send a message. Otherwise, go ahead in too,
Safeway or some other location or store instead. A few
(23:55):
other touchts that had come in that I think are
worth mentioning. I am a teamster and I love King Soupers,
and we'll keep shopping there. I have no problem. This
is Ralph text.
Speaker 4 (24:08):
Again.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
I have no problem whatsoever crossing picket lines. These outside
unions are screwing with our state's businesses for more money
for union leaders. And yes, the union bosses is key
the head of the UFCW three thousand union, Fay Gunther,
who is interfering basically with the negotiations here. She attended
(24:29):
the first negotiation bargaining table between King Soupers and Local seven,
the UFCW affiliate here in October. Even though King super
said we don't have any bargaining relationships with these other unions,
we don't want them here. Well, Fay Gunther attended anyway,
and she has a hyper partisan political agenda well documented.
(24:55):
I lay it out in my Tuesday Denver Gazette column.
But it's important to oath these union bosses make some
pretty good pay. When she led Local twenty one. This
is in Washington State, by the way that Fank Glnther
is at. She led a union local twenty one, made
(25:16):
one hundred and sixty six four hundred and forty seven
dollars in twenty twenty one, and that was before they
emerged to form UFCW three thousand, where she's at now.
So we are talking a pretty nice, swanky six figure
salary for union bosses.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
At this level.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
They're not affected by what happens with these strikes that
could force their political agendas.
Speaker 4 (25:43):
However, they want goodness. Just keep that in mind.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
Text Based on what Joe Kelly said, I'm continuing to
cross their benefits are better than mine for employees. Seriously. Yeah,
so there's definitely some criticism of the union coming in
and then a little bit of support otherwise. I have
shopped it Safeway for many years. Always like their stores
(26:13):
better anyway. I'll tell you the thing I really like
about Safeway. I love their bagels. They have delicious bagels
that are just perfect. So that's one thing that I
always go to Safeway for. And one of the reasons
why I was kind of hoping that that merger didn't
go through, even though I do think it would probably
(26:34):
be better for consumers.
Speaker 4 (26:37):
Is because I didn't want to lose out on the bagels. Now,
this union issue is.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Important why I'm dovetailing a little bit more into it
this hour because we heard during the news break about
a bill introduced to the Colorado State Senate yesterday that
would eliminate a key requirement before a labor group can
negotiate with the company to impose dues on non union members.
(27:06):
The Denver Gazette reporting more on this as we heard
as well during the news that this proposal would delete
key provisions of an eighty year old labor law that
deals with union elections. And assuming the Senate passes this bill,
then it's the state House.
Speaker 4 (27:25):
Where we will see a battle royale come to be.
Speaker 3 (27:29):
Now, under this law, there's a first election to form
a union that has a simple majority to pass, but
then a second election allows the establishment of a quote
union security agreement at a unionized workplace that requires seventy
five percent to pass. Now, assuming that second election meets
(27:50):
the vote threshold of seventy five percent, the union can
then negotiate with the company to impose a fee on
non union workers. And this bill would get rid of
that second level and say, okay, you just need the
one vote and then you can impose dues on non
union members. I think that is an affront to good business.
(28:15):
It would be destructive to the business climate in Colorado,
and it would cause significant more, significantly more challenges moving forward.
Speaker 4 (28:27):
So King supers Issue ties right in with this bill.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
And it's the same kind of movement happening across the country,
especially on the farther left, and I think it's important
to understand what's going on there. I'm Jimmy Sayingenberger filling
in for Mandy Connor. Lots more coming up ahead as
we continue on KOA Happy Valentines Day. Coming up at
the top of the hour, we will be joined to
buy Corey de Angelis, writer author of The Parent Revolution,
(28:56):
a powerful book talking about the ways in which parents
have been rising up and pushing back on school districts
across the country and the advance of school choice, and
what's happening here in Colorado, which he's been following somewhat
from the very disturbing things happening, especially in Jefferson County
(29:18):
school So that's coming up at the top of the
next hour.
Speaker 4 (29:23):
I also want to share something very.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
Sad, especially for those of us who at least for me,
I came up in Arapahoe County for politics and one
of the earliest memories of any politician that I met
and got excited.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
Oh my gosh, I met this person.
Speaker 3 (29:41):
I think he was running for county commissioner at the
time in a rapah home.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
Was not a county commissioner at the time, but I
can't remember.
Speaker 3 (29:49):
I was thirteen or fourteen when I met former state
Representative Rod Bockenfeld, who passed away.
Speaker 4 (30:01):
I believe yesterday very very sad news.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
The Colorado House Republicans put out a statement regarding the
passing of the former Republican representative, calling him a dedicated
public servant, a steadfast leader, and a beloved friend. Representative
Bockenfeld's on wavering commitment to Colorado was evident in everything
he did. He led with integrity, fought tirelessly for fiscal responsibility,
(30:32):
and always.
Speaker 4 (30:33):
Put the needs of the people first.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
Representative Bockenfeld's service to our state was a testament to
his deep love for Colorado. From his years as an
Arapahoe County Commissioner to his tenure in the House of Representatives,
he worked with determination and a sharp sense of purpose,
whether guiding critical budget decisions on the Joint Budget Committee
(30:57):
or standing firm in his principle on the House floor,
he never backed down from doing what he believed was right.
Beyond his leadership, Representative Backetfeld will be remembered for his kindness,
as humor, and.
Speaker 4 (31:12):
A steadfast friendship.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
He had a way of bringing people together, always ready
to lend his expertise, share a story, or offer a
word of encouragement. His loss will be felt deeply by
all who had the honor of knowing him. And ain't
that the truth? Rod Bockenfeld, May you rest in peace, sir,
Thank you for all that you have done for Colorado
(31:36):
in your many, many years of public service.
Speaker 4 (31:41):
A truly good man lost, but he will live on
in the next life. I am sure.
Speaker 6 (31:54):
You know.
Speaker 3 (31:54):
When we look at the politics of this state, one
of the things that comes to my mind, especially thinking
about Rod Bachenfeld and when he brought to the table
in his many, many years decades of public service, is
that Colorado has clearly gone in a very different direction
from where it was in the past, where Republicans used
(32:18):
to have for example, in Arapaho County, full control of
the county now almost nothing except for municipalities like Centennial
and Aurora. And then you have seen the Democrats continue
to strengthen their hold over this state year after year.
(32:38):
And one of the big reasons for this is because
the Colorado Republicans have continued to shoot themselves in both
feet both feet. The Democrats that the blueprint that they
brought to take over Colorado Republicans have participated in expanding
their power and consolidating it by making all kinds of
(32:59):
errors because of hubris and because of a narrow view
of if you're not in our particular club, then you
are out. You're a rhino, you are excised from the party.
And in fact, now they're bringing a lawsuit. Dave Williams
has brought a lawsuit against those who were trying to
(33:21):
remove him with some absurd claims. And I'm looking at
this like move on, especially as you have new leadership
about to take over, even if the new leadership is
not very good in of itself, but we have a
Republican party that is anathema to I think what Rod
(33:43):
Bachenfeld brought throughout his tenure and as a county commissioner
and as a state legislator, and goodness, it's just not
showing any signs of getting better, and quite frankly, I
think it will get worse in March with leadership that will.
Speaker 4 (34:01):
Double down on what we have seen under Dave Williams.
Speaker 3 (34:04):
And Republicans will take at least two years more to
start learning some of their lessons.
Speaker 4 (34:14):
Will that happen, We'll see. Only time will tell.
Speaker 3 (34:19):
I'm Jimmy sanging Berger Filly in for Mandy Connell as
we continue two more hours up ahead right here on KOA.
Speaker 1 (34:28):
The Mandy Connell Show is sponsored by Belle and Pollock
Accident and injury Lawyers.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
No, it's Mandy Connell on KOAM, got way.
Speaker 7 (34:46):
The nicety.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
And connal keeping sad bab.
Speaker 3 (35:06):
Time Now for the second hour. Jimmy Sangenberger in for
Mandy Connell. Gotta love the text earlier in the show
here on KOA from the KOA Common Spirit Health text
line five six six nine Zeros saying, every time I
hear that harmonica play, I know Jimmy Sangenberger's coming our way.
Speaker 4 (35:29):
Woo. I love the rhyme.
Speaker 3 (35:31):
There's a real lyrical quality to that text, and I
love it. Glad you enjoy it and glad to be
here with you today as we continue to talk about
some of the most important topics of our time, including
K through twelve, education and the parent revolution increasingly sweeping
(35:52):
the nation. In fact, that is the title of the
book by my next guest, Corey de Angelis, PhD. It's
entire the Parent Revolution, Rescuing your kids from the radicals
ruining our schools. He is a senior fellow at the
American Culture Project and I would contend the most foremost
(36:13):
advocate in the country right now for school choice. Corey Brother,
welcome back to Koa.
Speaker 8 (36:19):
Hey, Jimmy, thanks for having me.
Speaker 4 (36:21):
Good to have you.
Speaker 3 (36:22):
I want to get in a moment to the big
thing sweeping the nation, but I want to start it
right at home. That helps underscore why what the Trump
administration is doing in a variety of areas is important.
Speaker 4 (36:34):
Here in Colorado, as you well know because back.
Speaker 3 (36:37):
In December you reached out to me about the story
of David Weiss, the former chief of Schools Number three
for Jefferson County Schools, which is the second largest school
district in the state, who eventually would take his own life,
but he was being investigated for possession of child pornography.
(36:57):
Then we have a story that just broke from CBA
Colorado yesterday about a situation also in Jefco Schools at
Columbine High School, whereas the story reports, school officials help
the student, a high school student live female on a
federal form and then hid it from her parents so
(37:19):
she could move in with a teacher, also a female educator,
who had been grooming that student. This is one school district, Corey,
take it away.
Speaker 8 (37:29):
I mean, it's sick. We're seeing this in the other
states as well, where you have the union owned politicians
catering to the adults as opposed to the kids. And
they're also just trying to wedge themselves between children and
their own parents under the guise of so called safety,
as if the kids need to be rescued from their
(37:50):
own parents. But you know, on average, in general, parents
are going to have the best interest of their children
in mind, much more so than any government bureaucrat or
school employee. And this story that just came out of
Jeffco's schools yesterday of the teacher grooming the child and
keeping secrets and parents just goes to say there are
(38:12):
unintended consequences of keeping parents in the darks. Government bureaucrats
and school employees are not perfect, and they're less likely
to have the best interests of young children in their
mind than their own parents. I mean, that doesn't rocket science.
Speaker 5 (38:27):
Jimmy, you know this.
Speaker 8 (38:28):
I know this, and hopefully officials in Colorado and other
Blue states start to realize this as well, that you
can't you can't circumvent parental authority and not expect bad
things to happen. We don't live in fairy tale land
where everybody who works for the government is a perfect
(38:50):
human being. So that's why we need to have more information.
Speaker 4 (38:53):
And if there is.
Speaker 8 (38:55):
Anything negative happening with parents, well then the law should
step in at that point. But the standard, the default.
Parents should be maximally of all involved in their child's upbringing,
and you shouldn't keep secrets from them. Yeah, they play
California are doing this. They're passing policies to not allow
(39:16):
to not have school districts inform the parent when their
child changes their gender at school. Parents need to know
about these things. They know how to navigate their children's
upbringing better than anybody else.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
You know, one thing I think is so striking is
not just what's happening with some of the employees, but
the way that school districts are handling this. For example,
in the David Wise scenario situation, third ranked person in
the district chief of schools, and they wait weeks to
put anything out to families and at most they're just
providing some information to the media. Then, in this particular case,
(39:52):
hiding things from this student's parents, the district school staff
helped the student file paper to report herself as homeless
so she could move in with the teachers behind the
parents back, and then when the mom found out went
to the principal, the principal dismissed it and said that
the teacher just helps students navigate their sexuality. Why coried
(40:16):
Angelis or school districts across the country operating with so
much hubris, because that's what it comes down to.
Speaker 4 (40:22):
Hubris.
Speaker 8 (40:23):
Well, it's because they're monopolies. They have no incentive to
do the right thing, and so when there's a scandal,
they just cover it up. They keep parents in the dark,
they keep the community in the dark, and they don't
want any transparency whatsoever. That's why parents need to be
able to vote with their feet to get out of
these crazy institutions that we call schools that aren't listening
(40:45):
to parents. But that would give them an incentive to actually,
I don't know, focus on the basics, not get into
all of this sexuality stuff at school. And that's not
the job of the teacher. The teacher's job is supposed
to be able to teach the kid how to read
and do math. They're not doing that well because they're
focusing on all these other issues. The schools are focused
(41:05):
more on the LGBTs than the ABC's. And it shouldn't
surprise us that our nation's report card scores just came
out last month showing decades of learning loss. Since twenty nineteen,
we've dropped five to six points in math and reading,
and we spend more than any other country on the planet.
We spend about twenty thousand dollars per student per year
(41:27):
in the government schools.
Speaker 7 (41:29):
That's about fifty.
Speaker 8 (41:30):
Two percent higher than average private school tuition in this country.
Let's have the money follow the student. We'll have more accountability.
Red states are figuring this out right now. Trump has
figured this out. And Trump won the parent vote by
nine points after campaigning on school choice every single rally.
In fact, there was a nationwide polster on two occasions
(41:52):
called Atlas Intel, the most accurate poster over the past
two elections. They asked voters who they supported more on edge,
and in both cases voters went towards Donald Trump as
opposed to Kamala Harris, which, for any political scientists in
the audience, you'll be quick to realize that for decades
the Democrats have had a double digit advantage on education.
(42:16):
Not anymore, because it's not about who's throwing more money
at the problem. It's now a conversation about who's going
to respect the authority of parents, and the GOP has
emerged as the parents party recently.
Speaker 3 (42:28):
Coridy angelis again our guest author of the book The
Parent Revolution. Let's talk about some of the things that
are happening now at the federal level under President Trump.
We have just seen a lot happen this week, including
executive orders dealing with school choice DEI, which is of
course diversity, equity and inclusion, and what we have seen
(42:48):
with what you could call gender ideology. Talk to us
about the executive orders and what these entail.
Speaker 8 (42:55):
Yeah, DEI needs to die and Trump has banned it.
From federal as agency is using an executive order, and
the Department of Education actually put out a statement immediately afterwards,
the new one under Trump, saying that they're they're cutting
millions of funding INDI uh, you know this is this
is deviceive ideology, dividing people based on a mutable characteristics
(43:18):
like race. It's a it's the opposite of being colorblind.
It's a huge problem. I'm glad that Trump is taking
steps to root it out of our society because we
our success should be based on our merit and we
shouldn't judge people based on the color of their skin.
That's that's a huge problem that we should get away from.
(43:39):
And Trump also did have a good executive order on
school choice that directs the Department of Education if it
still exists by the time that they are implementing this order,
to use their discretionary funding to promote school choice. Now,
the truth is, there's only so much you can do
with an executive order as a president. This does put
(44:01):
wind at the sales of the school choice movement, and
it does it's a smart use of the bully pulpit
to put more sunlight on the issue to allow more
people to start talking about it, but there's only so
much discretionary funny that the Department's going to use for
school choice. And we have fifty million kids across the
country in kate to twelve education. Congress needs to act
(44:22):
in order for there to be more meaningful nationwide school choice.
And there's a bill right now in Congress called the
Educational Choice for Children Act. Speaker Mike Johnson's on board,
the Senate leader John Thune's on board. Trump said he'd
sign the bill. It would create a federal tax credit,
you keep more of your own money for kate's twelve
education spending, and that would boost school choice as well,
(44:43):
even in blue states because the politicians and the legislature
wantn't be able to stop parents from capitalizing on that benefit,
even in a place like Colorado or California. But it
can't stop there. The states need to take action too.
Speaker 7 (45:00):
Kates are already doing it.
Speaker 8 (45:02):
My home state of Texas, we're probably going to be
the next state to go all in. Our Senate passed
the bill nineteen twelve. Donald Trump tweeted, and so did
Elon musk At our House Speaker Dustin Burrows, who replied.
Speaker 7 (45:15):
We will pas school choice sorry.
Speaker 4 (45:17):
Nice, it's going to happen.
Speaker 8 (45:19):
Governor Abbotts on board, and hopefully some Democrats start to
defect on the issue. They've been owned by the teachers
unions for too long. But you know what, there's a
new sheriff in town. They're called parents, and they're more
powerful than the employees in the system because they care
about their kids more than anybody else.
Speaker 4 (45:35):
Cordy Angelus, our guest.
Speaker 3 (45:37):
One of the things that you and I have talked
about for years, both together and separately before we've known
each other for like five years now, since before even
meeting each other, is the need to eliminate, to abolish,
to terminate, the Federal.
Speaker 4 (45:50):
Department of Education, something.
Speaker 3 (45:52):
That was never really a mainstream discussion even among Republicans
until the last several years, particularly as a result of
the COVID era what we saw there with affronts to
parents in school choice, hence bringing about what you call
the parent revolution. Why is it important and necessary, Corey
to abolish the Department of Education? And is it not
(46:16):
the case that, as we hear from those who bring hysteria,
that this will actually diminish the quality if we get
rid of the Federal Department of education. We will see
the quality of education creater even more.
Speaker 8 (46:28):
No, would actually be better. Look, the Department of Education
is an unconstitutional waste of time and money. They got
like forty four hundred useless bureaucrats pushing paper in DC
telling you what to do with your own money. And
there's a bill in Congress right now to send that
money back to the state. So we want to defund
education in any way. You actually have more money for
education if you weren't paying these useless bureaucrats in DC
(46:51):
who cut it, take a cut off the top. The
states would direct that own funding. You'd have more local control,
and that that would mean more money for education, more
local control of individuals who are more accountable to the
people in their own states. And this department was created
in nineteen seventy nine by Jimmy Carter as a payoff
(47:14):
to the Teachers Union, the National Education Association, the largest
label labor union in the country. It was built to
supposedly reverse achievement, to close achievement gaps. They've actually gotten worse.
We've spent about two trillion dollars since the inception at
the federal level of the Department of Education. So it
hasn't reached its stated purpose. And look, Mike round has
(47:38):
the bill in Congress right now. He's a Republican out
of South Dakota. It's called the Returning Education to the
States Act. And look, Linda McMahon, the next Education Secretary,
just had her confirmation hearing yesterday went really well. I
hope she gets in into that department and body flams
at once and for all.
Speaker 4 (47:56):
I like that body slams at once and for all,
which is very fitting for Linda McMahon.
Speaker 8 (48:01):
Well, she had Triple Ah sitting right behind her. Wwe
store there you go, we'll be hearing. It was fantastic.
Speaker 3 (48:09):
We'll talk more about Linda McMahon in just a moment,
but I want to ask you a big picture question
about some of the things that Trump is doing. One
might say that this is antithetical to the idea of
states rights and local control on education because you have
the federal government, under the auspices of the president, putting
(48:32):
in place different requirements and different things that are mandating actions.
Speaker 4 (48:37):
Or what have you by the state and local government.
So while you may.
Speaker 3 (48:40):
Abolish the Department of Education if you have that kind
of governance, or maybe you have strings attached to the
money that does get sent to states in the forms
of block grants, so then the states can decide. But
you have strings attached, then you still have federal overreach
contrary to the state admission.
Speaker 8 (48:59):
How do you look at that, Well, then the Democrats
should be asking for the federal government to lower taxes.
Whatso they should be asking to cut taxes. Don't take
the money from us to begin with, and then there
won't be any strings at all attached when it's sent
back to the states. But if you look at Senator
Round's bill out of South Dakota, there aren't any strings
(49:19):
attached based on what the curriculum has to be or anything.
It just says very broadly that the money has to
be used for education. So there isn't any of this
other curriculum type of order included in the bill. So
the Democrats should be jumping for joy trying to pass
this bill from the Republican out of South Dakota called
(49:40):
the Returning its Education to the State dec So I
think this should be supported in a bipartisan way. Linda
McMahon pointed out several times YESTERDA at her confirmation hearing
that that doesn't get rid of any education funding whatsoever,
and any.
Speaker 5 (49:57):
Types of.
Speaker 8 (49:59):
Kind of services that are currently being provided by the
Department of Education that are vital in any way would
move under different departments. For example, any enforcement of civil
rights protections for students would move under the Department of Justice,
the money would be blocked granted on the Department of Treasury.
(50:20):
Tele Grant scholarships for college would move under the Department
of Treasury as well, and special needs law for students
and programs benefiting them at KY to twelve that funding
and that those programs would move under the Department of
Health and Human Services. So when you really look at
how this would work in practice and you look at
the actual bill, it's not as monumental of exchange as
(50:43):
what the teachers dream would like you to believe, because
you're just really returning power to the states. That's exactly
what Trump said. You're not defunding the schools, You're actually
providing more money to them at the state level. And
guess what, we already have state department of Education in
each state. Why do we have another one in DC?
Speaker 4 (51:04):
Yeah, we don't need it.
Speaker 3 (51:06):
You've hit on an important point, a critical point that
those things like Title nine or civil rights protections, what
have you have other agencies of the federal government departments
that they would fall under, you just wouldn't have it
under this b amith of a Department of Education, So
those things will still be protected. Finally, let's talk a
little bit more about Linda McMahon. According to Angelis, how
(51:29):
did you assess her confirmation hearing? What would you expect once?
I think she'll get confirmed. Once she's confirmed and in
the administration, I was.
Speaker 8 (51:40):
Actually very impressed with Lindi Man and she did a
great job keeping her composure were there were some protesters
kind of speckled throughout the hearing that every five or
ten minutes would get up and start screeching. On One
of the protesters was screeching and saying that I'm a
public school teacher, and I don't know why they had
(52:02):
felt compelled to say that. Another one said, I'm a
public school graduate, and they're almost making.
Speaker 7 (52:07):
Our case for us.
Speaker 8 (52:09):
They don't know how to behave themselves and they went
to the public school system. This is why we need
school choice. You're telling me that you're a teacher and
you can't behave yourself in an official hearing at the
federal level. That's an embarrassment and I want to send
my kids to you to learn to be a brat
like you were at the hearing yesterday. But Linda did great,
(52:29):
and she hit on school choice a lot and leaned
into parental rights, education freedom, having the money follow the child.
She had a lot of really good quotes. One reminded
me of fun students not systems. Yes, she said something
along those lines. I tweeted out a bunch of the
videos yesterday. She talked about how school choice competition improves
(52:49):
the public schools. She was just hitting the nail on
the head with basically everything that she was talking about.
So I feel very confident she's going to be confirmed.
I think the report publicans are all going to vote
in favor of her. I don't think any Democrats will
just because you know, they're just they just won't don't
want to vote for Trump's pick. But I feel really
(53:11):
good about her leading the department.
Speaker 4 (53:13):
Very encouraging.
Speaker 3 (53:14):
Indeed, And yes, if you've ever heard the term fund
students not systems, is this guy right here. Corey de
Angelis popularize that phrase, and it is exactly how we
need to approach K through twelve education. I'll just say
I'm a public school graduate and I thoroughly support school
at Choice. Author of the Parent Revolution Rescuing your kids
(53:35):
from the radicals ruining our schools, and senior fellow at
the American Culture Project, Cori D'Angelis joining us. Thank you
so much, my friend Fritz taking some time today.
Speaker 8 (53:45):
Yeah, thank you so much. Jimmy, good talking to you.
Speaker 4 (53:48):
Always a pleasure.
Speaker 3 (53:48):
Once again, Coridy angelis joining us, following follow him on
x at DeAngelis Corey with an E y in Corey,
I'm Jimmy Sangenberger filling and for.
Speaker 4 (54:00):
Mandy Connell moving ahead with a lot more to come
right here on KOA. Just because you can don't mean
you should.
Speaker 3 (54:08):
A very important message for so many things, including a
school district like Denver Public Schools that is playing politics
with immigration and has filed a federal lawsuit to stop
Immigration and Customs enforcement from enforcing the law. Just because
(54:35):
you can file the lawsuit don't mean you should, especially
when it's very transparent. What's really going on here in
DPS is the first school district to do this, to
take any step legally and try to thwart ice from
enforcing a rollback of previous provisions policies under the Biden
(54:58):
administration that forbade ICE agents from carrying out operations and
arrests in so called sensitive locations, that is, areas in
and around at or near is the term at or
near schools, churches, medical facilities, daycare centers, several other kinds
(55:25):
of locations. And what the rule actually specified was within
linear site of those locations, meaning if there was a
nearby house or apartment complex, near a school, near a
home daycare office, you know, you have your home and
(55:48):
you got your daycare business inside there, or a church
on the edge of the community, and it's within linear
site near that location, ICE could not do anything, which
is patently absurd. And that's really what this comes down to.
(56:09):
And the thing is that in a lawsuit, it's very
clear where DPS is coming from. In fact, in a
press release on Wednesday evening, Superintendent doctor Alex Morrero acknowledged
ICE enforcement.
Speaker 4 (56:27):
Hasn't been happening in.
Speaker 3 (56:28):
Schools, but quote in neighborhoods surrounding some DPS schools. Last week,
on February fifth, Morero sent an alarming message about federal
activity at a nearby apartment complex.
Speaker 4 (56:44):
But he also admitted then as well, at.
Speaker 3 (56:47):
This time, there has been no law enforcement activity in
our schools.
Speaker 4 (56:52):
And let's be real, that's not the intention of what's
going on here.
Speaker 3 (56:57):
ICE has no desire or plan to in the middle
of a school day at say nine am, or as
kids are rolling up at seven point thirty or getting
picked up at three o'clock, they're going to rush into
the school and go arrest somebody.
Speaker 4 (57:16):
That's not what's happening.
Speaker 3 (57:17):
It's just the narrative that is being pushed by people
who oppose and forcing the law here.
Speaker 4 (57:27):
It's very clear what.
Speaker 3 (57:28):
The policy is about and what it was about before
in preventing ICE from doing its job.
Speaker 4 (57:35):
John Fabricatory, you've heard of me.
Speaker 3 (57:37):
You're on koa former Denver ICE field director, told me
for my column today in the Denver Gazette. DPS chief
placed politics with immigration. He told me the policy was
never really about keeping ICE out of schools. It was
about keeping ice out of neighborhoods that schools are in.
And you know, for weeks and weeks Fabricatory has been
(58:01):
warning about this and that the sensitive locations policy was
shielding entire communities from enforcement through the provision of Act
or near very broad, and that's the main reason that
the Trump administration went in and made this change. It's
(58:21):
important to note that, as Fabricatory pointed out to me,
no other law enforcement agency has this restriction. It's also
critical to keep in mind while all this is being discussed,
and while DPS is effectively wanting to prevent enforcement of
the law altogether, because this is not about protecting the
(58:45):
inside of the school. This is about two things. Preventing
enforcement period from arrests and number two of illegal immigrants
in particulars get to in a moment, criminals, and number.
Speaker 4 (59:00):
Two enrollment and the funding that comes with it.
Speaker 3 (59:05):
Denver Public Schools, like all school districts in the state,
well most has seen a precipitous decline in enrollment, at
least from legal residents. Their lawsuit, though, claims that lower
attendance because some illegal immigrant students aren't coming to school
they're staying home quote, constitutes a clear threat to DPS's stability,
(59:30):
and that's because.
Speaker 4 (59:31):
Funding depends on enrollment.
Speaker 3 (59:34):
Over five years, DPS has lost one point eight percent
of its student enrollment, but an influx of forty seven
hundred illegal immigrant students has propped up in enrollment, resulting
in a net gain last year. So let's be clear here,
the district isn't just saying the quiet part out loud.
(59:56):
They are shouting it from the rocky mountain tops. They
rely on illegal immigration to pad enrollment and keep the
money flowing, even as the district continues to fail with
academic outcomes that are deeply poor, especially amongst black and
brown students, and school safety concerns that continue to perpetuate,
(01:00:20):
not because of any Ice enforcement but because of failures
of district leadership. That's all driving away citizens and legal residents.
But the districts in enrollment is buoyed by illegal immigrants,
and so of course they want to keep that enrollment
up so the funding continues. But it is absolutely critical
(01:00:41):
to note that immigration officials are focused on criminals six
hundred thousand priority criminals, roughly three hundred thousand annual visa overstays,
and one point four million ordered for deportation by a judge.
Speaker 4 (01:00:58):
But still.
Speaker 3 (01:01:01):
And the focus remains on these major categories, although they
want criminals more broadly as well. Tom Holman talking about
New York City's cooperation and having rikers Island hold illegal
immigrant criminals.
Speaker 4 (01:01:14):
Said this yesterday on Fox Back.
Speaker 6 (01:01:19):
Getting my SO officers back in Rukers as meaningful because
we agree that you know, the worst of the worst,
the firearms violations and murderers, the kidnappers, a rapist. You
know we'll come to our attention, so release we can
grab them, right. I made it clear I want everybody.
If you're an illegal, you get booked in Rukers Island,
I don't care it's for shop lifts and I want them.
So this is a start to deal with the worst
(01:01:39):
of the worst in the beginning, but I made it
clear that my plan on the whole of them I want.
I want everybody. So we're gonna work toward that. We
agree with some other things. I'm not going to discuss
on national TV because I want the city council.
Speaker 5 (01:01:53):
Know what I'm doing.
Speaker 3 (01:01:54):
So that's a little bit talking about New York City
and the controversies there and city council pushing back. But
the bottom line is that the focus is on criminals,
especially the worst. Doesn't mean others won't get caught up
in there too, but that's the focus. And for DPS
to file this lawsuit and try to obstruct that it's
just oh, it's no surprise, but it is beyond the pale,
(01:02:19):
and I think we just need to have an honest
discussion about all this and what's really happening. We can
disagree and reasonable minds will disagree. For example, I support
it for years providing legal status to the group called Dreamers,
kids who came across the border illegally as young people,
as children, and they've built lives for themselves in the
(01:02:39):
United States. There is disagreement on the right. A lot
of folks say no, we shouldn't. I think we should
through Congress, not the President. There are a lot of
different areas of disagreement, but let's actually have that discussion
and do so honestly.
Speaker 4 (01:02:53):
DPS is unwilling to engage in that.
Speaker 3 (01:02:57):
I'm Jimmy saying in Burger filling in for Mandy Connell.
Keep it right here as we continue. Lots more head
on Koa Friday, And that is from Tommy Castro Bluesman Extraordinary.
His new album Closer to the Bone, just released a
week ago today on the seventh, and he's returning to
(01:03:17):
Colorado next.
Speaker 4 (01:03:19):
Month on tour.
Speaker 3 (01:03:20):
So I'm having him return to Koa at the bottom
of the next hour.
Speaker 4 (01:03:24):
He's always just an absolute blast to talk to.
Speaker 3 (01:03:27):
Tommy Castro joining us just after two thirty here on Koha.
You want to join into the festivities, the Koa Common
Spirit Health text line is available for your participation at
five six six nine zero.
Speaker 4 (01:03:44):
So the.
Speaker 3 (01:03:46):
Hysteria overdoze, some of which I can understand, is taking
extraordinary levels, going to extraordinary levels. The Department of Government Efficiency,
by Elon Musk is doing a lot very quickly. I
can understand some of the hesitation. Some of it I
(01:04:08):
question the legality of what the Trump administration is doing
in some areas. I can understand why there might be
pushed back because the power of the purse belongs to Congress,
and if an agency or department is created by Congress,
the expectation is that the laws will be carried out.
(01:04:29):
But that doesn't mean that we don't have significant amount
significant amounts of waste, fraud, and abuse. Malfeason is going
on programs that go beyond the confines of the law
and having those go in to look it over and
the administration to take some actions on it is at
the very least reasonable and sensible. And while there's some
(01:04:54):
understandable consternation. The problem that we're seeing is more about
those who want to cover up what's being done and
are more focused on the actions taken by Musk and co.
Than by the failure to be fiscally responsible. Of course,
again two sides to the coin. Well, when I hear
(01:05:15):
David Axerod, who of course was the brains behind Obama's
successful campaigns in twenty twelve.
Speaker 4 (01:05:24):
Say the following, it makes me go really, really, David,
You know, I think.
Speaker 9 (01:05:29):
Government can be more efficient. Every bureaucracy can be challenged
and refined, and every job should be scrutinized. But you
can't send people in, first of all, overnight and assess
large organizations and say you're worth something. You're not worth something.
This whole organization isn't worth something. Secondly, they are sending
(01:05:53):
a message essentially that everyone in government is either corrupt
or a slug and really under bullying you, Jake, is
a philosophy that somehow, if you go into public service
rather than going into the pursuit of more money for yourself,
that you are somehow deficient, that you are not up
(01:06:13):
to snuff.
Speaker 4 (01:06:14):
One of the lasting pieces of.
Speaker 9 (01:06:17):
Damage that I am worried about is that it will
send a message, particularly to younger people, that public service
somehow is not worth pursuing.
Speaker 3 (01:06:27):
A couple of thoughts here. First, I do agree that
it's a little bit difficult to just assess an organization
and say oh, you're completely bad overnight, like there's a
point to be made there. Well, when he says that
the impression to here is everyone in government is either
corrupt or a slog is not the lesson to take
(01:06:49):
away here. The lesson is people are fallible, systems are fallible,
and we need to clean it up. And that government
employment does not mean you get to do whatever you
want or to waste taxpayer money recklessly. Doesn't mean everyone's
a corrupt or slug but it means there's a lot
(01:07:11):
of corruption and sluggery going on in the all knowing,
all powerful federal government and it needs to be reined in.
And the other thing that he says there about going
into public service that rather than making more money for yourself,
means your deficient. I remember, I'm old enough to remember
the Obama administration implying exactly the opposite, from certain types
(01:07:35):
of student loan forgiveness to other steps and actions that.
Speaker 4 (01:07:40):
Said precisely the opposite.
Speaker 3 (01:07:42):
If you are in the private sector, then you were
deficient sending the message if you're in the private sector,
you're devalued compared with the public sector. We value government
employment more. That was the administration that Axelrod. I'll put
it to play, and quite frankly, I find it refreshing
(01:08:03):
to have an administration that says, you know what, we
are going to make sure that public service means you
are accountable to the public, and at the same time,
we want to encourage.
Speaker 4 (01:08:18):
Jobs that are not in the public sector.
Speaker 3 (01:08:20):
In and of itself, it's okay to encourage private sector
work and say that's okay, and that government must be
accountable to the people. But axel Rod saying the kinds
of things we are hearing from critics that go a
(01:08:41):
little bit too far and are or rather intriguing coming
from somebody again from an administration that overvalued government employment
and undervalue the private sector. One more hour up ahead,
Tommy Castro at the bottom of it, I'm Jimmy Sangenberger
filling in for Mandy Connell. Don't go anywhere as we
(01:09:02):
continue right here, Okay, Oh, the.
Speaker 2 (01:09:05):
Mandy Connell Show.
Speaker 1 (01:09:06):
Is sponsored by Belle and Pollock Accident and Injury Lawyers.
Speaker 2 (01:09:10):
No, it's Mandy Connell on KLA ninety four one FM.
Speaker 4 (01:09:20):
So God Kenny Connell keeping sad thing. Little time now
(01:09:43):
for the final hour. Gotta love it.
Speaker 3 (01:09:46):
Thank you a Rod doing yeoman's work as always behind
the glass and keeping us moving that Jimmy Stangenberger in
for Mandy Connell on vacation today.
Speaker 4 (01:10:00):
Happy Valentine's Day one end all. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3 (01:10:04):
Is sticking around here on ko A if you want
to join in to the conversation of course, KOA Common
Spirit Health text line at five six six nine zero.
Speaker 1 (01:10:17):
So.
Speaker 3 (01:10:17):
One thing that I am not pleased with regarding the
Trump administration and what they are doing and doing so quickly,
is the approach taken to trade.
Speaker 7 (01:10:31):
Now.
Speaker 3 (01:10:32):
President Trump has never really been a free trade guy.
You go back to the nineteen eighties, you'll see him
in interviews with Oprah and others talking about how at
the time Japan was screwing over the United States, taking
advantage of us, and we were losing, as though there's
a zero sum game to trade, instead of trade as
(01:10:55):
it really is by definition being a mutually beneficial.
Speaker 4 (01:11:01):
If you go to a store, for example, and you
buy some tea and some honey.
Speaker 3 (01:11:09):
Clearly the ten dollars or whatever that you're spending to
buy those things isn't as important to you as those
things are. So you will hand over the money in
exchange for the goods that then will make your life
better in some way. That's a mutually beneficial exchange. And
(01:11:30):
trade is really that, only it's on an international scale.
So when a product comes in, Let's say it is
a car, it is tea, it's a mug, it's a pencil,
whatever it is, the product comes in and then somebody
(01:11:55):
will eventually buy it. But you have a company involved
in making that transaction with another company, and so when
a tariff is paid, that is paid by the company
with the product coming in to this country for sale,
and then of course it will be passed those costs
(01:12:17):
will be passed on to consumers.
Speaker 4 (01:12:21):
The nature of a tariff is that it is a tax.
Speaker 3 (01:12:26):
And now the Trump administration is talking about reciprocal tariffs.
This idea that if a country charges five percent or
twenty five percent on a widget, then we are going
to put a reciprocal tariff on widgets coming into our
(01:12:46):
country from the other country. Again, it is the company
that pays that tax, and it will get passed on
to consumers, or the company will do its best to
eat the cost so that it's not passed on to consumers.
Speaker 4 (01:13:01):
And a lot of these tariffs.
Speaker 3 (01:13:02):
Will face that because if they pass on costs to
consumers in higher prices, consumers might buy less, So they're
going to be sensitive to that.
Speaker 4 (01:13:11):
But there's only so long.
Speaker 3 (01:13:13):
That a company can go without passing and along to
consumers or cutting costs such as employees. We're not going
to have as many workers because we need to find
some cost savings because of the tariff. Well, Kevin Hassett
is the chairman of President Trump's National Economic Council, and
(01:13:34):
he was on Gosh it was either NBC or MSNBC
yesterday talking about reciprocal tariffs, and I.
Speaker 4 (01:13:41):
Was struck by a couple of things that he said
in this interview.
Speaker 10 (01:13:47):
US companies, US based companies paid foreign governments three hundred
and seventy billion dollars in taxes. Meanwhile, foreign companies paid
the US fifty seven billion dollars in taxes. So we
mailed foreign governments three hundred and seventy billion dollars in taxes,
and those taxes are being paid for by US citizens.
(01:14:08):
And so if you think that that asymmetry is something
that could be addressed, could be improved upon, and if
we did that it would be good for US citizens.
Is it good for US citizens to mail three hundred
seventy billion dollars to them while they're setting fifty seven
billion to us? And are we supposed to keep doing
that because of some economic model that doesn't have the
whole real world in it says that it we're better
(01:14:30):
off because of inflation, if we keep setting three hundred
and seventy billion dollars to foreign governments, it just.
Speaker 4 (01:14:34):
Doesn't make sense.
Speaker 3 (01:14:38):
I don't know that Kevin Hasset, being the smart economist
he is, that he believes what he say, because first
and foremost, it's not that we're mailing foreign government's checks
and taxes as not how this functions US citizens mailing
nearly three hundred and seventy billion dollars. First of all,
(01:15:00):
at least acknowledging that a tariff is a tax. But
he's doing two things that are problematic. Number one, making
it like it's a country in a country exchange citizens
are doing this and paying this.
Speaker 4 (01:15:13):
No, the only way that citizens are paying this in
the United.
Speaker 3 (01:15:16):
States is in the form of higher prices because the
tariff is passed on to consumers. But then what Kevin
has it also does is he factors in quite clearly,
is factoring in something that Europe has in there countries
in the European Union, that's required in their law that
(01:15:39):
is more than just the tariff.
Speaker 4 (01:15:41):
It is called a value added tax. That's a consumption
tax like a sales.
Speaker 3 (01:15:46):
Tax, applied at each stage of production and distribution. So
a manufacturer will sell to a wholesaler for a certain
amount plus the value added tax.
Speaker 4 (01:16:01):
Then the wholesaler will pass on to the retailer for that.
Speaker 3 (01:16:07):
Amount plus value added tax, and then the retailer will
sell the consumers for that amount plus a value added tax.
It's a terrible system that you're a past, but they
have it, and Kevin Hassett is including that in his calculations,
and that is disingenuous. The whole thing is disingenuous with
(01:16:30):
reciprocal tariffs, and that's abundantly clear there from Kevin Hassett.
Speaker 4 (01:16:36):
One other thing I want to play.
Speaker 3 (01:16:37):
We got to runder a break, but let's hear Kevin
Hassett talking about is struggling a bit to talk about
the prospect of price increases on tariffs.
Speaker 4 (01:16:44):
Then give the fact that you say this is false.
Speaker 8 (01:16:46):
Can you, without invoking the mass administration guarantee that prices
won't rise because of these tariffs?
Speaker 10 (01:16:53):
I you know, prices move up, prices move down. That's
the way the world works, right, the economy, but you're
an economy.
Speaker 3 (01:17:03):
Rise.
Speaker 10 (01:17:04):
My expectation is that prices will fluctuate, and that when
economists study the fluctuations of the prices that they'll wonder
what the causes were, and there will be many and
so my confident that there won't be strong evidence of
a price effect of tariffs.
Speaker 3 (01:17:19):
Yes am, I confident that there won't be strong evidence
of a price effect from tariffs.
Speaker 4 (01:17:25):
Yes, I am.
Speaker 3 (01:17:26):
Did you hear the way in which he meandered to
get to that point, gobbledygook, gobbledygook.
Speaker 4 (01:17:32):
Well, you know, I'm confident that there will not be
a big price effect.
Speaker 3 (01:17:37):
It's quite a way of trying to deny that there
could be price increases.
Speaker 4 (01:17:42):
When Kevin has it knows full well that there is.
Speaker 3 (01:17:45):
But Trump wants tariffs and he's going to go with
what the boss says, and he signed up for it
as the National Economic Advisor.
Speaker 4 (01:17:53):
So there you go.
Speaker 3 (01:17:55):
It's just a policy that's foolhardy, and I wish it
wouldn't happen, but Trump is being Trump on this one,
and we'll see what happens moving forward. Jimmy Singenberger in
for Mandy Connell. Keep it here as we continue on KOA.
Truth is a fickle thing, especially when you have all
kinds of discussions left and right on what is.
Speaker 4 (01:18:15):
Truth or this is true or this is my truth
or your truth or.
Speaker 3 (01:18:19):
This is a truth that I posted on truth social
or whatever it is. Well, now this is coming up
as an issue over this whole thing relating to President
Trump renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.
Here is Caroline Levitt, the White House Press Secretary, tussling
with Caitlin Collins, CNN host.
Speaker 11 (01:18:41):
Their retaliatory in nature is the argument because there's the
reason that the APUs bar, which they say, is because
they're not using the phrase Gulf of America.
Speaker 8 (01:18:49):
They're using Golf of Mexico in line with their standards.
Speaker 7 (01:18:52):
And so the question here is is the setting a
precedent that this White House will.
Speaker 11 (01:18:56):
Retaliate against reporters who don't use the language that you
guys believe, And how does that align with the First
Amendment commitment.
Speaker 5 (01:19:03):
That you we were just talking about.
Speaker 11 (01:19:04):
I was very up front in my briefing on day
one that if we feel that there are lies being
pushed by eltletts in this room, we are going to
hold those lives accountable. And it is a fact that
the body of water off the coast of Louisiana is
called the Gulf of America. And I'm not sure why
news outlets don't want to call it that, but that
is what it is. The Secretary of Interior has made
(01:19:26):
that the official designation and the geographical identification name server
and Apple.
Speaker 2 (01:19:32):
Has recognized that. Google has recognized that.
Speaker 11 (01:19:34):
Pretty much every other outlet in this room has recognized
that body of water as the Gulf of America. And
it's very important to this administration that we get that right,
not just for people here at home, but also for
the rest of the world.
Speaker 3 (01:19:45):
Look, I think Caroline Levitt is doing a kick ass
job as the Press secretary for Trump, so much of
an improvement from Karine Jean Pierre, but This is ridiculous
saying that you want them to to be telling the truth,
getting it right, that it's a lie, that it's the
Golf of America when for hundreds of years it has
(01:20:06):
been called the Golf of Mexico, and then here you
change it to Golf of America and the Associated Press says,
you know what, We're not gonna do that and.
Speaker 4 (01:20:14):
Jump on board. I appreciated a tweet put out by.
Speaker 3 (01:20:21):
Someone named Bridget Fittasy and she said the following. This
Golf of America stuff feels insane to me. I voted
against compelled speech. This feels like punishing journalists for dead
naming the Golf of Mexico. You can't just rename a
body of water and demand everyone go along with it
(01:20:44):
and call us liars if we don't.
Speaker 4 (01:20:47):
This is a Trump supporter. I agree with her completely.
Speaker 3 (01:20:50):
I still am wrapping my head around calling it the
Gulf of America. In my mind, it's still the Golf
of Mexico. Sort of penalise a media outlet or any
for this, and to declare that it is a lie
when it's been for hundreds of years, I'm sorry. That's
just a bridge too far from me. And strikes me
as a ridiculous tactic that if you're a conservative you
(01:21:12):
might say, Aha, that's what the left is trying to do.
Speaker 4 (01:21:16):
Yep, that is right in this case. Don't know what
to tell you.
Speaker 3 (01:21:23):
I'm Jimmy sangen Berger once again in for Mandy Connell.
Blues man Tommy Castro, great guy, always great to talk
with him. Coming up on the other side as we
rock and roll ahead. I'm kaa the man and the
vocals and.
Speaker 4 (01:21:36):
That fiery guitar. I is someone that Living Blues says is.
Speaker 3 (01:21:41):
Sizzling flow, burning gritty blues and rock, shimmering, swampy, downrighte
funky vibes, drenched with Castros, stinging, pure and crisp lead
runs and fluid jet fueled solos. Tommy Castro returning here
on a o A brother, Hello, that's see.
Speaker 7 (01:22:03):
That's quite a mouthful man.
Speaker 3 (01:22:05):
Living Living Blues said that all that's a yes, brother,
and I think it fits very well. And of course
you are and we'll get to where coming back to
Colorado next month.
Speaker 4 (01:22:18):
Which I'm very excited for about.
Speaker 3 (01:22:20):
Well, welcome, you're on tour once again and it's great.
Speaker 5 (01:22:23):
To have you.
Speaker 4 (01:22:23):
As you're kicking things off.
Speaker 7 (01:22:25):
Thanks, you know, it's it's been it's been a lot
of fun playing this, playing these songs live, because as
you know, you know, the blues is really what got
me into all in this. You know, we got got
started on the blues. And then when you become a
sort of a contemporary or a modern day blues artist,
(01:22:48):
you know, you're you're always striving to create your own
uh you know space, you know, to contribute your own
uh something to the music, you know, and so I've
always been careful to h you know, write, try to
write good songs, collaborate with other songwriters, and create h
(01:23:12):
you know, some good good tunes that that sort of
you know, in our case, combined traditional blues with you know,
rock and roll and soul music. And so those those
are the three basic elements. Maybe uh we sometimes we
lean into a little bit of funk or occasionally something
that nobody knows what it is. It's just a song
(01:23:35):
that I wrote and we have playing it like this,
you know, and so so you put that all together
and to make a big gobo out of it or whatever,
and it's it's a contemporary sound typically from us. But
I felt the need to just go back to the
roots and just get into the bruise this time. I
just really wanted to make a bruise record like I
(01:23:56):
imagine I would have made if I was a blues artist,
if yeah, something like that, you know. And so it
was a lot of fun doing it. You know, we
worked with Kid Anderson, which is you know, that's like
a right at Disneyland.
Speaker 4 (01:24:09):
Right there, just going to this phenomenal video.
Speaker 7 (01:24:13):
And yeah, so far, so good. I just gota. We
got a number one slot today on on some you know,
the college public radio sort.
Speaker 3 (01:24:27):
Of really congratulations for one.
Speaker 7 (01:24:31):
Spot that we just found that out today, and that's that's.
Speaker 4 (01:24:33):
Cool, that's fantastic.
Speaker 3 (01:24:35):
Well, the album came out just a week ago, called
Closer to the Bone, And let's talk about the name
for a moment, because to me, it really gets to
the heart of Tommy Castro. The blues is a musical
form and you going to your roots here closer to
the Bone, where really it cuts right through when.
Speaker 4 (01:24:55):
You're having the blues right or you're playing the blues.
Speaker 5 (01:25:00):
Yeah, I was.
Speaker 7 (01:25:01):
We were really searched high and low to come up
with the right title for this record. You know, none
of the none of the song titles seemed to be
the right ones. And uh and and one of the
great things about working with Alligator Records is I could
go to the you know, go to the staff. There's
a there's about I mean, I guess there's about ten
(01:25:21):
people on the staff at Alligator Records. The various jobs publicity,
you know, handling, distribution, and our department, all of these
different people that have been with with Bruce an Alligator
for you know, twenty five thirty years. These people are
not you know, there's no turnover at Alligator. It's a
(01:25:44):
good gig and people people stay and so as a result,
they're very knowledgeable and they created a lot of uh
records over the years and and and this is one
of the things I was just you know, here's some
ideas I have. We'll come up with some ideas and uh.
And then we kind of almost like vote on what
what what everybody likes the best? And and uh, I
(01:26:07):
think I made the final call for Closer to the Bone.
You know, we had a couple of everybody was good
with and then I said, well, I think I like
this one. So anyway, it does describe what it is
we're trying to do there and get right down to it, man.
You know you notice we had a couple of your
probably favorite harmonica players on on the record.
Speaker 4 (01:26:28):
Yes, indeed, like Will led.
Speaker 7 (01:26:31):
Right Well, we got we got Rick Estron, Rick, and
I think what you're thinking of is Billy Brandt, the Alligator,
the Alligator Stable, you know, and and and Billy Brandts
is probably the Little Walter of our time, absolutely yeah,
(01:26:52):
because all of the you know, all of the great
legendary guys have gone. Now you got Junior Wells and uh,
James Cotton, you know, Big Walter, Little Walter, I mean,
all those guys are gone, and and and the you know,
the guy that's kind of taken that mantle in Chicago
these days is Billy branch And So I had had
(01:27:15):
a song that reminded me of Uh it's an original song,
and it kind of reminded me of mellow down Easy
or one of those yes grooves.
Speaker 2 (01:27:25):
For sure.
Speaker 7 (01:27:26):
So well and we called it, we called him in
great a great job.
Speaker 4 (01:27:30):
Yeah, Rick asfer of the Nightcats. I was getting myself
confused for.
Speaker 2 (01:27:34):
Just a moment.
Speaker 3 (01:27:35):
But Rick Aston, I've seen him live at a Blues
from the Top and he's fantastic.
Speaker 5 (01:27:39):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (01:27:39):
He had heard his music for years. He's one of
the great hard players at Billy Brandt.
Speaker 3 (01:27:43):
So you're talking about when we look at the blues
as a as a musical form, it's so powerful, Tommy Castro,
but it really is rooted in a lot of things.
And for you, there are a slew of different influences
from the blue side to the soul slide side that
have really influenced and impacted your musical style and how
(01:28:04):
you've approached things. Talked to us for a moment about
some of your early musical influences.
Speaker 7 (01:28:10):
Oh wow, Okay, I'll just say one thing that popped
into my brain. You know, when I was in high school,
I liked I was discovering guys like Johnny Winter and Osmahal,
you know, because they were getting played on the radio.
They were getting played on major rap radio in those days,
(01:28:32):
and you would you would hear Albert King and people
like that on sm radio. And then I was in
high school once and I came out of my art
class and I heard this sound. It was ten years
after doing Going Home from Woodstock from the Woodstock album,
and Woodstock album had just come out, so this musn't
(01:28:55):
been in nineteen seventy and I come out with I
come out in my R class and you know, long hair,
and you know, the sun was shining and every all
the kids were out, you know, and this kind of
a little uh uh you know, kind of a what
am I trying to say? There's a grass area in
(01:29:18):
between all the buildings where everybody would gather and you
could bunch and stuff like that. And then and somebody
it just and they would play repords over the loudspeakers,
and and this song just came out. And when you
get a chance, look up on YouTube, go to uh
ten years after Woodstock and check out that that performance
of going Home, and it's it's really something, and it
(01:29:41):
fired me up. So that was one of my influences
that kind of carried me a long ways because I
made it a point to learn that whole guitar part,
all the way through, from front to back, and a
long track. It was a lot of licks, and I
was just a kid, you know, it was It wasn't easy,
but I became famous for it in my neighborhood for
(01:30:02):
knowing HAPs they go at home. But then you know,
I found my bb King Wrackers. I found my uh
you know, Muddy Waters and I remember that Fathers and
Son album. Yeah, Muddy with Muddy did with Johnny Winter
and uh Bloomfield and all those guys. Really, you know,
(01:30:22):
that's my favorite version of Mannish Boy, which I think
you've played with us before.
Speaker 4 (01:30:29):
Oh it's it's uh, it's a blast of a tune
to play. So so is U, Gucci Man. Both Muddy
Waters classics simil.
Speaker 7 (01:30:37):
Similar riff, know, different different arrangement, different words, but you know,
so so that was it.
Speaker 3 (01:30:46):
You know.
Speaker 7 (01:30:46):
Also, of course listened to the Almond Brothers and uh
Eric Eric clapped in Elba. Bishop was one of my favorites.
You know, I'd hang out with a bunch of kids
my age and typically, I mean I was always listening
something a little bit different than everybody else. You know,
they were listening to the They might have been listening
(01:31:07):
to Blacksabba or The Doors or any you know, different
kinds of rock music that was out at the time,
but minor for me. It was always a blues stuff.
Speaker 4 (01:31:18):
Yeah, yeah, there you go. Tommy Castro again our guest.
Speaker 3 (01:31:24):
He is on tour now and we'll be coming back
to Colorado, a stable place for thirty plus years for
Tommy Castro Fort Collins on March eleventh, right here in
Denver on March thirteenth at the Oriental Theater, and then
at the Stargazers Theater in Colorado Springs on March fourteenth.
(01:31:46):
And before we get to what a Tommy Castro show
is like and what it's like coming back to Colorado
after all these years and you make sometimes multiple stops
in a year in Colorado, let's give folks a little
bit more of a taste of your new album, Closer
to the Bone.
Speaker 8 (01:32:02):
This is a song.
Speaker 3 (01:32:04):
It's entitled she Moves Me Tommy. For folks who don't
know talk to us about you Indiana for a moment.
Speaker 7 (01:32:12):
Well, Deanna Bogart, she uh, well, she started back in
the eighties in a band called Cowboy Jazz. I don't
know you were going yet. I don't think Jimmy, but
there was They were, uh, you know, bands like a
Sleep at the Wheel and Commander Cody and New Riders
(01:32:35):
of the Purple Shades. There was a sort of a
country Western swing meets blues, jazz and R and B
and all that stuff kind of got mixed together and
there was quite a scene out there. Marshall Ball was
part of that scene and Indiana. Anyway, she came out
of that. Her band disbanded for various reasons after a
(01:32:58):
few years, and she kind of carried on on her
own as Dianna Bogert. And uh, you know, she was
a piano player since she was three years old, when
she sort of still her main instruments. I mean, she's
she's a phenomenal piano player. Is different than anybody I know,
she does something a little bit different. She could play
(01:33:20):
with you know how you know, right hand on her
left handed, or you're ambidexist. She's ambidexist, so that makes
that's really handy with you're a piano player, and so
she kills on that thing. But she wanted to play
the saxophone in the school band. And when she asked
the band leader at her school she could play saxophone,
(01:33:40):
she goes, they told me that girls don't play saxophones, right,
and so she said, well, uh, well, she wasn't being
a smart ass, you know, she was just saying, hey, well,
if you close your eyes, how do you know if
it's a boy or a girl player. They sent her
to the office. Yes, they thought she was being a
(01:34:03):
wise you know, you're a wise guy. So anyway, years
later she winds up winning four or five Blues Music
Awards for you know, best horn player. That's that's my girl. Yeah,
and she she writes wonderful songs and say it was
a beautiful voice. And you guys can look her up online.
I got a lot of great nesia.
Speaker 3 (01:34:23):
What what I love is that you had collaborated on
some things. He did a lot musically for decades, and
then it took you a long time before you finally got.
Speaker 8 (01:34:30):
Together, right, I love that I forgot that piece, you know,
during that pandemic.
Speaker 7 (01:34:37):
Guys, we were just being friends and talking on the phone.
We realized that I was single and she was single
at the time. Uh, it took me a little you know,
I to be a little bit kicky and a little
bit clever and sneaky to kind of figure that out,
of course without embarrassing myself. So but I did find out,
and then I uh kind of invited myself down to
(01:35:00):
go visit her in the desert when I was living
in the Bay Area. And there we go out for
about a week or so, and all the rest is history.
We're getting married in October on the legendary rhythm.
Speaker 5 (01:35:10):
And blues cruise.
Speaker 3 (01:35:11):
Oh fantastic, well early, congratulations on that, and look, brother.
Speaker 4 (01:35:18):
I only got a couple of minutes left, so let's
get right to this.
Speaker 3 (01:35:20):
You're playing March eleventh, at Fort Collins March thirteenth, and
Denver March fourteenth in Colorado Springs. You've been coming to
Colorado for decades. What can folks expect from a Tommy
Castro show?
Speaker 7 (01:35:35):
Well, at number one, I keep my set lists, so
the last time we came through, we'll try to play
a different playlist for you, and you know, it's got
hundreds of songs to choose from, and of course we'll
be playing a good chunk of this new record. And
the man's a really good form right now. So you
can expect a party, a really good time, and maybe
(01:35:58):
a guest appearance of me, Jimmy on the hall.
Speaker 4 (01:36:04):
What's what's Jimmy Jr?
Speaker 7 (01:36:07):
Jimmy Junior? Yes, right up, all right, that's that's great.
You know you got that's just in line with the
old Chicago guys.
Speaker 4 (01:36:14):
You know, Junior Wells is one of my favorites.
Speaker 7 (01:36:17):
Yeah, Junior Wells, you got guitar, Junior, you got guitar.
Slim you got Magic Sam Magic Slim.
Speaker 4 (01:36:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (01:36:27):
I love names like that, and that's a good one
for you, Jim.
Speaker 4 (01:36:30):
I know, I can't wait to get back up on stage.
Speaker 3 (01:36:32):
We had a couple of stops and starts last year,
so this will be awesome when you come through Denver.
Speaker 7 (01:36:37):
Listen, listen to that so unquote the way the way
you do. Yeah, play play alone on that one, and
of course we'll keep it fresh the rest of this stuff.
We'll just have some.
Speaker 3 (01:36:50):
Oh better believe it. I'm excited. Let me ask you
just finally, because you've come to Colorado for decades now,
what is it about this state that makes it one
of these that you just have to come through sometimes
multiple times a year.
Speaker 7 (01:37:04):
Well, it's music lovers. Colorado. It's famous for music lovers.
There's really a great audience there.
Speaker 2 (01:37:12):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (01:37:12):
People tend to be a little bit looser, you know,
a little bit more relaxed. They like to dance. They
you know, there's a there's a good percentage of old
hippies and around the state, you know that might have
gone to Grateful Dead concerts at one time or also
(01:37:35):
along with people that are just really serious music fans,
you know, following you know, groups like the Almond Brothers
or I know Tabin Wabb does real well in the
state of Colorado. So that says a lot about you.
That's you have to be a soulful population to to
(01:37:56):
to get into this kind of music and to really
understand because a lot of places, you know, you come
through town and they really don't. So there are shitties
in the country where they really could care less about
the blues. Yeah, it's sad, but it's true and so
not so in Colorado.
Speaker 4 (01:38:16):
Yeah, amen to that, brother, We got to leave it there.
Speaker 3 (01:38:19):
Tommy Castro again coming through Colorado shows and multiple parts
of the front Range next month and his new album
Closer to the Bone.
Speaker 4 (01:38:28):
You gotta check it out. Brother, always the blast.
Speaker 3 (01:38:31):
Thanks so much for joining us again here on KOA
and we'll see you in just a few weeks, all.
Speaker 7 (01:38:36):
Right, Jemmy, looking forward to it. Brother, me too.
Speaker 3 (01:38:39):
Once again, Tommy Castro joining us on the program, and yeah,
I look forward to sitting in with Tommy Castro and
the Painkillers when they are in Denver on the thirteenth
of March. I'm Jimmy Sangenberger. That's it for me today.
Heading into sports next as we continue on KOA, God
bless America and Happy Valentine's Day.
The Mandy Connell Podcast News
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