The David Sirota Show

Sirota Wednesday 5-16-12 Hour 3

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:45:21 -0400

9:05 Guest:Joel Stein.Author of Man Made: A Stupid Quest for Masculinity Joel Stein joins the show. When 38-year-old, self-confessed unmanly man Stein finds out he and his wife are having a baby boy, he is seized by the compulsion to learn how to do all that manly stuff he"s neglected. So he spends time with some firefighters (all the while hugely intimidated by their dazzling good looks); learns to love dogs (with the help of a former Playboy playmate); gets some lessons in the fundamentals of baseball (from a two-time MLB all-star); and spends a weekend as a Boy Scout (mentored by a 13-year-old named Wiggles). The author"s wife thinks his "manquest" is a stupid idea, but for Stein, it"s a necessary attempt to confront all of the things he"s spent his life avoiding and to learn some skills that will make him a better father to his little boy. Joel Stein is a staff writer for TIME. In 1998, he began writing his sophomoric humor column that now appears in the magazine every week. He's also written fourteen cover stories for TIME, and has contributed to The New Yorker, GQ, Esquire, Details, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, Businessweek, Fortune, Wired, Real Simple, Sunset, Playboy, Elle, Los Angeles, and many more, most of which have gone out of business. He has appeared as a talking head on any TV show that asks him, taught a class in humor writing at Princeton, and wrote a weekly column for the back page of Entertainment Weekly and the opinion section of the Los Angeles Times. At 9:35 Guest:Mark Sundeen.Mark Sundeen on the show to talk about his new book In 2000, Daniel Suelo left his life savings-all thirty dollars of it-in a phone booth. He has lived without money-and with a newfound sense of freedom and security-ever since. The Man Who Quit Money is an account of how one man learned to live, sanely and happily, without earning, receiving, or spending a single cent. Suelo doesn't pay taxes, or accept food stamps or welfare. He lives in caves in the Utah canyonlands, forages wild foods and gourmet discards. He no longer even carries an I.D. Yet he manages to amply fulfill not only the basic human needs-for shelter, food, and warmth-but, to an enviable degree, the universal desires for companionship, purpose, and spiritual engagement. In retracing the surprising path and guiding philosophy that led Suelo into this way of life, Sundeen raises provocative and riveting questions about the decisions we all make, by default or by design, about how we live-and how we might live better. Mark Sundeen's nonfiction has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Outside, National Geographic Adventure, the Believer, and elsewhere. His previous books are Car Camping, The Making of Toro, and North By Northwestern, which was a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. He has taught fiction and nonfiction at the MFA creative writing programs at the University of New Mexico and Southern New Hampshire University, as well as the Taos Summer Writers' Conference.

Sirota Wednesday 5-16-12 Hour 2

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:40:29 -0400

David talks about the new Romney/Bain ad put out recently about Romney breaking down companies and selling them off. Also Guest: Eli Stokols political reporter from KDVR Fox 31 and KWGN TV.

Sirota Wednesday 5-16-12 Hour 1

Wed, 16 May 2012 09:55:58 -0400

A woman says she was fired by Colorado Christian University because of a choice she made in her private life, and now she"s suing. Colorado Christian University is a small Christian-based college. The staff and the students say they are expected to follow a strict code of behavior. But the question is, does that legally apply to one"s off-campus and private life? Colorado Christian University has a school policy stating that all students and staff are expected to be strong and strict Christians. Former employee Ashlie Simpson says the school recently questioned her faith.

Sirota Tuesday 5-15-12 Hour 3

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:09:54 -0400

We took another segment of calls on the Denver camping ban. We then talked about this story: Animal control officials got a go-ahead Friday from a state court judge to euthanize a 120-pound dog that fatally mauled a 1-year-old boy at home, despite efforts by a New York-based rescue group to send the animal to a sanctuary in Colorado. Clark County District Judge Joanna Kishner sided with Henderson city attorneys who argued the attack proved the 6-year-old mastiff-Rhodesian ridgeback mix is vicious, and that an uninvited third party with no ties to the family had no legal right to step in to try to save it. Should a dog that killed a 1-year-old be euthanized? Or should it be spared?

Sirota Tuesday 5-15-12 Hour 2

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:14:23 -0400

We led off the hour with Brian Miller who co wrote with Mike Lapham the new book The Self-Made Myth and the Truth About How Government Helps Businesses Succeed. The Self-Made Myth exposes the false claim that business success is the result of heroic individual effort with little or no outside help. Brian Miller and Mike Lapham bust the myth and present profiles of business leaders who recognize the public investments and supports that made their success possible, including Warren Buffett, Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry"s, New Belgium Brewing CEO Kim Jordan, and others. The book also thoroughly demolishes the claims of supposedly self-made individuals such as Donald Trump and Ross Perot. Brian Miller has served as executive director of United for a Fair Economy since 2009, drawing on nearly 20 years of experience as a community organizer, coalition leader, media spokesperson, writer, researcher, and nonprofit director.We the talked about this story: The Denver City Council approved a homeless-camping ban Monday night in the face of an angry crowd that taped dollar bills to their mouths, chanted shame after the 9-4 vote and staged a sit-in outside the chambers. Mayor Michael Hancock is expected to sign the bill into law today. The ordinance, which forbids unauthorized camping on public and private property in Denver, will go into effect May 30, giving police time to learn the procedures on how to deal with homeless people caught illegally sleeping outside. City COuncilwoman Susan Shepherd asked for voters to oust the members who favored the bill. Should Denver city council members who voted to criminalize homelessness be voted out of office?

Sirota Tuesday 5-15-12 Hour 1

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:06:51 -0400

Colorado Republicans killed the civil unions legislation, arguing that it's divisive to discuss equal rights when there's a recession going on. Can we deal with equal rights when the economy is bad? Or are equal rights and the economy in conflict? At 7:45 Natalia Swalnick our special guest to talk about Colorado Rides Electric Day which is taking place around the state this week with a long list of events. Natalia is the Director of Environmental Health at the American Lung Association in Colorado. www.electricridecolorado.com

Sirota Monday 5-14-12 Hour 3

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:06:35 -0400

A vegan activist group is calling on the White House to ban the president, his family, and his cabinet from eating what it calls junk food at public events, and drawing attention to some of the more notable pictures of Barack Obama snacking on foods that don't exactly fit into his wife"s anti-obesity campaign. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine mailed a petition to Mr. Obama calling on him to issue an executive order requiring official photo opportunities to feature only healthy foods, and focusing on studies linking meat and dairy foods to obesity and increased risk of some cancers. Should President Obama and Mitt Romney refrain from photo ops showing them eating junk food? Have we so equated eating junk food to being American? We then talked about dress codes in restaurants. Sirota wasn't allowed in a NYC restaurant on Mother's Day because his attire was unacceptable. Sirota thinks dress codes are elitist and lame. Do you agree?

Sirota Monday 5-14-12 Hour 1

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:13:44 -0400

We talked about the Time Magazine cover story about attachment parenting where a 3 year old is seen breast feeding off his 26 year old mother. David says this is narcissistic behavior on the parents side and is totally inappropriate. Is Time magazine's cover appropriate or inappropriate? Should a 3-year-old still be breastfeeding? Did this mother exploit her child by putting him on the cover of a national magazine?

Sirota Monday 5-14-12 Hour 1

Mon, 14 May 2012 08:52:22 -0400

Hundreds of students in Jefferson County can no longer ride on their school buses. They are being told that they get no more rides until their parents pay the required fees. This is the first year the financially strapped Jeffco Public Schools district has charged for bus service, and children are now paying the price for parents who don"t comply. Should Colorado school districts throw kids off the school bus if their parents don't pay a special fee for bus service? Or should bus service be a free service and a universal right as part of public school?

Sirota Friday 5-11-12 Hour 3

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:41:47 -0400

At 9:05, Dr. Marion nestle joins teh program for our food update. She recently released her latest book Why Calories Count: From Science to Politics. In Why Calories Count, Dr. Nestle and Malden Nesheim explain in clear and accessible language what calories are and how they work, both biologically and politically. We then talked about pot again. A new ad in Colorado argues that we should feel safer around pot smokers than around drinkers. Do you agree?

Sirota Friday 5-11-12 Hour 2

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:03:48 -0400

last month, officials say, al-Qaida completed a sophisticated new, nonmetallic underwear bomb - and unwittingly handed it over to the CIA.The would-be suicide bomber, the man al-Qaida entrusted with its latest device, actually was a double agent working with the CIA and Saudi intelligence agencies, officials said Tuesday. Instead of sneaking it onto a plane in his underwear, he delivered it to the U.S. government and handed al-Qaida its latest setback. Does this make you feel safer? We then talked about your most hated athlete. Turk votes for Kobe Bryant while David votes for Michael Jordan. Who is yours?

Sirota Friday 5-11-12 Hour 1

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:08:04 -0400

Colorado's main medical-marijuana lobby is pushing Denver's City Council to ban outdoor advertising, such as billboards and sign-flippers, for such businesses across the city in an effort to further legitimize the industry. Should the Denver City Council ban medical marijuana advertising? Or should dispensaries have the right to advertise their product? We then talked about National Day of Prayer. The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that governors' proclamations of a state Day of Prayer violate the Constitution's provisions for religious liberty. When the state sponsors the particular religious practice of prayer, the three-judge panel found, it sends a message that those who pray are favored members of Colorado's political community. Do you agree or disagree with the ruling?

Sirota Thursday 5-10-12 Hour 3

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:19:14 -0400

This season all high school baseball teams across the state were ordered by the Colorado High School Activities Association to stop using aluminum bats. Kelly Kizer, the head baseball coach at Westminster High School, says too many kids were getting hurt by explosive balls. Teams can now use wooden bats or bats with the BBCOR label. Those are supposed to be safer because balls aren"t hit as hard or fast. The Westminster Wolves use the BBCOR bats. The change may mean fewer injuries, but it means fewer home runs as well. Do you support or oppose Colorado's move to ban aluminum bats in high school baseball? At 9:35 A.J. Jacobs joins David to talk about his book Drop Dead Healthy: One Man's Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection.

Sirota Thursday 5-10-12 Hour 2

Thu, 10 May 2012 10:09:32 -0400

We continued conversation from hour one on the same sex marriage debate that exploded nationally and locally on Wednesday. At 7:50 we talked with Colorado author and journalist Florence Williams joins the show to talk about her new book Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History. She has a book signing and discussion at the Tattered Cover in Lodo tonight at 7:30 pm.

Sirota Thursday 5-10-12 Hour 1

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:06:40 -0400

Governor Hickenlooper calls special session on civil unions while Obama endorses gay marriage - are opponents bigots?

Sirota Wednesday 5-10-12 Hour 2

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:59:40 -0400

At 8:05 Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks our special guest to talk about her novel Caleb's Crossing. She has a book signing and discussion at the Tattered Cover on Colfax on Friday May 18th starting at 7:30 pm. We then talked about this story: A new study predicts that by 2030, fully 42 percent of American adults will be obese, up from 36 percent now. It's a crisis in the making. Some are suggesting Obese people pay higher premiums for health insurance. Do you agree?

Sirota Wednesday 5-9-12 Hour 3

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:08:43 -0400

The National Western Stock Show & Rodeo has created a major rodeo event that is expected to have a 20 million economic impact on the region. Rodeo All-Star Weekend, slated for next April is expected to draw about 30,000 people from around the globe, the same number that attended the Women's Final Four in college basketball last month, said Kelly Brough, president and chief executive of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. The National Western Stock Show & Rodeo created the event specifically for Denver because there hasn't been an all-star event for rodeo, unlike other sports. Also unlike other all-star events, the rodeo will not travel to other cities, said Paul Andrews, president and chief executive of the National Western Stock Show. The event is expected to continue annually in metro Denver. Would you go? Or do you oppose rodeos?

Sirota Wednesday 5-9-12 Hour 1

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:57:05 -0400

Chants of shame on you from gay rights supporters thundered through the Colorado House on Tuesday night after Republican House Speaker Frank McNulty said legislation to allow civil unions won't get a vote. McNulty told reporters that lawmakers had reached an impasse and civil unions would die along with several other bills, including an overhaul of school discipline policies and setting a blood-level marijuana limit for drivers. Do you think the Governor should call for a special session? Is it important of an issue to take precedent over all other issues? Also, if you are against civil unions, does that make you a bigot? At 7:50 House Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino joined the show to break down what happened in the House on Tuesday.

Sirota Tuesday 5-8-12 Hour 3

Tue, 08 May 2012 11:10:45 -0400

Kenlie Tiggeman, the overweight passenger who garnered national attention last May after she claimed a Southwest gate agent told her she was too fat to fly, is now suing the airline. Tiggeman, who lives in New Orleans and blogs about weight loss on her website, AllTheWeigh.com, filed an injunction against Southwest in district court on April 20, alleging that the Southwest agents did not follow their company policy and chose to discriminate, humiliate and embarrass her in front of airport onlookers, and that the airline uses discriminatory actions ... toward obese customers. Southwest currently has a Customers of Size policy, which requires passengers to buy a second seat if they can't fit between the armrests. Southwest's seats measure 17 inches across. Tiggeman said she is not seeking monetary damages from the airline and filed the injunction application pro se, without legal representation. She said she wants an industry standard to be put in place for flyers who have to buy a second seat, including rules so that it is no longer up to gate attendants to decide whether or not an obese passenger has to purchase a second seat. Should there be a weight limit before airlines make passengers buy a second seat? What should be that weight limit? SHould a second seat be provided for free to overweight passengers?

Sirota Tuesday 5-8-12 Hour 2

Tue, 08 May 2012 10:26:27 -0400

At 8:05 Greg Campbell our special guest to talk about his book Pot, Inc.: Inside Medical Marijuana, America's Most Outlaw Industry. We then did News of the Weird and read some instant messages. At 8:35 Investigative journalist Andrew Gumbel our special guest. He and Roger Charles just released the book Oklahoma City: What the Investigation Missed and Why it Still Matters. Gumbel and Charles puncture the myth about what happened on that day - one that has persisted in the minds of the American public for nearly two decades. Working with unprecedented access to government documents, a voluminous correspondence with Terry Nichols, and more than 150 interviews with those immediately involved, Gumbel and Charles demonstrate how much was missed beyond the guilt of the two principal defendants: in particular, the dysfunction within the country's law enforcement agencies, which squandered opportunities to penetrate the radical right and prevent the bombing, and the unanswered question of who inspired the plot and who else might have been involved.

Sirota Tuesday 5-8-12 Hour 1

Tue, 08 May 2012 09:07:17 -0400

A day after Vice President Biden said on NBC"s Meet the Press that he is absolutely comfortable with gay couples having the same rights as heterosexual couples, the White House press secretary found himself furiously fighting back at suggestions that the president and vice president are out of step on same-sex marriage. More than 50 times, reporters pressed spokesman Jay Carney on President Obama"s position on gay marriage at Monday"s White House briefing. Should President Obama take a firm position on gay marriage? Or should he keep insisting his position is evolving?

Sirota Monday 5-7-12 Hour 3

Mon, 07 May 2012 11:14:37 -0400

Spurred by flexible work situations, mates with a more lucrative income, a sluggish job market, or simply the desire to be the one in the family who does the bulk of the child rearing, the population of fathers who stay at home with their kids is small but growing. The U.S. Census notes that 16 percent of our preschoolers are cared for by their fathers while their mothers work. In America in 2010, there were 154,000 stay-at-home dads caring for 287,000 children. What explains the rise of stay-at-home dads? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Do you think stay-at-home dads are looked down on by society?

Sirota Monday 5-7-12 Hour 2

Mon, 07 May 2012 10:03:51 -0400

At 8:05 our special guest is Colorado author Richard Martin to talk about his new book SuperFuel: Thorium, the Green Energy Source for the Future. He has a book signing and discussion at the Tattered Cover in Lodo tomorrow night at 7:30 pm. He will also be at the Boulder Book Store on Thursday May 10th at 7:30 pm. SuperFuel combines science, new historical research, and a gripping business narrative to tell the untold story of thorium power - and show how we can wean ourselves off our fossil-fuel addiction, deliver a safe energy source for a millennia, and avert the risk of nuclear meltdown. www.superfuelbook.com. At 8:20 David awarded Senator Michael Bennet the A Hole of the day award. We then talked about this story: A 6-year-old boy was suspended from his suburban Denver school for three days after school officials said he told a girl I"m sexy and I know it, a line from a popular song. D"Avonte Meadows, a first-grader at Sable Elementary School in Aurora, is accused of sexual harassment and disrupting other students, according to a letter the school district sent to his mother after he was sent home Wednesday.
School officials issued a statement saying they couldn"t discuss the case, but they pointed out a school board policy that defines sexual harassment as any unwelcome sexual advance. There is no age limit. Is this a ridiculous suspension? You agree with what the school is doing?

Sirota Monday 5-7-12 Hour 1

Mon, 07 May 2012 09:02:24 -0400

Mindful of the potentially contentious environment that comes with so many overwrought protesters converging on a national political convention, the city of Tampa has banned a number of items the last four days of August. Don"t come messing around the Republican National Convention with an air rifle, air pistol, paintball rifle, explosive blasting cap, switchblade, hatchet, ax, slingshot, blackjack, metal knuckles, nunchakus, mace, iron buckle, ax handle, chain, crowbar, hammer, shovel or any club or bludgeon. All this along with any other instrumentality used or intended to be used to cause physical or personal damage.
Except, of course, for the most obvious instrument intended to cause physical or personal damage. The city didn"t prohibit guns. It can"t.
Gov. Rick Scott, who could, won"t. He rejected a request from Mayor Bob Buckhorn asking for an executive order prohibiting the transportation of firearms in Downtown Tampa. Is it a bad idea for the Republican Party to allow concealed weapons at its national convention in Tampa, Florida? Would this make you feel more or less safe if you were to attend the Republican National Convention.

Sirota Friday 5-4-12 Hour 3

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:09:27 -0400

We spent the first half hour talking with Mark Hyman about his book The Most Expensive Game in Town: The Rising Cost of Youth Sports and the Toll on Today's Family. Building on his eye-opening investigation into the damaging effects of the ultra-competitive culture of youth sports in his first book, Until It Hurts, sports dad and journalist Mark Hyman takes us behind the scenes for a startling look at the business of youth sports, how it has changed, and how it is affecting young Americans. At 9:35 we were joined by Christopher Gardner, motivational speaker and author of the book-turned-movie The Pursuit of Happyness. He is the featured speaker at the Jewish Family Service of Colorado's Executive Luncheon Fundraiser on Tuesday May 8th at the Grand Hyatt Denver at 1750 Welton St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., and the program will start promptly at noon. www.jewishfamilyservice.org

Sirota Friday 5-4-12 Hour 2

Fri, 04 May 2012 10:08:34 -0400

We kicked off the hour with talking about the New Yorker and how they asked readers to send in words they wish could be eliminated form the English language. What words would you want to see eliminated. Also this hour: Spirit Airlines starts its DIA service this week. Would you fly the airline? Or will you refuse because you think it's fare structure is a scam?

Sirota Friday 5-4-12 Hour 1

Fri, 04 May 2012 09:03:32 -0400

Sirota led off playing audio of Mitt Romney at Papa John's mansion. Mitt touted that everybody should be able to live in a mansion. He also claimed Democrats don't want anyone to live like that. Should we all want to live like royalty? Is the American Dream a massive home?

Sirota Thursday 5-3-12 Hour 3

Thu, 03 May 2012 11:17:45 -0400

We tooks some more calls on last hour's topic before talking about the I70 viaduct and expansion plans. Is it worth an extra $150 million in taxpayer dollars to prevent the I-70 widening project from harming Denver neighborhoods? These are low income neighborhoods. Would this even be a question if it were going through a more expensive neighborhood.

Sirota Thursday 5-3-12 Hour 2

Thu, 03 May 2012 10:15:37 -0400

The Nation's sports writer Dave Zirin joined us to talk about Junior Seau's apparent suicide. We talked about the dangers of playing football and the long term effects of being an NFL player. Should the rash of NFL suicides make football fans re-think their support for professional football? Are fans complicit in supporting a sport that promotes violence? Or do the players know what they are getting themselves into, and therefore fans should just enjoy the violence?

Sirota Thursday 5-3-12 Hour 1

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:01:57 -0400

David led off talking about Governor Hickenlooper getting together with State Attorney General John Suthers to restrict local municipalities from having say in oil and gas drilling. At 7:20 we talked with Democrat State Representative Dan Pabon about a proposed tax holiday for back to school supplies. It not only applies to things like backpacks, folders and pencils, but also clothes, shoes, computers and sports equipment. At 7:35 Congressman Ed Perlmutter joined us to talk about his fight for Facebook privacy from employers. David also asked him some questions on Afghanistan War and gas and oil drilling.

Sirota Wednesday 5-2-12 Hour 3

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:17:31 -0400

Americans have a growing crush on manual transmissions. To be sure, the percentage of new vehicles with stick-shift gearboxes remains a small slice of the new vehicle market, because most of today's models don't even offer manuals. But the first quarter this year manuals were in 6.5 percent of new vehicles sold, and that's getting close to double each of the past five years. It's also highest since 7.2 percent in 2006, according to Edmunds.com. If you were buying a new car, would you buy one with a stick shift? If so, why? If not, why not? At 9:35 Dr. Mario Beauregard our special guest to talk about his book Brain Wars: The Scientific Battle Over the Existence of the Mind and the Proof That Will Change the Way We Live Our Lives. He has also written two Salon columns on near death experiences which has been highly debated.

Sirota Wednesday 5-2-12 Hour 2

Wed, 02 May 2012 10:19:37 -0400

According to a new report seven percent of Colorado families are now opting out of immunizations, and that is very concerning to public health officials. Our special guest is Dr. Rachel Herlihy the Director of the Immunization Program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. She stayed for an extra segment and took questions and comments from listeners. At 8:45 Denver City Councilman Paul Lopez who represents Denver's 3rd District our special guest. He opposes the city's move to ban unauthorized camping.

Sirota Wednesday 5-2-12 Hour 1

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:09:00 -0400

David led off talking about President Obama's speeches in Afghanistan on Tuesday. A new pact governing US ties with Kabul after NATO combat troops leave Afghanistan in 2014 foresees the possibility of American forces staying behind to train Afghan forces and pursue Al-Qaeda. Obama says Afghan War is ending in 2014 - but is it really?

Sirota Tuesday 5-1-12 Hour 3

Tue, 01 May 2012 11:16:35 -0400

At 9:05 Denver Post business, investigations and personal finance reporter David Migoya our special guest to talk abouty his piece Banking Groups Challange Colorado Right-To Foreclose Ballot Initiative. Currently, a bank can foreclose with just a lawyer's signature without proof, such as a properly assigned mortgage, that it is owed the money. Initiative 84 would require lenders to show proof of their interest in a mortgage or note before they could take someone's property. They could do so either by having recorded with a county the note and its assignment, or by providing certified copies in court of its endorsement to them. The Independent Bankers of Colorado, a trade group of community banks, says the issue should be handled legislatively, not as an amendment to the state constitution. We then talked about a spike in kids being born in homes where the parents are not married. Is this good or bad to live with soomeone before you marry them? What about having kids?

Sirota Tuesday 5-1-12 Hour 2

Tue, 01 May 2012 10:03:43 -0400

A divided Denver City Council voted early this morning to preliminarily approve a homeless camping ban after almost five hours of discussion and testimony that ended after the vote at 1:35 a.m. The council meeting drew hundreds of people seeking to comment during a two-hour courtesy public hearing that filled the council chambers and forced a separate room to be opened for the overflow. The council voted 9-4 in support of the measure that would make unauthorized camping illegal in the city aimed at reducing the numbers of homeless people sleeping on the streets. Three amendments were voted down. The final vote will be May 14. Is Denver's new effort to criminalize homelessness an example of the wealthy once again persecuting the poor? Or is it practical policymaking to deal with a serious problem?

Sirota Tuesday 5-1-12 Hour 1

Tue, 01 May 2012 08:50:16 -0400

It's the one year anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden. President Obama is citing the death of Osama bin Laden as reason to reelect him. Is he right to make such a case? Or is he overly politicizing bin Laden's killing?

Sirota Monday 4-30-12 Hour 3

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:03:06 -0400

President Obama's top counter-terrorism advisor said the commander-in-chief is working to balance his support for an escaped Chinese dissident who was under house arrest and the need to maintain good U.S.-China relations. Deputy National Security Advisor John Brennan refused to say whether the U.S. was providing protection to Chen Guangcheng, a well-known Chinese activist, who reportedly evaded security guards watching over his house and fled hundreds of miles to Beijing. News outlets are reporting that Chen sought refuge at the American Embassy there. What should President Obama do with the Chinese dissident asking for political protection from the United States? Is it worth complicating our relationship with China to stand up for human rights?

Sirota Monday 4-30-12 Hour 2

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:07:34 -0400

Legendary sports writer Frank Deford our very special guest. He is in town to receive a Denver Press Club award on Friday at the Denver Marritt City Center and at Tattered Cover on Colfax Thursday night at 7:30. He has a new book out called Over Time: My Life As a Sportswriter. He has written for SI since 1962, is a correspondent for HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, has written 18 books and received numerous awards and was inducted into the sports writer Hall of Fame. We then talked about the postal service. Should Congress let the postal service be eliminated? Or should it do everything it can to preserve it?

Sirota Monday 4-30-12 Hour 1

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:10:51 -0400

Fmr. Arapahoe sheriff Pat Sullivan says he might have molested a 13 year old boy, but authorities say they have no evidence that's true. Punishment-wise, should they have gone so easy on him? Or does this prove police gave him a pass? At 7:30 we switched it up and gave a civics test on air. 1 in 3 Americans cannot pass the US citizenship test. Also do you think imkigrants should have to know these questions?

Sirota Friday 4-27-12 Hour 3

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:12:08 -0400

At 9:05 our special guest was Alex Pareene who authored the Salon ebook The Rude Guide to Mitt, which provides a hilarious biography covering Romney"s personal and political history. Wethen talked about a New Mexico city cutting off your electricity if you don't pay your traffic tickets. What do you think of this?

Sirota Friday 4-27-12 Hour 2

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:10:41 -0400

At 8:05 we were joined by House Democratic Leader Mark Ferrandino who announced yesterday that he would be the prime House sponsor of legislation to enact civil unions for same-sex couples in Colorado. Rep. Ferrandino was the House sponsor of an identical bill in 2011, but reached out for a Republican sponsor this year to reflect Coloradans" changing attitudes about civil unions. Recent polls show that most Coloradans now favor civil unions. We then talked about this story: a growing number of public universities are charging higher tuition for math, science and business programs, which they argue cost more to teach and can earn grads higher paying jobs. More than 140 public universities now use differential tuition plans, up 19 percent since 2006, according to research from Cornell's Higher Education Research Institute. That number is increasing as states cut higher education spending and schools try to pay for expensive technical programs. Should colleges charge students higher tuition based on their selection of majors?

Sirota Friday 4-27-12 Hour 1

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:53:35 -0400

Should Denver taxpayers help build a brand new city around DIA? Would this help the city? Would it help the region? Or would it cannibalize business that's already happening?

Sirota Thursday 4-26-12 Hour 3

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:07:50 -0400

We led off the hour with Matthew Hutson to talk about his book The 7 Laws of Magical Thinking: How Irrational Beliefs Keep Us Happy, Healthy and Sane. Psychologists have documented a litany of cognitive biases, or misperceptions of reality, and explained their positive functions. Now, Matthew Hutson shows that all of us, even the staunchest skeptics, engage in magical thinking all the time, and that we can use it to our advantage, if we know how to outsmart it. At 9:20 Organic farmer and author Joel Salatin joined the show to talk about whether or not meat is sustainable. There was a recent debate about this. Joel also talked about some other newsworthy food items. We then asked if you find cash on the street, should you be prosecuted if you decide to keep it?

Sirota Thursday 4-26-12 Hour 2

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:03:03 -0400

Pregnancy discrimination claims are on the rise, according to new data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In public hearing held Feb. 12, the commission reported that 53,865 charges alleging pregnancy discrimination had been made over the past 10 fiscal years, amounting to $150.5 million in monetary benefits for charging parties. According to the Connecticut Law Tribune, apart from a dip in 2005, pregnancy discrimination claims increased 1 percent every year since 1997, when the EEOC began gathering data on those claims. Discrimination claims come from across industries and at every level of employment. Do you think this means women are merely reporting more discrimination than they had been before? Or do you think that actual discrimination against pregnant women is on the rise?

Sirota Thursday 4-26-12 Hour 1

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:08:26 -0400

Saying the governor is not being proactive enough to help victims of the Lower North Fork Fire, Republicans want to create a commission to pay the fire victims. A bill expected to be introduced this week would establish the commission, which would hold hearings to investigate how the wildfire happened and establish a claims process. The fire burned more than 4,000 acres, destroyed or damaged 27 homes and killed three people. Should Colorado taxpayers financially compensate victims of forest fires? Do you smell something fishy here even though it seems like a good thing?

Sirota Wednesday 4-25-12 Hour 3

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:19:52 -0400

We did another segment of calls on whether fighting belongs in the NHL. We then talked to Nancy Cronk about the War on Women March this Saturday at 9:30 am at Civic Center Park. David then talked about where Obama stayed while in town. Does he need to stay at the Four Seasons or the JW Marriott? We closed out the hour talking about Click It Or Ticket crackdowns.

Sirota Wednesday 4-25-12 Hour 2

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:09:12 -0400

Dave Zirin joined the show to talk about several sports stories making news. We talked about the Metta World Peace elbow, The New Orleans Saints GM Scandal and about advertisers putting pressure on NHL to stop the fighting. We asked whether the league should comply? Or is fighting a laudable part of pro hockey?

Sirota Wednesday 4-25-12 Hour 1

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:00:16 -0400

Fox and Friends rips President Obama for appearing on the Late Show with Jimmy Fallon and Slow Jamming the news on education. Should presidents appear on comedy shows or does that demean the office? Do you care if presidents appear on comedy shows?

Sirota Tuesday 4-24-12 Hour 3

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:08:42 -0400

A 9 year-old was suspended for fighting back to what he says was bullying. Should schools punish kids for fighting back against bullying? Should we encourage kids to take violent action against bullies?

Sirota Tuesday 4-24-12 Hour 2

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:09:57 -0400

The disappearance of mid-level jobs during the Great Recession, along with overall high unemployment, have made it hard for recent college graduates to find good jobs upon leaving school. More than 50 percent of college graduates under age 25 are either jobless or underemployed, according to an analysis from Drexel University and the Economic Policy Institute. President Obama at CU talking about making college more affordable, but with new unemployment numbers out, do you think college is a good investment for kids?

Sirota Tuesday 4-24-12 Hour 1

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:11:29 -0400

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer defended his remarks on Mitt Romney's Mormon heritage, saying his comment that Romney's father had grown up on a polygamy commune was taken the wrong way. Should polygamy be illegal? Should we hold Mitt Romney's ties to a religion with a history of polygamy against him? Should we care at all?

Sirota Monday 4-23-12 Hour 3

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:08:00 -0400

Geoff Berg in today for Dave. We continued taking a couple more calls on Iran and Nuclear Proliferation. We then talked baout the Secret Service Columbian Prostitute scandal. Geoff says the story is being over reported. Nancy Pelosi says she is disgusted. It's legal in Columbia. Why do many in the media and DC think it is so disgusting?

Sirota Monday 4-23-12 Hour 2

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:05:54 -0400

Geoff Berg filling in today. This hour we talked about the Iran problem. Is a war with Iran inevitable? At 8:15 we were joined by Alexandra Toma who is the Executive Director of the Connect U.S. Fund, where she manages the Fund"s day to day programs and grant-making activities. In addition, she founded and co-chairs the Fissile Materials Working Group, a coalition of nuclear security experts. Alex has a diverse professional background in national security policymaking, having worked previously as a policy advisor on Capitol Hill, a consultant to the National Defense University, a defense analyst for DFI International, and in the nonprofit sector. Alex has been named an emerging leader in U.S. foreign policy as both a Truman National Security Fellow and a Center for Strategic and International Studies' Next America Fellow. She speaks frequently on nuclear weapons and nonproliferation issues. We asked if you think a war with Iran is enevitable?

Sirota Monday 4-23-12 Hour 1

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:09:44 -0400

Geoff Berg in for Sirota today. He led off talking about a big Denver post piece on younger religious voters and progressive politics.At 7:15 Rachel Pater from the Iliff School of Theology was our special guest. Compared with their older counterparts, young, white evangelicals, ages 18 to 34, are more pluralistic, supportive of an active domestic government and inclined to favor diplomacy over military might abroad, according to the Public Religion Research Institute. Can you be a progressive and Christian?

Sirota Interview with Darth Vader

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:10:36 -0400

Sirota Interviews David Prowse who we know as Darth Vader live from Starfest Denver.

Sirota Friday 4-20-12 Hour 3

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:27:31 -0400

David continued at Denver Starfest. We talked about our Starfest Bracket and also asked if you suggest watching Star Wars as Episode 1-3 first of Episodes 4-6 first. Quite a debate. At 9:30 David talked to a couple of original Klingons Bob O'Reilly and Michael Dorn.

Sirota Friday 4-20-12 Hour 2

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:10:42 -0400

We continued talking about the allure of science fiction. We also talked about round two matchups in the Starfest Tournament bracket. Who do you think will win it all? At 8:20 David was joined by David Prowse who played Darth Vader.

Sirota Friday 4-20-12 Hour 1

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:10:14 -0400

David broadcasting live from Starfest today! He opened up talking about our obsession with science fiction. Why are we so obsessed with sci fi? Does it make you a nerd if you are totally into sci fi? How do we define what goes into this category? Also who would win in a fight - Luke or Leia? Captain Kirk or Han Solo?

Sirota Thursday 4-19-12 Hour 3

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:14:13 -0400

At 9:05 Dr. Timothy Pachirat joins the show to discuss his eye opening book Every 12 Seconds: Industrialized Slaughter and the Politics of Sight. This is an account of industrialized killing from a participant"s point of view. Author and political scientist Timothy Pachirat, was employed undercover for five months in a Great Plains slaughterhouse where 2,500 cattle were killed per day or one every twelve seconds. At 9:20, with the 2 year anniversary of the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico coming up on Friday, Abrahm Lustgarten our special guest to talk about his book Run to Failure: BP and the Making of the Deepwater Horizon Disaster. We then talked about the Boulder 4-20 protests.Boulder leaders expressed concerns Tuesday night about the University of Colorado's plans to close the campus and ticket non-students for trespassing in an effort to shut down the 4-20 marijuana smoke-out, but they still adopted a resolution in support of the school. Should CU officials close the public university's campus to the public on 4/20? Is that an affront to the First Amendment?

Sirota Thursday 4-19-12 Hour 2

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:11:12 -0400

Tomorrow marks the 13th Anniveersary of the Columbine Massacre. Our special in studio guest is Tom Mauser who lost his son son Daniel that day. He has completed a book called Walking in Daniel's Shoes: A Father's Journey Following His Son's Death at Columbine High School. This book will be available May 1 and covers the tragedy on April 20, 1999, his fight for gun control measures and much more. He stuck around all hour and took questions from listeners on the tragedy and on gun control and gun laws.

Sirota Thursday 4-19-12 Hour 1

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:06:15 -0400

A mother whose son and future daughter-in-law were slain urged lawmakers today to defeat a bill ending a state criminal background check of gun buyers. Sponsor, Rep. Mark Waller argued the FBI already performs background checks on sales through federally-licensed firearms dealers so Colorado's program isn't necessary. Private sales do not require checks. House Bill 1048 passed on a 37-28 vote, with four Democrats joining all 33 Republicans in supporting the measure. It now goes to the Senate, where its fate is questionable although it is sponsored by Democrat Lois Tochtrop of Thornton. So far, gun bills that have passed the Republican-controlled House have died in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Should Colorado get rid of state background checks for gun purchases as a way of saving money?

Sirota Wednesday 4-18-12 Hour 3

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:26:05 -0400

At 9:10 Suzanne Taylor our special guest to talk about her documentary What On Earth? Inside the Crop Circle Mystery. She will be on Colorado Public Television tomorrow night at 7 pm showing the documentary and talking about the crop circle phenomenon during pledge breaks. This will be the first television broadcast of her film. Take a ride with Taylor and the documentary that won Best Featire Documentary Award at the UFO Congress Film Festival, as she engages a fascinating subculture of artists, educators,geometers, philosophers, and farmers, enthralled by the mystery of crop circles. For more than 20 years, Taylor has been part of a lively international community that gathers in England to study and document circle developments.We then talked about this story: as Colorado school districts draft and finalize next year's budgets, a handful are looking at school-bus advertising as a new income source. Adams 12 Five Star Schools put its first ads on the outside of school buses last month. Greeley's fleet has been carrying ads for a year. Mapleton Public Schools mulled bus ads for more than four years and finally found help coordinating the operation. Should Colorado schools sell ads on school buses to generate revenue? Or does this overly commercialize our public schools

Sirota Wednesday 4-18-12 Hour 2

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:03:05 -0400

The Federal Communications Commission fined and censured Google for obstructing an inquiry into its Street View project, which had collected Internet communications from potentially millions of unknowing households as specially equipped cars drove slowly by. But the investigation, described in an interim government report, was left unresolved because a critical participant, the Google engineer in charge of the project, cited his Fifth Amendment right and declined to talk, report David Streitfeld and Edward Wyatt in articles published on Sunday and Monday in The New York Times. The inquiry leaves a host of unanswered questions, they report. It is unclear who else at Google might have known about the data gathering, or when they might have known. Should Google be able to publish aerial or street-view photos of your home on the Internet without your approval? Should the company be able to tap into your home wifi network if you leave it unsecured? Or is this all a violation of your privacy? At 7:50 Aaron Likens joins the show to talk about his book Finding Kansas: Living and Decoding Asperger's Syndrome.He has an event tonight at St. John's Lutheran Church on 700 S. Frankilin St. starting at 7:30 pm.

Sirota Wednesday 4-18-12 Hour 1

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:34:14 -0400

Man tries out for the Denver Broncos cheerleading squad. A man also tried out for the Dallas Cowboys team. The Ravens have a male cheerleader. Why are there male cheerleaders in college but not in professional sports? Should the Broncos hire male cheerleaders? Would you be offended by male cheerleaders in professional sports? We then talked about 2nd graders being what is considered by some parents as porn at the Denver Green School. While doing research oin a computer lab class. They were googling lightning and thunder and an image of a naked man side profile showed up. Is the school at fault? Does this bother you at all

Sirota Tuesday 4-17-12 Hour 3

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:14:35 -0400

Stats show the average money spent on Prom is roughly 1,000 dollars. How much is too much to spend on prom? Are you a bad parent for saying no to the economic arms race surrounding prom? We also talked about how you prep your kids for all the issues surrounding prom like sex, drinking and drugs?

Sirota Tuesday 4-17-12 Hour 2

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:03:31 -0400

Bennett High School decided to take part in the Every 15 Minutes Program, where students take part in a simulated drinking and driving accident, but with some intense new additions including good bye letters to parents and eulogies written by parents. Should we frighten kids into not drinking and driving? How far is too far to go in telling kids not to drink and drive? Should schools simulate death in order to get that message across? What about not showing dead soldiers when talking about joining military? What's the difference?

Sirota Tuesday 4-17-12 Hour 1

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:06:29 -0400

New Gallup poll shows most Americans don't think their taxes are too high. Do you agree or disagree? Do you pay too much or too little in taxes? We also did News of the Weird and our Food Update.

Sirota Monday 4-16-12 Hour 3

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:07:51 -0400

Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library our special guest to talk about his New York Times opinion piece Playing the Violence Card. He argues that when confronted with an instance of racially charged violence against a black person, a commentator draws attention to the fact that there is much more black-on-black violence than white-on-black violence. To play the violence card, as many criminal-justice advocates have done since the Rodney King police brutality case of the early 1990s, is to suggest that black people should worry more about the harm they do to themselves and less about how victimized they are by others. Dr. Muhammed is a former professor of History professor at Indiana University. He is also the author of The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime, and the Making of Modern Urban America. We then talked about this story: Prostitution is legal in much of Colombia, and the abundance of sex workers has made the country the Thailand of Latin America, as well as an alluring destination for randy foreign visitors. Among those who allegedly succumbed to the nation"s temptations were federal agents assigned to protect President Obama, but who instead tried to be secretly serviced. President Obama promises a full investigation. Should U.S. officials have to follow U.S. laws when traveling abroad? Or should they be able to do things - like, for instance, soliciting prostitution - that might be legal in the foreign country they are in?

Sirota Monday 4-16-12 Hour 2

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:10:24 -0400

NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell our special guest. Andrea Mitchell Reports will air live from the History Colorado Center tonight, and will feature a segment on education as part of the Education Nation On-The-Road tour. In an effort to continue the national conversation sparked with its Education Nation initiative, NBC News is continuing Education Nation On-The-Road for the spring of 2012. Making its first stop in Denver beginning last Thursday, the NBC News team will spend a week in the city, partnering with its affiliate station, 9NEWS, and its sister networks, MSNBC and Telemundo affiliate KDEN, to create a public dialogue around education issues faced by the region. During the week, NBC News and its partner stations will air education-focused programming and host a series of special events that bring Denver-area educators, elected officials, business leaders, parents and students together to share information, exchange ideas and inspire change. All events will be hosted at the History Colorado Center in Denver. For all the events and about the initiative check out www.educationnation.com. We then talked about this story: Liquor stores, strip clubs, and halfway homes. That"s the reality for children walking to school in Mapleton School District. Now Adams County is looking to add yet another halfway home less than a mile from Welby Montessori Elementary School. District Superintendent Charlotte Ciancio is adamantly against the idea saying, there are already so many inappropriately placed things in our community. The Adams County Planning Commission approved zoning plans for the home that will take over an existing building at 7660 Washington Street. The home will be run by New Jersey based Community Education Centers, Inc., and will house up to 84 women offenders. None of whom would be sex offenders, or arsonists. Would you be nervous if a halfway house opened near your child's school? How close is too close? What other places shoudl not be opened by schools?

Sirota Monday 4-16-12 Hour 1

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:13:35 -0400

An effort to help raise money for veterans through the Colorado Lottery survived its first hurdle Wednesday when a Senate committee approved a proposal to let voters decide on the issue in November. But the measure faces a tough road, requiring two-thirds, rather than a simple majority, of support from lawmakers in the Senate and the House. Elected officials, school advocates, conservation officials and even veterans argued against the measure during the committee hearing. They said it would decrease lottery proceeds that now go toward open space, recreation centers, trails and school construction. Should CO expand the lottery to fund veterans benefits? What does it say about our treatment of vets and how we fund them? At 7:50 A new study released by CoPIRG found that the average Colorado taxpayer in 2011 would have to shoulder an extra 410 dollar tax burden to make up for revenue lost from corporations and wealthy individuals shifting income to offshore tax havens. The report, Picking Up the Tab additionally found that to cover the cost of the corporate abuse of tax havens in 2011, small businesses in Colorado would have to foot a bill of 1,855 dollars on average. Our special guest is CoPIRG director Danny Katz.

Sirota Friday 4-13-12 Hour 3

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:13:09 -0400

At 9:05 David Rothkopf our special guest to talk about his new book Power, Inc.: The Epic Rivalry Between Big Business and Government and the Reckoning That Lies Ahead. David Rothkopf provides a look at how we have reached a point where thousands of companies have greater power than all but a handful of states. Power, Inc. traces the bruising jockeying for influence right up to today"s financial crises, growing inequality, broken international system, and battles over the proper role of government and markets. We then talked about cable. A new study has found that, though the average cable television bill is around $86 per month right now, that cost could skyrocket to $200 by the year 2020 if premium channel providers continue to increase their prices at the rate they have been over the past few years. What's your stopping point for price on cable?

Sirota Friday 4-13-12 Hour 2

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:06:08 -0400

The Colorado Secretary of State"s title board on Wednesday approved language for a religious freedom ballot initiative submitted last month by Focus on the Family.The controversial initiative taps into the increasingly heated tug of war over social issues waging between Christian organizations and representatives of the government, most recently, for example, on the question of whether employers should be required to provide insurance coverage for contraception. As submitted, the title of the initiative contains one sentence. It proposes to add an amendment to the Colorado Constitution expressing the public policy of the state of Colorado that government may not burden a person"s or religious organization"s freedom of religion. Do we need a Constitutional amendment in Colorado stating that government may not burden a person"s or religious organization"s freedom of religion? Or is this proposal from Focus on the Family not really about freedom - but about something more sinister?

Sirota Friday 4-13-12 Hour 1

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:01:02 -0400

Fort Collins teenager Connor Kelly is leading an effort to end use of teh term retard. In fact, President Barack Obama in October 2010 signed a bill called Rosa's Law, which removes the terms mental retardation and mentally retarded from federal health, education and labor policy and replaces them with such terms as individual with an intellectual disability and intellectual disability. Should pop culture stop using and joking about the term retard? Or does the campaign against the word prove we've lost our sense of humor? What other terms should be considered to stop using? Gay? Douche? Connor's mom Jennifer Kelly even called in this morning.

Sirota Thursday 4-12-12 Hour 3

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:17:23 -0400

At 9:05 Our special guest is Executive Director at One Colorado Brad Clark. The Colorado Secretary of State"s title board on Wednesday approved language for a religious freedom ballot initiative submitted last month by Colorado Springs-based evangelical organization Focus on the Family. The controversial initiative taps into the increasingly heated tug of war over social issues waging between Christian organizations and representatives of the government, most recently, for example, on the question of whether employers should be required to provide insurance coverage for contraception. The opposition is being led by a coalition of groups that include gay-rights organization One Colorado, the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, among others. We then talked about President Obama rejecting request to ban employer discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. What are your thoughts on this?

Sirota Thursday 4-12-12 Hour 2

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:12:05 -0400

Jefferson Morley our special guest to talk about his Salon piece The Drones Are Coming To America. A drone is probably heading toward your personal airspace soon. With Congress requiring the Federal Aviation Administration to simplify and expedite drone applications from U.S. police departments by May 15, industry and watchdog groups agree: It won't be long before cops and first responders put them into action. Jefferson Morley is a staff writer for Salon and former editor at The Washington Post and the author of Our Man in Mexico: Winston Scott and the Hidden History of the CIA. His next book coming out in July is Snow-Storm in August: Washington City, Francis Scott Key, and the Forgotten Race Riot of 1835. We then talked about Hilary Rosen's comments on Ann Romney. She said she has never worked a day in her life. Do the child rearing activities and tasks done by stay-at-home moms qualify as work? Is it wrong for a top Democrat to say on CNN that stay-at-home moms aren't working?

Sirota Thursday 4-12-12 Hour 1

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:01:27 -0400

George Zimmerman charged with 2nd Degree Murder. Why did it take so long for prosecutors to charge George Zimmerman in the shooting of Trayvon Martin? Will Zimmerman be able to get a fair trial? Are views on Zimmerman already cemented?

Sirota Wednesday 4-11-12 Hour 3

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:08:48 -0400

David read out some emails on our topics today and then went back to the Miami Marlins suspending Ozzie Guillen for saying he loved Castro. We tied it in with another story. A Marine facing dismissal for running a Facebook page criticizing the Obama administration is now backed by a team of lawyers and federal congressmen as he fights to stay in the military and test its age-old policy of limiting the free speech of service members. Sgt. Gary Stein will appear before a military board at Camp Pendleton on Thursday to argue his case. The 26-year-old Marine has been rallying for support since he was notified last month that the military was moving to discharge him after determining he was in violation of the Pentagon policy barring service members from engaging in political activities. Stein's lawyers and the American Civil Liberties Union say his views are protected by the First Amendment. Where in your workplace does the 1st Amendment speech rights end? Should active duty soldiers have a right to publicly criticize public policy and politicians in their personal time?

Sirota Wednesday 4-11-12 Hour 2

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:09:04 -0400

We led off the hour with New Yorker staff writer David Owen to discuss his new book The Conundrum: How Scientific Innovation, Increased Effieciency, and Good Intentions Can Make Our Energy and Climate Problems Worse. We then took listener reaction to the guest. He argues energy efficiency only encourages us to use more energy. He says sacrifices arethe only way. Do you buy his argument?

Sirota Wednesday 4-11-12 Hour 1

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:06:38 -0400

David led off talking about the Ozzie Guillen suspension by the Miami Marlins for comments that were supportive of Fidel Castro. He said he loved Castro. He received a 5 game suspension. David laid out why this is disturbing on so many levels. Should Ozzie Guillen have been suspended for his comments about Fidel Castro? Did Major League Baseball violate his First Amendment rights? Why is it OK to publicly praise dictators that the U.S. government supports? At 7:50 Chris Mooney joined teh show to discuss his new book The Republican Brain: The Science on Why They Deny Science and Reality.

Sirota Tuesday 4-10-12 Hour 3

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:12:47 -0400

New York Times food columnist and author Mark Bittman our special guest. He has a new opinion piece in the time on pink slime called The Pink Menace. Mark Bittman is the of several best selling books including How to Cook Everything, Food Matters and Food Matters Cookbook. We then updated the Tulsa killings and the Trayvon Martin shooting. Is vigilantism on the rise in America? Do people of color have something to fear from that? Are there similarities between the Tulsa massacre and the Trayvon Martin tragedy?

Sirota Tuesday 4-10-12 Hour 2

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:15:09 -0400

Hospitals should stop including industry-provided samples of infant formula in new mothers" discharge bags because the distribution is unethical and violates good public health policy, Public Citizen said in letters, co-signed by more than 100 other organizations, sent to more than 2,600 hospitals across the country. The letters are part of a new, nationwide Public Citizen campaign that is aimed at both hospitals and major formula makers. At 8:05 our special guest is Public Citizen President Robert Weissman. We then asked should hospitals refrain from encouraging new mothers to use infant formula rather than breastfeeding? We closed out the hour with Adam McKay. He is a screenwriter, director, comedian, and actor. McKay is most famous for his partnership with comedian Will Ferrell, with whom he co-wrote the films Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and The Other Guys. Ferrell and McKay also founded their comedy website Funny or Die through their production company Gary Sanchez Productions. He talked about a new Anchorman movie and a ton of other stuff.

Sirota Tuesday 4-10-12 Hour 1

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:09:51 -0400

Homophobia is more pronounced in individuals with an unacknowledged attraction to the same sex and who grew up with authoritarian parents who forbade such desires, a series of physiological studies conducted by scientists at the University of Rochester, the University of Essex, England, and the University of California in Santa Barbara conclude. Do you think the most outspoken homophobes have repressed homosexual tendencies? Do you think this drives their homophobia? At 7:35 the man who exposed Ted Haggard, Mike Jones called in on the subject. This was a great hour!

Sirota Monday 4-9-12 Hour 3

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:23:34 -0400

At 9:05 New York Times bestselling author Jonah Lehrer joins the show to talk about his new book Imagine: How Creativity Works. He will be at the Tattered Cover on Colfax this Wednesday April 11th at 730 PM and at the Boulder Bookstore on Thursday at 7:30 pm. At 9:25 Ask a Mexican Columnist and great friend of the show Gustavo Arrelano joined us to talk about his new book Taco USA. We closed out the show talking about Tim Tebow who said on an Easter sermon that he enjoys being able to have his religion talked about. Do you think, as Tim Tebow does, that it's OK to be outspoken about your faith?

Sirota Monday 4-9-12 Hour 2

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:07:27 -0400

Thomas Frank our special guest. The Baffler Magazine is back out and Thomas has a piece in it called Too Smart to Fail: Notes on an Age of Folly. It's about intellectual accountability, and the almost complete lack thereof over the last few years or so. After previous economic disasters, orthodoxies were chucked and dead wood was chopped. This time around: No way. David then talked about a study that show less and less young people are driving than any previous generation. According to UMTRI, a third of all licensed drivers in U.S. were under 30 back in 1983. Today, that"s down to 22 percent, despite the huge number of so-called Millennials, a generation rivaling the Baby Boom in size. And while those under 40 accounted for over half of all drivers in 1983, the figure is now down to less than 40 percent. Why do you think less young people are driving these days? Is it a good or bad thing?

Sirota Monday 4-9-12 Hour 1

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:13:05 -0400

David opened up talking about Augusta and the Masters and how they do now allow women members. David has a problem with that. Do you? Why do PGA players and the sports establishment support it? At 7:35 Michael Kazin joins the show to talk about his piece in The New Republic Why Baseball is the Best and Least Exploitative American Sport.

Sirota Friday 4-6-12 Hour 3

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:28:39 -0400

We spent a couple segments on turning left in intersections. Turk and David seemed to be confuded on the laws. So did our audience as well as this came to almost a 50 50 split. We then talked about over zealous helicopter parents who were so aggresive in an Easter Egg Hunt they had to cancel it. Parents apparently were trampling kids to help their kids get eggs. What is the problem with these parents?

Sirota Friday 4-6-12 Hour 2

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:09:31 -0400

Colorado has officially launched its new Come To Life campaign, which focuses on exploration and adventure. The campaign utilizes many scenic Colorado landscapes to advertise the state.Do you think these ads will work? Do you want more tourism in Colorado? Do you think we have a tourism shortage? Also should we be allowed to not hire obese people? A Texas Hospital installed a no hiring policy for people that have a Body Mass Index of greater than 35.

Sirota Friday 4-6-12 Hour 1

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:10:11 -0400

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol has a new billboard out with a woman on it saying she prefers marijuana over alcohol. Does it make you a bad person if you prefer marijuana over alcohol? What are your general thoughts on regulating it like booze?

Sirota Thursday 4-5-12 Hour 3

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:05:44 -0400

Former Arapahoe Copunty Sherriff Pat Sullivan received 30 days in jail, two years of probation and a 1,100 dollar fine for the meth for sex scandal. Did the criminal justice system go too easy on former Arapahoe sheriff Pat Sullivan? Should people in positions of power be punished more harshly? At 9:35 we talked about a new chance for the Foreclosure Bill with a November Ballot Initiative. Denver Post biz reporter David Migoya joined us to discuss.

Sirota Thursday 4-5-12 Hour 2

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:13:43 -0400

Bestselling author and former special advisor to President Barack Obama, Van Jones our special guest to talk about his latest book Rebuild the Dream. In Rebuild the Dream, green economy pioneer Van Jones reflects on his journey from grassroots outsider to White House insider. For the first time, he shares intimate details of his time in government and reveals why he chose to resign his post as a special advisor to the Obama White House. We then talked about Boulder Police's plan to snuff out pot smokers at the annual 4-20 event on the CU campus. Should CU use police against 4-20 protestors and pot smokers?

Sirota Thursday 4-5-12 Hour 1

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:00:44 -0400

The Motion Picture Association of America"s ratings board has refused to budge off its R rating for Bully, an earnest and moving documentary made for and about tormented preteens and teenagers. Do you trust the MPAA's movie ratings? Do you think they are ideologically biased? Should there be a rating system at all for movies? We also threw out a ton of news stories this hour.

Sirota Wednesday 4-4-12 Hour 3

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:07:51 -0400

Our special guest to lead off the hour was Dr. Jessie Klein to talk about her book The Bully Society: School Shootings and the Crisis of Bullying in American Schools. In today's schools, kids abusing kids is not an occasional occurrence but rather an everyday reality where children learn early that being sensitive, respectful, and kind earns them no respect. Jessie Klein makes the provocative argument that the rise of school shootings across America, and childhood aggression more broadly, are the consequences of a society that actually promotes aggressive and competitive behaviour. Dr. Jessie Klein is Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Adelphi University. Over the last two decades, she also led and administered high school guidance programs. She served as a supervisor, school social worker, college adviser, social studies teacher, substance abuse prevention counselor and conflict resolution coordinator. We then talked about the lottery. Coloradans spent 10 million dollars on lotto tickets last week. A lot of theat money goes to open spaces in Colorado. What are your thoughts on playing the lotto and where the money goes? We ended off the show with Mystery Science Theater 3000 creator Joel Hodgson. The Volume 23 Box Set was just released. During its eleven years, 198 episodes and one feature film, MST3K attained critical acclaim. The series won a Peabody Award in 1993, was nominated for two Emmy Awards in 1994 and 1995, and was nominated for a CableACE Award.

Sirota Wednesday 4-4-12 Hour 2

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:07:58 -0400

With the passing of House bill 12-1295 earlier in March the playing field edges closer to finally being leveled. Or perhaps that should be the plural fields as it spans the Nuggets, Broncos, Avalanche, and Rockies. The bill would create a vanity Colorado Rockies license plate for fans to purchase and indicate their support for the team. Plates would be available for a one-time 50 dollar fee in addition to proof of a 52.80 dollar donation to the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club Foundation. The charity supports at-risk youth via baseball and softball programs, education and literacy programs, and drug and alcohol-abuse awareness and prevention. Sirota says he dislikes vanity plates. Do you support or dislike vanity plates. What about bumper stickers? Best and worst of each?

Sirota Wednesday 4-4-12 Hour 1

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:02:22 -0400

More than 100 supporters and opponents of a proposed ordinance to ban unauthorized camping in Denver crammed into a committee room at the City and County Building yesterday. Sponsored by District 8 City Councilman Albus Brooks, the proposed ordinance - which if passed by the council would go into effect at the end of May - has been in the works for months and would make illegal any temporary, unauthorized camping on public and private property throughout the city.
Mayor Michael Hancock supports the measure and is calling for a balanced approach that helps the homeless receive services and shelter. Should Denver officially criminalize homelessness? Does it only seem like they are concerned about the imagery of what they want the city to look like? aT 7:50 Dick teresi joined the show to talk about his book The Undead: Organ Harvesting, the Ice-Water Test, Beating Heart Cadavers and How Medicine Is Blurring the Line Between Life and Death.

Sirota Tuesday 4-3-12 Hour 3

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:32:14 -0400

We opened the hour talking about former Colorado Rocies pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez beening Troy Tulowitzski on Sunday. After seeing the video and hearing the news should Jimenez be suspended for 5 games? Was there intent? What do you think about unwritten rules in baseball? David then took the last 20 minutes talking about the CSU Rams paying 1.3 million more in football salaries this year than under the old head coach. Is this good spending of tax payer dollars? Is this basically money burning?

Sirota Tuesday 4-3-12 Hour 2

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:11:14 -0400

Siding with security needs over privacy rights, the Supreme Court ruled Monday that jailers may subject people arrested for minor offenses to invasive strip searches. By a 5-4 vote, the court rejected a challenge from a New Jersey man who argued it's unconstitutional to force everyone to strip down for inspection. Albert Florence was arrested by a state trooper because of an error in the state's records that mistakenly said he was wanted on an outstanding warrant for an unpaid fine. Even if the warrant had been valid, failure to pay a fine is not a crime in New Jersey. Florence was held for a week in two different jails before the charges were dropped. But at each jail, he was required to shower with delousing soap and undergo a strip search. Should police have the right to strip search you regardless of the level of the charges brought against you? We also did Timewarp Tuesday and our Food Update.

Sirota Tuesday 4-3-12 Hour 1

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:07:46 -0400

Siorota led off talking about Geraldo Rivera's theory on the hoodie maybe having more to do with the shooting of Trayvon Martin than race etc. He apologized as well about his initial comments. Is a hoodie an inherently threatening article of clothing? At 7:45 Ahmed Rashid our special guest to talk about his book Pakistan on the Brink: The Future of America, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Sirota Monday 4-2-12 Hour 3

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:13:00 -0400

Should fans be aloud to boo the at sporting events? What rights do you have to boo at a sporting event? Also Japan's elevator to space!

Sirota Monday 4-2-12 Hour 2

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:29:41 -0400

Lisa Miller our special guest to talk about her cover story from New York Magazine Xanax: A Love Story. Lisa Miller is a contributing editor at New York magazine and the author of "Heaven: Our Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife." She was a senior editor at Newsweek, overseeing the magazine's religion coverage, writing the weekly "Belief Watch" column and editing Newsweek's prominent "Spirituality in America" double issue. Before joining Newsweek, Miller covered religion for The Wall Street Journal. She has also worked with The New Yorker, Self magazine and Harvard Business Review. An award-winning journalist, she is the recipient of the 2010 Wilbur Award for outstanding magazine column. She is a frequent guest on television and radio, including the Colbert Report, the O'Reilly Factor, MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, NPR and others.

Sirota Monday 4-2-12 Hour 1

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:31:45 -0400

North Fork Fire this week. Should the state get rid of controlled burn's? Is the risk too high with the fire's this year and last year to continue? David talks with callers on the subject. Also the Campaign Update.

Sirota Friday 3-30-12 Hour 3

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:07:58 -0400

James Mejia subs today. This hour he talked about the Stock Show and proposed move to Aurora. It would cost Denver tax payers over 150 million. Do you support this move?

Sirota Friday 3-30-12 Hour 2

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:10:19 -0400

James Mejia in for Sirota today. This hour James was joined in studio by Shepard Nevel. He is the vice president of the Colorado Health Foundation. He gave Colorado health card report and about where the state is falling behind in health especially in kids. Kids got a C- and adults got a B. We discussed the reasons and what can be done to get our kids more healthy.

Sirota Friday 3-30-12 Hour 1

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:00:59 -0400

James Mejia in for Sirota today. He led off talking baout the daily news and about education and holding kids back due to literacy deficiencies. At 9:20 Rich Benjamin joined the show to talk about the Trayvon Martin tragedy. He has anopinion piece out today in the New York Times called The Gated Community Mentality. He is also the author of Searching for Whitopia. We kept him til

Sirota Thursday 3-29-12 Hour 3

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:13:38 -0400

Gloria Neal our guest host today. We continued taking calls on the Trayvon Martin killing. Does the new video evidence make you question his story?

Sirota Thursday 3-29-12 Hour 2

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:14:26 -0400

Gloria Neal in today. We took another segment of calls on the Lower North Fork Fire. At 8:20 we switched it up and talked about new news in the Trayvon Martin shooting by George Zimmerman. New video shows that Geaorge may not have been attacked by Trayvon as earlier reports said. Also Congressman Bobby Rush wore a hoodie on the house floor yesterday and was excorted out. Does the new video evidence make you question his story? Do you care if elected officials speak out about this situation?

Sirota Thursday 3-29-12 Hour 1

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:06:46 -0400

Gloria Neal in for Sirota today. She led off talking about the Lower North Fork Fire. Questions surrounding the evacuation process and about how the fire was started. The lederly couple that lost their lives reportedly were not told to evacuate. Cory Lopez joined us at 7:20 for an update. What questions or concerns do you have with controlled burns and about evacuation processes?

Sirota Wednesday 3-28-12 Hour 3

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:14:43 -0400

James Mejia in for David today. Chris Watney our special in studio guest. She is CEO of Colorado Children's Campaign. We talked about the children's report card and welfare of children in Colorado. www.coloradokids.org

Sirota Wednesday 3-28-12 Hour 2

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:07:35 -0400

James Mejia in for Sirota today. This hour he talked about the Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood battle. There have been several high-profile resignations from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure amid calls for the group's founder and chief executive to resign, media reports say. The Associated Press is reporting that at least five top officials quit the Dallas-based organization after it took a decision, since reversed, to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood, which provides reproductive health care, including breast cancer screening, contraceptives and abortions. Many Komen races are now not reaching their goals either. Is politics interfereing with women's health issues? Do you still support Komen? Who do you side with? What are some alternatives to supporting breast cancer research?

Sirota Wednesday 3-28-12 Hour 1

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:36:10 -0400

James Mejia in for Sirota this morning. He led off with the daily news and then was joined by author, former Denver Broncos and all around good guy Reggie Rivers. We talked about Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow and the nature of being traded in the NFL. We also talked about the changing face in journalism and the Trayvon Martin shooting with Reggie.

Sirota Tuesday 3-27-12 Hour 3

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:08:49 -0400

James Mejia in for Dave. We talked about Direct File and juvenile defenders. Do you think kids should be serving life sentences without parole. Does our juvenile criminal system need reforming? We had calls from Mary Ellen Johnson from the Pendulum Foundation and the director of the Colorado Juvenile Defender Program Kim Devorchak. We talked about our prison system in general as well. We have 5 times more the amount of incarcerated people compared to the next highest. How crazy is that stat?

Sirota Tuesday 3-27-12 Hour 2

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:10:14 -0400

Andrew Hudson from Andrew's Hudson's Job List our special guest to talk about unemployment, employment outlook and seeking jobs. Andrew Hudson"s Jobs List is a niche professional online job board that matches professionals and employers primarily in the Denver metro area. www.andrewhudsonsjoblist.com We spent the frist half hour talking jobs, then Andrew and James talked about the demise of the newspaper. Recent firings at the Denver Post, less and less people getting news from the paper. What happened?

Sirota Tuesday 3-27-12 Hour 1

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:59:23 -0400

James Mejia in for Sirota today. We led with some news of the day and at 7:20 we were joined by AM 760's Cory Lopez to fill us in on the Lower North Fork Fire. At 7:35
we were joined by Mu Son Chi, the Racial Justice & Civil Rights Program Director
at the Colorado Progressive Coalition. Yesterday, Colorado Progressive Coalition members and victims of Denver police violence joined the community in a march to remember and honor Trayvon Martin and to call on the Department of Justice to investigate Denver law enforcement. At 7:50
our guest was Mark Belkin, Organizing Director of UFCW Local 7. Barbers represented by UFCW Local 7 are striking against Gino Morena Enterprises. Picket lines went up last Thursday at Buckley Air Force Base. The eight military barbers voted reluctantly to strike after making numerous efforts to reach a fair and reasonable agreement. The barbers believed it was time to take a stand and stop Gino Morena Enterprises from undermining their middle class profession. Gino Morena Enterprises, based in San Francisco, is a profitable, successful company with over 400 shops nationwide. But Gino Morena is refusing to share that success and agree to a fair contract for its military barbers. The latest round of negotiations is a continuation of the company"s practice of forcing unjustified reductions in income for its military barbers. Previously, Gino Morena cut commissions by 10 percent. Now, the company is demanding more unjustified cuts in the standard of living for their barbers. Despite the company"s rosy financial condition, it seems intent on forcing its military barbers onto the picket line just to satisfy its own greed. President Kim Cordova called on Gino Morena to recognize its loyal Buckley Air Force Barbers and to work with the Union to negotiate a fair and reasonable contract.

Sirota Monday 3-26-12 Hour 3

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:07:48 -0400

James Mejia in for Dave today. He closed out conversation on the Trayvon Martin killing. James then introduced his guests Adam Cayton-Holland and Ben Roy. They are both Denver comedians. Check em out at benroyyellsalot.com and adamisfreakingoutrightnow.com.

Sirota Monday 3-26-12 Hour 2

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:03:17 -0400

James mejia in for Sirota today. Denver marches and protests today in the tragic shooting of Trayvon Martin. Should George Zimmerman be arrested for the shooting? What do you make of the Geraldo Rivera comments on how Trayvon should not have been wearing a hoodie? Does Geraldo even have a point?

Sirota Monday 3-26-12 Hour 1

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:07:45 -0400

James Mejia in for David today. He led off with a news rundown and then started taling about Tiger Wood's win yesterday. It was his first since the infidelity scandal that occured over two years ago. Do you cheer for Tiger? What have you told your kids about Tiger Woods if anything? Can you idolize him still? What's the difference between Tiger and Bill Clinton?

Sirota Friday 3-23-12 Hour 3

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:09:11 -0400

We led off the hour with Dean Obeidallah to talk about his piece The Victims of the Shootings in Afghanistan Are Not Just Statistics. You may have heard that nine of the sixteen victims were children and three were women. You may have read descriptions of them as villagers and civilians. But again, do you even know one name of even one victim in this horrible massacre? Probably not. Not that you should because our media has ignored that part of the story. Dean Obeidallah is an American Muslim comedian of Palestinian and Italian background. He is part of a small but growing number of Middle Eastern-American comedians who have increasingly received media attention in the past few years, as they use comedy to both entertain and dispel negative stereotypes of Middle Eastern-Americans and Muslims. David then brought in Kelly and Cary Floyd from Arvada Beer Company. They are located at 5600 Old Wadsworth in Olde Town Arvada. Kelly and Cary have won over 400 awards for their beers. We also talked about the Fantasy Football craze. 1 in 5 adult males participate in Fantasy Football. Does this surprise you? We also took schmuck of the week votes and grievances for Festivus Friday.

Sirota Friday 3-23-12 Hour 2

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:07:30 -0400

Dave Zirin joins the show to talk about his column Why I'm Shock-Raged By the New Orleans Saints Suspensions. Dave also talked about the Tebow trade and some blowback he has gotten for some things he said about Tebow going to New York. We kept him for two awesome segments.

Sirota Friday 3-23-12 Hour 1

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:10:00 -0400

Does the Trayvon Martin case prove its more dangerous than ever to be an black man in America? Should African American men be afraid of more situations like this? At 7:50 State Senator Shawn Mitchell our special guest. Senator Mitchell, Senator Pat Steadman and Representatives Don Beezley and Claire Levy introduced Senate Bill 163 this week, to reduce drug addiction and addiction-related crime by limiting the use of felony incarceration for people convicted only of drug possession. Specifically, SB 163 will reduce the crime of possession of 4 grams or less of a schedule I or II controlled substance or 2 grams or less of methamphetamine from a felony to a misdemeanor. The bill requires the savings to be reinvested into substance abuse treatment programs delivered in communities throughout the state.

Sirota Thursday 3-22-12 Hour 1

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:17:19 -0400

Does the Trayvon Martin tragedy make you rethink so-called Make My Day and Stand Your Ground laws? If the races were reversed and the kid who was shot was white, would the shooter be arrested? What do you make of this extremely tragic situation.

Sirota Thursday 3-22-12 Hour 2

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:07:59 -0400

David led off the hour reading a few emails from hour one's topic on kids who shoot themselves with guardians or parents guns. At 8:15 we were joined by comedian and actor Kevin Pollak in studio. He has shows tonight, tomorrow and Saturday night at the Comedy Works Landmark Theater in the DTC. This was a fascinating interview.

Sirota Thursday 3-22-12 Hour 1

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:10:21 -0400

A 3-year-old boy fatally shot himself with a gun he found in a car while his family stopped for gas early Wednesday at a gas station in the western U.S. state of Washington, police said. It was the third recent shooting by a child in western Washington.
The family had stopped for gas about 12:30 a.m. The father put his pistol under the seat and got out to pump gas while the mother went inside the convenience store, Benjamin said. They left their son and their infant daughter in the car. The boy climbed out of his child seat, found the gun and shot himself in the head, police said. He was declared dead at a hospital. The girl was not injured. Detectives questioned the parents and have called the shooting a tragic accident, Benjamin said. The father has a concealed weapons permit, and no charges are anticipated, he said. Washington state does not have a law specifically concerning child access to firearms. Should parents or guardians be held criminally liable if they don't secure their firearms? At 7:45 our special guest is Dr. Ingrid Binswanger, an assistant professor from the University of Colorado Division of General Internal Medicine in the School of Medicine. Prison inmates frequently have a strong history of drug use and misuse, especially during the time prior to incarceration when drugs often are the driving force behind the offense itself. But new research shows that ex-offenders struggle to remain drug-free after their release from prison as well, and identifies factors that they say can help them succeed in this struggle.

Sirota Wednesday 3-21-12 Hour 3

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:07:47 -0400

At 9:05 our special guest is General Motors Director of Global Energy Britta Gross. Colorado residents who purchase or lease a new Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range are eligible for a state tax credit of up to $6,000 in addition to a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for a total price reduction of as much as $13,500. Colorado is one of a number of states that is offering a state tax credit in addition to the federal tax credit, which is subject to the customer"s eligibility. We then talked about the Denver Post laying off Mike Littwin and Penny Parker. Have the Denver Post's rolling layoffs harmed the state of journalism in Colorado? Has it hurt the larger community? David says the Denver Post became irrelevant long before these firings. We took a ton of caller comments.

Sirota Wednesday 3-21-12 Hour 2

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:06:46 -0400

Almost 9.2 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States in 2011, and Americans spent nearly 10 billion on cosmetic procedures last year. These are some of the key findings in the new statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Cosmetic surgical procedures increased almost 1 percent since 2010, while minimally invasive procedures decreased almost 2 percent in the same time period. Cosmetic surgeries are on the rise in America. Why do you think that is? Would you ever get cosmetic surgery just to improve your looks? At 8:50 we talked with Kim Barker who is the author of The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Sirota Wednesday 3-21-12 Hour 1

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:09:14 -0400

John Ramsey, the father of slain child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey, isn"t a fan of Toddlers & Tiaras, a TLC reality series that depicts the world of child beauty pageants. More than 14 years after the murder of JonBenet, Ramsey says he has regrets about putting the youngster in the spotlight. He said: we were so naive. I now believe with all my heart that it"s not a good idea to put your child on public display. Do you agree? Do you think kid pageants are weird? Is it hard to believe that 3 millions kids are involved in pageants? Do you think pageants are bad for kids?

Sirota Tuesday 3-20-12 Hour 3

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:11:28 -0400

Jason Berry our special guest to talk about his new book Render Unto Rome: The Secret Life of Money in the Catholic Church. The Sunday collection in every Catholic church throughout the world is as familiar a part of the Mass as the homily and even Communion. There is no doubt that historically the Catholic Church has been one of the great engines of charity in history. But once a dollar is dropped in that basket, where does it go? How are weekly cash contributions that can amount to tens of thousands of dollars accounted for? Where does the money go when a diocese sells a church property for tens of millions of dollars? And what happens when hundreds of millions of dollars are turned over to officials at the highest ranks, no questions asked, for their discretionary use? The Roman Catholic Church is the largest organization in the world. The Vatican has never revealed its net worth, but the value of its works of art, great churches, property in Rome, and stocks held through its bank easily run into the tens of billions. Yet the Holy See as a sovereign state covers a mere 108 acres and has a small annual budget of about $280 million. Jason Berry achieved prominence for his reporting on the Catholic Church crisis in Lead Us Not Into Temptation, a book used in many newsrooms. He has been widely interviewed in the national media, with many appearances on Nightline, Oprah, ABC and CNN. Mr. Berry produced a recent film documentary, Vows of Silence, based on the book, which examines the Vatican"s system of justice in the sex abuse crisis. We then talked about this story: Women pay $1 billion more each year in individual health insurance costs even though they tend take better care of their health than men, according to a new report released on Monday by the National Women's Law Center. The price discrepancy for women underscores an ongoing gender gap for health coverage in the United States. In the vast majority states, insurance companies can charge women more than men for the same coverage because of what is called a gender rating. It's akin to charging women extra for having lady parts. Should women be charged more for health insurance? Or is this price discrimination? Do we have moral imperative to make this the same?

Sirota Tuesday 3-20-12 Hour 2

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 10:12:10 -0400

Dave Krieger our guest at the top of the hour to talk about the Broncos being poised to sign Peyton Manning to a 5 year 95 million dollar deal. Dave id the co-host of the afternoon show with Dave Logan on 850 KOA. We then opened up lines and took comments on the acquisition. Are the Broncos lookig like the Yankees? Is nothing short of a Super Bowl a failure?

Sirota Tuesday 3-20-12 Hour 1

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:06:10 -0400

Colorado prosecutors are closer than they've ever been to losing their discretion over when to charge teenage defendants as adults in criminal court. A bill that would not only transfer that power to district- court judges but sharply curb the instances when young offenders can face grown-up penalties passed the state House on Monday with a veto-proof majority. Proponents say the current direct file system violates teen defendants' rights to due process and that neutral judges are better suited than prosecutors to decide when adult penalties are appropriate. House Bill 1271, which passed on a 45-20 vote, would limit the pool of teens eligible to face adult penalties to 16- and 17-year-olds. It also would limit the types of crimes eligible for direct filing to Class 1 and 2 felonies or repeat offenders who commit Class 3 felony crimes of violence. Is it ever justified to take a 13 year old and put them in prison for life without parole? When do you treat a child like an adult in the justice system?

Sirota Monday 3-19-12 Hour 3

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:12:40 -0400

Dave Zirin our special guest to talk about his column Beneath the Brackets: March Madness and the Civil Rights Movement of Our Times. We then asked has the NCAA tournament jumped the shark? Are you still into it? Does it hide what Dave Zirin calls the civil rights movement for our times? Is there a moral problem supporting a system that is basically indentured servitude? Should the players be paid? Dave argued that our culture does not care about the grievances committed to poor and people of color.

Sirota Monday 3-19-12 Hour 2

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:12:15 -0400

Mike Doughty our special guest to talk about his new memoir The Book of Drugs. He was the lead singer in Soul Coughing, fell into a life of drugs, then cleaned up and launched his solo career. He has an upcoming show ay the Fox Theatre in Boulder April 1st. He also has a new live album out. At 8:20 we started talking about boomerang kids. Almost 30 percent of kids these day return to live at home. Is this good news or bad news? What is your experience?

Sirota Monday 3-19-12 Hour 1

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:01:55 -0400

Are you buying a new iPad? If so why? If not, why not? Is there really something that new and great about the new iPad? What do you make of the record orders? We then switched it up and talked about Garfield County schools going to a four-day-a-week system due to financial considerations. Is this a good or bad move? Would you like to see this in your district? How bad of an impact would this make?

Sirota Friday 3-16-12 Hour 3

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:07:01 -0400

Dr. Marion Nestle, Paulette Goddard Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health and Professor of Sociology at New York University is our special guest to talk about Walmart and healthy food labeling. As part of its promise last year to improve the nutritional quality of the food it sells, Walmart said that it had devised standards to determine what is healthy and would label the foods that meet those standards. The new label, bright green with the words Great for You, will first appear on the retailer"s own Great Value and Marketside food items this spring, as well as on signs around fresh fruits and vegetable displays. But Walmart executives said the company planned to allow other brands to use the label without paying any licensing fee on products that meet the criteria. Walmart has also been working with suppliers of national brands and private label products to reduce sodium, added sugar and trans fats in some 165 products it sells. We then talked about some new studies on kids and how they are less civil and more self absorbed. Do you see this dynamic taking place? What is your take on kids' civility these days. What about idea of being bored as a kid these days? What has technology done to our kids positively and negatively?

Sirota Friday 3-16-12 Hour 2

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:27:14 -0400

Our special guest at 8:05 was Boulder District Attorney Stan Garnett who, this week, wrote a letter to U.S. Attorney John Walsh asking him not to send seizure threats to any Boulder medical marijuana dispensaries conforming to state and local land use regulations. When asked about the note, Walsh's spokesman said his boss would respond directly to Garnett. The implication being that the U.S. Attorney wasn't thrilled about this communique, on view below along with our earlier coverage, having been made public. But Garnett has no regrets. We then played audio of President Obama talking about drilling. Here's his quote So do not tell me that we're not drilling. We're drilling all over this country. There are a few spots we're not drilling. We're not drilling in the national mall. We're not drilling at your house. Are we driiling enough, too much or not enough?

Sirota Friday 3-16-12 Hour 1

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:07:22 -0400

Members of a Colorado Springs high school's yearbook staff are staging a protest after claiming an advisor asked them to remove a photo of a lesbian couple. Palmer High School students Rudolpho Tribulio and Anna Carmicheal say their yearbook adviser told them that a photo of a lesbian couple holding hands could not be included on a page they were creating about relationships.
School officials claim the photo showed too much Display of Affection. Meanwhile a hetero couple kissing appeared in same feature.What are your thoughts on this? We also talked about Rick Santorum's new war on Porn. He has a new pledge to aggressively prosecute those who produce and distribute pornography. Santorum avers that America is suffering a pandemic of harm from pornography. He pledges to use the resources of the Department of Justice to fight that pandemic, by bringing obscenity prosecutions against pornographers. Are you for or against this fight? Do you think this will give him more support from female Republican voters?

Sirota Thursday 3-15-12 Hour 3

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:07:18 -0400

We talked about the legalization of marijuana. James Mejis in for Sirota today and he is sitting on the fence about how he will vote on the November ballot. How will you vote?

Sirota Thursday 3-15-12 Hour 2

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:09:35 -0400

Parents of young children face a difficult question: Send their little ones to kindergarten as soon as they become age-eligible, or hold them back in hopes that an additional year of maturity will give them an academic boost? This voluntary kindergarten delay, dubbed "redshirting" after the practice of benching college athletes for a season to prolong their eligibility, is a source of much national and personal debate. As kindergarten programs have become more rigorous, redshirting proponents argue, kids need to be older to handle the curriculum. For children whose birthdays fall just before the kindergarten age cut-off date, redshirting bumps them from one of the youngest in the class to one of the oldest. It's a tempting prospect for parents who don't want their child to be the least mature in the room, or the smallest in gym class. As parents out there where do you land on this issue? Are you in favor of or against red shirting kindergartners? At the end of the hour we started talking about legalizing marijauna which will be on November's ballot.

Sirota Thursday 3-15-12 Hour 1

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:07:26 -0400

James Mejia in for Sirota today. He led off with news of the day stories. He then talked about how he thinks the Colorado Caucus system is broken. Do you participate? Why does participation seem low? James argued for a primary vote instead. What do you think? What about Independents in the process?

Sirota Wednesday 3-14-12 Hour 3

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:09:56 -0400

We carried over conversation on whether we should let the American soldier accused of killing 16 Afghani civilians should face courts and sentencing in Afghanistan. We closed the show talking about whether or not you prefer male or female doctors depending on if you are a male or female. If you ar

Sirota Wednesday 3-14-12 Hour 2

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:10:43 -0400

We had one more segment on when to teach your kids to kick some ass if he or she is being bullied. Is it okay to enroll kids in martial arts programs to fight off bullying? We then talked about this story: Some Afghans are demanding its government forge a new pact that allows U.S. soldiers accused of crimes to be tried by Afghan courts as the U.S. military on Tuesday said it found probable cause against a soldier accused of murdering 16 civilians. Col. Gary Kolb, a spokesman for the U.S.-led military coalition in Kabul, said Tuesday that a 48-hour probable cause assessment was completed and that the servicemember continued to be confined. The soldier, who has not been named, could face the death penalty if found guilty in a court martial of gunning down the civilians, including nine children, in two villages of Kandahar province before dawn on Sunday. Should he be tried in Afghanistan courts?

Sirota Wednesday 3-14-12 Hour 1

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:56:18 -0400

David opened up talking about Rick Santorum taking Alabama and Mississippi. He also claimed he would win nomination before the convention. We talked about how fringy Rick Santorum is. What does it say about conservatives when a fringy candidate like Santorum is leading the GOP race? With bullying becoming a bigger and bigger problem for kids at uyounger ages, when do you make the decision to teach your kid to kick some ass? Some martial arts locales in Colorado campaigning to help kids defend themselves from bullying.

Sirota Tuesday 3-13-12 Hour 3

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:10:30 -0400

Denver Post Tina Griego our special guest to talk about proposed I70 widening between Tower Road and I25 and the effect it would have on neighborhoods and businesses. We then asked what should be done with I70 near downtown? We had several folks from surrounding neighborhoods sound off. Selena Anthony from the Elyria Neighborhood Association called in too.

Sirota Tuesday 3-13-12 Hour 2

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:06:17 -0400

Filling up in Colorado is still less expensive than most states in the nation, but after a 40-cent hike at the pump in the last month, some drivers may be feeling the pinch on their pocket books. At the same time last month, the average gallon of gas in Colorado hovered around 3.01. Today, drivers are paying around 3.41 and predictions are prices will only continue to go up into the summer months. How high will prices rise? According to the U.S. Department of Energy Department the probability based on gasoline futures contracts gives us only a 2 percent chance of seeing gas rise to 5 a gallon for all of June. However, gas at 4 a gallon in the same month is much more likely with a 39 percent chance. Who do you blame for the rising prices? What is an acceptable price per gallon of gas?

Sirota Tuesday 3-13-12 Hour 1

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:09:02 -0400

Deciding whether to hold a child back a grade is a difficult process for parents. The governor and some state lawmakers are hoping to make the answer yes in more cases when young students haven't developed the reading skills they need. If a child in grade three or lower is below standards, the teacher need to intervene by creating what's called a READ plan. The teacher has to try to get a parent involved in creating the plan, which includes focusing on the child's specific problems and tailoring steps to help. The more controversial part is what would happen if the child doesn't improve by the end of the school year. They would repeat the grade. The teacher would have to make three documented attempts to get the parents involved in the decision. Schools could still hold kids back without the parent's consent. If parents don't get involved, schools can hold kids back by default. Even if the parents get involved, administrators would still have final say over whether is held back from fourth grade. If the bill becomes law, it wouldn't take effect until two school years from now. Should schools prevent K thru 3rd grade kids from moving up a grade if they don't meet literacy requirements? What are your overall thoughts on this proposed bill?

Sirota Monday 3-12-12 Hour 1

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:14:16 -0400

In a follow up on the story we covered Friday on cabbies being used to report traffic and and crime incidents, Larry Stevenson joins the program. He is the spokesman and trainer for the International Taxis on Patrol program. We then talked about Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning. An unnamed source within the Broncos say they would likely trade Tim Tebow if they were able to sign Peyton Manning. Are the Broncos not giving Tebow the loyalty he earned? Who would you like to see taking snaps this year for the Denver Broncos?

Sirota Monday 3-12-12 Hour 2

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:07:15 -0400

The Arizona Senate passed a bill Tuesday that will prohibit medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors who withhold information from a woman that could cause her to have an abortion. The wrongful birth, wrongful life lawsuit legislation passed the Republican-controlled Senate 20-9 Tuesday, setting up a coming battle in the GOP-dominated state House of Representatives. The legislation, which is currently law in nine states, is sponsored by a Republican senator with close ties to the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council. The approval comes as Kansas lawmakers consider similar legislation. Should doctors be able to lie or withhold info that might cause a mother to have an abortion? How ridiculous is this law?

Sirota Monday 3-12-12 Hour 1

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:09:09 -0400

Sirota led off talking about Afghanistan. Stalking from home to home, a United States Army sergeant methodically killed at least 16 civilians, 9 of them children, in a rural stretch of southern Afghanistan on Sunday, igniting fears of a new wave of anti-American hostility, Afghan and American officials said. Following the attacks, the Taliban threatened vengeance, as the insurgents often do after Western actions they depict as atrocities. A Taliban statement posted online Monday denounced the killings, saying they were the latest in a series of humiliations against the Afghan people and denying that any Taliban fighters had been in the area. What should the president's response be? Should he apologize? Is this an act of terrorism?

Sirota Friday 3-9-12 Hour 3

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:15:50 -0500

We opened the hour talking about a new study on HFCS's. With growing concern that excessive levels of fructose may pose a great health risk, causing high blood pressure, kidney disease and diabetes, researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, along with their colleagues at the University of Florida, set out to see if two common sweeteners in Western diets differ in their effects on the body in the first few hours after ingestion. Both HFCS and sucrose have historically been considered to have nearly identical effects on the body. But this study finds that indeed there is a difference between the two. They found that the makeup of the sugars resulted in differences in how much fructose was absorbed into the circulation, and which could have a potential impact on one"s health. Our special guest is Dr. Richard Johnson, a co-author in the study and chief of the Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension at the University of Colorado. We then talked to Steve Almond about the campaign trail, Rush Limbaugh and sampled a new tune by Chuck Prophet. We closed the show talking about Greeley and open containers. Much like the Las Vegas strip, Greeley is hoping to be the first city in Colorado to allow open alcohol containers on the streets. Many business owners say it will attract people back to historic downtown Greeley, which has struggled to draw crowds in recent years. The city council adopted an ordinance Tuesday night that would allow for open containers on 9th Street on Fridays from 5 p.m. to midnight.

Sirota Friday 3-9-12 Hour 2

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:11:07 -0500

Some days, it would be easy to mistake the Metro Taxi dispatch center in Denver for a police station. Traffic and crime incidents are recorded in a special logbook, as drivers call in descriptions and locations to police. It's part of a program called Taxis on Patrol. Just a day after the program began, a cab driver helped police make an arrest for a fatal hit-and-run. In the months since, eyewitness calls from cabbies using a bulletin system similar to an Amber Alert have led to hundreds of arrests. But for now, the taxi concept is taking off. Other cities across the country are now certifying cabbies under the program's safety training. Are you for or against this? What problems do you see that could come up?

Sirota Friday 3-9-12 Hour 1

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:09:10 -0500

A panel of lawmakers decided against making Sept. 11 a state holiday in Colorado. House Bill 1040, sponsored by Rep. Ed Casso, D-Commerce City, and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, would have declared Sept. 11 a state holiday in honor of the firefighters and police officers who put themselves in harm"s way and paid the ultimate price. Tochtrop said she was drawn to the concept after firefighters came to her with the proposal, and she felt compelled by the actions of first-responders on the pivotal date in 2001. Did they make the right choice. Shoudl 9-11 be a national or state holiday? What other dates should be recognized? At 7:45 we talked with The Nation's sports writer and autrhor Dave Zirin about Peyton Manning and the Loyalty Double Standard.

Sirota Thursday 3-8-12 Hour 3

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:08:55 -0500

We led off this hour with Media Matters' Ari Rabin-Havt to discuss his and David Brock's new book The Fox Effect: How Roger Ailes Turned a Network Into a Propaganda Machine. We then talked about this story: A group of African-American church leaders want Gov. John Hickenlooper to apologize for a racy joke he made Tuesday when introducing Mayor Michael Hancock at a luncheon. Hickenlooper"s remark about Hancock"s wife, an accomplished singer, performing for him in the shower, marked the second time in a week that sexual innuendo found its way into an off-the-cuff comment.
On Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Timothy E. Tyler and a group of church members and community residents took a letter to Hickenlooper"s office at the Capitol demanding a public apology. Should John Hickenlooper's sex-themed gaffes be offensive to minorities?

Sirota Thursday 3-8-12 Hour 2

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:13:16 -0500

Obviously you should use discretion when you post something on Facebook and take care to keep certain items private. But what if your employer had full, unbridled access to your Facebook profile? Some employers and even colleges have started asking their employees for the passwords to their Facebook and Twitter accounts to investigate you. Is this okay with you? Should your employer have the right to demand your Facebook, Twitter and email username and password? We closed out the hour with a segment asking on whether or not the Broncos should go after Peyton Manning. CBS 4 says Denver is one of the front runners.

Sirota Thursday 3-8-12 Hour 1

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 08:59:10 -0500

Citizens and public health advocates want to impose new, airtight smoking restrictions at doorways, restaurant patios and open park space, bolstered by studies showing remarkable heart attack reductions in cities with strict laws. They face increasing resistance from businesses and smoking-rights supporters who say freedom has already eroded too far. The Lakewood City Council will vote in April on tighter rules that have split politicians, business owners and nonsmokers. The proposals under consideration include 25 feet of smoke-free clearance at doorways instead of 15 feet, and no-smoking protections in the gathering places of parks. What right do you have to smoke and what right do you have on where you are allowed to smoke? Do you think this is a move to ban smoking? Does a person's right for clean air trump a person's right to smoke? At 7:50 Bloomberg News reporter Keith Naughton joins the show to talk about his Businessweek piece Hybrid's Unlikely Rival: Plain Old Cars. As automakers use new and not-so-new technology to wring efficiency from traditional motors, gasoline-electric hybrids are falling out of favor. Hybrids fell to 2.2 percent of the U.S. auto market last year, from 2.4 percent in 2010, after peaking at 2.8 percent in 2009, says researcher LMC Automotive. The reason is simple: Consumers don"t want to pay as much as $6,000 extra for a hybrid when they can get 40 mpg on the highway in a standard car, such as a Chevrolet Cruze or Hyundai Elantra. And even more conventional cars with hybrid-caliber mileage are coming this year, thanks to advancements that enable engines to burn fuel up to 20 percent more efficiently.

Sirota Wednesday 3-7-12 Hour 3

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:21:31 -0500

David spent the first half hour talking about Major League Baseball and the DH rule. One influential baseball source says he would be surprised if the NL doesn't adopt the DH in the next 10 years. Sirota HATES the DH. What about you? We then played audio of Pat Robertson saying people didn't pray enough and that caused the recent tornadoes. We took some response. We then talked about a study that says women are more and more repulsed by men with beards. Are you pro or anti beard?

Sirota Wednesday 3-7-12 Hour 1

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:12:39 -0500

David led off this hour talking about the NFL and the bounty controversy where players were paid extra for hits that would hurt, end a players game, or get a player carted off the field. Former Saints D Coordinator Gregg Williams being questioned for what he was offering and giving his players for injury inducing hits. Is this fundamental of football? Do you accept htis is happening or not? What does this says about football today? Or sports in general?

Sirota Wednesday 3-7-12 Hour 1

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:07:30 -0500

We opened up talking about Madonna coming to Denver. David wants to go but questioning his music likes and masculinity. Do you wanna see Madonna. Is she even still putting out good music. Also this hour: The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday upheld an appeals court ruling that struck CU's gun ban, saying the Board of Regents overstepped its authority by banning permitted concealed weapons on campuses, in leased buildings and in any area under control of university police. Will this make college any safer.

Sirota Tuesday 3-6-12 Hour 3

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:23:26 -0500

Vice President Joe Biden said Monday that Mexico's three main presidential candidates share a vision of continued close cooperation with Washington, and used his brief visit south of the border to also knock down talk of drug legalization in the region.
Biden's two-day trip to Mexico and Honduras comes amid calls by many of the region's leaders to discuss decriminalizing drugs as a way to ease a vicious war on cartels that has left Latin America bloodied. With the violence in Latin America, should the Obama administration reject Latin American nations that are demanding a serious policy discussion on legalizing drugs? At 9:35 The Nation's Ari Berman hopped on to talk about Super Tuesday and a piece he wrote on how the repubs are re segregating the south.

Sirota Tuesday 3-6-12 Hour 2

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:16:11 -0500

Dr. Charles Murray our special guest to discuss his latest book Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010. Dr. Murray explores the formation of American classes that are different in kind from anything we have ever known, focusing on whites as a way of driving home the fact that the trends he describes do not break along lines of race or ethnicity. Drawing on five decades of statistics and research, Coming Apart demonstrates that a new upper class and a new lower class have diverged so far in core behaviors and values that they barely recognize their underlying American kinship. A divergence that has nothing to do with income inequality and that has grown during good economic times and bad. Charles Murray is a political scientist, author, and libertarian. He first came to national attention in 1984 with the publication of Losing Ground, which has been credited as the intellectual foundation for the Welfare Reform Act of 1996. His 1994 New York Times bestseller, The Bell Curve, coauthored with the late Richard J. Herrnstein, sparked heated controversy for its analysis of the role of IQ in shaping America"s class structure. Murray's other books include What It Means to Be a Libertarian, Human Accomplishment, In Our Hands, and Real Education. He currently working as a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington, DC. We then talked about education and video games. Elliott Anderson loves his Xbox and Nintendo, though it's not all fun and games. Navigating a Professor Layton adventure on his Nintendo DSi recently helped the Denver sixth-grader breeze through a math problem in class. It is one example of the blurring line between gaming and education, as iPads and social media sites such as Facebook are now incorporated into classroom instruction. Beyond that, some experts say kids may be paving the way for education and business training by hammering away on those joysticks. Termed gamification, the trend refers to the application of elements typically tied to gaming, such as virtual role playing, for business and school use. More than 70 percent of top 2,000 publicly traded companies worldwide will have at least one gamified application by 2014, according to a study released last year by research firm Gartner. What are your thoughts on using gaming devices for education and learning purposes.

Sirota Tuesday 3-6-12 Hour 1

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:07:21 -0500

David led off talking about the Iranian problem.Should the United States initiate a war with Iran if we discover that Iran is developing nuclear weapons? Do you blame Iran for having nuclear aspirations? Do we not learn from earlier mistakes like Iraq? We had some contentous conversation here. We then had our Ayatollah vs Santorum quote contest. We closed out the hour with Senator Morgan Carroll about Senate Bill 107 and fracking.

Sirota Monday 3-5-12 Hour 3

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:14:43 -0500

Joshua Foer joins the show to discuss his book Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything. We then talked about Lebron James captured carrying a man purse. David said he wants one too. Are man purses okay. Would you care if your boyfriend or husband carried a man purse. We closed out the show talking about the new MLB playoff format where 2 more teams will be added. Sirota argues why he is against it and we asked for listener reaction.

Sirota Monday 3-5-12 Hour 2

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:22:45 -0500

Nation contributor Bryce Covert our guest on whether women really have an edge in the new economy. It's a direct response to Hanna Rosin in the Atlantic who has argued that the recent mancession presages a new economy in which women's skills and talents are prized over men's. Bryce marshals the data and finds that while more women than men are employed in growing sectors like health care and retail, the jobs they have there are grueling, wages are low, and benefits are few. Even though they dominate those industries, few women have moved into executive offices. And once women in any industry have children, the wage gap opens back up. Bryce is also the editor of New Deal 2.0 at the Roosevelt Institute. We then talked about this story: General Motors Co. will idle production of its Chevrolet Volt battery-powered car for five weeks beginning this month because of slow sales amid an effort to boost the vehicle's consumer appeal, the company said Friday. Whay are people not buying the volt or electric cars in general. Would you buy one. Why or why not.

Sirota Monday 3-5-12 Hour 1

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:51:24 -0500

We opened up talking about the Rush Limbaugh apology for calling Georgetown student Sandra Fluke a slut. Sponsors now backing out of his program and he issues a half apology. Do you believe his apology. Is it enough. Is it sincere. Do you think a woman who stands up and says birth control should be covered in health care is a slut.

Sirota Friday 3-2-12 Hour 3

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:05:28 -0500

A new study has found that over the last several decades, nature has increasingly taken a back seat in award-winning children's picture books, and suggests this sobering trend is consistent with a growing isolation from the natural world. A group of researchers led by our guest and University of Nebraska-Lincoln sociology professor emeritus Dr. J. Allen Williams Jr. reviewed the winners and honor books receiving the prestigious Caldecott Medal from the award's inception in 1938 through 2008. In total, they examined nearly 8,100 images contained in nearly 300 books. We then took a coupld calls on whether you think this is discerning. Should we be worried about it. At 9:35 Local Acadamy Award winner Daniel Junge our very special guest. This last Sunday he won an Academy Award for his documentary film Saving Face, which he directed along with Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. Saving Face was also made for HBO and will air on March 8th. The film follows London-based Pakistani plastic surgeon, Dr. Mohammad Jawad, as he journeys to Pakistan to perform reconstructive surgery on survivors of acid violence. Saving Face also broaches the subject of the under-reporting of acid violence due to cultural and structural inequalities towards women from Pakistani Muslim men.

Sirota Friday 3-2-12 Hour 2

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:06:09 -0500

University of Colorado President Bruce Benson tried to speed up a vote on this year's proposed tuition increase, sending an e-mail to the Board of Regents in January that warned 'the more opportunities the media has to bring up the issue, the more difficult it becomes for us to communicate what we are doing.' Benson's Jan. 20 e-mail, in which he acknowledged 'there may be some concern about the pace at which it is moving,' came nine days after administrators unveiled a proposed 15.7 percent tuition hike for in-state students on the Boulder campus. CU regents asked for, but as of Thursday still had not received, alternate tuition proposals.The board's chairman ultimately pulled the rate hike off the agenda for the regents' Feb. 1 meeting in Colorado Springs. Considering the shenanigans of oilman-turned-CU President Bruce Benson, do you believe a tuition hike for CU students is financially necessary. Has Bruce Benson fully undercut the case for more money at CU. At 8:50 Mountain West Region Director of Food & Water Watch Sam Schabacker our special guest. Food and Water Watch as well as several other groups are opposing Governor Hickenlooper's attempt to quash local control of fracking. They say Governor Hickenlooper cannot credibly call for regulation and collaboration with communities, while being a spokesperson for the Colorado oil and gas industry at the same time. Governor Hickenlooper apologized for not consulting with environmental groups before doing the ad.

Sirota Friday 3-2-12 Hour 1

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:06:44 -0500

Legislature considers criminalizing voter suppression efforts. Sirota says right on. What do you think about 3 to 5 year sentences for deliberate voter suppression. We then asked if we should try to save the Target at Tamarac Square. Unless Target gets a $5 million reimbursement from the city of Denver for public improvements on the empty Tamarac Square site, the discount retailer will walk away from the deal. If the city doesn't authorize the $5 million tax-increment financing, essentially a refund of sales tax to cover the developer's earlier costs, Tamarac Square owner Developers Diversified Realty in Ohio will be left with a muddy hole in the ground where the shopping center once sat. Should we give Target the 5 million.

Sirota Thursday 3-1-12 Hour 3

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:16:04 -0500

Tracie McMillan our special guest to talk about her book The American Way of Eating: Undercover at Walmart, Applebee's, Farm Fields and the Dinner Table. What if you can"t afford nine-dollar tomatoes. That was the question award-winning journalist Tracie McMillan couldn"t escape as she watched the debate about America"s meals unfold, one that urges us to pay food"s true cost, which is to say, pay more. So in 2009 McMillan embarked on a groundbreaking undercover journey to see what it takes to eat well in America. For nearly a year, she worked, ate, and lived alongside the working poor to examine how Americans eat when price matters. The surprising answers that McMillan found on her journey have profound implications for our food and agriculture, and also for how we see ourselves as a nation. She spent a half hour with us. We then talked about this story: University of North Dakota teams risk forfeiting any post-season games if their athletes, cheerleaders or band wear or display the school's Fighting Sioux nickname and American Indian head logo, an NCAA official said Wednesday. Bernard Franklin, an NCAA executive vice president, said in a letter to university provost Paul LeBel that the university must forfeit competition if it has not adhered to this requirement in any post-season games that UND teams have been invited to play in. The NCAA has long said the nickname and logo are hostile to American Indians and that the Grand Forks school's teams may not wear uniforms that have the nickname or logo during post-season contests. But the Franklin letter's mention of forfeiting games is a new development. What are your thoughts on this. Is the Fighting Sioux logo offensive.

Sirota Thursday 3-1-12 Hour 2

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:06:06 -0500

Rush Limbaugh criticized Indy Car Driver Danica Patrick for supporting the Obama administration's contraception rule. She said, 'I leave it up to the government to make good decisions for America.' Limbaugh responded with "What do you expect from a woman driver. I don't know why everybody was so shocked.' Our question was who are better drivers. David threw out some stats that say women are. Do you agree. We then talked about a Boulder Councilman who is arguing for the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited at council meetings. Do you think Liberals do NOT want to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Do you think we need more civic meetings led off with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Sirota Thursday 3-1-12 Hour 1

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:02:24 -0500

Senator Michael Bennet pushes for more money for technology in schools. Is he paying back his Silicon Valley donors. David takes us deeper inside the story. Do you believe Bennet when he says not technologizing our students is detrimental for students.

Sirota Wednesday 2-29-12 Hour 3

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:08:34 -0500

With yet another school shooting, who is to blame in these tragedies beyond the perpetrator. Is it the schools, the parents, gun policy.

Sirota Wednesday 2-29-12 Hour 2

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:11:53 -0500

People with a few extra bucks just aren't as nice as the rest of us, at least according to a new study. Rich people are more likely to take candy from children, lie, cheat, endorse unethical behavior at work, and cut off pedestrians while driving, a study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found. The report contradicts the notion that poor people are more likely to act unethically out of financial necessity. Instead, the researchers wrote the relative independence and increased privacy of the wealthy make them more likely to act unethically. They also share feelings of entitlement and inattention to the consequences of one's actions on others that may play into their moral decisions. In one experiment, wealthier people took twice as many candies as poorer people from a jar that had been designated for children. In another study, nearly half of all drivers of expensive cars cut off pedestrians at crosswalks, while no drivers of the cheapest cars and about 30 percent of drivers of cheaper cars did the same thing. Some of the other experiments indicated that the the rich were more likely to cheat in a game and lie to a potential job applicant about the possibility that their job was being eliminated than their poorer counterparts. Are rich people greedier, meaner, more dishonest and more anti-social than the rest of us.

Sirota Wednesday 2-29-12 Hour 1

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:07:11 -0500

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell says marriage equality should be left to the states, but claims gays make inferior parents. Here is his quote: Most of the data that I"ve read that the best environment for a child to grow up to be fully capable of achieving the American dream and having the best start at life in an intact two-parent family made up of a man and a woman. I would say that that"s what all the data would suggest ... An intact two-parent family is in fact the best for our country. Should be the model, but when it doesn"t work we have safety nets. David did some research and showed data says the opposite. Do you agree or disagree with VA Gov McDonnell.

Sirota Tuesday 2-28-12 Hour 3

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 11:05:17 -0500

Denver Post reports developers envision a city around Denver International Airport. Now a plan is taking shape. Airport City would be part of bigger Aerotropolis. Do you think this will help or hinder Denver. What are your thoughts on a city by DIA. We then talked about Spirit Airlines coming back to Denver. Do you prefer one inclusive fare or do you prefert to be charged for services you use. Spirit will give you low fare but fees may be a little more. Is there something shady about this or is this a cool business model.

Sirota Tuesday 2-28-12 Hour 2

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 10:08:10 -0500

What is your definition of propaganda. We talked aboutthe movie Act of Valor that the Pentagon subsidized. The new military film used real life Navy Seals to give Americans a realistic view of what these secretive forces do. But is it reality, or just what the U.S. government wants you to see. The mainstream media has mostly ignored how the Pentagon doctors Hollywood scripts in order to shift public opinion. This cozy and powerful relationship, has been winning hearts and minds for decades. Do you have a problem with this. Are you upset with the lack of disclosure that it is basically a commercial for The Pentagon. What would conservatives say of the EPA funded a movie on the dangers of oil consumption.

Sirota Tuesday 2-28-12 Hour 1

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:51:33 -0500

David led off talking more about the 9 News Kyle Dyer dog bite. She is to appear on The Today Show. At first they wanted to keep the story under the blanket. They asked local media not to share the video of the bite. Now there are several features and teases about her upcoming interview. Does it feel expoitative. Do you think 9 News has turned this story into a ratings grabber. We then talked about a move to make it a mandate to have rear view cameras in your car. SHould it be standard equipment. Should we mandate this.

Sirota Monday 2-27-12 Hour 3

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:09:27 -0500

Peggy Orenstein our in studio guest to talk about her book New York Times bestseller Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture. She will be at the Tattered Cover on Colfax tonight aat 7:30 pm for a discussion and book signing. The book offers a radical, timely wake-up call for parents, revelaing the dark side of a pretty and pink culture that confronts girls at every turn as they grow into adults. In search of answers, Orenstein visited Disneyland, trolled American Girl Place, and met parents of beauty-pageant preschoolers tricked out like Vegas showgirls. The stakes turn out to be higher than she ever imagined. From premature sexualization to the risk of depression to rising rates of narcissism, the potential negative impact of this new girlie-girl culture is undeniable, yet armed with awareness and recognition, parents can effectively counterbalance its influence in their daughters' lives. We then opened up the phones for listeners to get involved too. Peggy took questions and comments.

Sirota Monday 2-27-12 Hour 2

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:21:27 -0500

Megan Greenwell joins the show to talk about her Good Magazine piece Boys Clubhouse: Why Women Should Write About Sports. Just 10 percent of all sports columnists last year were women, according to the latest report from the Women's Media Center. We then asked why you think there is this huge discrepancy. Do you think sports media would be better if there were more women involved. Also this hour: Speaking at the Tea Party group Americans For Prosperity"s Michigan branch in Troy, Michigan, GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum attacked President Barack Obama for wanting students to go to college. Santorum said: President Obama wants everybody in America to go to college, what a snob. There are good, decent men and women who work hard every day and put their skills to the test that aren"t taught by some liberal college professor. And trying to indoctrinate them. However, In 2006, while he was a senator, Santorum pushed to make college more affordable for all Pennsylvanians on his web site. What do you make of this.

Sirota Monday 2-27-12 Hour 1

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:10:04 -0500

David opened up talking about why he watched the Oscars last night. What is it that we like about watching the Oscars. Has the Oscars jumped the shark and become self referential. We also asked if you think Jennifer Lopez had a wardrobe malfunction last night. Also this hour: New York artist Christo has opted to delay plans for Over the River by pushing back the exhibition a year to allow more time for planning and installation. Christo's Over the River will be displayed in August 2015 instead of 2014. It will consist of the suspension of 5.9 miles of silvery translucent fabric panels above the Arkansas River in eight segments of a 42-mile stretch between Canon City and Salida. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management gave the project a green light after a lengthy environmental impact statement review. David thinks there is something strange and not right to decorating something that is already beautiful. He also thinks it is Circus like and just a spectacle. Does nature need decoration.

Sirota Friday 2-24-12 Hour 3

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:09:20 -0500

We kicked off the hour with the story of Lou Dobbs and The Lorax. Lou and a panel of idiots claim Hollywood and President Obama are trying to indoctrinate kids through movies. Is the Lorax a negative message for kids? Do you think Hollywood is indoctrinating your kids to the horrors of environmentalism. We also took grievances and votes for schmuck of the week.

Sirota Friday 2-24-12 Hour 2

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:12:09 -0500

Al-Jazeera"s chief policy analyst and anchor of Empire, Marwan Bishara our special guest to talk about his new book The Invisible Arab: The Promise and Peril of the Arab Revolutions. He also discussed all of the news going on in the Middle East right now and the Arab Spring. We then did a News of the Weird segment before being joined by comedian and Actor Bill Burr who has weekend shows at Comedy Works Larimer Square. You know him from Breaking Bad and The Chapelle Show.

Sirota Friday 2-24-12 Hour 1

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:11:37 -0500

We opened up playing Governor Hickenlooper's ad for the Colorado Gas and Oil Commission. He claims there has not been ONE example of ground water contamination in our state. David laid out several examples of contamination. Who do you believe. What do you make of our Governor being a spokesperson for the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission. At 7:50 we were joined by Dave Zirin who talked about the Jeremy Lin story where a ESPN reporter was fired for putting a headline CHINK in the Armor when talking about the Chinese star in the NBA.

Sirota Thursday 2-23-12 Hour 3

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:08:35 -0500

Dana Goldstein our special guests to talk about her Slate piece Liberals, Don't Homeschool Your Kids. She argues why teaching your kids at home violates progressive values. We then asked if you would ever home school your kid. Do you feel that teaching should be left only to certified professionals. Is home schooling not a progressive value.

Sirota Thursday 2-23-12 Hour 2

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:08:21 -0500

Pulitzer Prize winning author David Shipler joins the program to discuss his new book The Rights of the People: How Our Search for Safety Invades Our Liberties. David Shipler is a Pulitzer Prize winner and author of several books including the best-seller The Working Poor: Invisible in America. He is also a former Foreign Correspondent of The New York Times. He writes online at The Shipler Report. We then did our Presidential News Update. Also this hour we talked about a group of female Democratic legislators in the Georgia House of Representatives has proposed a bill that would ban men from seeking vasectomies. The proposed legislation is a response to HB 954, a bill sponsored by Republican Doug McKillips that seeks to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Current legislation prohibits abortions after the second trimester, or approximately 24 weeks. The measure, which has been moving quickly through the House, is intended to prevent late-term abortions on fetuses that proponents say can already feel pain at 20 weeks. If we are going to debate whether abortion should still be legal and contraception covered by health insurance, should we also start debating whether vasectomies should be legal and covered.

Sirota Thursday 2-23-12 Hour 1

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:00:52 -0500

Representative Laura Bradford documents released by the Denver Police Department. After a field sobriety test, police estimated her BAC to be .2 which is nearly double the legal limit. What should the House do now. Can you trust a field sobriety test estimate.David then talked about test tube meat and Frankenburgers. Would vegetarians out there eat a frankenburger

Sirota Wednesday 2-22-12 Hour 3

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:09:05 -0500

Contributing editor at Wired, David Wolman joins the show to discuss his new book The End of Money: Counterfeiters, Preachers, Techies, Dreamers and the Coming Cashless Society. For ages, money has meant little metal disks and rectangular slips of paper. Yet the usefulness of physical money, to say nothing of its value, is coming under fire as never before. Intrigued by the distinct possibility that cash will soon disappear, Wolman sets out to investigate the future of money and how it will affect your wallet. We then asked listeners what they thought about a potential cashless society. Also this hour we talked about a list of the 10 jobs that make the world a worse place as voted by people in businesses. Which common jobs most make the world a worse place.

Sirota Wednesday 2-22-12 Hour 2

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:10:05 -0500

Former U.S. Senator from Wisconsin Russ Feingold our very special guest to talk about his new book While America Sleeps: A Wake-up Call for the Post 9-11 Era. More than ten years after one of the greatest wake-up calls in human history, our nation seems to have again grown complacent about the issues that suddenly seemed so urgent immediately after 9/11. While America Sleeps suggests ways in which we can awaken a new national commitment to engage with the rest of the world and one another in a less simplistic and more thoughtful way. Feingold"s hope is that when the history of this era is written, it will be said that our country was taken off guard at the height of its power at the turn of the century and stumbled for a decade in an unfamiliar environment, but in the following decade America found a new national commitment of unity and resolve to adapt to its new status and leadership in the world. We then talked about a new phobia. Nomophobia is the fear of being without your cell phone. Do you have this. What situations do you freak out on if you do not have your phone. Would the world be better without cell phones.

Sirota Wednesday 2-22-12 Hour 1

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:20:55 -0500

In stark contrast to comments made earlier this week, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum addressed the issue of now-President Barack Obama's Christian faith in a 2008 interview with the Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life, Buzzfeed reported Tuesday. When asked if he believed Obama is a sincere liberal Christian, the former Pennsylvania senator said he didn't believe that sort of ideology exists, and that Obama's church, United Church of Christ in Chicago, had abandoned Christendom and used a non-literal interpretation of the Bible. I don't think there is such a thing, he said of Obama as a liberal Christian. To take what is plainly written and say that I don't agree with that, therefore I don't have to pay attention to it, means you're not what you say you are. You're a liberal something, but you're not a Christian. Santorum made headlines last week after telling an Ohio crowd that Obama subscribes to some phony theology, not a theology based on the Bible. Can you be a liberal and a Christian. Also this hour: Supreme Court may overturn college affirmative action. What are your thoughts on this.

Sirota Tuesday 2-21-12 Hour 3

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:15:08 -0500

Scientists can now use genome sequencing to accurately predict your chances of getting different diseases. But they also say that the information could create unnecessary fears among patients. Would you want to know what diseases you are at risk of getting. Or is ignorance bliss. We then talked about new car buyers vs. old car owners. More people are buying new cars according to stats. David asked why are we such a new car culture.

Sirota Tuesday 2-21-12 Hour 2

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:30:27 -0500

David led off talking about Bronocs head coach John Fox saying he may bring in a quarterback or two to challange Tim Tebow in the off season. Is this just the way of the NFL. What are your thoughts on it. David then talked about kids and college majors. More and mor kids these days majoring and studying philosophy. Would you discourage your child from wanting to study Philosophy or Acting or a Music degree.

Sirota Tuesday 2-21-12 Hour 1

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:12:10 -0500

Is it good or bad news that most births to women under 30-years-old in the United States are happening outside of marriage. What do you think it means. Do you think it's worng. David also had some nice response for Vincent Carroll of the Denver Post who questioned David's banter yesterday on their stance on SB 1 that would reward Colorado businesses. At 7:50 State Senator Linda Newell joined us to discuss the School Discipline Bill.

Sirota Monday 2-20-12 Hour 3

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:07:25 -0500

Doug Lamborn and Mike Coffman are proposing a bill declaring English the official language of the United States. Do you agree with the bill or not. Does Congress even need to declare an official language. We closed out the show talking about New Jersey Governor Chris Christie under fire for flying flags at half staff for Whitney Houston. When Elvis died the president asked all Americans to fly flags at half staff. What is going on. Is Chris Christie wrong.

Sirota Monday 2-20-12 Hour 2

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:06:37 -0500

Contributing editor at Newsweek and senior editor at Slate Dahlia Lithwick our special guest to discuss her Slate piece Virginia's Proposed Abortion Law Is an Abomination. Last week, the Virginia state Legislature passed a bill that would require women to have an ultrasound before they may have an abortion. Because the great majority of abortions occur during the first 12 weeks, that means most women will be forced to have a transvaginal procedure, in which a probe is inserted into the vagina, and then moved around until an ultrasound image is produced. Since a proposed amendment to the bill, a provision that would have had the patient consent to this bodily intrusion or allowed the physician to opt not to do the vaginal ultrasound, failed on 64-34 vote, the law provides that women seeking an abortion in Virginia will be forcibly penetrated for no medical reason. we then asked the audience how they feel about this law. Should states force women to undergo an ultrasound before they have an abortion.

Sirota Monday 2-20-12 Hour 1

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:57:39 -0500

David opened up lighting into the Denver Post for using their editorial on Sunday to blast Senate Bill 1. All it says it at least some contracts should be preferenced for companies that are in the state. The HIRE Colorado Act is designed to create jobs for Coloradans by giving preference to companies seeking state contracts when those companies agree to employ mostly Colorado workers. This bill is a key component in the Senate Majority's Colorado Works Jobs package, a series of bills that will be introduced throughout the session that are focused on continued job creation and economic growth. Can you believe the Denver Post is saying take the low bid not the local bid. Should the state spend a little more on state contracts. Are you flabbergasted by the Denver Post's stance. At 7:50 State Senator Hudak, the bill's sponsor, joined the show to respond the the Post editorial.

Sirota Friday 2-17-12 Hour 3

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:09:23 -0500

An Arizona state lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require advertisers who alter or enhance a photo to put a disclaimer on that ad. Rep Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, said she's bringing attention to body image issues, especially with young girls, and that girls need to know that they don't have to look perfect.
While she acknowledges the likelihood of the bill failing in a vote, Rep Hobbs said she's satisfied with spotlighting the issue. David argued why this is a great bill and why he supports it. Should states force advertisers to disclose when they digitally alter an image. Also this hour: A 17 year old male student and a teacher caught in sex scandal. Is it a crime for a 17 yr old male to get into sexual relationship with a 26 year old teacher,

Sirota Friday 2-17-123 Hour 2

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:05:27 -0500

Leaders of a broad coalition of national and Colorado-based advocacy organizations held a press conference yesterday to announce the launch of the Patient Voter Project. The mission of the Patient Voter Project is to shine a light on the Obama administration"s behavior in the state and to keep medical marijuana patients, their families and their hundreds of thousands of supporters around the state up-to-date about the latest hostile actions being carried out by the administration. Our special guest is Co-founder and Executive Director of Sensible Colorado Brian Vicente. Brian is also an attorney who represents medicinal marijuana dispensaries and patients. Also this hour: The Obama administration wants automakers to put limits on vehicle technologies that permit texting and cellphone calling when a car is moving, as part of a broader effort to stop driving behaviors that could be distracting and cause crashes. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood proposed voluntary steps on Thursday that would establish new safety criteria for hands-free calling, navigation, and entertainment systems that have become common in new cars and trucks. The guidelines are mainly an attempt to reach younger drivers, who are the most inexperienced and whose daily lives are most influenced by wireless technology. Should car makers be forced to include cellphone texts, tweets, Facebook posts when a car is in motion.

Sirota Friday 2-17-12 Hour 1

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:08:25 -0500

Disciplinary hearings for police officers accused of wrongdoing, and possibly even video evidence of their wrongdoing, would be closed to the public under a bill making its way through the Colorado legislature. That bill and another to close investigative reports conducted by law enforcement agencies but turned over to civil authorities, records that are now open, are of concern to the Colorado Press Association. Steve Zansberg, attorney for the press association, said that if House Bill 1062 had been the law in the recent case where two Denver officers were accused of using excessive force and beating a man in Lower Downtown, the public would have been left in the dark. What are your thoughts on this. Also this hour David went through some of the things you might have agreed to in fine print that you dont know you signed off on.

Sirota Thursday 2-16-12 Hour 3

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:07:06 -0500

850 KOA co host of the Dave Logan Show Dave Krieger joins the show to talk about his article Is Denver's Skyline For Sale. Yesterday there was a hearing before the city planning board on Sports Authority's proposal to install three 178-foot, lighted signs along the metal band that undulates around the top of the stadium. Opponents of the signs, each of which would be nine and a half feet high and 178 feet long, include a host of neighborhood organizations, a handful of Denver City Council members and others. The proposal was shot down. We then asked do you support or oppose Sports Authority Field at Mile High putting more signage on the stadium. Do you think it's the company's inherent First Amendment right. Or do you think Denver's city government should have the right to say no, in order to protect the aesthetic beauty of Denver's skyline. What is the ugliest sign or building in the city. What is the most aesthetically beautiful.

Sirota Thursday 2-16-12 Hour 2

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:12:59 -0500

A Colorado high school student says he quit the school choir after an Islamic song containing the lyric there is no truth except Allah made it into the repertoire. James Harper, a senior at Grand Junction High School, put his objection to singing Zikr, a song written by Indian composer A.R. Rahman, in an email to Mesa County School District 51 officials. When the school stood by choir director Marcia Wieland's selection, Harper said, he quit. According to school officials students are not required to participate, and receive no academic credit for doing so. Are you okay with kids singing Christian but not other religious themed songs. Is this kid right or wrong to make this protest. Was Grand Junction High School wrong to have a choir sing an Islamic-themed song at school.

Sirota Thursday 2-16-12 Hour 1

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:06:41 -0500

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office said yesterday that the investigation into possible sexting at Chaparral High School in Parker is ongoing. On Tuesday afternoon, deputies took four cell phones from students at the high school after a tip. Deputies went to the school and secured four cell phones after the school's resource officer alerted investigators that students may have been sending or receiving a pictures of a student, according to a news release from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. The deputies took the phones in an attempt to stop the pictures form going viral. No charges have been filed in the case and no arrests have been made. Should the police be involved in seizing cell phones. Is this overreach. Should this be a police matter at all. Are you worried about your kids sexting. We also did News of the Weird before being updated on the Employer Credit Check Bill by bill sponsor Senator Morgan Carroll.

Sirota Wednesday 2-15-12 Hour 3

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:07:30 -0500

New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman joins the program to talk about his piece We're Eating Less meat. Why. The department of agriculture projects that our meat and poultry consumption will fall again this year, to about 12.2 percent less in 2012 than it was in 2007. Beef consumption has been in decline for about 20 years; the drop in chicken is even more dramatic, over the last five years or so. Pork also has been steadily slipping for about five years. Mark Bittman is an Opinion columnist and the Times magazine"s food columnist. His Minimalist column ran in the Dining section of The Times for more than 13 years. In 2009, Mr. Bittman, who has been urging Americans to change the way we eat for decades, published Food Matters, which explored the crucial connections among food, health and the environment. His most recent book is The Food Matters Cookbook. He is also the author of How to Cook Everything and How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, among others. Mr. Bittman"s television series include Bittman Takes on America"s Chefs, The Best Recipes in the World, Spain: On the Road Again and an upcoming series based on his Minimalist column. We then asked the audience why people are eating less meat or if you even believe it. Have you decided to eat less meat and why.

Sirota Wednesday 2-15-12 Hour 2

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:10:31 -0500

David led off the hour with some talk about Black History Month. Some say we do not need to celebrate it anymore. Are we in a post-racial society. Sirota says heck no and we need Black History Month. Does a Black History Month noveltize it. At 8:35 Baratunde Thurston joined the show to talk about his new book How to Be Black. Baratunde Thurston is the director of digital at The Onion, the cofounder of Jack & Jill Politics, a stand-up comedian, and a globe-trotting speaker. He was named one of the 100 most influential African-Americans of 2011 by The Root and one of the 100 most creative people in business by Fast Company magazine.

Sirota Wednesday 2-15-12 Hour 1

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:01:13 -0500

Tony Bennett claims that Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse and now Whitney Houston died because the war on drugs. Sirota believes he is makiing a good point. Is Tony Bennett right. Is the prescription drug abuse problem a problem we are not dealing with enough. Also this hour: One of the largest civil rights organizations makes Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein its official spokesman. Human Rights Campaign, the organization that advocates for equal rights for gay, lesbian, and transgender people, has named Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein its national corporate spokesman for same-sex marriage. Is this OK or is this offensive.

Sirota Tuesday 2-14-12 Hour 3

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:05:06 -0500

David talked about a new battle with a neighbor. His neighbor asked him in a note to not park in front of his house. This is mostly due to the last snow storm but can a neighbor ask you to not park in front of their house. How would you handle the situation. David also talked about Home Owners Association nightmares. David laid his down and then asked for yours. 2 million people in Colorado live under HOAs. Do you find them awful or helpful. We closed out the show talking about what you think is the most annoying fee to pay. Is it text fees, convenient charges for concert tickets. How about baggage fees.

Sirota Tuesday 2-14-12 Hour 2

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:11:53 -0500

A new bill in Arizona is seeking to impose harsh restrictions on teachers" conduct, even in their own homes. The bill, SB 1467, states that educators at the state"s public schools and universities can be fined, suspended and ultimately fired if they engage in speech or conduct that would violate the standards adopted by the Federal Communications Commission concerning obscenity, indecency and profanity if that speech or conduct were broadcast on television or radio. That does a great deal to limit what can be taught in classrooms. Banning books is certainly not a new practice, but this law would cover far more than controversial books. Should FCC standards be upheld in school books. Would you support a bill like this. At 8:40 we switched it up and asked whether you like or hate Valentine's Day.

Sirota Tuesday 2-14-12 Hour 1

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:06:59 -0500

David opened up talkig about the defense budget. olorado businesses could lose hundreds of millions of dollars, up to more than 1 billion, under proposed federal defense budget cuts for fiscal 2013, according to a national security organization. The Obama administration proposed a 9 percent defense cut that would result in 608 million in annual business losses, said the Center for Security Policy, which describes itself as nonpartisan. Under that scenario, Colorado businesses may have to fire workers, the group said. With sequestration, or automatic cuts, to whittle the federal deficit, there would be 18 percent in defense cuts. The group said annual Colorado business losses could be greater than 1.22 billion, and some businesses may have to shut down. Does cutting defense affect communities. Do you favor a less militaristic society. We then talked about the brewing battle over signage at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Some groups opposing more signage around the football stadium. Also folks in Commerce City are battling train horns. Is there anything city governments can do about this. Should there be more enforcement of less bright lights or signs and trains blowing their horns at 2 am in Commerce City. Is everyone entitled to some modicum of quietness.

Sirota Monday 2-13-12 Hour 3

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:35:29 -0500

David asks listeners how much money is enough to live on and be happy. Is 100k enough, or 200k, or 1 million. Will having more money make you more happy.

David also asks what is more important to you, a larger living space, or a walkable neighborhood.

Sirota Monday 2-13-12 Hour 2

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:00:19 -0500

Weston Wilson, former EPA Environmental Engineer who blew the whistle to Congress in 2005 regarding the scientific evidence of threats to water from the new technique of horizontal hydraulic fracturing; featured in the award-winning documentary film on fracking, Gasland, prominent national speaker on the environmental impacts of fracking. Scientific Advisor to Be the Change.

Also, Linsanity. New NBA star Jeremy Lin on just why is he an NBA star.

Sirota Monday 2-13-12 Hour 1

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:13:23 -0500

David talks about Rick Santorum and his comments on women in the military. David also talks about the Make My Day Law.

Sirota Friday 2-10-12 Hour 3

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:06:46 -0500

We led off with Pro Publica reporter Michael Grabell to talk about his piece Drive-by Scanning: Officials Expand Use and Dose of Radiation for Security Screening. U.S. law enforcement agencies are exposing people to radiation in more settings and in increasing doses to screen for explosives, weapons and drugs. In addition to the controversial airport body scanners, which are now deployed for routine screening, various X-ray devices have proliferated at the border, in prisons and on the streets of New York. Not only have the machines become more widespread, but some of them expose people to higher doses of radiation. And agencies have pushed the boundaries of acceptable use by X-raying people covertly, according to government documents and interviews. We then did News of the Weird and took a couple calls on the Drive By Scanners. Then we talked about this story. The Thompson School District is considering a moratorium on field trips to save money. The district is trying to cut up to 1 million from the transportation budget to cope with an estimated 6 million deficit in the coming school year budget. According to the Loveland Reporter-Herald, the district is also considering eliminating busing for high school students and charging others a monthly fee to ride the bus. What are your thoughts on this. Is it sad. What were your favorite field trips.

Sirota Friday 2-10-12 Hour 2

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:08:24 -0500

We talked about discrimination of single people or those that are not married. Singletons get the short end of the stick. Pay more for health insurance, loans, taxes, etc. Singletons now protesting. Do you think single people are discriminated against. At 8:50 Rolling Stone's chief political reporter Matt Taibbi joins the program to talk about the mortgage settlement. He just posted the piece Why the Foreclosure Deal May Not Be So Hot After All.

Sirota Friday 2-10-12 Hour 1

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:50:59 -0500

Almost 100 alleged drug traffickers and gang members are charged in what authorities say is the largest drug bust in Colorado history based of the quantity of drugs found and the numbers of people involved in the conspiracy. Agents are investigating the possibility the drug cases may have links to unsolved homicides throughout the metro area, said the FBI's Special Agent in Charge, James Yacone. By the end of the day Thursday, 80 defendants were in handcuffs and 17 people were still on the loose. More than 500 state and federal officers from 40 law enforcement agencies made arrests in cities along the Front Range, surprising defendants in their pajamas. Officers found 26,129 grams of cocaine, 1,000 grams of crack and a pound of methamphetamine. Authorities say the drugs were ultimately supplied from traffickers in Mexico, but they declined to reveal the original source. Does this make you feel more safer. Why do we never ask the question about the demand for these drugs and why they are here. A Mississippi legislator proposes renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. What other geographic locations would you want renamed.

Sirota Thursday 2-9-12 Hour 3

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:20:04 -0500

Colorado lawmakers are considering making welfare recipients take a drug test before receiving benefits. The proposal sponsored by Republican Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg is getting its first hearing in a House committee on Thursday. House Bill 1046 would require applicants of the Colorado Works Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to pay for and pass a drug test before receiving assistance. People who passed the drug test would be reimbursed for the cost. Do you support this legislation. Is this discrimination and on what level.

Sirota Thursday 2-9 Hour 2

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:09:38 -0500

New poll shows that liberals who criticized Bush's civil liberties atrocities now overwhelmingly support Obama's same - or worse - policies. We talked about Gitmo still being open, drone strikes, extension of Patriot Act. What is your theory on this one. Why are liberals supporting the same agenda that was so hated when Bush was in office. Also this hour: The Colorado man who glitter-bombed Mitt Romney has been arrested. Do you think glitter bombing should be a felony offense. What can or cannot be thrown at a candidate. Is it an act of aggression.

Sirota Thursday 2-9-12 Hour 1

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:08:17 -0500

9News' Kyle Dyer was bit yesterday by a dog on live television. The dog had just been rescued from a near-death experience. What should happen to the dog. Should the owner be cited for failing to control the dog. Is there any blame to be pointed in this situation. Also this hour: Trader Joe's and Dunkin Donuts coming to Colorado. A Daily Camera piece asks if people in Boulder are hypocrites for being excited about Trader Joe's coming to Colorado. They didn't want a Walmart but welcome Trader Joes. How can you support Trader Joes and not Walmart.

Sirota Wednesday 2-8-12 Hour 3

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:13:48 -0500

Western Slope mayors and community leaders are fighting mad at Rep. Doug Lamborn. The Colorado Springs Republican is pushing to open up land to oil shale development in their communities without taking into account local impacts, they say. In addition, Lamborn's Pioneers Act, which mandates 125,000 acres of public land for oil shale development and exploration, gives local communities and the state lower royalty rates than traditional oil and gas leases. Our special guest Republican Rifle Mayor Jay Miller. We then asked how far away you think fracking drills should be away from your home or business. We also had general comments on fracking. At 9:45 we switched it up and asked what is the most miserable city in America. What about Colorado.

Sirota Wednesday 2-8-12 Hour 2

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:17:51 -0500

Lori Andrews, a law professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law and author of I Know Who You Are and I Saw What You Did: Social Networks and the Death of Privacy, is our special guest. She has a new New York Times opinion piece out called Facebook is Using You. Facebook making money selling your data to other institutions and companies. Is this right ethically. What are your thoughts on data sharing from Facebook, Google,Twitter, Myspace etc. Also this hour: A new Colorado bill introduced Jan. 27 would prohibit employers in most instances from using an individual's consumer credit report data to deny employment to an applicant, or to make decisions regarding employee reassignment, denial of promotion and termination. Should Colorado ban employers from running a credit check on job applicants.

Sirota Wednesday 2-8-12 Hour 1

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:03:07 -0500

Rick Santorum takes the Colorado Caucus as well as Minnesota and Missouri on Tuesday. What is going on with the base of Republicans in Colorado. We also talked about Governor Hickenlooper now saying he doesn't even know if Climate Change is happening. Is he serious. Also this hour: More college students graduating from Denver Public Schools struggle in higher education than ever before, requiring remedial classes to get them ready for college level work. A new State of Colorado report released today contains data showing that 61 percent of students entering state two and four-year schools need remedial classes. That is a steady and dramatic increase from 2006, when 46 percent of DPS kids needed help to survive in college.
The report gives more ammunition to critics of Superintendent Tom Boasberg, who say the touted Denver Plan of closing neighborhood schools and teaching to standardized tests isn't working. Denver's performance in getting its best students ready for college is among the worst in the state. Should schools be sending kids to college knowing they will be needing remedial courses. Who do you blame for this problem.

Sirota Tuesday 2-7-12 Hour 3

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:23:47 -0500

Cupid's arrows have officially gone virtual. Online dating has become the number 2 form of matchmaking in the U.S., scientists at the University of Rochester now report. Only meeting through mutual friends is a more popular way to meet a mate. The scientists, whose research is slated for publication in Psychological Science in the Public Interest, reviewed over 400 psychology studies and public interest surveys. In one study, they found that in a single month in 2011, nearly 25 million unique users around the world were online dating. Is this good or bad. Sirota feels it is a weird way to meet someone. Do you agree. Have you ever used online dating services. What happened. Also this hour: An 8th grader in Colorado is pushing to force Colorado seniors to take more driving tests because she says they need more scrutiny on the roads. How old is too old to be behind the wheel. Should seniors face more driving tests than the rest of us.

Sirota Tuesday 2-7-12 Hour 2

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:16:21 -0500

Karl Rove says he was offended by Chrysler's Clint Eastwood ad during the Superbowl's halftime. Do you think the ad was a secret payoff to President Obama. Or was it just a positive feel-good ad about America. We also did news of the weird and asked which actors would you cast for roles of the current GOP candidates. We got some great response towards end of hour.

Sirota Tuesday 2-7-12 Hour 1

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:08:46 -0500

Longmont is one of six local agencies that received a plate-reading system for a patrol vehicle last summer as part of a Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority grant. The cameras, mounted on the car's roof, are angled to they can read the plates of cars parked perpendicularly and diagonally, and of oncoming cars. One unit costs about 18,000. Longmont, Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office applied together in 2011 for the 162,780 grant, which secured one reader for each agency and a Boulder-based server to operate them. Longmont has netted 18 warrant arrests, six recovered stolen vehicles and three recovered stolen plates using the reader. Do you find this invasive. Is it a program you support. Is this a violation of privacy or good community policing. At 7:50 State Senator Morgan Carroll joined the show to talk about her new book Take Back Your Government: A Citizen's Guide to Making YOUR Government Work for YOU.

Sirota Monday 2-6-12 Hour 3

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:14:05 -0500

Demi Moore enters rehab and claims that she is addicted to Red Bull. Is this plauisble. What are you addicted to that some people might say is not addicting. Also this hour: Karl Malone to leave the Utah Jazz after 18 years and go to another team. What are the biggest sports betrayals in history. Give us yours.

Sirota Monday 2-6-12 Hour 2

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:18:41 -0500

University of Colorado regents want to know why the Boulder campus School of Law is running at a loss and being subsidized by other students.
Last year, the law school spent 26 million, more than 1.5 million more than its revenue. Other colleges are also losing money, including the College of Music, which lost more than 4 million, and the College of Engineering, which lost more than 6 million. According to the Boulder Daily Camera, regents are singling out the law school because law students are facing higher tuition hikes and undergraduates are still helping pay for the Wolf Law Building, which opened in 2006. Should we be subsidizing the law school at CU. The Center for Disease Control released a new report saying that more than 1 in 5 kids ride in cars where there is smoking going on. Should tehre be a law that says you can't smoke in a car if there are kids in the car.

Sirota Monday 2-6-12 Hour 1

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:15:48 -0500

David opened up laying out the reasons why he did NOT watch the Superbowl. He is sick of the east coast hype in sports. He also laid out why he doesnlt like snow and hates blizzards. He asked what do you like least about massice snow storms and what you like most about snow storms. We also talked about Tim Tebow saying he might be interested in politics after his playing career. Do you think sports stars make good politicans. What sports stars would make good politicans.

Sirota Friday 2-3-12 Hour 3

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:40:06 -0500

Gloria Neal sits in for David Sirota on this snowy Friday and talks about the weather, mormon commercials on tv, and breastfeeding in public.

Sirota Friday 2-3-12 Hour 2

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:44:46 -0500

Gloria Neal sits in for David Sirota on this snowy Friday and talks about the weather, mormon commercials on tv, and breastfeeding in public.

Sirota Friday 2-3-12 Hour 1

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:39:24 -0500

Gloria Neal sits in for David Sirota on this snowy Friday and talks about the weather, mormon commercials on tv, and breastfeeding in public.

Sirota Thursday 2-2-12 Hour 3

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:50:28 -0500

Gloria Neal sits in for David and welcomes Monica McCafferty from Planned Parenthood to the show

Sirota Thursday 2-2-12 Hour 2

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:56:24 -0500

Gloria Neal sits in for David and talks about the Susan G Komen organization and Planned Parenthood

Sirota Thursday 2-2-12 Hour 1

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:37:14 -0500

Gloria Neal sits in for David and talks about the Representative Bradford scandal.

Sirota Wednesday 2-1-12 Hour 3

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:36:53 -0500

David talks about being proficient in English to run for office. Is it necessary. Is it just for a judge to tell someone they can't run for office if they're not proficient in English. David also welcomes guest Steven Greenhouse to the show to discuss labor unions and a piece he wrote recently called More Lockouts as Companies Battle Unions.

Sirota Wednesday 2-1-12 Hour 2

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:01:22 -0500

The Denver Police Department held a press conference yesterday to address the traffic stop of Representative Bradford. David plays clips from that press conference and takes calls from listeners about it.

Sirota Wednesday 2-1-12 Hour 1

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:03:26 -0500

David talks about Politics, the pending election, and ballot initiatives.

Sirota Tuesday 1-31-12 Hour 3

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:13:23 -0500

1. PETA's Vice President for Laboratory Investigations Kathy Guillermo our speical guest. PETA has filed formal complaints with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Institutes of Health calling for fines and the revocation of federal grants awarded to the University of Colorado Denver. New documents obtained by PETA through a Colorado Open Records Act request to CU reveal that dozens of possible violations of federal animal welfare law and guidelines have occurred in the university's laboratories during just the past two years. This is despite the school's receiving an official warning from the USDA in 2009 cautioning CU that further animal welfare violations could carry fines of $10,000 per incident. The 2009 warning was issued in response to PETA's 2007 investigation at the university, which revealed that sick and injured animals were denied veterinary care and that the school's animal experimentation oversight committee consistently failed to properly monitor animal use in laboratories. http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-experimentation/UC-Denver-Investigation.aspx

2. David plays a clip of Obama's town hall on Google Plus.

Sirota Tuesday 1-31-12 Hour 2

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:07:52 -0500

State Representative Judy Solano our special guest to talk about a bill she introduced in the state legislature that aims to give parents the freedom to decide whether their children should take standardized state tests, without it hurting their schools. House Bill 1049 would change current laws that penalize schools or districts that aren't able to get 95 percent of their students to take state tests. Not hitting the 95 percent mark can keep schools from meeting Adequate Yearly Progress levels, which potentially puts them on track to lose state accreditation after five years. The requirement is part of federal No Child Left Behind guidelines for state testing. Additionally, school and district test scores can be negatively affected when parents refuse to let their child take the test and don't notify the school of their decision so that the students can be counted as nonparticipants. http://www.denverpost.com/legislature/ci_19844884 http://www.judysolano.com/

Sirota Tuesday 1-31-12 Hour 1

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:08:57 -0500

1. David talks about the Laura Bradford apology to the House.

2. University of Colorado Regent Michael Carrigan our speical guest to talk about the tuition debate going on at CU. The University of Colorado used money generated from last year's 9.3 percent tuition hike to reward many of its top administrators with raises, increasing Chancellor Phil DiStefano's salary by 49,000 to 389,000 and doling out tens of thousands of dollars in salary increases to other high-paid employees. Now, with university administrators proposing an additional 15.7 percent tuition increase and a second round of raises, some CU regents say they were misled about what was presented to the board and to the public last year as a merit-based salary pool to reward faculty and staff with 3 percent raises. In an interview, CU President Bruce Benson defended the raises, arguing the university's salaries are still far below those of peer universities. Read more here http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_1983941

Sirota Monday 1-30-12 Hour 3

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:08:12 -0500

Pat Sajak admitted to being drunk while hosting Wheel of Fortune back in the day. He claimed ot have had several margaritas on several occassions with Vanna White. David asked if there is any job where it should be okay to be drunk on the job. What jobs are not okay to be drunk on.

Sirota Monday 1-30-12 Hour 2

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:05:18 -0500

Regarding the story from last hour on legislative immunity. What laws would you be most psyched to be immune from. At 8:20 we talked about Apple. Apple began last week by basking in record quarterly profits, but then ended the week in a public relations retreat after reports of exploited workers in factories in China assembling its hot-selling iPads and iPhones. For now, the media spotlight is on Apple and its Taiwanese contract supplier Foxconn. But China's leaders will also be shifting uncomfortably as the gaze of the international media turns to the harsh underbelly of its manufacturing economy. Behind China's remarkable economic progress toil an estimated 120 million migrant workers, typically living and working in austere factory complexes. The New York Times ignited media interest after a story on unsafe working conditions, as well as seven-hour days and cramped dormitories at Apple's Foxconn supplier in China. As consumers of Apple products, do you worry about this. What would you go to if you move away from Apple.

Sirota Monday 1-3-2012 Hour 1

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:09:16 -0500

The University of Colorado used money generated from last year's 9.3 percent tuition hike to reward many of its top administrators with raises, increasing Chancellor Phil DiStefano's salary by 49,000 to 389,000 and doling out tens of thousands of dollars in salary increases to other high-paid employees. Now, with university administrators proposing an additional 15.7 percent tuition increase and a second round of raises, some CU regents say they were misled about what was presented to the board and to the public last year as a merit-based salary pool to reward faculty and staff with 3 percent raises. In an interview, CU President Bruce Benson defended the raises, arguing the university's salaries are still far below those of peer universities. A chancellor's salary at a campus comparable to Boulder, for example, is 457,000, which is 68,000 more than what CU pays DiStefano. Does this anger you. Do you think it's okay for the university to do this. Is this an example of taking money from the 99 percent and giving it to the 1 percent. Is Bruce Benson right when he says he can't get good people unless he pays these salaries. Also this hour: a Colorado lawmaker was suspended from her position as chair of the House Local Government Committee after apparently using a get out of jail free card to avoid a possible DUI, Fox31 reports. According to Denver Police, Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Grand Junction, was pulled over Wednesday night suspected of drunk driving. The officer smelled an alcoholic beverage on her breath, Lt. Matt Murray of the Denver Police Department said. She admitted to have been drinking. Bradford reportedly did not pass a roadside sobriety test, yet she was not arrested because of an antiquated state law that allows lawmakers a level of immunity from police arrest during the legislative session, Fox31 reports. Is this law totally abusrd. Has legislative immunity outlived it's usefulness. Can anyone defend it.

Sirota Friday 1-27-12 Hour 3

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:07:44 -0500

The Denver Post ran an editorial that started a heated back-and-forth between Congressman Jared Polis and our guest and author Peter Schweizer. The editorial printed an excerpt from Schweizer's book, Throw Them All Out. The excerpt from the book stated that Polis greatly profited from the 7 million to 35 million of dollars' worth of BridgeHealth International shares that he bought during the period in which Obamacare was being debated. The excerpt goes on to claim that BrdigeHealth is a health care strategic consultancy that figures out ways for health care companies to cut health care costs and it offers medical tourism services. The tone of the book passage is that Polis clearly benefited financially from being an advocate of President Obama's Health Care Bill. Peter Schweizer is the William J. Casey Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University and a best-selling author. To close out the show we talked about Rolling Stone releasing their list of the worst 80 songs of the 80's. What are yours

Sirota Friday 1-27-12 Hour 2

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:09:18 -0500

Cable bills have risen 300 percent over the last 109 years. The average price is about 128 dollars a month for cable TV. Have rising prices caused you to get rid of your cable TV service. If not, why do you keep cable TV. What specific programming keeps you paying these super high cable bills. Also this hour scientists say they may be on the verge of developing a suit that would let you be invisible. This comes on the heels of Google developing robot-directed cars.We then asked what sci fi projects are the most worthy to invest in. An invisible cloak, a self driving car, tele transportation, eternal life.

Sirota Friday 1-27-12 Hour 1

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:01:11 -0500

There's no gentle way to put it: People who give in to racism and prejudice may simply be dumb, according to a new study that is bound to stir public controversy. The research finds that children with low intelligence are more likely to hold prejudiced attitudes as adults. These findings point to a vicious cycle, according to lead researcher Gordon Hodson, a psychologist at Brock University in Ontario. Low-intelligence adults tend to gravitate toward socially conservative ideologies, the study found. Do you buy it or not buy it. David does not fully buy it. We then talked to Bloomberg News reporter Darrell Preston about his piece on Americans paying 20 billion for bad swaps.

Sirota Thursday 1-26-11 Hour 3

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:10:18 -0500

This hour we talked about LEGO introduced a new line for girls. The series features girl-like figurines, slim, long-haired and big-eyed, in venues such as a beauty shop and cupcake cafe. It has been met with decidedly mixed reactions. Should toys be gender-specific. Or should toys strive to be gender free. As a kid, what were your most favorite and least favorite gender-specific toys and why. We then talked about a New Jersey city starting program to target pre-crime with red light cameras. They are using red lights to blind would be criminals. Is this too creepy or do you think your city should use it.

Sirota Thursday 1-26-12 Hour 2

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:11:52 -0500

Colorado officials move to mandate flu shots for health care workers. Should your employer be able to force you to get a flu shot. Republicans are pushing a new bill in the legislature to allow guns in schools. If this bill passes, do you think it will make schools more or less safe.

Sirota Thursday 1-26-12 Hour 1

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:13:48 -0500

Newt Gingrich promised to establish a permanent base on the moon by 2020 if he's elected as U.S. president.
Gingrich says he wanted to develop a robust commercial space industry in line with the airline boom of the 1930s, leading to a permanent base on the moon. Is Gingrich's moon base plan another step toward militarizing space. Should we use tax payer money to fund a tourism based industry in space. Also this hour, After Obama orders all health insurance plans to cover birth control, GOP lawmaker criticizes the new rule, saying contraception is unrelated to the basic needs of health care. Do you agree or disagree.

Sirota Wednesday 1-25-12 Hour 3

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:06:14 -0500

At 9:05 Robin Karr-Morse joins the show to discuss her and Meredith Riley's new book Scared Sick: The Role of Childhood Trauma in Adult Disease. The first years of human life are more important than we ever realized. In the book she connects psychology, neurobiology, endocrinology, immunology, and genetics to demonstrate how chronic fear in infancy and early childhood lies at the root of common diseases in adulthood. David then talked about studies that show early retirement can be connected with dying earlier. Joe Paterno's death has reignited a debate over whether retirement brings people closer to death. Do you think retirement can kill people.

Sirota Wednesday 1-25-12 Hour 2

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:20:23 -0500

At 8:05 Rolling Stone's Michael Hastings our special guest to talk about his RS piece and interview with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. We then talked about guns and schools. Colorado Republicans are pushing a new bill in the legislature to allow guns in schools. If this bill passes, do you think it will make schools more or less safe.

Sirota Wednesday 1-25-12 Hour 1

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:02:23 -0500

David led off talking about the State of the Union speech. We played some audio and David gave his analysis. What were your impressions of the speech. We also asked if Mitt Romney's wealth and corporate experience a reason to vote for him or against him. Should he be blamed for paying a low effective tax rate. Or is he simply operating in an unfair economic system. At 7:35 Congressman Ed Perlmutter joined the show for reaction to the SOTU. We closed out the hour with a few calls on Romney and tax code.

David Sirota Tuesday 1-24-12 Hour 3

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:13:38 -0500

It has long been a bone of contention whether being gay is a choice or a compulsion.
And Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon is sticking to her guns after she admitted for her it was the former, despite having to endure a homosexual backlash.
She has been lambasted by the LGBT community for making her feelings known as a public speaker, but has now spoke out in the New York Times to underline her feelings on the matter. Is it a choice or pre determined. We also did our News of the Weird segment and talked about Secretary of State Scott Gessler and voter fraud.

David Sirota Tuesday 1-24-12 Hour 2

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:07:48 -0500

We spent the first half hour with Colorado AG John Suthers. We talked about many issues including Federal raids on MMJ dispensaries, fracking, Lobato vs. Colorado and much more. At 8:40 we talked to New York Times cultural reporter Patricia Cohen about her new book In Our Prime: The Invention of Middle Age. We then asked what would you rather have by your kids' school - a MMJ dispensary or an oil rig for fracking.

David Sirota Tuesday 1-24-12 Hour 1

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:09:57 -0500

Rep. Doug Lamborn, who found himself in hot water last summer when he used the term tar baby as he referenced President Barack Obama, is skipping the State of the Union address, his office said Monday. Lamborn's staff said Monday he's protesting Obama's recent actions, including the appointments of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and three new members of the National Labor Relations Board, which Republicans consider an overreach of executive power. He"s also objecting to Obama"s decision on the Keystone XL pipeline and cuts to defense spending, his office said. mWhat are your thoughts on this. At 7:40 Dave Zirin joined the show to talk about his column on the legacy and fall of Joe Paterno.

David Sirota Monday 1-23-12 Huor 3

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:07:24 -0500

Some states are looking at new alimony laws some creating different types of alimony with varying durations, depending on length of marriage and the finances of each spouse. The law also allows those paying alimony to modify their terms later and calls for ending payments if a recipient has a live-in mate or, in most cases, when the payer reaches retirement age. Do you think alimony laws are outdated. Should we not have alimony at all. Do you think coaches in NCAA athletic programs are paid too much. Average salary for College Football coaches is 1.5 million a year. In a time where tuition rates are going up does this make sense. Sirota says it is a national atrocity. What do you think.

David Sirota Monday 1-23-12 Hour 2

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:10:03 -0500

Ben Marcus joins the show to discuss his new novel The Flame Alphabet. He will be at the Tattered Cover on Colfax this Wednesday at 7:30 pm for a book signing and discussion. Called one of the most maniacally gifted writers of our generation, Marcus delivers a work of heartbreak and horror, a novel about how far we will go, and the sorrows we will endure, in order to protect our families. We then talked about Newt Gingrich and his open marriage. Salon also ran a piece about a couple in an open marriage. Can these even exist. Should they be called marriages. We got some great calls this hour including some that were in an open marriage.

David Sirota Monday 1-23-12 Hour 1

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:05:53 -0500

Lat week Apple executives unveiled a revamped version of iBooks which will now offer interactive electronic textbooks as a way to alleviate pain on the back and the pocketbook. Apple is working the three major textbook publishers Pearson, McGraw-Hill, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt which will contain videos and other interactive elements all for 15 dollars or less. Is this good or bad news. Is this the future of education. Will this only benefit students who have money. Also this hour we discussed teaching spanish speaking kids in spanbish only up to the third grade. A 9 news piece highlighted Denver's Beach Court Elementary where they are doing this while continually ranking at the top of the state for academic growth. Do you support this. Do you think it makes it harder for these spanish speaking kids to assimilate.

Sirota Friday 1-20-12 Hour 3

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:08:21 -0500

David led off talking about new rules for Major League Baseball. More teams to make the playoffs. David explained why he hates the new changes. It was his grievance of the week. What is yours. At 9:40 we had comedian Jamie Kilstein in studio. He has shows at The Denver Improv tonight and tomorrow night. He is an awesome political comedian.

Sirota Friday 1-20-12 Hour 2

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:16:01 -0500

Tim Wise our special guest to discuss his new book Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority. Using racialized nostalgia, the right seeks to enlist fearful whites in a movement for reactionary social and economic policies. But as Tim Wise explains, such an agenda will only further harm the nation"s people, including most whites. Only by embracing a progressive, multicultural future, can the hope of American democracy survive. Then we talked about sex ed. National standards about sexuality, sexual health, and relationships debuted last week and outline topics students should learn, starting in kindergarten, and that they can build on as they grow older. The standards, an initiative by groups concerned with student health and sex education, are intended to mimic content standards for other subjects, which introduce concepts early in school, based on children's ability to understand them, and then add to them grade by grade until graduation. What age is appropriate to teach your child about sex.

Sirota Friday 1-20-12 Hour 1

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:11:15 -0500

Special guest Colorado House Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino in studio with David talking about the new legislative session. We hit on all the important issues and legislature in the state coming up this year. We talked fracking, civil unions, red-light cameras, marijuana legislation and much more.

Sirota Thursday 1-19-12 Hour 3

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:09:23 -0500

David led off reading some emails and FB posts. He also throttled a guy who sent an email in not liking our show content. We then talked about Stephen Glass. He fabricated over 40 stories at the New Republic. He is in court 14 years after the events that made him famous. He is looking for admission into the Caifornia Bar. They say no way. David agrees with them saying no way. Do you agree. We then talked about Newt Gingrich's wife doing an interview about the marital life with Newt. Do you care. We then talked abouta poll saying more younger people prefer socialism over capitalism.

Sirota Thursday 1-19-12 Hour 2

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:16:39 -0500

New York Magazine did a feature on how there is a rising number of people having kids at older ages including 40's and 50's. At what age is too old to have kids. We took some great calls on this one. We had people who were upset their parents had them at an old age and some who thought it was great having older parents. At 8:40 State representative Matt Jones to talk about his plan for more local control of fracking in Colorado. He is leading the fight.

Sirota Thursday 1-19-12 Hour 1

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:59:28 -0500

David led off talking about the Stop Online Piracy Act. Yesterday there was a nationwide protest by many websites that went dark for the day. David talked about the new bill. Are you a critic or supporter of this bill. Do you want more governance on what is shared on the internet. What are the issues surrounding intellectual property. Is there a legitimate concern. We also did our Tim Tebow Update and Presidential Campaign Update this our.

Sirota Wednesday 1-18-12 Hour 3

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:49:42 -0500

We spen the first 45 minutes talking about child labor and a push to decrease the required working age. How old is old enough to get a job. At 9:50 Denver Dumb Friends League's Public Affairs Manager Emily Stone our special guest to talk about the legislative session, primarily a cost of care bill they are going inrtroducing that would improve a bill already on the books by reducing the financial strain on shelters and investigative authorities investigating abuse cases involving companion animals such as horses, extreme hording cases, and severe abuse cases. She will also discuss more animal legislation popping up this year.

Sirota Wednesday 1-18-12 Hour 2

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:08:25 -0500

New York Magazine published a piece this week about industry insiders telling other people about things about their industry. David opened up phones and asked what people need to know about the business you work in that some people may not know. We call it the whistle blower segment. We then talked about this Winston Churchill quote: If you're not a liberal at 20 you have no heart.If you're not conservative at 40 you have no brain. Is this your life experience. What is your experience.

Sirota Wednesday 1-18-12 Hour 1

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:04:56 -0500

We led off the hour with DPS Super Tom Boasberg. They talked about governing DPS schools while living in Boulder and sending his kids to school in Boulder. We also talked about some of the issues DPS is facing. We then took listener reaction to the interview and asked if public officials should live in the district that they govern. We also let people air grievances about DPS.

Sirota Tuesday 1-17-12 Hour 3

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:20:21 -0500

We led off this hour with the author of Taft 2012: A Novel Jason Heller. Heller"s debut novel follows the strange new life of a presidential Rip Van Winkle: a man who never even wanted the White House in the first place, yet finds himself hurtling toward it once more, this time, through the media-fueled madness of 21st-century America. We did News of the Weird and then talked to author Peter Nowak who penned the new book Sex, Bombs and Burgers: How War, Pornography and Fast Food Have Shaped Modern Technology.

Sirota Tuesday 1-17-12 Hour 2

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:08:44 -0500

We led off the hour talking about a Focus on the Family Tim Tebow-inspired ad talking about John 3:16. We played the audio. Do you think it is appropriate to use kids in ads or for causes they may or may not understand. We also played Tebowie. Colorado Rep. Also, Sal Pace has invited Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow to lead the House in its daily morning prayer, which is led each day by different people of different faiths. He called in and defended the invite and changed David's mind. At 8:40 David Bacon our guest to talk about his piece for The Nation called How US Policies Fueled Mexico's Great Migration.

David Sirota Tuesday 1-17-12 Hour 1

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:10:02 -0500

Talking to Matt Lauer on the Today show, Mitt Romney explained that people talk about inequality because they're envious. Here is his quote: You know, I think it"s about envy. I think it"s about class warfare. When you have a President encouraging the idea of dividing America based on the 99 percent versus 1 percent, and those people who have been most successful will be in the 1 percent, you have opened up a whole new wave of approach in this country which is entirely inconsistent with the concept of one nation under God. The American people, I believe in the final analysis, will reject it. What do you think about this quote. Do you agree or disagree. David then played an audio montage of commentary on Mitt Romney's Bain Capital. Should we be concerned about some of the things Bain Capital did when we talk about Mitt Romney. Hate the player or hate the game.

Sirota Monday 1-16-12 Hour 3

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:24:49 -0500

James Mejia in for Sirota today. We continued taking calls on pessimism or optimism in our future. We talked about civil rights battles going on today and what you think Martin Luther King Jr. would be worknig on in these days.

Sirota Monday 1-16-12 Hour 2

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:10:46 -0500

We carried over some of the optimism vs pessimism talk from hour one. We also talked a bit about the GOP race and about Perry being soft on the marines who urinated on enemy combatants on film. We also talked about MLK Day and what he would be saying if alive today. Has the dream been realized. What are the civil rights issues of today.

Sirota Monday 1-16-11 Hour 1

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:08:42 -0500

James Mejia in for Sirota today. He led off briefly talkiing about the MLK holiday. He also asked about whether you have optimism for the city of Denver and state of Colorado in 2012. We also discussed the Broncos loss and whether or not Tebow is the long term QB for the Broncos.

Sirota Friday 1-13-12 Hour 3

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:14:52 -0500

Beyond the log-in screen of Ramona Fricosu's laptop computer lies what federal prosecutors say could be the key evidence in the bank-fraud case against her. There's only one problem: Prosecutors don't know her password. Thus, in an extraordinarily rare move, prosecutors in Denver are seeking a court order forcing Fricosu to unlock the computer so that they can obtain files they would use to try to convict her and her ex-husband. Civil-liberties groups nationwide have taken notice, saying the case tests the strength of rights against self-incrimination in a digital world. Prosecutors, meanwhile, say that allowing criminal defendants to beat search warrants simply by encrypting their computers would make it impossible to obtain evidence in an age when clues are more likely held within a hard drive than a file cabinet. Should the US Govt have a skeleton key to everyone's computer. What about physical property compared to what's in your brain. We then asked if Tim Tebow's endorsement for president candidate would sway your vote. At least two candidates have called him and asked him for his endorsements.

Sirota Friday 1-13-12 Hour 2

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:26:21 -0500

At 8:05 Best Selling author of What's the Matter with Kansas Thomas Frank our special guest to talk about his book Pity the Billionaire: The Hard Times Swindle and the Unlikely Comeback of the Right. We then talked about this story. Federal prosecutors in Colorado made their strongest move to date against the state's medical-marijuana industry Thursday, sending letters to 23 dispensaries ordering them to close. Each dispensary is located within 1,000 feet of a school, and the letters represent a sharp tug to rein in medical-marijuana businesses, all of which operate in violation of federal law. The U.S. attorney's office told the dispensaries' owners in the letters that if they do not close within 45 days, they face criminal prosecution and asset forfeiture. Federal authorities in Denver have never before prosecuted a medical- marijuana dispensary owner operating in clear compliance with state law. Is this good or bad. What about liquor stores, bars, pharmacies.

Sirota Friday 1-13-12 Hour 1

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:10:33 -0500

David led off playing audio from and reacting to Governor John Hickenlooper's State of teh State Speech. The Governor says it is time for civil unions. With all our other state issues should we be worrying about civil unions. Should two first cousins be able to get a civil union. We also talked about Hick's stance on small businesses thriving in proximity to corporations. Do you agree.

Sirota Wednesday 1-11-12 Hour 3

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:16:32 -0500

Denver Post Investigative Reporter Christopher Osher our guest to talk about his story Wrongfully Jailed: Records Detail More That 500 Mistaken Identity Arrests in Denver in Seven Years. Civil-rights lawyers suing the city and county of Denver assert the documented mistaken-identity arrests are the tip of the iceberg and are an undercount of the true magnitude of the problem. At 9:20 we did our Presidential Candidate Update. Sirota had a rant on Obama vs. Ron Paul. We also read soem emails on our topics this morning. At 9:35 we switched it up. Beyond the log-in screen of Ramona Fricosu's laptop computer lies what federal prosecutors say could be the key evidence in the bank-fraud case against her. There's only one problem: Prosecutors don't know her password. Thus, in an extraordinarily rare move, prosecutors in Denver are seeking a court order forcing Fricosu to unlock the computer so that they can obtain files they would use to try to convict her and her ex-husband. Civil-liberties groups nationwide have taken notice, saying the case tests the strength of rights against self-incrimination in a digital world. Prosecutors, meanwhile, say that allowing criminal defendants to beat search warrants simply by encrypting their computers would make it impossible to obtain evidence in an age when clues are more likely held within a hard drive than a file cabinet. Our special guest is Hanni Fakhoury who is an attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which filed brief in support of Fricosu.

Sirota Wednesday 1-11-12 Hour 2

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:15:44 -0500

Wealthy donors have created a fund to pay the salary of a new Bridgeport school superintendent, ushering in hopes of a new era of private money for reform efforts in Connecticut's most troubled school system. Public-school districts across the country have seen an influx of private money in recent years as wealthy donors interested in improving public education have opened their pocketbooks to bankroll their ideas. Do you think private donors should be allowed to give money to schools. Private funding has drawn criticism from teachers unions and other skeptics who say it makes public schools less accountable to taxpayers. Would you be confused if your school got a large donation from Walmart. We closed out the hour with this mini topic. If you looked at a food label and along with saying what is in it, it would tell you what you need to do to burn it off. Do you support this kind of labeling.

Sirota Wednesday 1-11-12 Hour 1

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:51:55 -0500

David led off talking about race and religion. It's a word that has enormous power and can evoke lots of emotion. But at a local high school in Jefferson County, that word was printed in big bold letters in the latest edition of the school's newspaper: The N word. The student who wrote the article says she's sick of hearing the word used around her school. Kessa Gomez says she hears the word used by students at Standley Lake High School on a daily basis. David asked whether using racial or religious epithets in a minority group is okay. Is it EVER okay for African Americans to use the N word. What about other groups of people talking amongst themselves. In the alst segment we took a few calls on why peoople are buying guns at an alarming rate. Gun sales have reached an all-time high, with more than 1.5 million background checks on gun buyers being requested by firearm dealers across the nation in December 2011 alone. Why is this.

Sirota Tuesday 1-10-12 Hour 3

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:05:29 -0500

Dr. Jonathan Ladd, a Georgetown Assistant Professor, our special guest to talk about his new book Why Americans Hate the Media and How It Matters. We then talked about a new Supreme Court Case dealing with the FCC and Obscenity and Indecency. Do you think network television and radio should be able to curse and use nudity like cable shows do

Sirota Tuesday 1-10-12 Hour 2

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:28:46 -0500

Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania"s Center for Substance Abuse Solutions Dr. Kevin Sabet and Mason Tvert our special guests to talk about some of the polling on who supports the legalization of marijuana and about initiatives popping up around the nation. David recently wrote a Salon piece called How Americans Really Feel About Drugs in response to a New York Times Op-Ed by Dr. Sabet called Overdosing on Extremism. From 2009 to 2011, Dr. Sabet served in the Obama Administration as the Senior Advisor to Director Kerlikowske at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. He previously worked on research, policy and speech writing at ONDCP in 2000 and from 2003-2004 in the Clinton and Bush Administrations, respectively. He remains the only staff member at ONDCP to hold a political appointment in both the Bush and Obama Administrations. He is a staff columnist at TheFix.com and a regular contributor to opinion-editorial pages worldwide, including the Washington Post, New York Times, Vancouver Sun, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Times, CNN, CNBC, and more than a dozen other media outlets. As a Marshall Scholar, he received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Social Policy at Oxford University and B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Mason Tvert co-founded SAFER and joined its board of directors in 2005. Mason currently serves as the organization's executive director, as well as a member of the SAFER Voter Education Fund Board of Directors. He is also a coauthor of Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Do We Drive People to Drink. This was a heated yet civil debate. We closed out the hour taking listener reaction to some things Rick Santorum said about health care costs and how to pass it on.

Sirota Tuesday 1-10-12 Hour 1

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:53:45 -0500

David led off talking about a Denver Post editorial piece called Current Fracking Rules Are Enough. They argue that with stringent state rules already on the books, local communities do not need greater control. David argues for more local control. Do you think your community should have the right to say yes or no to oil or gas drilling in your community. David then talked about CSU moving forward with a new proposal for a new football stadium in Fort Collins. The school just spent a large chunk of money fixing current stadium. Some in Fort Collins are concerned about whether or not it is a good use of resources for the school. It's a 100 to 200 million dollar stadium. They say private donors will foot the bill. Do you believe this. Is this good use of money.

Sirota Monday 1-9-12 Hour 3

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:18:54 -0500

Rolling Stone's Michael Hastings our special guest to talk about his new book The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan. Rick Santorum in a little heat at the end of last week where he said he didn't want to give black people other people's money when talking about welfare. He retorted saying he said blah people. Do you buy it. Was he saying Blah or Black. For the last 20 minutes we took calls on words you hear that are relevent today that will be obsolete when his kid Isaac is an adult. David's 10 words were civil liberties, public school, budget surplus, drinkable water, union, peace, democracy, we're all in this together, newspapers, and journalism. What are your words that will disappear in the next few years.

Sirota Monday 1-9-12 Hour 2

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:27:32 -0500

As bans on smoking sweep the USA, an increasing number of employers, primarily hospitals, are also imposing bans on smokers. They won't hire applicants whose urine tests positive for nicotine use, whether cigarettes, smokeless tobacco or even patches. Such tobacco-free hiring policies, designed to promote health and reduce insurance premiums, took effect this month at the Baylor Health Care System in Texas and will apply at the Hollywood Casino in Toledo, Ohio, when it opens this year. Should employers have the right to hire or fire you if you smoke. We then talked about Durango High School Senior Sidney Spies. She is making national news because she wore a outfit in her senior photo that the yearbook staff deemed to be too sexy and inappropriate. We have the photo on our website. We said take a look and tell us if you think it is too risque.

Sirota Monday 1-9-12 Hour 1

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:26:42 -0500

David led off talking about the Broncos win on Sunday. Are you becoming excited about tehse Broncos. Are you now cheering for Tebow. Has he made you more or less of a Broncos fan. We then talked about how or why female teachers accused of having sex with students is take more lightly or less seriously than when it is a male teacher in same situation.

Sirota Friday 1-6-12 Hour 3

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:05:35 -0500

Elephants dancing in skirts, bears riding tricycles and lions leaping through flaming hoops could become distant memories if a bill U.S. Rep. Jared Polis is co-sponsoring gains traction in Washington. The Boulder-based congressman and 12 other representatives are pushing legislation that would effectively end the use, and documented abuse, of exotic and wild animals in traveling circuses. H.R. 3359 would amend the Animal Welfare Act to restrict the use of exotic and non-domesticated animals in traveling circuses and exhibitions. The Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act, as it is known, specifically aims to outlaw all exotic and wild animals from performing if, within 15 days of a show, they had been traveling in mobile shelters. Rodeos would be exempt under the law, as would outreach programs for educational or conservation purposes by an accredited zoo or aquarium, if the animal used for such purposes is not kept in a mobile housing facility for more than 12 hours a day. It would not apply to film, television, or advertising so long as there is not a live public display. We then talked about defriending on Facebook. Why do you or would you defriend someone on FB. Also Turk's mother-in-law wants to be friends on Facebook. What should he do.

Sirota Friday 1-6-12 Hour 2

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:11:41 -0500

Dr. Diana Senechal our special guest to talk about her new book Republic of Noise: The Loss of Solitude in Schools and Culture. Senechal confronts a culture that has come to depend on instant updates and communication at the expense of solitude. Schools emphasize rapid group work and fragmented activity, not the thoughtful study of complex subjects. The Internet offers contact with others throughout the day and night. We lose the ability to be apart, even in our minds. Yet solitude does not vanish, it is part of every life. It plays an essential role in literature, education, democracy, relationships, and matters of conscience. Throughout its analyses and argument, the book calls not for drastic changes but for a subtle shift, Senechal calls for an attitude that honors solitude without descending into dogma. We then took some calls about your kids and downtime and education. What do you prefer for your kids. Constant business or do you like for them to have personal down time. We then talked about a proposal to make high school students enroll for college in order to get their diplomas. David says this is absurd. What do you think about this.

Sirota Friday 1-6-12 Hour 1

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:10:27 -0500

After a decade of war, President Obama today outlined his strategy for a leaner, less-costly military with an increased focus on emerging threats from Asia, saying we need to be smart, strategic and set priorities as the Pentagon faces steep budget cuts. With U.S. troops out of Iraq and the drawdown underway in Afghanistan, the new strategy includes reductions in military personnel and readies the Pentagon for reduced funding in these tough economic times. What are your thoughts on this proposal. We also threw out the new Colorado Springs Slogan Live it Up. We asked for a more realistic slogan for Colorado Springs.

Sirota Thursday 1-5-12 Hour 3

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:56:22 -0500

Animal rights activist and attorney Stephen Wise our special guest. He currently is an adjunct professor at Lewis and Clark Law School in Oregon, home of the U.S.'s first environmental law journal and, since 1995, the journal Animal Law. Wise's grand ambition is for nothing short of a legal revolution. He wants to systematically overturn more than 2,000 years of law by winning basic common law rights for other sentient beings we now know suffer, feel fear, have complex emotions, and possess sometimes startling levels of intelligence. Wise believes that nonhuman animals meet the criteria for personhood and other human-style rights and protections if they are enough like us to have consciousness or mind self-awareness and the capacity to experience their own existence, and when they are capable of desiring things and of acting in a deliberate fashion to acquire them. Wise's passion for animal rights dates to 1979 when reading philosopher Peter Singer"s landmark book Animal Liberation proved both revelation and rude awakening. He has taught animal rights law at Harvard and at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a former president of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and founder and president of the Center for the Expansion of Fundamental Rights. The Yale Law Journal has called him one of the pistons of the animal rights movement. He is the author of the books An American Trilogy, Though the Heavens May Fall, Drawing the Line, and Rattling the Cage. He stuck with us all hour and took listener comments and questions.

Sirota Thursday 1-5-12 Hour 2

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:11:56 -0500

David led off this hour talking about how in College alcohol consumption is up when sports programs are doing well. Does this concern you when helping your kid with choosing a school. Is college all about what happens in the classroom or is it an overall experience. Does existence of good sports program enhance or distort the experience. We then talked to Christopher Titus in studio. He has shows at Comedy Works through Saturday Night. We talked Obama, terrorism, the republican candidates and much more.

Sirota Thursday 1-5-12 Hour 1

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:07:15 -0500

Following an audit that criticized Denver's traffic photo-enforcement program as having unproven results, the City Council on Tuesday gave initial approval to renew the contract of the photo red-light program. The approval comes after Denver Auditor Dennis Gallagher on Dec. 18 issued a report saying the red-light program and photo-radar program should be shut down unless the city can prove the efforts provide a safety benefit. Otherwise, the auditor said, the public widely views the cameras as a cash grab. The auditor's report pointed to a recent recalibration of the red-light program that enables the city to issue citations to drivers whose vehicles come to a halt beyond the white stop line. No other Colorado city fines motorists for such red-light violations. But in Denver, about 60 percent of violations issued this year were stop-line violations. Should you get a ticket for stopping over the line. We then talked about a new child obesity ad campaign. The ads show pictures of obese children with captions. David argued these ads do not help the obesity crisis. Look at the ads on our website and tell us what you think.

Sirota Wednesday 1-4-12 Hour 3

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:20:51 -0500

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Colorado's two senators and Gov. John Hickenlooper descended on the San Luis Valley this week to explore new initiatives for conservation of millions of acres and create a national historic park. Beyond land, they're emphasizing early Latino settlers at what once was the northern edge of the Spanish empire. A preliminary report identifies historic and cultural sites around the valley and the Sangre de Cristo mountains of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico as worthy of inclusion in the National Park System. The report recommends that Congress authorize a study to enable an evaluation of alternatives for protecting sites. This work was done as part of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors initiative to reconnect Americans with nature and their heritage. Colorado sites prioritized for federal support include the Yampa River Valley in northwestern Colorado and a network of greenways in the Denver metro area. This would be the first national park dedicated to Latinos. Are you for or against. At 9:35 Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock our special guest. Last Friday the Montana Supreme Court restored the state's century-old ban on direct spending by corporations on political candidates or committees in a ruling that interest groups say bucks a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court decision granting political speech rights to corporations. The decision grants a big win to Attorney General Bullock, who personally represented the state in defending its ban that came under fire after the Citizens United decision last year from the U.S. Supreme court. Steve is also running for Governor of Montana this year.

Sirota Wednesday 1-4-12 Hour 2

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:15:45 -0500

Robert Frank our special guest to discuss his new book The High-Beta Rich: How the Manic Wealthy Will Take Us to the Next Boom, Bubble and Bust. He actually devoted an entire chapter to Aspen in his book. Robert Frank is the Wealth Reporter for The Wall Street Journal and the author of the New York Times bestselling book, Richistan. His blog, The Wealth Report, was named by Time magazine as one of the nation's most influential business blogs. We then talked about Aspen, Telluride and Vail. At 8:30 we switched it up and talked about a Consumer Report poll on the best tasting in America. Coors was awarded that honor. Is this insane. David was called a beer snob over the break because he refuses to drink macro brew. Is there such thing as beer snobbery. Is Coors the best tasting beer in America.

Sirota Wednesday 1-4-12 Hour 1

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:08:56 -0500

David led off with some analysis of the Iowa Caucuses that Mitt Romney edged Rick Santorum in. At 7:20 we talked to Dave Zirin who covers sports for the Nation and host of the Edge of Sports radio show. He laid out why he now hates College Football. We then asked if you hate or love college football and are we basically supporting indentured servitude of college athletes for money they do not see, What is the fundamental problem with college sports these days.

Sirota Tuesday 1-3-12 Hour 3

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:23:12 -0500

Former Louisiana Governor and Republican Presidential candidate Buddy Roemer our special guest. Roemer has some momentum going in New Hampshire, where a PPP poll released today shows him with 3 percent support among likely Republican primary voters. Polling by the same firm shows him with 2 percent in Iowa. Roemer is stressing that campaign finance reform would be a key issue in his campaign and is pledging to limit campaign contributions to 100 per individual. We then talked about employers, health insurance and wellness programs. You know where you get a discount for being what they deem more healthy, such as working out at fitness center, smoking cessation courses, weight loss programs etc. Is incentivizing more healthy behavior okay or not okay.

Sirota Tuesday 1-3-12 Hour 2

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:16:20 -0500

Salon's Glenn Greenwald our special guest to talk about his piece Progressives and the Ron Paul Fallacies. We talked about raicst policies whether inadvertent or intended. He talked about Obama policies versus Paul policies. We then asked if Ron Paul's racist newsletters worse than President Obama's drug war or the wars in the Middle East. Is Ron Paul the Progressive Candidate.

David Sirota Tuesday 1-3-12 Hour 1

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:07:34 -0500

California's In-N-Out Burger chain is in Colorado's future if a member of Denver's City Council has his way. Recently, District 8 Councilman Albus Brooks posted to his Facebook page that he had a great conversation with folks tied to In-N-Out execs. Sirota asked if we really need more fast food chains in our city and state. Will it be an economic boost. Is this a value job generator. Should our public officials be focusing their energy on bringing fast food chains to Denver. Also a state lawmaker who wants to make it more difficult for parents to divorce said he initially had no idea that legislators a decade ago killed a similar proposal dubbed the Dr. Laura bill. Sen. Kevin Lundberg, a Republican from Berthoud, said he believes his proposal stands a better chance because it makes exceptions, such as in cases of domestic violence or sexual abuse. The bill would require parents who have minor children and are considering divorce to first undergo educational instruction that tells them how this impacts their children, he said. Then there would be a waiting period before filing for divorce.What do you think about this. Should the state be able to force you to stay in your marriage longer than you want to.

Sirota Monday 1-2-12 Hour 3

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:06:57 -0500

Cee Lo Green upset John Lennon fans on Saturday night by performing a soulful version of the songwriter's classic Imagine with the lyrics changed from nothing to kill or die for and no religion too to nothing to kill or die for and all religion's true. According to some fans, Green changed the meaning of the song by switching out the line.Green, who sang the song on NBC's New Year's Eve broadcast from Times Square, responded to criticism about the alteration by tweeting Yo I meant no disrespect by changing the lyric guys. I was trying to say a world were u could believe what u wanted that's all. He responded directly to other angry Lennon fans on Twitter, but has since deleted all of the tweets. Non believers and Lennon fans upset. Are you. We talked with President of American Atheists David Silverman. David challanged Cee Lo to show up to the Reason Rally.

Sirota Monday 1-2-12 Hour 2

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:09:28 -0500

Geoff Berg talked about the President Obama signing of the National Defense Authorization Act. Our special guest to discuss what it is and does was University of Colorado at Boulder Law School Professor Scott Moss. We then took listener reaction to this signing.

Sirota Monday 1-2-12 Hour 1

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:45:24 -0500

Geoff Berg in for Sirota today. He led off talking about the Iowa Caucus. We were joined by Dallas Morning News' Wayne Slater. He is the author of Bush's Brain. He gave his analysis of teh Iowa Caucus where Ro Paul is leading polls right now over Romney by one point. At 7:35 we talked with Republican strategist Matt McKoviak who is live in Des Moines. He is also a Rick Perry supporter. Geoff ended the hour talking with a Ron Paul supporter.

Sirota Friday 12-30-11 Hour 3

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:17:44 -0500

Geoff Berg continued playing some of the best and worst audio clips of teh year and we took open phone calls.

Sirota Friday 12-30-11 Hour 2

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:05:38 -0500

We continued with ipen phones. Geoff also played some of the greatest or not-so-great clips of the year. We asked what was the biggest story of the year, under-the-radar-story of the year and schmucks of the year.

Sirota Friday 12-30-11 Hour 1

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:54:33 -0500

We led off with special guests Ari and Darren Garnick. Ari is 9 years old and in New Hampshire he asked all the Republican candidates what superhero they would be and why. We played some of the clips and talked to Ari and Darren. We then asked the audience the same question. We also opened the phones for any topic and talked schmucks of the week.

Sirota Thursday 12-29-11 Hour 3

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:05:45 -0500

Public schools in Tucson, Arizona, face millions of dollars in penalties after a ruling that the district's Mexican-American studies program violates state law. An administrative law judge found the program's curriculum was teaching Latino history and culture in a biased, political, and emotionally charged manner, and upheld state officials' findings that it violated a state law passed in 2010. The Tucson Unified School District had appealed a decision by the law's principal backer, then-state schools superintendent Tom Horne, to shut down the program. Under the law, the state can withhold 10 percent of its funding for the school district - about 15 million a year - until the district changes the course. In a written statement, Tucson Superintendent John Pedicone said the school board's lawyers are reviewing the ruling, and board members will discuss it at their January 3 meeting. Meanwhile Alabama trying to make school officials ask citizenship questions of their students. Now educators are basically ICE agents. We took some great calls this hour.

Sirota Thursday 12-29-11 Hour 2

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:10:22 -0500

Public swimming pools in Colorado Springs will close at the end of the year after a public-private partnership to manage some of the facilities ends. The Gazette reports that city officials are scrambling to keep the pools open. The pools are now operated by Swim Colorado Inc., but the company will cease management Dec. 30. Swim Colorado has operated the pools for more than a year. In 2010, the city had planned to close its pools to save cash. For an up-front payment, Swim Colorado took over management. A city spokeswoman said the agreement has ended but did not elaborate. She said the city will seek a way to reopen the swimming pools. Is this what happens when a city basically becomes privatized. How should tehy raise money to keep pools open. We also did our presidential campaign update which had some special Rick Santorum news.

Sirota Thursday 12-29-11 Hour 1

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:57:25 -0500

Last month at a Webster, Texas Target store, Michelle Hickman began nursing her fussy, hungry infant son in the store's women's clothing section. Hickman said that eight Target employees eventually surrounded her and two asked her to move to a fitting room to finish nursing. The other employees, she said, rolled their eyes at her and gave her dirty looks. Hickman said she tried explaining that Texas law allowed her to breastfeed in public, but the employees wouldn't listen. Hickman said she later called Target"s corporate offices but was disatisfied with their response. She said the retailer has yet to apologize to her directly. In a statement to ABCNews.com, Target said that it supports the use of fitting rooms for breastfeeding, even if other customers are waiting to use the rooms, but also that guests who choose to breastfeed in public areas of the store are welcome to do so without being made to feel uncomfortable. Meanwhile Target sells the horrible Faces of Death videos. There are now national protests and nurse ins going on. What are your thoughts on this issue. Do you get offended when you see a woman breast feeding their child in public.

Sirota Wednesday 12-28-11 Hour 3

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:13:10 -0500

Brent Bozell, the president of the Media Research Center, appeared on Fox News and suggested President Barack Obama looks like a skinny ghetto crackhead. Bozell was talking with Mark Steyn about MSNBC's Chris Matthews, who said in March that GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich looks like a car bomber. After Steyn joked that Gingrich just looked like a big, ugly, slightly older Winnie the Pooh, Bozell wondered how long Hannity's show would last if four times in one sentence Hannity made a comment about, say, the President of the United States and said he looked like a skinny ghetto crackhead. Bozell moved out of the arena of hypothetical, adding: Which, by the way, you might want to say that Barack Obama does. How deplorable is this. Meanwhile Mike Rosen of 850 KOA sits on the panel of judges at the MRC. Rosen put a column out on the Liberal Media of Wisdom Best of for 2011 for worst quotes by Liberal media. This from the same person's group who called Obama a skinny crackhead. You see any problem or irony in that.

Sirota Wednesday 12-28-11 Hour 2

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:14:40 -0500

Geoff led off with a Presidential Campaign Update, We then talked about the most admired American of 2011. President Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton are the nation's most admired man and woman in the annual USA TODAY Gallup Poll. Each leads their category with 17 percent of votes in top 10 lists that favor the most familiar names in global politics, religion, entertainment and culture. George Bush sits in spot number two and Bill Clinton third. Oprah Winfrey landed second on the list. Who is your most admired.

David Sirota Wednesday 12-28-11 Hou

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:07:18 -0500

Geoff Berg in today. He led off talking about the Jordan Sankel case. He is a local doctor who was accused and found not guilty of raping his nanny. Now he is counter suing her for damages like lost wages and emotional damages. Do you support his lawsuit. Will this chill rape victims from stepping up.

Sirota Tuesday 12-27-11 Hour 3

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:09:22 -0500

Geoff talked about Tim Tebow this hour. According to Matt Barber Liberals hate Tebow because he is a Virgin and saving himself for marriage. How absurd is this. What are the real reasons some people are turned off by Tebow. Is Tebow missing out on life. On a sidenote why does God hate the Broncos now.

Sirota Tuesday 12-27-11 Hour 2

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:33:52 -0500

Geoff contnued taking calls on Ron Paul for the first half hour. We then talked about a new bill introduced in the House. House Republicans are proposing drug testing for those receiving unemployment benefits, an initiative strongly opposed by advocates of the program. Georgia Republican Jack Kingston introduced a bill that would require drug screening assessments in the form of questionnaires approved by the National Institutes of Health. Those identified by the assessment as having a high probability of drug use would be required to pass a drug test and would be subject to random screenings as long as they receive benefits, according to the legislation. Applicants who fail would be responsible for the cost of the test and may take one additional retest at their own expense. Kingston argues that screening applicants, rather than testing each one, is less expensive and has been upheld by in the judicial system. You for or against this.

Sirota Tuesday 12-27-11 Hour 1

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:10:00 -0500

Geoff Berg in for Sirota today. He led off talking about Ron Paul and why he is not a worthy candidate for Progressives. Geoff talked about Paul's conspiracy about the New World Order. Geoff asked as a Progressive, how could you support Ron Paul.

Sirota Thursday 12-22-11 Hour 3

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:14:21 -0500

Dr. Mary Ellen O'Toole our special guest to discuss her and Alissa Bowman's new book Dangerous Instincts: How Gut Feelings Betray Us. As one of the world's top experts on psychopathy and criminal behavior, Mary Ellen O'Toole has seen repeatedly how relying on the sense of fear alone often fails to protect us from danger. Whether you are opening the door to a stranger or meeting a date you connected with online, you need to know how to protect yourself from harm-physical, financial, legal, and professional. We then opened up Festivus. What's your grievance to be aired. Who is the biggest schmuck of the year. Give us last minute gift ideas. What was the biggest story of 2011.

Sirota Thursday 12-22-11 Hour 2

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:08:17 -0500

To continue conversation on whether or not employers are required to accomodate employees religious requirements is Rita Byrnes Kittle. She is a Supervisory Trial Attorney at the EEOC Denver Field Office. We then talked about the decline of the 9 to 5 work week. A Time Magazine piece the traditional eight-hour workday may soon be the exception rather than the rule. New evidence shows that we're reaching a tipping point in terms of workplace flexibility, with businesses seeing the wisdom of allowing employees, young ones especially, to work odd hours, telecommute and otherwise tweak the usual 9 to 5 grind. What are the ups and downs of this news. One of the top 12 trends for 2012 as named by the communications firm Euro RSCG Worldwide is that employees in the Gen Y, or millennial, demographic, those born between roughly 1982 and 1993, are overturning the traditional workday. Is it a sad development. Are you wroking more or less than 40 hours. Would you take less pay for more flexibility in your work schedule.

Sirota Thursday 12-22-11 Hour 1

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:01:01 -0500

Should felons have the right to vote and should the federal government force states to allow felons to vote once they have served their time. David argued that people in jail should be allowed to vote. Why shouldn't felons be allowed to vote. A new bill in the senate is asking for states to allow felons to vote. At 7:45 Greil Marcus joined us to talk about the music of The Doors which is highlited in his new book The Doors: A Lifetime of Listening to Five Mean Years.

Sirota Wednesday 12-21-11 Hour 3

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:16:52 -0500

Should it be a crime to sympathize with a terrorist or terrorism in general. What would define sympathy for terrorism. Should the government have the ability to shut down twitter and facebook accounts if they deem a post or group is sympathetic to terrorism.

Sirota Wednesday 12-21-11 Hour 2

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:15:27 -0500

A correctional officer fired for refusing to work on the Sabbath has been ordered to be reinstated by an administrative law judge who found he was the subject of religious discrimination. John Schutte is a Messianic Jew whose religious beliefs bar him from doing conventional work on the Sabbath - sundown Friday through sundown Saturday. Schutte appealed his 2010 firing from the Buena Vista Correctional Facility to the State Personnel Board. In an opinion dated Dec. 16, Denise DeForest ruled the Colorado Department of Corrections unlawfully discriminated against Schutte because of his religion. The ruling says Schutte offered reasonable alternatives to working on the Sabbath, such as splitting up his days off and swapping shifts with co-workers. The DOC was unwilling to consider those alternatives, the ruling states. Should employers be forced to meet their employees religious needs. No matter what religion that may be.

Sirota Wednesday 12-21-11 Hour 1

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:03:43 -0500

The Denver Broncos have responded to an online campaign urging the team to make a video for the It Gets Better project, indicating that they won't be jumping on the anti-bullying project anytime soon. Nearly 8,000 individuals have signed onto a Change.org petition for the Broncos and their high-profile quarterback Tim Tebow to become the first NFL team to create a video for It Gets Better, which was started by sex columnist Dan Savage and his husband in September 2010 in response to the disturbing number of suicides by teenagers who said they were being bullied for being gay or perceived to be gay. In 2010, Tebow controversially starred in an ad for the right-wing group Focus on the Family, which opposes LGBT rights. In fact, the organization has argued that there is no evidence that homosexuals, as a class, are discriminated against in the present society. Broncos spokesman Patrick Smyth gave no indication that the team would be participating anytime soon. In the last few months, the Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants have all made videos. Should the Broncos be urged to participate. If an organization does not sign onto this what does that say about them. Is this even something professional sports teams should be involved in.

Sirota Tuesday 12-20-11 Hour 3

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:07:59 -0500

We played some audio from the Tim Tebow SNL skit this weekend. Pat Robertson had some harsh criticism for SNL calling it anti religious bigotry. Do you think the SNL skit was anti Christian. What is blasphemous about what SNL did. Are Christians really being persecuted.

Sirota Tuesday 12-20-11 Hour 2

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:10:50 -0500

Sam Skolnik our special guest to talk about his book High Stakes: The Rising Cost of America's Gambling Addiction. Faced with mounting budget deficits, more states are expanding gambling options and loosening restrictions in a grab for revenue. We then asked whether you think casinos help business climates. Or do you think casinos cannibalize business. David thinks they don't create business and the business they do create are not good for the community. How do you feel.

Sirota Tuesday 12-20-11 Hour 1

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:03:21 -0500

David led off playing audio from yesterday's show where he and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock talked about a potential Denver run for the Olympics in 2022. Do you think our city should fight to get the Olympics. Do you think we can afford to hold the events. Do we have the proper infrastructure.

Sirota Monday 12-19-11 Hour 3

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:07:28 -0500

David opened up about how he yelled at his neighbors for being loud cooking marshmallows at 8:00 pm on a Saturday night. He says he felt like a 86 yr old stuck in a 36 year old's body. He asked how you deal with neighbors. Is it better to go in with sweeping force or to be mellow and kill em with kindness. His neighbor even called in. We also talked about Congressman Mike Coffman saying Mulsims serving in the military need extra vetting. Do you agree. At 9:40 we were joinmed by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. We talked Occupy Denver, Olympics, charter schools, red light cameras and much more. We closed out with News of the Weird.

Sirota Monday 12-19-11 Hour 2

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:11:30 -0500

David wrote a column over the weekend on how the Electoral College is not the best system. He laid out his arguments and asked whether we should scrap the Electoral College. Is it inherently a partisan issue. 65 to 75 percent of Americans support scrapping it. Where do you land.

Sirota Monday 12-19-11 Hour 1

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:05:43 -0500

David led off atlking about the death of Kim Jong Il. Sirota says it's a dangerous situation with a new leader and at least two nuclear warheads. What should the US response be. What should we tell South Korea. Do we have a moral obligation to keep peace in this area. The Tebow mania sweeping the nation sacked a group of Long Island high-school students who were suspended for mimicking the quarterback"s famous prayer pose. Twin brothers Tyler and Connor Carroll of Riverhead HS and classmates Jordan Fulcoly and Wayne Drexel were hit with one-day suspensions for kneeling and bowing their heads like Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow does when he scores a touchdown. Administrators said the weeklong Tebowing craze was a distraction and a hallway hazard after dozens of classmates followed their lead. Is Tebowing inherently a religious act.

Sirota Friday 12-16-11 9a-10a

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:13:24 -0500

David discusses the government cracking down on medical marijuana distribution stores and takes calls on the topic. Planned Parenthood has an app that lets your children text in questions about sex.

Sirota Friday 12-16-11 8a-9a

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:21:26 -0500

David discusses and takes calls about schools being forced to notify parents if teachers are only charged, not convicted, of a crime. Also an interview with Allen Barra, sports writer, about Tim Tebow.

Sirota Friday 12-16-11 7a-8a

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:45:46 -0500

Tebow talk. Barkley Windmore takes over the Sirota show and discusses Tebow as an angel. Barkley Windmore does a Presidential Candidate Update.

Sirota 12-15-11 9a-10a

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:26:54 -0500

David and callers discuss low income housing for homeless people. David asks if you would be ok with a homeless shelter being built in your neighborhood. Would you be ok with it, or fight it.

Sirota 12-15-11 8a-9a

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:45:02 -0500

David discusses about teen marijuana use, and the health implications of pot, alcohol and other drugs. David also talks about The News of the Weird.

Sirota 12-15-11 7a-8a

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:14:00 -0500

David discusses the notion of needing a HS diploma to get unemployment benefits. Howdy Doody, aka Hickenlooper vs the EPA.

Sirota Wednesday 12-14-11 9a-10a

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:57:25 -0500

David talks to new afternoon host on AM760, Norman Goldman. David discusses time travel and warp drives with Dr Everett & Dr Roman. Also weird news with David.

Sirota Wednesday 12-14-11 8a-9a

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:42:26 -0500

Discussion about technology and jobs. Companies are choosing to hire foreigners for technology jobs instead of hiring Americans. A Presidential campaign update from David.

Sirota Wednesday 12-14-11 7a-8a

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:57:43 -0500

Tebow's Holiday Greeting. Interview with David O. Williams regarding fracking. Interview with Brandon Shaffer, State Senate President.

Srota Tuesday 12-13-11 Hour 3

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:41:41 -0500

We spent the first half of this hour with very special guest Jack Abramoff. He has a new book out called Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption from America's Most Notorious Lobbyist. To close the show we talked about how Washington Sen. Patty Murray says that if Congress had more women, there might be a plan in place to deal with the nation's 15 trillion debt. Do you buy this.

Sirota Tuesday 12-13-11 Hour 2

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:27:30 -0500

If you needed an organ to survive, would you be willing to pay for it. Say, 50,000 for a kidney. Or would you be willing to sell your kidney to someone else. That's one man's provocative suggestion. This week, Alexander Berger will donate one of his kidneys to a stranger. He'll help save a life, but the 21-year-old knows everyone is not as altruistic as he is, so in a New York Times op-ed printed Tuesday, he suggested selling kidneys should be made legal. Should we be able to sell our organs. We also talked about a potential Amazon boycott. Although Amazon offers an unmatched selection of books and other products via its website, some of the Seattle-based company's recent moves, such as its book lending program and its sales tax policy, have led many retailers, publishers and politicians to turn against it. But would enough customers change their spending habits in order to force a shift in the company's behavior. Earlier this year, a movement in California called on customers to boycott Amazon over the online store's attempts to avoid paying internet sales tax in the state. Now an offer related to the company's new Price Check app for smartphones is causing further dissatisfaction with Amazon's aggressive policies. The free application allows users to go into real-world stores and scan the barcodes of products that they want, using their smartphone's camera. The app then displays the cheapest price for that same product if bought via Amazon, and also allows the user to make the purchase directly from the online retailer. Should we boycott Amazon. Could this be the end of the local bookstore.

Sirota Tuesday 12-13-11 Hour 1

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:09:39 -0500

Denver's new police chief, Robert White, took the oath of office Monday, vowing to usher in a new era of trust and respect between police and a community stunned by several high-profile brutality cases. Is this change or do you think it will be more of the same. What do you want specifically from him. What would you want him to change. David then talked about government employee retirees. Experts say eligible retirement ages have fallen over the past two decades for many reasons, including contract agreements between states and government labor unions that lowered retirement ages in lieu of raising pay. With Americans increasingly likely to live well into their 80s, critics question whether paying lifetime pensions to retirees from age 55 or 60 is financially sustainable. An Associated Press survey earlier this year found the 50 states have a combined 690 billion in unfunded pension liabilities and 418 billion in retiree healt care obligations. Should there be a minimum age you can retire and collect a pension.

Sirota Monday 12-12-11 Hour 3

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:06:59 -0500

A new analysis of some of the most definitive survey data available, to be released today, finds a huge gulf in perceptions between black and white Americans on a wide range of issues, a gulf that may be contributing to America"s increasingly divisive politics. Post Racial: Americans and Race in the Age of Obama was written by our guest and Greenlining Institute Research Director Dr. Daniel Byrd and Media Relations Coordinator Bruce Mirken. Dr. Byrd went over their findings. We then asked how you explain this divide. How can two sets of people living in the same country have such a diffrerent opinion of where we are at as a country. We also talked about this story. A recent decision banning a menorah display at a key Evergreen community building has sparked a debate over holiday decorations in the small mountain district. From 2005 to 2009, the menorah was displayed in December on the back of the Lake House. But the Evergreen Park Recreation District decided that the symbol cannot be put up this year. Some members of Evergreen's Jewish community aren't ready to end the debate because a large tree, adjacent to the community's popular hub, remains adorned with Christmas lights. Can we get consistent and say that the Christmas Tree is a religious symbol. Why is it okay for one religion and not any others.

Sirota Monday 12-12-11 Hour 2

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:05:21 -0500

Lucy Komisar our special guest to discuss her New York Times Opinion piece How the Food Industry Eats Your Kid's Lunch. She argues that an increasingly cozy alliance between companies that manufacture processed foods and companies that serve the meals is making students, a captive market, fat and sick while pulling in hundreds of millions of dollars in profits. Lucy Komisar is an investigative reporter and author. All of her articles are archived at thekomisarscoop.com. We then talked about how Lowe"s has pulled commercials from future episodes of All-American Muslim, a TLC reality-TV show, after protests by Christian groups. The Florida Family Association, a Tampa Bay group, has led a campaign urging companies to pull ads on All-American Muslim. The FFA contends that 65 of 67 companies it has targeted have pulled their ads, including Bank of America, the Campbell Soup Co., Dell, Estee Lauder, General Motors, Goodyear, Green Mountain Coffee, McDonalds, Sears, and Wal-Mart. Where do you come down on whether or not a corporation shold boycott a show like this.

Sirota Monday 12-12-11 Hour 1

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:58:43 -0500

In declaring Colorado's school finance system significantly underfunded, Denver District Judge Sheila Rappaport rejected virtually every argument presented by the state's star witnesses in a five-week trial this year over school funding levels. Rappaport's ruling, issued Friday, blasted the state's level of school funding as unconscionable and not meeting the requirement in the Education Clause of the Colorado Constitution of a thorough and uniform system of public education. Her ruling handed the problem off to lawmakers to fix, and the judge said she wouldn't revisit her ruling any earlier than the end of the 2012 legislative session. The decision, which could have multibillion- dollar consequences, is virtually guaranteed to be appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court. How sick would it be if this is appealed. What does Governor Doody plan on doing after all he says he is the biggest supprter of education in Colorado. At 7:25 we were joined by Kathleen Gebhardt who is representing the plaintiffs in the Lobato V. State of Colorado case. She is Executive Director of Children's Voices. Children"s Voices is a non-profit law firm of school advocates dedicated to achieving equal access to a high quality public education for all school-age children in Colorado. We also talked about a poll that shows 77 percent of Republicans love Tim Tebow. Just over 40 percent of Democrats feel the same way. Why is there that divide. Can you be a dem and still like Tebow. Do you believe in Divine Intervention.

Sirota Friday 12-9-11 Hour 3

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:06:36 -0500

Do you find text messages bring you closer to gether with the ones you love or do they create a rift and lose something in the transaction. Our buddy Steve Almond wrote about it. What about real human interpersonal interaction. The govermnet says over 3,000 Americans died in traffic accidents that occured from cell phone misuse in cars. We also opened up Festivus Friday and took some schmuck of teh week nominations. Also should you have to turn off devices on airplanes. Alec Baldwin in hot water for refusing to turn his off.

Sirota Friday 12-9-11 Hour 2

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:07:36 -0500

Apparently unsatisfied by the enormous profits they"ve made while average Americans suffer in a difficult economy, corporations are pushing Congress to enact a new law that would exempt a large class of workers from receiving overtime pay. And they"re receiving support from members of both parties on Capitol Hill. Dubbed the Computer Professionals Update Act, Senate bill 1747 would change the Fair Labor Standards Act to remove overtime protection and compensation from almost everyone working primarily in information technology who earns either a salary, or an hourly rate of 27.63. Introduced in the U.S. Senate last month by Kay Hagan, the CPU Act has found a Democratic co-sponsor in Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado. Our special guest is Paul E. Almeida, president of the AFL-CIO Department for Professional Employees. We then took calls on why you think Bennet is backing this and if it is a good bill or not.

Sirota Friday 12-9-11 Hour 1

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:58:50 -0500

David led off talking about how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday for the first time that fracking may be to blame for causing groundwater pollution. Sirota talked about how Governor Hickenlooper ssaid that science doesn't back up these claims. Is it time for the Governor to reconsider. We also talked about this story. Stellar transcripts aside, students now have to worry about an increasing number of colleges peering at their social-networking pages online and potentially denying their applications because of what they find there. The number of college-admissions officials using Facebook and other social-networking sites to learn more about applicants quadrupled over the past year, according to New York City-based Kaplan Test Prep, the test preparation division of Kaplan Inc. In the company's 2011 survey of admissions officers from the top 500 colleges and universities, 24 percent said they have viewed publicly available pages to get a clearer picture of an applicant, while 20 percent turned to Google. Twelve percent reported that their discoveries, including photos showing underage drinking, vulgarities in blogs, and plagiarism in essays, negatively affected the chance of admission. How sad is this. Should admission offices be doing this. Should we tell our kids to not get involved in social networks.

Sirota Thursday 12-8-11 Hour 3

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:07:17 -0500

Mike Edison our special guest to talk about his new book Dirty Dirty Dirty: Of Playboys, Pigs and Penthouse Paupers - An American Tale of Sex and Wonder. This is a wild and uncompromising history of four infamous magazines and the outlaws behind them. Mike Edison is the former publisher of High Times magazine, a Hustler and Penthouse correspondent, and the former editor-in-chief of Screw magazine. We then talked about this news story. It's the morning after and the controversy over how to sell emergency contraception still looms. The Obama administration's top health official stopped plans Wednesday to let the Plan B morning-after pill move onto drugstore shelves next to the condoms. Overruling scientists at the Food and Drug Administration, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius decided that young girls shouldn't be able to buy the pill on their own, saying she was worried about confusing 11-year-olds. For now, Plan B will stay behind pharmacy counters, available without a prescription only to those 17 and older who can prove their age. Is this a good move or bad move by the pres. Sirota claims this is one of teh worst acts by the Obama admin to date. What do you think.

Sirota Thursday 12-8-11 Hour 2

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:07:10 -0500

Dr. Sheldon Garon joins the show to discuss his New York Times Op-Ed piece Why We Spend, Why They Save. Over the past three decades, Germany, France, Austria and Belgium have maintained household saving rates between 10 and 13 percent, and rates in Sweden recently soared to 13 percent. By contrast, saving rates in the United States dropped to nearly zero by 2005; they rose above 5 percent after the 2008 crisis but have recently fallen below 4 percent. Dr. Garon is a professor of history and East Asian studies at Princeton, and the author of Beyond Our Means: Why America Spends While the World Saves. How are you resisting the spending pressure especially during the holidays. Is it too much to say we have a culture of spending. We then talked about some of the changes in Irawq since the war started. The younger Iraqi generation fully immersed in American culture liking rap music, getting tattoos and cursing like Americans. Do you think our occupation changed their culture at all. Is this good or bad news. Is this sad cultural hegemony.

Sirota Thursday 12-8-11 Hour 1

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:03:51 -0500

In case you ever wondered what Denver police officers really thought while putting in long hours at the Occupy movement, internal text messages released Wednesday have helped shed some light. Denver Police Lt. Matt Murray released 31 pages of car-to-car text messages about the Occupy Denver movement he says did not meet the standard of professionalism expected by the Denver Police Department. Some messages say nasty things about the protesters, some advising ways on how to scatter the crowds. We have the messages on the website. How disturbing are these messages. Are these messages covered by 1st Amendment. Do you see irony in cops down talking those who are protesting in the police departments favor. We then played audio of Michelle Bachmann on dating and how she does NOT let her daughters ask a boy for a date. Is that old fashioned. Is that good dating advice.

Sirota Wednesday 12-7-11 Hour 3

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:07:43 -0500

Huffington Post reporter Radley Balko joins the show to discuss his piece Driven By Drug War Incentives, Cops Target Pot Smokers, Brush Off Victims of Violent Crime. David then talked a little about the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. At 9:40 Dr. Sean Reardon,a Stanford professor of education and sociology our special guest. In a dramatic illustration of the impact of income inequality on how children do in school, the achievement gap between children from high and low income families is far higher than the achievement gap between black and white students according to Dr. Reeardon's research at Stanford.

Sirota Wednesday 12-7-11 Hour 2

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:27:38 -0500

County commissioners in a Denver suburb will consider a new policy prohibiting naming buildings, parks or streets after someone who's still alive following the incarceration of a sheriff in a jail named after him. Arapahoe County Commissioner Rod Bockenfeld says the county owes it to residents to revisit past practices for naming buildings because of last week's arrest of Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. County spokeswoman Haley McKean says there is no immediate move to rename the jail. She says such a decision would follow a change in naming policy after the January study session. Should public buildings be named after living or even dead people. We then talked about THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS. The Governor of Rhode Island under for calling a tree a holiday tree not a Christmas tree. He said he was trying to be all inclusive. The Christians feel this is another example of the War on Christmas. What do you think.

Sirota Wednesday 12-7-11 Hour 1

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:02:28 -0500

A new poll on airports says half of Americans want them to get rid of x ray body scanners because they cause health problems. One Third says use em even if they do cause health problems, even Cancer. Where do you come down. Should cancer concerns come before terrorist concerns. Scientists say 6 people will get cancer because of these machines. Also this hour: a tech visionary, a veteran talk show host, two presidents, a preacher and a baseball player with good attendance are among the people under consideration for the first-ever postage stamp to honor a living or recently deceased American, according to U.S. Postal Service officials not authorized to speak publicly. Former Apple chief Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, evangelist Billy Graham, President Obama, former president Bill Clinton, comedian Jerry Lewis and Baltimore Orioles great Cal Ripken have received the most nominations from customers who submitted ideas by mail. Among customers who submitted ideas through Twitter and Facebook, Lady Gaga is tops. Are these absurd suggestions. Who would you put on a stamp.

Sirota Tuesday 12-6-11 Hour 3

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:10:16 -0500

Dr. Barron Lerner a professor of medicine and public health at Columbia University our special guest to talk about his new book One for the Road: Drunk Driving Since 1900. This is the first book to take a look at the history of drunk driving. Dr. Lerner teaches at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Mailman School of Public Health. We then talked about Atheism. New research finds atheists are widely perceived as untrustworthy, which may be a major factor in why they"re disliked more than other minorities. A landmark 2006 study, analyzing data from a large survey of Americans, found that atheists are less likely to be accepted, publicly and privately, than any others from a long list of ethnic, religious and other minority groups. Writing in the American Sociological Review, researchers noted that while rejection of Muslims may have spiked in post-9/11 America, rejection of atheists was higher. Why do you think this is so.

Sirota Tuesday 12-6-11 Hour 2

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:21:15 -0500

We led off with Colorado PIRG's Keelin Kelly to talk about PIRG's 26th annual Trouble in Toyland report that reveals the results of laboratory testing on toys for lead and phthalates, both of which have been proven to have serious adverse health impacts on the development of young children. The survey also found toys that pose either choking or noise hazards. At 8:20 former California Superior Court Judge James Gray our special guest to talk about a New York Times piece that says more and more law enforcement officials are being fired or punished for showing dissent on drug laws or support of marijuana legalization. We then tooks some calls on the drig war and also did News of the Weird.

Sirota Tuesday 12-6-11 Hour 1

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:09:47 -0500

A judge drastically reduced bail Monday for Patrick Sullivan, the former Arapahoe County sheriff arrested last week in a meth-for-sex sting, after his attorney argued that Sullivan has a clean record and has had many moments of extreme valor. He has been held since Tuesday in lieu of 500,000 bail in the jail named after him. But after hearing arguments about Sullivan's ties to the community, lack of a criminal record and history of heroism, from enlisting in the military during the Vietnam War to a 1989 rescue of two deputies, 18th Judicial District Chief Judge William Sylvester cut bail to 50,000. Does this seem strange to you. Should we look at prior records when considering bail amounts. Do you think he is a flight risk. Is his case serious enough that the bail should have stayed at 500,000. David also talked about scientists discovering a new new planet that is just like Earth. How do you react if we find out this planet is sustaining life. Would there be hysteria and panic or joy and elation. Do you think our first action would be military like.

Sirota Monday 12-5-11 Hour 3

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:10:33 -0500

We carried over conversation from last hour on private schools and sports. Do you have a problem with private High Schools using tax payer subsidized scholarships to recruit top athletes. Have private schools gained an unfair edge in club sports. Do you think High School sports has become too intense.

Sirota Monday 12-5-11 Hour 2

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:07:59 -0500

Director of Operations for the Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center in Denver Dick Peterson our special in studio guest. He recently wrote an opinion piece for the Denver Post called The Value of Employee Owned Companies. He argues that employee-owned companies return the profits back to the employee-owners, and they grow two to eight times faster than privately owned enterprises. Employee-owned organizations are usually democratically run, and the profits are retained in the community. The business model is free enterprise and a form of capitalism. At 8:35 we talked to Denver Post sports reporter Ryan Casey and The Nation's Dave Zirin about private schools taking over prep sports and dominating in games as well as recruiting.

Sirota Monday 12-5-11 Hour 1

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:02:54 -0500

David led off talking about Pat Sullivan. Do you think this would be as big a media story if it didn't involve homosexuality accusations. We also talked about of police abusing their power. Do you think it is a systemic problem. Does the Pat Sullivan case make you re evaluate how you see the police. At 7:50 Mike Chiropolos the Lands Program Director at Western Resource Advocates our special guest. Today there is the hearing with the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission for public comments on its fracking disclosure rules. Western Resource Advocates is pushing for stronger regulations that close the Trade Secrets Loophole. WRA has some graphics to highlight the point that you can't just let oil and gas companies withhold information on fracking components by checking trade secret on a box.

Sirota Friday 12-2-11 Hour 3

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:19:17 -0500

9 News Investigative Reporter Jace Larson and The Nation's Lee Fang our special guests to discuss the virtual education reform movement. Lee recently wrote a piece for the Nation called How Online Learning Companies Bought America's Schools. Under the guise of the national movement to reform public education, an unholy alliance has emerged in recent years, in which for-profit education companies, from Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp to Bill Gate's Microsoft, have partnered with privatization-minded school reform foundations and think-tanks to push through new education laws that could mandate virtual education for K-12 students across the country. Meanwhile 9 News and Education News compiled some troubling data on online schools as well. We then did News of the Weird. At 9:35 CEO of the Humane Society of Boulder County Lisa Pederson and Mike Jackson the Director of Non Profit Relations and Services for the Community First Foundation in studio to talk about Colorado Gives Day.

Sirota Friday 12-2-11 Hour 2

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:08:05 -0500

A study released this week by the University of Colorado Denver shows that the legalization of medical marijuana significantly reduces alcohol consumption and, as a result, alcohol-related traffic deaths. Our special guest is SAFER director Mason Tvert. Do you believe that legalizing marijuana would make roads safer. We then talked about a move to ban the 420 celebration in Boulder. We took calls and comments on both these issues. We then talked to our Rock and Roll Lifesaver Steve Almond. We talked Pot, Wall Street and music with him.

Sirota Friday 12-2-11 Hour 1

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:06:17 -0500

University of Colorado President Bruce Benson told attendees at a Boulder campus town hall meeting Wednesday that as state funding drops, he believes the university is keeping tuition rates reasonable. Only three universities in the Pac-12 have lower tuition and fee rates than CU-Boulder, he said. And, in the Big 10 conference, only two schools have lower rates than CU-Boulder's 9,180 annual in-state tuition and fee rate. Last year's 9.3 percent tuition increase for in-state students netted the CU system about $36 million in extra revenue with about 11.4 million going into the compensation pool. Do you think CU tuition is affordable. We also asked if it's ever okay to have a College Football coach make 4 million a year, especially when they are rasining tuition.

Sirota Thursday 12-1-11 Hour 3

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:09:51 -0500

Former porn star Shelley Lubben our special guest to talk about her fight to get people out of porn and her new book Truth Behind the Fantasy of Porn: The Greatest Illusion on Earth. The book follows her journey from childhood sexual abuse to prostitution to the deadly unglamorous realm of porn sets.Now, fifteen years into recovery, Shelley has appeared on both Christian and secular television and radio shows and speaks out passionately about the harms of pornography as well as shares her inspirational story of redemption through Jesus Christ. Shelley also serves as the President of Pink Cross Foundation, a nonprofit organization that offers hope, healing and support to adult industry workers around the world. At 9:40 we were joined by Dr. Nancy Reichman to talk about a new US Bureau of Labor Statistics report that shows Colorado women are making 77.7 percent of what Colorado men make. Dr. Reichmann is a Sociology Professor at DU and Chair of the Colorado Pay Equity Commission.

Sirota Thursday 12-1-11 Hour 2

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:07:54 -0500

Rep. Paul Ryan says that House Republicans would oppose President Barack Obama's payroll tax cuts for both employers and employees, arguing that the policy had already failed to provide a sufficient boost to the economy. He suggests the current temporary tax cut should be allowed to expire, which will amount to a 50 percent tax hike on workers making less than 106,000 per year. He also said he opposes the president's proposal to require millionaires to pay the same tax rate as the middle class, known as the Buffett plan. What are your thoughts on this proposal. We also did our Presidential Campaign Update at the end of the hour.

Sirota Thursday 12-1-11 Hour 1

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:00:33 -0500

Geoff Berg filled in for David today. He led off with some analysis of the Patrick Sullivan situation. We talked about why the homosexual aspect of this story seems to be such a big deal. Isn't the meth use more discerning. We took some caller reaction before being joined by Jack Abramoff to talk about his new book Capitol Punishment.

Sirota Tuesday 11-29-11 Hour 3

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:55:32 -0500

James Steele our special guest to talk about his and Donald Bartlett's opinion piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer Apple's American Jobs Disaster. The death of Steve Jobs was followed by an avalanche of superlatives - brilliant, genius, and visionary among the more common. He was likened to Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, and Thomas Edison. But in the case of Edison, there was one significant difference that went unmentioned. For more than a century, just one of Edison's inventions alone - the incandescent lightbulb - was manufactured at numerous locations in the United States, providing employment for millions of Americans across family generations. The Apple home computer, not at all. After only one generation, all the Apple manufacturing jobs in America disappeared, as the work of building and assembling the machines was turned over to laborers in sweatshops in China and other countries. Jobs that should have provided employment for Americans for decades to come were terminated. Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele have embarked on an update of their 1991 Inquirer project, "America: What Went Wrong?" Through a collaboration with the Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University, The Inquirer will publish pieces from the new project, "What Went Wrong: The Betrayal of the American Dream," over the coming year.

Sirota Tuesday 11-29-11 Hour 2

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:54:28 -0500

Guest: Norm Stamper, former Cheif for the Seattle Police Department. Norm is best known for his role in the Seattle's response to the protests of the WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999. Norm talks with David on the Occupy Movements across the country. David talks about the cost of the Occupy. Also Religion and Loyalty to country. Callers give their take on the issue.

Sirota Tuesday 11-29-11 Hour 1

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:53:02 -0500

David talks on Candidates weight and if it disqualifies them if over how much the weigh. Does being overweight in this position deal with status and social class? Callers give their opinion.Guest: Dave Zirin on the Nation talks on Tebow and is their a racial element to why other QB's like him have never got the chance to run this style of offense. David also talks more on the Occupy Denver movement.

Sirota Monday 11-28-11 Hour 3

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:30:07 -0500

David asks the question to the callers in the last hour, Is there something wrong that Denver is one of the brightest lite christmas city in America, while the city is cutting diffrent programs across the city. Pat Robertson thinking Mac & Cheese is a black thing. Kansas Gov Brownback and a student who was asked to apologize to the Gov by the school over something she put on Twitter.

Sirota Monday 11-28-11 Hour 2

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:26:46 -0500

At 8:05 Brian Greene Theoretical physicist, string theorist and professor at Columbia University Brian Greene our special guest. His latest book The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos just came out in paperback and he has a new series on PBS/NOVA called The Fabric of the Cosmos, which premiered on Nov. 1. Greene takes us to the frontiers of physics to see how scientists are piecing together the most complete picture yet of space, time, and the universe. With each step, audiences will discover that just beneath the surface of our everyday experience lies a world we"d hardly recognize, a startling world far stranger and more wondrous than anyone expected. Interweaving provocative theories, experiments, and stories with crystal-clear explanations and imaginative metaphors like those that defined the groundbreaking and highly acclaimed series The Elegant Universe, The Fabric of the Cosmos aims to be the most compelling, visual, and comprehensive picture of modern physics ever seen on television. David also talks on Newt Gingrich, the crackdown on occupy Denver.

Sirota Monday 11-28-11 Hour 1

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:24:09 -0500

David talks about Black Friday and the record sale's it had. Online and at stores people shopped. Also talks about the Mayhem that occured on Friday at the stores between shoppers. David also talks about Tebow-Mania in Denver.

Sirota Wednesday 11-23-11 Hour 3

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:09:00 -0500

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer our very special guest host today. This hour we continued taking calls on the Super Committee name, public financing and Thanksgiving traditions. We also asked what are you thankful for this year.

Sirota Wednesday 11-23-11 Hour 2

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:23:12 -0500

Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana filling in today. This hour he talked about single payer health care. At 8:20 his special guest was Dr. Robert Putsch. He is a clinical professor emeritus of medicine at the University of Washington and is a member of the Physicians for a National Health Program, a non-profit research and education organization of 16,000 physicians, medical students and health professionals who support single-payer national health insurance. Wee then took a few calls on single payer and took some suggestions for a name for the Super Committee.

Sirota Wednesday 11-23-11 Hour 1

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:37:55 -0500

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer filled in for David today. He led off talking about naming the super committee contest. At 7:20 we started talking energy and the Trans Canada Pipeline. Our first guest was Ross Girling, CEO of TransCanada. At 7:35 we heard the opposing side from Jane Kleeb from Bold Nebraska.

Sirota Tuesday 11-22-11 Hour 3

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:21:33 -0500

The Pew Economic Mobility Project released a new fact sheet, Does America Promote Mobility As Well As Other Nations. With information from 10 countries, the fact sheet is a preview of key findings from a book by the Russell Sage Foundation, with additional funding from the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Sutton Trust. The study examines how socioeconomic advantage, as measured by parents" education, is transmitted over the course of one"s life. At 9:05 we were joined by Erin Currier, project manager for the Pew Center's Economic Mobility Project. We then talked about what yearly salary would make you happy. Gallup did a poll that says 75,000 is a great figure whcih would make most people happy. What's your number.

Sirota Tuesday 11-22-11 Hour 2

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:06:52 -0500

Rich Benjamin our special guest to talk about his new USA Today column Unemployed Youth Face Long Term Harm. The economy is inflicting devastating damage to young people that is not just immediate, but reaches into the future. The commentary says that young people are facing chronic, long-term downward mobility, in both income and in wellbeing. We then talked about conceal carry laws and the 2nd Amendment. If one state allows conceal carry permits should that be allowed across state lines. Congress thinks Wyoming should be dictating Colorado gun laws apparently. Is this a bad idea.

Sirota Tuesday 11-22-11 Hour 1

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:06:27 -0500

David opened up talking about an uptick in downtown Denver violence, in particular around 16th Street Mall. Guardian Angels now patroling the area especially on weekend nights. Do the Guardian Angels presence make you feel more safe. In relation to police presence at Occupy movements, are we allocating our poilce resources correctly. Do you think DPD has the resources to better secure 16th Street Mall. We also talked about apprenticeships versus 4 year degrees. Do you think we should return to a system where more apprenticeships are available. Is it time for apprenticeships to replace degrees.

Sirota Monday 11-21-11 Hour 3

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:09:11 -0500

Bradley University professor and researcher Dr. Jackie Hogan joins the show to talk about her new book LINCOLN, INC: Selling the Sixteenth President in Contemporary America. Dr. Hogan fills LINCOLN, INC. with insightful observations on the exploitation of one of America's most beloved Presidents. David then talked about Boomeramg children or those kids who return home after College. As a Boomerang parent - do you want to see your kid coem home or you want to see them make it on their own.

Sirota Monday 11-21-11 Hour 2

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:07:04 -0500

Former State Senator, El Paso County commissioner and longtime Republican activist in Colorado Springs, Ed Jones our special guest. He has a new opinion piece and poll in the Colorado Springs Gazette. He argues that Black Americans should vote Republican in the next cycle. He laid out his argument and we spent the rest of the hour talking calls from listeners in response.

Sirota Monday 11-21-11 Hour 1

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:13:12 -0500

We led off talking about the UC Davis Occupy police violence over the weekend. A police officer caught on video shooting pepper spray point blank at peaceful protesters. Is this okay with you or are you appaled. At 7:20 Frank Rich our very special guest to talk about a couple of his New York Magazine pieces. The first was out last month called The Class War Has Begun and his latest What Killed JFK. This article is on how Obama's presidency mirrors JFK's. Frank Rich joined New York magazine in June 2011 as Writer-at-Large, writing monthly on politics and culture, and editing a special monthly section anchored by his essay. He is also a commentator on nymag.com, engaging in regular dialogues on the news of the week. Rich joined the magazine following a distinguished career at the New York Times, where he had been an op-ed columnist since 1994. We then asked if you see similarirties in anger against JFK and anger against Barack Obama. Open phones and reaction to Frank Rich and the police pepper spray use.

Sirota Friday 11-18-11 Hour 2

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:11:01 -0500

Barry Fey joins Sirota in studio to talk about his just released book Backstage Past. He has a book singning and discussion next Tuesday November 22nd at the Tattered Cover in Lodo starting at 7:30 pm. Barry relayed some classic Denver Rock N Roll stories this hour.

Sirota Friday 11-18-11 Hour 2

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:11:32 -0500

Glenn Greenwald our special guest to talk about his new book With Liberty and Justice for Some: How the Law is Used to Destroy Equality and Protect the Powerful. We also talked about Occupy Wall Street movements. He talked about the legalities of it all. Also:
Mississippi is not alone in the modern debate over the sanctity of life. More than 4,000 miles away, the Netherlands is caught up in its own controversy over a proposal from the Dutch Medical Association (KNMG) to expand the definition of who may qualify for assisted suicide, including for the first time such nonmedical factors as loneliness and financial struggles. Should we allow suicide for these reasons.

Sirota Friday 11-18-11 Hour 1

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:11:46 -0500

David led off talking about Chelsea Clinton getting a job at NBC news. He also played audio of Rick Perry saying that President Obama was privileged and never had to work for anything and is out of touch with Americans. At 7:20 Denver Auditor Dennis Gallagher joined the show to talk about the stock show complex and the scathing audit of the City's contracting process he just completed. At 7:48 Pro Publica reporter Michael Grabell joins the show to talk about his new piece TSA Puts Off Safety Study of X-ray Body Scanners. We also snuck in News of the Weird this hour.

Sirota Thursday 11-17-11 Hour 3

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:54:37 -0500

At 9:05
WIRED investigative reporter Steve Silberman our guest to talk about his recent piece Placebos Are Getting More Effective and Drug Makers Are Desperate to Know Why. We then did our presidential campaign update. At 9:35
Academy Award nominated filmmaker of the documentary short Poster Girl, Sarah Nesson our in studio guest. Poster Girl is the story of Robynn Murray, an all-American high-school cheerleader turned poster girl for women in combat, distinguished by Army Magazine"s cover shot. Now home from Iraq, her tough-as-nails exterior begins to crack, leaving Robynn struggling with the debilitating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. She is at the Merc tonight for a screening from 6-8 pm and on HBO tomorrow and Saturday night.

Sirota Thursday 11-17-11 Hour 2

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:08:00 -0500

American Atheists are planning to put up more holiday Myth billboards this year. Last year, the atheist organization's Myth campaign featured billboards with phrases such as: You Know It's A Myth. This Season, Celebrate Reason, the Christian Post reports. But this year, the group's planning to erect signs featuring images of Santa, Jesus, Poseidon and the devil next to the message: 37 Million Americans know MYTHS when they see them. Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, told Opposing Views that he hopes the group's new signs are equally thought-provoking and spark plenty of conversations nationally. But one pastor told the Christian Post the new sign shows ignorance. David says they show a lack of respect but do have a place. Do you agree. Are these billboards offensive. Meanwhile United Colors of Benneton are placing ads of world leaders kissing that are photoshopped and are using them for their UNHATE campaign slogan. Some groups are calling for their removal. Do you think these are offensive.

Are Bible stories myths. Is the Bible a Myth.

Sirota Thursday 11-17-11 Hour 1

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:13:07 -0500

David led off with more analysis on the Occupy Denver and Wall Street movements. We talked about police resources being used and who you blame for the use of the resources. Sirota says it's the Governor and Mayor. Police are now handing out tickets to people who honk while driving by the protesters. Meanwhile Hick had Honk and Wave campaigns set up at street corners when he was running for Mayor and Governor. What do you think of this. We also got some quick response on whether ads should be placed on the bottom of your kids reports cards to raise money. Jeffco schools are doing so. What do you think.

Sirota Wednesday 11-16-11 Hour 3

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:25:39 -0500

Consumer behavior expert and Baylor professor Dr. James Roberts joins the show to talk about his new book Shiny Things: Why We Spend Money We Don't Have in Search of Happiness We Can't Buy. Do you agree with Michelle Bachmann when she says that George Bush's TARP bailout was a socialistic move. Did the Bush admin embody a corporate socialist mentality. What does socialism mean to you.

Sirota Wednesday 11-16-11 Hour 2

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:07:09 -0500

At 8:05 Colorado Independent energy writer David O. Williams joins the show to discuss Anadarko's plans to step up oil drilling in the Wattenberg Field over the Niobrara Shale formation, mostly in Weld County Colorado. He just released a piece called Anadarko's Billion-Barrel Oil Boom Stirs Fracking Fears Along Colorado's Front Range. We then did News of the Weird before being joined by Food and Water Watch's Sam Schabacker.Will the oil and gas industry create one million new jobs for Americans as their latest advertisement claims. The American Petroleum Institute and major oil and gas corporations are spending millions to convince Americans that with unrestricted access to natural resources, they can lift us from our economic slump by developing our nation's shale gas reserves and tar sands. But analysis by the national consumer advocacy organization Food and Water Watch finds that when it comes to fracking in particular, the oil and gas industry is exaggerating the capacity of shale gas to generate jobs and economic opportunity for Americans. David then went on a rant on former Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien on buying elections.

Sirota Wednesday 11-16-11 Hour 1

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:08:25 -0500

A teacher from St. Mary's Academy who took her students to see Occupy Denver said she brought her class to see what was happening. Celia Bard and another teacher from St. Mary's Academy took 10 students on a field trip Friday, explained Academy President Deirdre Cryor. The students walked to Civic Center Park and interviewed police officers, then walked to a nearby hotel to observe Occupy Denver members, said Cryor. Is this a teachable moment for kids or should we pretend it's not happening. Why is this controversial. Do you want teachers to institute current news when teaching your kid. What would you want taught to your kids on the occumpy movement. Also this hour fans of Denver Broncos' quarterback Tim Tebow have created custom jerseys that feature the name Jesus displayed above Tebow's number. While some say the shirts are simply a way to honor the proudly Christian player, others are speaking out against the divine comparison. Do Christians think this is blasphemous.

Sirota Tuesday 11-15-11 Hour 3

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:13:09 -0500

At 9:05 our special guest was Stacy Tellinghuisen. She is Senior Energy and Water Policy Analyst at Western Resource Advocates. Power plants are straining freshwater resources around the country, according to a new report by Energy in a Warming World Initiative. Researchers found that coal-fired and nuclear power plants, which use vast amounts of local water for cooling purposes, are affecting availability in water basins around the country. Western Resource Advocates partnered with the Union of Concerned Scientists and a team of more than a dozen scientists from around the country for the report Freshwater Use By U.S.Power Plantys: Electricity's Thirst for a Precious Resource. David then talked about a potential front range oil bonanza. Colorado's Front Range is sitting on top of as much as a billion barrels of oil, which could inject 4 billion a year in revenues into Colorado's economy, according to one estimate. Houston-based Anadarko made the oil-reserve estimate based on 11 horizontal wells it drilled in the Wattenberg Field in Weld County. The company put the range of the reserves as equivalent to 500 million to 1.5 billion barrels of oil, about 70 percent of the production in oil, the rest in natural gas. Anadarko's announcement today shows once again that Colorado is a leader in the energy sector of our country's economy, Gov. John Hickenlooper said in a statement Monday. We are thrilled to see the company plan a significant investment in Colorado. You as excited as the Governor.

Sirota Tuesday 11-15-11 Hour 2

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:09:39 -0500

Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky insisted in an interview Monday night he is innocent of charges that he sexually abused young boys, denying to NBC's Bob Costas that he's a pedophile. In a telephone interview with NBC's Rock Center With Brian Williams, Sandusky admitted that some details in the graphic 23-page grand jury report released earlier this month are correct. Sandusky claimed he has been falsely accused of crimes. When pressed, the 67-year-old Sandusky said the only thing he did wrong was having showered with those kids. Would Sandusky's innocence mean that Penn State is innocent too. Why would they have fired Joe Paterno and their school president. Does that assume the guilt of Sandusky. At 8:30 The Nation's sports writer Dave Zirin joined the show to give his thoughts and analysis. He has written several articles on the scandal in the last week.

Sirota Tuesday 11-15-11 Hour 1

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:01:46 -0500

Responding to horror stories of stranded passengers, federal regulators say they will begin levying hefty fines on airlines that leave travelers grounded in planes on the tarmac without food, water or the option to disembark. The new regulations, announced Monday by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, require airlines to provide access to bathrooms as well as food and water on domestic flights within two hours of a delay. After three hours, passengers must be offered a chance to disembark. The new regulations, which take effect in April, apply to domestic flights operated by U.S. airlines. Canada and the European Union have their own rules addressing delays. Is this a good rule in the sense that it will make air travel more smooth or will there be an unintended consequence like more flight cancellations. We had some seriously stupid commentary this hour. We also asked if a cheerleader should be fired for cheering her boyfriend's touchdown from an opposing team.

Sirota Monday 11-14-11 Hour 3

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:10:14 -0500

In an interview with Meet the Press" David Gregory, Rep. Michele Bachmann repeated her claim that the Iraq should pay America for the privilege of having their nation invaded and occupied for most of the last decade, and then doubled down by calling for Iraq to pay millions of dollars for each American killed in that country. Is this absurd. Does this seem to say we value our lives over the civilians killed in war time.

Sirota Monday 11-14-11 Hour 2

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:43:25 -0500

David Soucie our special guest to talk about his new book Why Planes Crash: An Accident Investigator Fights for Safe Skies. He will be at the Tattered Cover in Lodo tomorrow night at 7:30 pm. Soucie looks at the successes, crashes and near-misses he has investigated to explore the past and future of airline safety. David Soucie is a former aviation executive and FAA inspector. He has traveled the world in the interest of improving safety awareness. He's worked in the cockpit, on the hanger floor, within the aviation boardroom, and inside the Washington D.C. beltway. He's seen death up close and personal. We then talked about a UK move to ban ultra skiny model ads. Britain's Ad Standards Authority just put the axe to a Drop Dead clothing ad because of a complaint that the model was too skinny. The ASA agreed that it was socially irresponsible to use a model whose bone structure is more prominent than what she's wearing. This kind of thing has been happening more and more, particularly in the U.K. Are these ads socially irresponsible and be banned in the US too. What do these ads teach young girls.

Sirota Monday 11-14-11 Hour 1

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:38:21 -0500

Mere days after a Complete Colorado report suggesting that red-light cameras are designed to punish people turning right on red, the Denver Police Department has released The Reason I Stopped You, a new video arguing that traffic tickets save lives. The campaign asked you to not get ticked off when being pulled over. They want it to seem like they are making the roads safer. It's all part of a campaign to get people to think about police work in more positive terms. Do you think this is an effective campaign? On a side note Finland charges motorists for infractions in relation to how much income you make. Is that a better way to assess traffic tickets. We also talked about convicted felons' rights to own guns. Should felons be able to own guns. Some states don't let felons vote. Should it be a lifelong ban.

Sirota Friday 11-11-11 Hour 3

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:08:15 -0500

Derek Handley from Water 2 Wine in studio with us this hour. We opened up Festivus Friday. We also talked about a new Denver Police Department ad campaign, alien life and much more. The Obama administration says there is no evidence of extra terrestrial life. Do you believe them.

Sirota Friday 11-11-11 Hour 2

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:32:42 -0500

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary our special in studio guest. He is in town for a book signing and performance at the Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch tonight starting at 6:30 PM. This is for the release of the Puff the Magic Dragon Pop-Up book. He talked about political activism, Puff, education and much more.

Sirota Friday 11-11-11 Hour 1

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:11:24 -0500

On Veterans Day, do we treat our veterans right. Does being a veteran mean that we as an economy meet those challanges as more of a crisis than folks who are having similar problems. We also did our Presidential Campaign News and news of the Weird. At 7:50 Alan Wolfe joined us to talk about his book Political Evil: What It Is and How to Combat It.

Sirota Thursday 11-10-11 Hour 3

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:07:56 -0500

David talked about young people and organized religion. the lowest number of young people are involved in organized religion according to a new poll. Why do you think this is so.

Sirota Thursday 11-10-11 Hour 2

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:03:53 -0500

A new customer-rage study shows fewer American consumers than ever are satisfied with the products and services we buy. The national phone survey of 1,000 households gives an in-depth look at our dissatisfaction, the bad customer service received when we complain, and the Web"s new role in venting our anger. Based on the results, the researchers believe more than 50 million Americans had a problem with a product or service bought within the past year, and more than $58 billion in transactions may be at risk for the businesses that sold them. Our special guest is professor Mary Jo Bitner, PetSmart Chair in Services Leadership and executive director of the Center for Services Leadership at the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, which was involved in designing the survey with Customer Care Measurement and Consulting. We then took calls and comments on companies you have consumer rage against. We also took praise for some Colorado companies. We then played audio of Rick Perry screwing up bigtime in last night's GOP debate. He couldnt remember the third agency he would cut if elected. A ture gaffe on his part. Is this effectively the end of his campaign. Is this his Howard Dean moment.

Sirota Thursday 11-10-11 Hour 1

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:02:13 -0500

Sirota led off with Penn State Scandal updates. Joe Paterno fired. Students and Pennsylvanians took to the streets rallying for Joe Pa. Do you feel any sympathy for Joe Paterno. Is he being wronged by being fired. Also what is your take on folks rallying behind Joe Pa.

Sirota Wednesday 11-9-11 Hour 3

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:15:56 -0500

Mary E. Ludloff our special guest to talk about her and Terence Craig's new book PRIVACY AND BIG DATA : The Players, Regulators, and Stakeholders. Much of what constitutes Big Data is information about us. Through our online activities, we leave an easy-to-follow trail of digital footprints that reveal who we are, what we buy, where we go, and much more. This eye-opening book explores the raging privacy debate over the use of personal data, with one undeniable conclusion: once data's been collected, we have absolutely no control over who uses it or how it is used. David then talked about the proposal by Bill Clinton saying president's should be able to run for 3 terms. He says it might stretch out the ability of presidents to actually get stuff done.

Sirota Wednesday 11-9-11 Hour 2

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:14:07 -0500

John Tirman, executive director and a principal research scientist at the MIT Center for International Studies, our special guest to talk about Why Civilian Deaths Matter. Tirman was involved with Johns Hopkins-led studies that estimated that 650,000 Iraqis died between 2003 and 2006 while war raged in their country. He also wrote the 2011 book The Deaths of Others: The Fate of Civilians in America"s Wars, which examined civilian deaths during the Iraq, Vietnam, and Korean wars, as well as World War II. We then took calls on whether we should be concerned about civilian deaths in war time. Do you care how many civilans die. We had two unbelievable calls this hour.

Sirota Wednesday 11-9-11 Hour 1

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:01:03 -0500

David talked about the Penn State child sex abuse scandal. The Penn State Board of trustees is promising a thorough investigation of the circumstances that led to the indictments of former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky in a sex-abuse scandal, and two university officials in a cover-up. longtime assistant Jerry Sandusky, 67, who coached the vaunted Nittany Lions defense for 23 years, has been charged with 40 sex crimes against boys dating from 1994 to 2005. All of the minors were under the care of Sandusky"s charity for impoverished youth, "The Second Mile Foundation", which Sandusky founded in 1977. As the grand jury presentment stated: "Through The Second Mile, Sandusky had access to hundreds of boys, many of whom were vulnerable due to their social situations." Sandusky is denying all charges through his attorney, but the grand jury report is a damning and detailed account of a man exercising his power and authority to rape young boys.
It could have been stopped, but it wasn"t because the image of Joe Paterno Nittany Lion Football was deemed more important than the children at risk. Dave Zirin argues this is what happens when a football program becomes the economic and spiritual heartbeat of an entire section of a state. Protect the team above all over concerns. Protect Joe Pa. Protect Nittany Lions football. Protect the brand. In a company town, your first responsibility is to protect the company. What are your thoughts on this. Also - is it okay for cops to infiltrate a 12 step anonymous group. Police infiltrated gamblers anonymous to find their suspect in a gambling ring. Does this violate a sacred covenant. Police were in legal rights but is there a covenat that has been broken.

Sirota Tuesday 11-8-11 Hour 3

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:21:32 -0500

Rolling Stone political writer Matt Taibbi joins the show to discuss whether the homeonwers or the banks are to blame for the foreclosure crisis. He has been covering Michael Bloomberg's and many conservatives beliefs that the irresponsible homeowners caused the housing crisis. We let callers respond and react with Matt Taibbi. We closed the show talking about Denver Police Chief Robert White catching flack for allegedly smoking pot back in 1985. Some in the city want him to take a polygraph to clear up the allegations. Shoudl we care if he smoked pot 26 years ago.

Sirota Tuesday 11-8-11 Hour 2

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:06:03 -0500

A provocative new billboard outside the Indianapolis Speedway claims that hot dogs are just as bad as cigarettes when it comes to health effects. The Physician's Committee For Responsible Medicine, the group sponsoring the billboard, cites as justification for the billboard a study linking once-a-day hot dog consumption to a 22 percent increase in colorectal cancer. Northern Virginia magazine noted that the group is closely affiliated with alternative medicine and veganism, casting doubt on its reputability. When do you decide to label a food as toxic or not. Who should be more offended - the hot dog or the cigarette. Also this hour: victims of clerical sexual abuse will find it easier to bring compensation claims against the Catholic church after a judge ruled it can be held responsible for the wrongdoings of its priests. In a test case heard at the high court, Mr Justice Macduff gave a decision in favour of a woman, known as JGE, who claims she was sexually assaulted by a Portsmouth priest at a children's home in Hampshire. The judge said although there had been no formal contract between the church and the priest, the late Father Baldwin, there were crucial features that should be recognised. Should the Catholic Church as an institution be held accountable for these abuses. Who is culpable systemically. Is it the whole institution.

Sirota Tuesday 11-8-11 Hour 1

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:08:30 -0500

Two More women have stepped up to claim alleged sexual misconduct and harrasment by presidential candidate Herman Cain. The Washington Examiner reports that Donna Donella, a then-United States Agency for International Development worker, claims Cain tried to get her to arrange a dinner with a lovely young lady in the audience at a speech he gave in 2002. Coming, as it does, on the heels of yesterday"s disturbing allegations by Sharon Bialek, Donella"s allegation might seem tame by comparison, but it also underscores the difference in the emotional impact of a source with a name and a set of specifics.
Who are you inclined to believe. Does it still seem like we tend to side with the accused at first. We then talked about whether or not making 250 thousand dollars a year is considered being wealthy. A surprising amount of Americans say no - 250 k is not wealthy. What do you consider wealthy.

Sirota Monday 11-7-11 Hour 3

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:07:23 -0500

Dr. Heidi Garrett-Peltier joins the show to talk about the myth of military job creation. She is assistant research professor at the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and co-author of the report The U.S. Employment Effects of Military and Domestic Spending Priorities: An Updated Analysis. We then talked about tranparency and day care facilities disclosing citations against them. Should they broadcast it or have to disclose to parents. What problems can arise.

Sirota Monday 11-7-11 Hour 2

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:18:34 -0500

David led off talking about a Hill Poll that says a an overwhelming amount of Americans say it is important to consider the personal lives of politicians when deciding to vote for them. What do you think. At 8:40 Our special guest is Dr. Jonathan Patz, director of the Global Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and lead author of a new study highlighting the four-way win that comes with swapping cars for bikes: reduced greenhouse emissions and gains in air quality, fitness and the economy. We closed out the hour with News of the Weird.

Sirota Monday 11-7-11 Hour 1

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:01:37 -0500

David back in the chair this morning. He opened with his analysis of last weeks election results. We then talked about whether or not you think the holidays have begun too soon. TV ads, shelves being filled with Christmas items this early, 23 percent of Americans have already begun shopping for Christmas. Is it too early. Can you love Christmas and be annoyed that it starts to soon.

Sirota Friday 11-4-11 Hour 3

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:18:49 -0400

Geurin Green in for David. He led off with Ray Cronise to talk about Thermogenex and freezing your butt off to lose weight. Ray is a former NASA scientist. At 9:20 Mary Lou Miller from Denver Public Schools Sound Body Sound Mind program. There are fitness centers where kids can get help getting fit and staying healthy. We then asked if you knew there was a different type of nuclear power source out there would it be worth it to pursue. We talked about Thorium Nuclear Power.

Sirota Friday 11-4-11 Hour 2

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:06:28 -0400

Guerin Green from the Cherry Creek News fillin in today. This hour he led off talking about the DPS board elections and the state of education in Denver. He talked about the Denver Plan and results 6 years in. We took reaction to what some of the data shows and talked about the state of education in Colorado. Guerin also talked about what happened at Emily Sirota's election party on Tuesday night. Sirota and Green lambasted an Education News Colorado reporter who showed up and tried to interview Emily. David told him to stay away and that they were not a legitimate news organization. Guerin also chased the reporter out of the party and caused some controversy. Did they over react.

Sirota Friday 11-4-11 Hour

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:14:18 -0400

Guerin Green, publisher at The Cherry Creek News, our special guesy host. He led off talking with Denver City Council members Debbie Ortega and Susan Shepherd about some of the issues Denver is facing like foreclosure issues, Occupy Denver, sales tax and much more. Guerin then talked about freezing your butt off to lose weight and what Ray Cronise is doing with weight loss. Its about burning calories to keep your body warm. Does mild cold stress help you lose weight. We also generally talked about the obesity problem in the US.

Sirota Thursday 11-3-11 Hour 3

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:12:44 -0400

Gloria Neal in for David today. Glo went back to her discussion on food stamps for fast food discussion from hour one. We then talked to CBS 4 Reporter Jodi Brooks. She will interview Alex Martinez tonight. He is Denver's new Safety Manager, the 6th in 18 months. We then went back to phones on food stamps and fast food.

Sirota Thursday 11-3-11 Hour 2

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:10:13 -0400

We led off talking with Todd Gold and Tom Blaxland from Xfinity TV. Todd is executive editora and Tom is senior director of product at Xfinity. They talked about their product and new app. We then talked to new Denver Police Chief Bill White. He talked about the challanges Denver faces, Occupy Denver and much more.

Sirota Thursday 11-3-11 Hour 1

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:06:59 -0400

Gloria Neal in for David today. She led off talking about whether or not we should be allowed to use food stamps for fast food. Some of the 40 million Americans currently receiving food stamps from the nation's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may soon be able to use them at participating fast food restaurants. Yum Brands - the parent company of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC, Long John Silver's and A&W - is lobbying to have food stamps be accepted at their restaurants. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP allows low-income people to buy the food they need for good health. A person receiving SNAP has a card similar to a debit card that has a monthly allowance for groceries. The balance is based on the person's monthly income and the number of people in the household. What are your thoughts.

Sirota Wednesday 11-2-11 Hour 3

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:13:53 -0400

We led off with Brian Vicente to talk about how to attend and protest at Occupy Denver. He also talked about how to deal with the police. Brian is director of Sensible Colorado and an attorney for several people that have been arrested at Occupy Denver. We closed out the show talking about Herman Cain's alleged sexual harrasment charges. Some on the right are claiming these are racist attacks. Is this ridiculous.

Sirota Wednesday 11-2-11 Hour 2

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:16:33 -0400

We led off the hour with Campaign for a Healthy Denver spokesman Kevin Abels. He discussed the let down on Initiative 300. Mason also fielded some qustions on where we stand in the fight to regulate marijuana like alcohol. He closed the hour bringing up the Occupy Denver movement.

Sirota Wednesday 11-2-11 Hour 1

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:22:03 -0400

Safer Choice's Mason Tvert filling in for Sirota today. We led off talking about results from last night's elections. Prop 103 and Initiative 300 go down. Emily Sirota falls short in her bid for DPS board. We talked with State Senator Rollie Heath at 7:50. He introduced Proposition 103.

Sirota Tuesday 11-1-11 Hour 3

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:25:53 -0400

We continued taking calls on today's elections. We then talked about this story. A common cold medication that contains an ingredient used to make methamphetamine could soon require a prescription if the Oklahoma legislature passes a bill. The House Public Safety Committee approved a measure that expands legislation banning store sales of medications such as Sudafed and Claritin-D that contain pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in meth. Should we make cold medicine a by prescription only purchase.

Sirota Tuesday 11-1-11 Hour 2

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:14:50 -0400

David talked about today's election day and asked for people to call in and talk about what ballot issue they are supporting or not supporting. We also asked for candidate pitches. We also asked of you still believe in our political system.

Sirota Tuesday 11-1-11 Hour 1

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:08:26 -0400

Sirota led off talking about Tim Tebow. Is he a creature of privilege or a victim of persecution. The Colorado Springs Gazette says secularists root against him. Are people cheering for him because he is a great quarterback or because of his image as a religious icon. Is he benefitting from his off field persona.

Sirota Monday 10-31-11 Hour 3

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:23:56 -0400

We took a few more calls on Liberal Arts Education before being joined by Captain Charles Moore to talk about his book Plastic Ocean: How a Sea Captain's Chance Discovery Launched a Determined Quest to Save the Oceans. An environmentalist and researcher, Captain Moore shares his maritime encounters with the shocking amount of plastic debris in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, now commonly referred to as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The book follows his research into this startling discovery, his hard-won scientific credibility, and his indomitable, game-changing efforts to get the world to pay attention to a looming plastic peril. We then opened the phones for discussion on any topic or news item we relayed today.

Sirota Monday 10-31-11 Hour 2

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:13:42 -0400

Bob Gruen our special guest to talk about his book Rock Seen. For 40 years, Bob Gruen's name has been synonymous with rock and roll. From taking early photos on tour with Ike and Tina Turner and capturing the early CBGB Max's Kansas City scene, to hanging out with John and Yoko and covering current stadium rockers such as Green Day, Gruen has always been at the right place at the right time-and he's always gotten the shot. In Rock Seen, Gruen has curated his favorite photographs from his career and paired them with intimate captions and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. At 8:25Colorado College President Jill Tiefenthaler joins the show to talk about her special guest commentary at the Denver Post In Defense of Liberal Arts Education.Liberal Arts education has been under fire by many politicians as of late. She argues that in this tough economy, politicians are making the all too common mistake of confusing education with training. The idea that universities should simply be factories for producing graduates focused exclusively in science, technology, engineering and math fields is incredibly shortsighted. While getting a job that leads toward a fulfilling career is a great reason for going to college, it certainly isn't the only one. A liberal arts education educates the whole person and prepares students to excel in a range of careers and, even more importantly, live a life rich with meaning and purpose. We took calls in defense of STEM Education vs. Liberal Arts Education.

Sirota Monday 10-31-11 Hour 1

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:09:50 -0400

David led off talking about Halloween and racially insensitive costumes. Time Magazine has a list of non classy costumes for this year. Amy Winehouse, Steve Jobs and Gadaffi made the list. Is it ever okay to dress up as a cultural character for Halloween. We then played audio of Pat Robertson calling Halloween Satan's Eve. We also played audio of the Fox News morning crew saying there is a War on Halloween. Is there a war on Halloween. Also, when are you too old to trick or treat. David also threw out some news stories this hour including updates on the Occupy Denver protests.

Sirota Friday 10-28-11 Hour 3

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:25:17 -0400

Mason Tvert fills in for Sirota today. We led off the hour with special guest Carla Birnberg to talk about her Yahoo Shine Blog post Sweet Talking or Smarmy Ken. She has some response to the Sweet Talkin' Ken Doll by Mattel. Carla was shopping with her 5 year old daughter whenthey came across the new doll that will "sweet talk' the girl. According to Carla, Barbie Dolls are injurious enough to our girls' self-esteem, but a sweet talking male they're supposed to long to own so he can SWEET TALK THEM - she nearly lost her mind. Carla Birnberg is an award winning writer, community builder, personal trainer, bodybuilding competitor and mother. A blogger since 2001, she launched MizFitOnline in 2007 to share her health & fitness knowledge with those who might not have access to one-on-one training. We then talked about offensive or racist Halloween costumes. Popular costumes such as a Latino man with a sombrero and a poncho or dressing up as a Japanese geisha will be frowned upon by some this Halloween. A group of ten students, all members of the Students Teaching Against Racism in Society at Ohio University, have launched a campaign protesting what they perceive to be racist Halloween costumes. Their campaign's slogan: We're a culture, not a costume. Each campaign poster has the image of a student from an ethnic minority holding a photograph of a costumed person imitating that student's ethnicity, with a clear message: This is not who I am, and this is not okay. What are your thoughts on what is considered offensive or racist as far as costumes are concerned. We also talked about Jesusween. Christians are using Halloween to hand out bibles. That okay with you.

Sirota Friday 10-28-11 Hour 2

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:07:10 -0400

Mason Tvert filling in today. He led with a couple news stories. We then talked about this: Can killer whales sue SeaWorld for enslavement. A lawsuit filed Wednesday by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and other next friends of five SeaWorld killer whales takes that novel legal approach. The 20-page complaint asks the U.S. District Court in Southern California to declare that the five whales -- Tilikum, Katina, Corky, Kasatka, and Ulises -- are being held in slavery or involuntary servitude in violation of the 13th Amendment. A PETA statement said the lawsuit is the first of its kind in contending that constitutional protections against slavery are not limited to humans. Should whales be protected from enslavement. Where does it end. How about a roly poly. We spent the last 20 minutes talking about violence in sports. Bench clearing brawls in football and basketball. NHL allows fighting. We love boxing and Ultimate Fighting. Is there enough being done to discourage fighting in sports.

Sirota Friday 10-28-11 Hour 1

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:06:53 -0400

Mason Tvert filled in for David today. He led off talking about the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations across the nation. Why are you or aren't you participating. Are you afraid of being arrested. What are your thoughts on the violence by cops. Does protesting work.

Sirota Thursday 10-27-11 Hour 3

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:15:46 -0400

Opposing sides in the debate surrounding Denver's paid-sick-leave ballot issue traded accusations Tuesday related to their funding. Proponents of Initiative 300 contend big national organizations such as the National Restaurant Association have dumped money into the state to fight the ballot issue. Our special guest is Erin Bennett, spokeswoman for a Campaign for a Healthy Denver.Then David went on a rant about taking corporate money vs union money. Rick Perry says he doesn't care about econominc inequality and that it is untrue. We discussed what the problem with economic inequality is.

Sirota Thursday 10-27-11 Hour 2

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:29:11 -0400

We led off with Steve Hogan who is running for Mayor of Aurora in a really crowded race. We talked about what is going on in Aurora. We took reaction on Ryan Frazier calling him out for supporting occupy wall street protests. At 8:25 Rob Tannenbaum and Craig Marks our special guests to talk about their book I WANT MY MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution. We closed the hour talking about a local boy who wants to join his sister in girl scouts. Girl Scouts of Colorado says it made a mistake when they rejected his application to join. He dresses and behaves like a girl according to the Denver Post. Should he be able to join the girl scouts.

Sirota Thursday 10-27-11 Hour 1

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:07:29 -0400

David led off with some thouhts on the Occupy Oakland police violence situation. He also talked about the Albany, NY police department not following the Governor's order to arrest protesters. Do you think the police reacted correctly in Oakland. What are your thoughts on PD's telling the Gov no in Albany New York. At 7:35 Democracy Now's Juan Gonzales joined the show to discuss the Occupy Wall STreet Movement and about his new book News for All People: The Epic Story of Race and the American Media. We closed with News of teh Weird

Sirota Wednesday 10-26-11 Hour 3

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:30:46 -0400

We led off this hour with Salon.com writer Alex Pareene who just released their new ebook A Tea Party's History. This is the real story of America, as told by a person who wasn't there but who has watched a lot of Glenn Beck. We then aired some of yesterday's last hour due to transmitter issues.

Sirota Wednesday 10-26-11 Hour 2

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:07:36 -0400

A new poll out says that a majority of Americans feel that the US is on the decline. David gave his analysis. At 8:20 ACLU President Susan Herman joins the show. It is the 10 year anniversary of the Patriot Act. Susan just released the book Taking Liberties: The War on Terror and the Erosion of American Democracy. David then threw out news stories and gave the presidential campaign update.

Sirota Wednesday 10-26-11 Hour 1

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:10:05 -0400

David led off talking about President Obama's visit to Denver and about a petition circulating asking the pres for some relief as far as student loan debt is concerned. Should we bailout student loan debt. David threw out some figures that it would be about the same amount of money that the banks received in the bailout.

Sirota Tuesday 10-25-11 Hour 3

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:13:27 -0400

Congressman Ed Perlmutter joined the show. He talked about teh Aurora Mayor race, Mitt Romney on foreclosures, Gas drilling, the importance of Colorado in the next election and much much more. At 9:25 we talked to Think Progress Climate Guest Blogger John Farrell about his piece Solar and Wind Could Power the West Right Now, All of America in 2026. Farrell is an Institute for Local Self-Reliance senior researcher specializing in energy policy developments that best expand the benefits of local ownership and dispersed generation of renewable energy. David closed out the hour talking about whether or not police officers should wear small video cameras while on shift. Some think this will make police officers be more hesitant when on the job. You agree. Would you like to see cops wearing video cameras at all times.

Sirota Tuesday 10-25-11 Hour 2

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:14:29 -0400

We took some caller reaction to last hour's guest Mark Jaffe who wrote about how oil companies atre buying up huge parcels of land for drilling on the Front Range. We then played audio of Ryan Frazier who is running for Mayor of Aurora. He is making robo calls decrying Occupy Wall Street and saying Sean Hannity endorses him. Will you vote for or against someone because they like or hate the Occupy Wall Street crowd.

Sirota Tuesday 10-25-11 Hour 1

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:28:24 -0400

2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is in favor of more people losing their homes because he believes it will help the economy and housing market. We played the audio and took caller comments. At 7:50 Denver Post energy writer Mark Jaffe joined the show to talk about his piece Oil Companies Rushing to Buy Leases Along Colorado's Front Range.

Sirota Monday 10-24-11 Hour 3

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:12:09 -0400

In Denver there is a proposal of a new ordinance banning camping on city property. It"s estimated there are more than 11,000 homeless people living in the Denver metro area. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock is among those supporting the ordinance. District 8 Councilman Albus Brooks, who represents the 16th Street Mall area, has also come out in favor of the measure. It"s not yet clear how Denver Police would enforce the ordinance, but business owners hope it helps their situation. Hancock told the Denver Post that addressing root causes, including mental health and drug addiction, is key to dealing with problems of the homeless. This effectively makes homelessness illegal doen't it. How do you feel about this one.

Sirota Monday 10-24-11 Hour 2

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:06:52 -0400

Daveed Gartenstein-Ross joins the show to talkk about his book Bin Laden's Legacy: Why We're Still Losing the War on Terror. Gartenstein-Ross reviews the first ten years of the U.S."s War on Terror. The volume examines the evolution of al Qaeda"s strategy, and argues that America"s overarching failure to understand the jihadi group has led to grave strategic missteps on the U.S."s part. David then did a presidential campaign update before being joined by Ari Berman. He will be giving a speech for the El Paso County Dems on Wednesday night. He also wrote the cover piece for the Nation about the unholy alliance of the deficit hawks and the Tea Party called The Austerity Class: How the Deficit Hawks Rule Washington.

Sirota Monday 10-24-11 Hour 1

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:01:38 -0400

President Obama says the Iraq War is over and all troops will be home by the holidays. Do you believe or don;t believe we will be leaving Iraq. David threw out some facts and news reports from McClatchey that says 5,000 troops will remain. Should we be getting out. Is it too early. What will be the Iraq War legacy. We also asked whether or not you think what we are doing around the world is building an Empire. Sirota was on MSMBC over the weekend and debated P.J. Crowley on the issue.

Sirota Friday 10-21-11 Hour 3

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:27:57 -0400

Geoff continued taking calls on the Occupy Wall Street movement and it's meaning and what it should mean. We also opened up the lines for schmuck of the week calls.

Sirota Friday 10-21-11 Hour 2

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:09:09 -0400

Geoff Berg in for Sirota today. This hour he talked about Occupy Wall Street movement. What is the message. What should they be saying that they are not.

Sirota Friday 10-21-11 Hour 1

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:06:44 -0400

Geoff Berg filled in for Sirota today. He led off talking about the George W. Bush visit to Denver to talk about education and No Child Left Behind. He played audio of Denver Mayor Michael Hancock somewhat praising No Child and the former president. We then took some reaction from listeners. At about 7:40 we started talking about the Gadaffi capture and kill.

Sirota Thursday 10-20-11 Hour 3

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:03:33 -0400

Former President George W. Bush is visiting Denver to talk with Mayor Michael Hancock, Denver school superintendent Tom Boasberg and other education leaders about his institute's certification program for principals. Bush is scheduled to speak this morning at Get Smart Schools, a nonprofit Colorado group that trains principals for innovation in charter schools. The group is joining a national network that is part of an initiative by the Bush Institute's Alliance to Reform Education Leadership. The initiative seeks to change how principals are recruited, trained, and evaluated. What does it say to you that education officials in Denver are embracing W. Does W have the record on education you want to see mimicked here in Colorado. At 9:40 Sports Illustrated's Pablo Torre joined the show to talk about how and why millionaire athletes go broke. We then took a few more calls on the Bush Education Visit

Sirota Thursday 10-20-11 Hour 2

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:12:44 -0400

The case of an Ohio man who set loose his collection of wild bears, lions, tigers and other beasts before apparently killing himself has animal-welfare organizations renewing their call for a clampdown on ownership of exotic animals. Authorities believe Terry Thompson, owner of a 73-acre exotic-animal farm near rural Zanesville, Ohio, opened the cages to free his collection of animals before shooting himself Tuesday. Muskingum County sheriff"s deputies frantically raced to track down the 50-plus animals that escaped before they could harm anyone. Deputies fatally shot 49 of the animals, including 18 rare Bengal tigers. Six were recaptured. Animal-welfare groups say Ohio is notoriously lax when it comes to wild-animal ownership. It's one of fewer than 10 states that have no rules regulating the sale and ownership of exotic animals. Why do we need the right to own this many exotic wild animals. At 8:35 we also talked to Pat Craig who directs the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg.

Sirota Thursday 10-20-11 Hour 1

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:12:42 -0400

Conflicting reports this morning say Muammar Gadaffi has been captured and killed. Is this a great victory. What are your general thoughts on our involvement in Libya and the Middle East.

Sirota Wednesday 10-19-11 Hour 3

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:29:22 -0400

David spent alot of this hour discussing what is worse in your eyes - a candidate taking corporate money or union or small organization money. Are they the same. At 9:48 Steve Almond joined us to discuss the issue and to talk about Occupy Everywhere.

Sirota Wednesday 10-19-11 Hour 2

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:12:12 -0400

Virginia farmer Joel Salatin rejoins the show to discuss his new book Folks, This Ain't Normal: A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World. The book discusses how far removed we are from the simple, sustainable joy that comes from living close to the land and the people we love. We then talked about whether or not police should end sobriety checks and instead patrol for drunk drivers.

Sirota Wednesday 10-18-11 Hour 1

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:05:52 -0400

What do you think the Occupy Wall Street movement really about. Is it about political disenfranchisement. Is it about economic disparity. Is it about losing control of our destiny and where our country is going. At 7:35
named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World Today, Harvard Professor Steven Pinker our special guest. He just released the book Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined.

Sirota Tuesday 10-18-11 Hour 3

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:16:04 -0400

At 9:05 NPR's Maria Hinojosa joins the show to talk about her new film Lost in Detention which will air on PBS's Frontline tonight on the local PBS station at 7:00 pm. Last year, the Obama administration set new records for detaining and deporting immigrants who were inside the country illegally. The government plans to best those numbers in 2011, removing more than 400,000 people. In partnership with American University"s Investigative Reporting Workshop, FRONTLINE correspondent Maria Hinojosa takes a penetrating look at Obama"s vastly expanded immigration net, explores the controversial Secure Communities enforcement program and goes inside the hidden world of immigration detention. For 25 years, Maria Hinojosa has helped tell America's untold stories and brought to light unsung heroes in America and abroad. She is the anchor and managing editor of NPR's Latino USA. At 9:25 Douglas COunty school board candidate Susan McMahon our special guest. She talked about what's going on in DC with vouchers and religious education. We then opened up the phones and talked about whetherh or not speed traps make you more safe or are they just a cash cow.

Sirota Tuesday 10-18-11 Hour 2

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:22:21 -0400

Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett joins the show. He is is throwing his legal muscle into the contentious immigration fight to defend undocumented immigrants. He told the Boulder Daily Camera that he plans to step up prosecutions against criminals who prey on undocumented immigrants. Suspects who have attempted to extort, scam and steal from undocumented immigrants have been prosecuted, according to The Daily Camera. Undocumented immigrants also fall victim to predatory lending, wage theft and money-for-documents crimes in the county. Garnett's office has revamped certain divisions to better focus on vulnerable communities, and has a bilingual victim advocate, the Daily Camera reported. He also says that he wants to hold more community meetings and increase communication in Spanish, including hiring more bilingual staf and doing more public service announcements in that language. According to the D.A's office, the focus on fraud against immigrants forms part of a broader effort to protect vulnerable populations in Boulder from fraud and theft. Populations often targeted by scams and fraud include the elderly and high school and college students. Should this be of concern to police departments. Are these vulnerable populations. Is it a deterrent for them to not come to the US. Do you support Stan Garnett on this one.

Sirota Tuesday 10-18-11 Hour 1

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:08:56 -0400

A Greeley mother faces felony charges after she's accused of ordering her small son to kick two teen girls and hit them with a branch. A pair of 13-year-old girls told officers that a woman identified as Shukri Dirir, 26, had her small son kick them and hit them with a branch, according to a police report. The teens said the boy was about 4 years old. The teens said Dirir motioned for her son to go kick the girls and he did, the police report said. One teen said she pushed the boy away, telling him to stop kicking her. The teens said Dirir then snapped a branch off a tree and, using a swinging motion, directed the boy to strike the girls with it, the report. The boy came over and struck the girls with the branch, giving one teen a small cut under her eye, the report said. The girls said the mother then grabbed the branch from the boy and raised it over her head as if the woman was going to strike the teens, the report said. Dirir was arrested on investigation of two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and menacing, all felonies, and one count of misdemeanor assault, police said. Do you think encouraging you rkid to fight back is wrong. Should she be charged. How do you deal with bullying and your kids.

Sirota Monday 10-17-11 Hour 3

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:08:32 -0400

At 9:05 Dava Sobel joins David in studio to discuss her new book A More Perfect Heaven: How Copernicus Revolutionized the Cosmos. She has a book signing event at the Tattered Cover in Lodo tonight at 7:30 pm. Sobel chronicles, as nobody has, the conflicting personalities and extraordinary discoveries that shaped the Copernican Revolution. At 9:35 Dr. John Carlos and Dave Zirin our special guests. They just co-authored The John Carlos Story. Dr. Carlos is an African American former track and field athlete, professional football player, and a founding member of the Olympic Project for Human Rights. He won the bronze-medal in the 200 meters race at the 1968 Olympics, where his Black Power salute on the podium with Tommie Smith caused much political controversy.

Sirota Monday 10-17-11 Hour 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:11:42 -0400

Karl Marlantes joins the show to talk about his new book What it is Like to Go to War. He has a book signing event at the Tattered Cover on Colfax tomorrow night starting at 7:30 pm. This is a powerful book about the experience of combat and how inadequately we prepare our young men and women for the psychological and spiritual stresses of war. Marlantes is the author of Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War, a New York Times Top 10 Bestseller published in 2010. We then went back to a local story. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock made some of his most forceful and critical public comments ever about the current school board during an event Friday morning. Hancock also for the first time publicly endorsed Jennifer Draper Carson for the District 5 northwest Denver seat. During a Charter School Community Conversation in Green Valley Ranch, sponsored by the Colorado League of Charter Schools, Hancock said that as a candidate earlier this year he decided that as mayor he would not push for control of DPS. The district, he said, does not rise to the level of chaos and dysfunction that prompted mayors and legislatures in places like Chicago, Hartford, Conn., and Washington, D.C., to seize control of the schools. But asked if his position might change if the school board"s composition were to change after the Nov. 1 election, Hancock had this to say: I"m very nervous. I don"t believe the current board of education and its level and tone of conversation reflects the values of our city. I have painfully watched board of education deliberations on television. And as a former legislator, I was embarrassed by the discourse that occurs. No protocol, no decorum, just absolutely disrespectful of one another and the superintendent, and no one talking about kids. It was painful to watch. Is the mayor right if that he doesn't get his way he should be able to disband the board and fully control the schools.

Sirota Monday 10-17-11 Hour 1

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:01:58 -0400

David led off with quite a rant on Governor John Hickenlooper and his reaction to the Occupy Denver protests. He effectively is closing down the Capital from protesters saying it is too costly for the state as far as police costs. What are your thoughts on this.

Sirota Friday 10-14-11 Hour 3

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:15:02 -0400

David takes the last hour talking more on the occupy wallstreet and occupy denver movements. Takes callers on this and what happened this morning in denver when riot police came in to move the protesters out. Front range Speedtraps in Denver, are they makeing us any safer? Colorado is one of the leading states with speedtraps.

Sirota Friday 10-14-11 Hour 2

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:10:18 -0400

David talks more on the occupy wallstreet movement with Rolling Stone's Mike Taibbie. More callers on the police going into denver this morning on the occupy denver movement riot plolice went in to get people out of the parks around the capital. David also talks with Eli Stokols about the schools in Denver.

Sirota Friday 10-14-11 Hour 1

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:15:33 -0400

David Sirota talks about the occupy denver movement this week. What Govener Hickenlooper said last night before riot police where deployed to downtown to clear the protesters camping. The police cleared out tents and about 1/2 the people that where down there last night. More on the occupy wallstreet movement in New York City. Takes callers on the issues. at 7:50 David talks with Al O'ramis, and Natalia Swalnick about national plug in day.

Sirota Thursday 10-13-11 Hour 3

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:48:11 -0400

GUEST: Dr. Alan Lambert. Within hours this summer, 30 American troops died in a strike in Afghanistan and millions of American investors watched the Dow Jones Average shed an astonishing 634 points in one day. While it might be difficult to find similarities in the two events, social psychologists can detect a common theme: in each case investments, both money and human lives, were made, and those resources were painfully lost. Untold Americans experienced what is called the sunk-cost effect: Less a cognitive thought than an emotional one, this effect is the feeling that they are being wasteful if they terminate a prior commitment. Thus, they pondered: Stay the course and "waste not, want not; or "cut and run." But a psychologist at Washington University in St. Louis, in what is thought to be the first non-anecdotal demonstration of the "activation" of the sunk-cost effect, has tested subjects and found that highlighting casualties prior to a questionnaire on both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars actually swayed people's pro-war attitudes rather than discouraged them. Our special guest is co-author Dr. Alan J. Lambert, PhD, Washington University associate professor of psychology in Arts & Sciences. Here is more media on the study.

Sirota Thursday 10-13-11 Hour 2

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:45:55 -0400

More on the Battle of the talks show hosts, money in the school board race, takes callers on the issues.

Sirota Thursday 10-13-11 Hour 1

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:22:04 -0400

David Sirota talks about the Battle of the talk show host's last night. David plays some clips from the event. Talks more on the occupy Denver movement this week, por 1st amendment rights, the massive amount of money in the school board race, and what 7 colorado places are on the Forbes magazine zipcode list.

Sirota Wednesday 10-12-11 Hour 3

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:10:58 -0400

9:00 to 10:00 GUESTS Arturo Jimenez and Emily Sirota
It's our DPS School Board Debate. This will be the battle for the seat that will be vacated this fall by term-limited Bruce Hoyt. Participants include Emily Sirota and Arturo Jimenez Other candidates that were invited butnot able to make it were Anne Rowe and Jennifer Draper Carson. Special moderator for this hour is Dominic Dezzutti the Director of Production at Colorado Public Television Channel 12.

Sirota Wednesday 10-12-11 Hour 2

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:15:23 -0400

David talks with Dave Zirin of the Nation Magazine about Tim Tebow, and the NBA lockout. Also takes callers and talks more about protest's, and the occupy denver movement.

Sirota Wednesday 10-12-11 Hour 1

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:22:15 -0400

David Sirota talks about what Gov John Hickenlooper said on the occupy denver movement yesterday on the Mike Rosen show, takes callers on the issue. Talks about Michele Bachmann and her once again putting her foot in her mouth. At 7:50 GUEST Historian W. Scott Poole about his new book, Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting. From sea serpents to zombies, from witch trials to alien invasions, and from Dracula to Norman Bates, Poole uncovers the real horrors that lie beneath our national fascination with monsters. W. Scott Poole is Associate Professor of History at the College of Charleston, and a prolific pop culture critic whose reviews and commentary can be found at PopMatters.com, ReligionDispatches.com, and other sites. His previous books include Satan in America: The Devil We Know and Never Surrender: Confederate Memory and Conservatism in the South Carolina Upcountry, the 2004 winner of the George C. Rogers Award for Best Book on South Carolina History. He blames repeated viewings of Shock Theatre at an impressionable age for his monster obsession.

Sirota Tuesday 10-11-11 Hour 3

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:10:07 -0400

At 9:05 GUEST Dr. Rene Almeling Dr. Rene Almeling, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Yale University, our special guest to talk about her new book Sex Cells: The Medical Market for Sperm and Eggs. inside look at how egg agencies and sperm banks do business. Although both men and women are usually drawn to donation for financial reasons, Almeling finds that clinics encourage sperm donors to think of the payments as remuneration for an easy "job." Women receive more money but are urged to regard egg donation in feminine terms, as the ultimate "gift" from one woman to another. Sex Cells shows how the gendered framing of paid donation, as either a job or a gift, not only influences the structure of the market, but also profoundly affects the individuals whose genetic material is being purchased.
At 9:35 GUEST: State Senator Rollie Heath from SD 18 in Boulder in studio to talk about his push to pass Proposition 103. This proposition would raise Colorado sales tax from 2.9 percent to 3 percent, and its personal and corporate tax from 4.63 percent to 5 percent. These rates would remain in place for five years. These numbers correspond to tax levels throughout the economic boom of the 1990s. Check out the Yes on Prop 103.

Sirota Tuesday 10-11-11 Hour 2

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:13:59 -0400

At 8:05 GUEST Daniel Losen Black and Hispanic students are far more likely to be kicked out of school when they break the rules, including some that often have nothing to do with keeping students safe, according to a new report from a civil rights research and advocacy group. And school discipline records are too often seen as a measure of how safe a school is and not often enough as a gauge of how healthy a school is academically according to our guest and lead author of the study Daniel Losen. senior education law and policy associate at the Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Occupy wallstreet and the tea party. What Fox news and others on Fox are saying.
At 8:35 GUEST: CRAIG AARON President and CEO of Free Press Craig Aaron our special guest. He is in town giving a talk at the University of Denver tonight, and accepting the 2011 "Anvil of Freedom" award from the Estlow International Center for Journalism and New Media. Then he is talking on Wednesday at UC Boulder on "covert consolidation" -- the new trend where broadcasters are combining newsrooms so that the same reporting shows up on supposedly competing stations. This is happening now via a "shared services agreement" signed between KDVR and KWGN in Denver. Craig will also talk about this story on product placement gone wrong. Craig joined Free Press in 2004 and previously served as managing director, senior program director and communications director. He works in the Washington office and speaks across the country on media, Internet and journalism issues.

Sirota Tuesday 10-11-11 Hour 1

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:32:08 -0400

David Sirota talks about Colorado and the per mile tax v.s the gax tax to fund roads in Colorado, takes callers on the issue. NBA season first two weeks are cancelled due to lock out. Hancock's new ad no on 300, deals with paid sick days.

Sirota Monday 10-10-11 Hour 3

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:08:30 -0400

David in the last hour continues to talk about drugs and creative people, takes callers. David also talks about petitions, and thewe the people project. What would you like to see? David ask's callers what you would like to see created?

Sirota Monday 10-10-11 Hour 2

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:10:09 -0400

At 8:05 GUEST Leonard Frieling. Hundreds of law enforcement professionals including Denver"s U.S. District Judge John Kane have come together on a curious quest: Saying the drug war has failed, they want to legalize drugs. Tony Ryan, who was a Denver police officer for more than 35 years, told The Colorado Independent that not only has the drug war been utterly ineffective but that it has also been counterproductive in many important ways. He says the war on drugs is the number one reason cops become corrupt. http://coloradoindependent.com/99669/video-colorado-police-judges-champion-drug-legalization Our special guest is former Lafayette Colorado Municipal Court Judge Leonard Frieling who is also mentioned in this article. When the city of Lafayette proposed increasing the fine for possession of marijuana from $100 to $1000 and a year in jail, Frieling resigned. He is a practicing attorney and served as Chair of the Boulder Criminal Defense Bar for eight years. He also has acted as a Special County Attorney for Boulder County. He is now a member and speaks for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. LEAP is made up of current and former members of the law enforcement and criminal justice communities who are speaking out about the failures of our existing drug policies. http://www.leap.cc/#

Sirota Monday 10-10-11 Hour 1

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:25:00 -0400

David Sirota talks about the occupy wallstreet movement, our 1st amendment and our right to protest. What were the policies that shaped policies in the 1960's. Where are the tea party folks on this issue? David takes callers through out the hour.

Sirota Friday 10-7-11 Hour 3

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:17:22 -0400

At 9:05 growing up in a poor neighborhood significantly reduces the chances that a child will graduate from high school, according to a study published in the October issue of the American Sociological Review. And, the longer a child lives in that kind of neighborhood, the more harmful the impact. Our special guest is University of Michigan sociologist Geoffrey Wodtke, one of the authors of the study. At 9:20 Food Network star Alton Brown joins the show to discuss his new book Good Eats 3: The Later Years. He has a booksigning at The Tattered Cover in Lodo next Thursday October 13th at 7:30 pm. Good Eats 3 has more than 200 recipes are accompanied by hundreds of photographs, drawings, and stills from the show, as well as lots of science-of-food facts, cooking tips, food trivia, and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Brown is the creator and host of the Food Network television show Good Eats and the mini-series Feasting on Asphalt and Feasting on Waves, and he is the host and main commentator on Iron Chef America. Brown is also the author of several books on cookery. At 9:40 Cathy Goldsmith our special guest to talk about a new Dr. Seuss book release The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories. It features seven stories that were originally published in magazines in 1950 and 1951 but never before in book form. Goldsmith is Vice President and Associate Publishing Director, Random House Books for Young Readers, has been with the company for over 34 years and currently supervises the art department of the RH and GB imprints. Cathy was Dr. Seuss's art director for the last ten years of his life.

Sirota Friday 10-7-11 Hour 2

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:11:33 -0400

American militants like Anwar al-Awlaki are placed on a kill or capture list by a secretive panel of senior government officials, which then informs the president of its decisions, according to officials. There is no public record of the operations or decisions of the panel, which is a subset of the White House's National Security Council, several current and former officials said. Neither is there any law establishing its existence or setting out the rules by which it is supposed to operate. The role of the president in ordering or ratifying a decision to target a citizen is fuzzy. White House spokesman Tommy Vietor declined to discuss anything about the process. Liberals criticized the drone attack on an American citizen as extra-judicial murder. Conservatives criticized Obama for refusing to release a Justice Department legal opinion that reportedly justified killing Awlaki. They accuse Obama of hypocrisy, noting his administration insisted on publishing Bush-era administration legal memos justifying the use of interrogation techniques many equate with torture, but refused to make public its rationale for killing a citizen without due process. This secret panel can put any American on this kill list with no legal backing. Can anyone defend this.

Sirota Friday 10-7-11 Hour 1

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 09:07:40 -0400

A surveillance video that led to the dismissal of an alleged liquor code violation against Hooters also reveals that Colorado Springs police detectives were drinking alcohol despite assurances to a judge that they weren't. Police Chief Richard Myers blamed the discrepancy on a misunderstanding. The surveillance video - which the police chief said wasn't a video but still photos strung together - shows one of the detectives drinking a beer and the other detective drinking two beers. The Hooters attorney declined to provide a copy of the video to The Gazette. Police investigating compliance of liquor laws are allowed to purchase and consume alcohol as part of their job. Myers said there's no proof that the detectives in this case stepped outside of bounds. Is it OK for undercover officers to drink and drive while on duty, even if they drink only a little? David then talked about Operation Fast and Furious and drug cartel networks in Mexico. Republicans are alleging that Eric Holder lied to Congress when he said he didn't know about the operation. Dave gave his quick take.

Sirota Thursday 10-6-11 Hour 3

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:08:02 -0400

The man who shot two eighth graders outside Deer Creek Middle School in Jefferson County in 2010 has been found not guilty by reason of insanity. After deliberating less than two days, jurors on Wednesday found Bruco Strong Eagle Eastwood not guilty by reason of insanity on two counts of attempted murder, two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of child abuse. He was found guilty on only one of 15 counts, possession of a weapon on school grounds. Prosecutors said Eastwood will be evaluated every six months by state psychiatrists about whether he's sane. Before Eastwood is released, a hearing would be held, allowing both prosecutors and defense attorneys to argue their positions on whether he could safely rejoin society. Spengler said Eastwood has already been working with counselors at the state mental hospital in Pueblo on his mental issues. During opening statements last month, defense lawyer Thea Reiff told jurors that Eastwood had struggled with imaginary voices for years. Reiff showed jurors portions of a rambling journal in which Eastwood wrote that mutants or transformers were taking over his body. Before the shooting, Eastwood scrawled that the voices were becoming more threatening, she said. David asked what we should be defining as insane. At 9:35
Gernot Wagner our special guest to talk about his New York Times piece Going Green But Going Nowhere. He also just released the book But Will the Planet Notice: How Smart Economics Can Save the World. Gernot Wagner is an economist at the Environmental Defense Fund and an energy economics professor at Columbia University.

Sirota Thursday 10-6-11 Hour 2

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:06:30 -0400

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock our special guest. He talked about a ton of issues involving Denver. He talked about the stock show complex issue, trash and the I70 vs. I25 expansion. He also talked about education funding, paid sick leave and Coloradans and Barack Obama. We then talked about Sarah Palin dropping out of the presidency race. She believes she is being treated unfairly by the media. A Pew Center poll shows that most people think the media has been too easy on Sarah and quite fair to her. Has she been mistreated.

Sirota Thursday 10-6-11 Hour 1

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:06:23 -0400

David led off with some thoughts on the death of Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Do you agree that Jobs was the Thomas Edison of our time. Is the death of Steve Jobs the death of Apple. Is Steve Jobs work all around you.

Sirota Wednesday 10-5-11 Hour 3

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:11:03 -0400

Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria Louisiana will implement an anti-tobacco policy for its entire campus starting July 1 of next year, expanding the policy put in place two years ago for employees of the women's and children's areas. The policy will prohibit the use of tobacco products by employees while on their shifts, including when they are on breaks. It also will not allow employees to work if their clothing smells like smoke. Hospital officials are aiming to reduce patients' and employees' exposure to toxins that linger in fabrics from a recently burned cigarette, also known as third-hand smoke. David and Turk had a spirited debate on this and we then took calls on this subject.

Sirota Wednesday 10-5-11 Hour 2

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:16:44 -0400

Dana Priest joins the show to discuss the book she co authored with William Arkin called Top Secret America: The Rise of the New Security State. Ten years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, the top-secret world that the government created in response has become so enormous, so unwieldy, and so secretive that no one knows how much money it costs, how many people it employs, or how many agencies duplicate work being done elsewhere. The aim of this expansion was to keep America safer, but the dysfunctional system has become ineffective at best and, at worst, is putting us in greater danger. Dana Priest is an investigative reporter for the Washington Post and has received two Pulitzer Prizes, two George Polk Awards, and many other honors and is the author of the prize-winning 2003 book, The Mission: Waging War and Keeping Peace with America's Military. David then played audio of Michael Savage saying he thought the killing of Anwar Al Awlaki might have been an abuse of power by the president. Savage agrees with Ron Paul and thinks it may actually be an impeachable offense. David hates to admit burt he fundamentally agrees with Savage and Paul.

Sirota Wednesday 10-5-11 Hour 1

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:00:33 -0400

David led off talking about Governor John Hickenlooper and education. He says he is the biggest supporter of education you can imagine. That quote came before he made massive education cuts. With Prop 103 on the ballot, Hickenlooper is being asked to put up or shut up because he can no longer argue that he is constrained by the Colorado Constitution. Yet he still refuses to take a stance on 103. Is not taking a position more disgusting than just taking one and sticking to it. At 7:40 Rich Jones, the director of policy and research with the Bell Policy Center our special guest to talk about payday lending reform and about the paid sick leave report. We closed out comparing what Obama is saying on taxing the rich to what Ronald Reagan said in the 80's.

Sirota Tuesday 10-4-11 Hour 3

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:05:08 -0400

Ellen Schultz joins the show to talk about her new book Retirement Heist: How Companies Plunder and Profit from the Nest Eggs of American Workers. She reveals how corporations, benefits consultants, insurance companies, and banks have all played a huge and hidden role in the death spiral of American pensions and benefits by exploiting loopholes and instating ambiguous regulations. Ellen Schultz is an investigative reporter who has covered the so-called retirement crisi for more than a decade. Her reporting has led to the Congressional hearings, proposed legislation and investigations by the Treasury and GAO. A former staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal, Schultz has won dozens of journalism awards for economics, financial, and investigative reporting, including three Polk Awards, two Loeb awards and a National Press Club award. We then asked if you have or think you have had your retirement funds stolen from you. Wet then discussed this story. Former employees at a western Colorado hotel said they were fired and replaced with Latino workers because the business owners thought white and non-Hispanic workers were lazy, according to a federal lawsuit announced Monday. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is seeking back pay for employees that federal officials said were fired from a Hampton Inn franchise in Craig, Colo., according to the lawsuit filed last week. The lawsuit claims the general manager of the hotel was told by the business owners to hire more qualified maids, and that they preferred maids to be Hispanic because in their opinion Hispanics worked harder. Why does this stigma exist.

Sirota Tuesday 10-4-11 Hour 2

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:15:12 -0400

At 8:05 Tom Rosenstiel our special guest to talk about reseacrh on where people learn about their local community. While local TV news remains the most popular source for local information in America, adults rely on it primarily for just three subjects -- weather, breaking news and to a lesser extent traffic. And for all their problems, newspapers are the source Americans turn to most for a wider range of information than any other source. These are some of the findings of a new study produced by the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism and the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Montana Governor Brianm Schweitzer then joined the show to talk about his push for the Obama administration to give his state some waivers and to install a universal health care system mimicking Sask Care in Saskatchewan. We then talked about this story. A US couple who prayed and rubbed olive oil on their sick infant rather than seek medical care for the dying boy have been convicted of manslaughter, becoming the latest members of an Oregon faith-healing church to be blamed in their child's death. Dale and Shannon Hickman, both 26, are members of the Followers of Christ Church, which has a history of rejecting medical care for congregants' children and relying instead on techniques such as prayer and anointing the sick with oils. What are your thoiughts on this charge.

Sirota Tuesday 10-4-11 Hour 1

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:01:56 -0400

Chris Christie thinking about a presidential run. His weight creating a debate. Do you think a presidential candidate's weight is something voters should be concerned about and held against the candidate. At 7:40 Lisa Miller our special guest to talk about her New York Magazine cover piece Parents of a Certain Age: Is There Anything Wrong with Being 53 and Pregnant. Lisa Miller is a contributing editor at New York Magazine and author of Heaven: Our Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife. She writes regularly about religion for The Washington Post.

Sirota Monday 10-3-11 Hour 3

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:07:08 -0400

At 9:05 David was joined by Dr. David Madland Director of the American Worker Project at the Center for America Progress. New state income data released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau shows the importance of unions to boosting incomes for all middle-class households - union and nonunion alike. The 2010 income data makes it clear that strong unions are a critical factor in creating a middle-class society. David then did a presidential candidate update with some really ridiculous news. At 9:35 Denver Post Consumer Affairs Reporter David Migoya breaks down his piece Colorado Public Trustees Pushed to Make it Easier to Foreclose on Homes.

Sirota Monday 10-3-11 Hour 2

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:06:52 -0400

State Senator Keith King joins the show. He is proposing we replace the 10th Grade CSAP tets with a test called the Accuplacer diagnostic tester which tests for college readiness. Senator King co-chairs the Education Success Task Force. State Representative Judy Solano called in with some response to Senator Keith King's proposal. David then had the I70 vs. I25 debate. Should we expand I25 or improve the I70 corridor.

Sirota Monday 10-3-11 Hour 1

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:08:36 -0400

Aspen police said they arrested a man who repeatedly used the F word on four officers while invoking his free speech rights. You can"t touch me, Quincy Rouson, 32, of Snowmass, told the officers. The incident occurred just before midnight on Sept. 17, when Rouson approached four Aspen police officers who were standing on the Hyman Avenue Mall discussing where they were anticipating problems at bar closing, Officer Rob Fabrocini wrote in his police report. Rouson was smiling and reached out to shake my hand, Fabrocini wrote, according to the Daily News. I shook Rouson"s hand, and he pulled me towards him and said f you very much. This continued and he said a few more nasty things while saying he had the right to do so. He was arrested. Do we have protection to say these things to the police. We also talked about whether or not we should print warning signs in other languages. Weld County is thinking about doi ng so but getting resistance.

Sirota Thursday 9-30-11 Hour 3

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:14:19 -0400

David talks the last hour with David Eagleman, talk about his piece from The Atlantic called The Brain on Trial. Advanaces in brain science are calling into question the volition behind many criminal acts.

Sirota Thursday 9-30-11 Hour 2

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:13:47 -0400

Christopher Hayes our special guest to talk about the new show he hosts Up with Chris Hayes, a weekend news and opinion television show on MSNBC. Hayes had formerly been a frequent guest host and commentator on shows such as The Rachel Maddow Show and The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell. Hayes remains an Editor at large of The Nation. http://www.chrishayes.org/ Also talks about Micheal Jackson. Are docters become enblers?

Sirota Thursday 9-30-11 Hour 1

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:24:37 -0400

David Sirota talks, Is it appropriate for advocates of paid sick days to cite the listeria outbreak in their political ads? The Move over Law where cars have to move away if vehicles along the shoulder.

Sirota Thursday 9-29-11 Hour 3

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:10:21 -0400

We took a few more calls on education and jobs before being joined by former Denver Mayor Bill Vidal. He has a book coming out on his 90 days in office as interim Mayor.

Sirota Thursday 9-29-11 Hour 2

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:06:57 -0400

We continued conversation from last hour. VP of the Denver Public School Board Arturo Jimenez chimed in as did Alvertis Simmons. This was a great hour of response and reaction on the education system. We also had Jeff Park from Citry of Denver call in and Andrea Merida who sits on the board.

Sirota Thursday 9-29-11 Hour 1

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:59:56 -0400

James Mejia fills in for David today. He opened talking about Education Secretary Arnie Duncan saying we need to raise teachers salaries. He says double the salary for more accountability. At 7:20 A Plus Denver's Van Schoales joined the show. He gave his thoughts on performance pay and teacher's salaries. at 7:45 Andrew Hudson with Hudson's Job's List.Com. He quickly commented on Obama's job speech. We then hit some phone calls on teacher's and potentially rasinign salaries.

Sirota Wednesday 9-28-11 Hour 3

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:08:38 -0400

Do we really need cameras in the Michael Jackson hearings. Should we have cameras in courtrooms in general. We switched it up at 9:30 and talked about infrastructure. New roads or mass transit.

Sirota Wednesday 9-28-11 Hour 2

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:10:18 -0400

We led off with University of Texas Economics Professor Dr. Daniel Hamermesh to talk about his new book Beauty Pays: Why Attractive People Are More Successful. This is the first book to seriously measure the advantages of beauty. We then took a call from a self described good looking person in reaction. At 8:35 Dr. James Trefil joins the chow to talk about the new new National Geographic Books release The Big Idea: How Breakthroughs of the Past Shape the Future.

Sirota Wednesday 9-28-11 Hour 1

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:05:58 -0400

Sirota led off with some data analysis on where the best teachers are needed. In poor or richer neighborhoods. Data says they are needed more in poorer neighborhoods. We then talked to former Secretary of Education Diane Ravitch. She just returned from Finland and told us why their school system is so successful. She also broke down some of the data Dave talked about in the first segment.

Sirota Tuessday 9-27-11 Hour 3

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:08:33 -0400

Steven J. Ross joins the show to discuss his new book Hollywood Left and Right: How Movie Stars Shaped American Politics. Ross tells a story that has escaped public attention: the emergence of Hollywood as a vital center of political life and the important role that movie stars have played in shaping the course of American politics. He challenges the commonly held belief that Hollywood has always been a bastion of liberalism. The real story, as Ross shows in this passionate and entertaining work, is far more complicated. First, Hollywood has a longer history of conservatism than liberalism. Second, and most surprising, while the Hollywood Left was usually more vocal and visible, the Right had a greater impact on American political life, capturing a senate seat, Murphy, a governorship, Schwarzenegger and the ultimate achievement, the Presidency, Reagan. We then asked the audience why Hollywood liebrals are villified. Also is Hollywood more left or right.

Sirota Tuesday 9-27-11 Hour 2

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:23:34 -0400

As President Obama, Gen. David Petraeus, liberal activists and Sen. John McCain predicted numerous times, foreign countries are now using the US torture committed at Guantanamo Bay and CIA prisons as an excuse to treat Americans poorly. This was confirmed by American hikers Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, the two Americans who were recently released from an Iranian prison where they were held on spying allegations since 2009. Speaking to the media, for the first time, Bauer and Fattal detailed the human rights violations they had experienced, which included poor prison conditions and long periods in isolation. These complaints mirrored those filed by the lawyers of prisoners at American prisons controlled by the military and the CIA. According to Bauer and Fattal, Iranian prison guards repeatedly used the harsh conditions of Guantanamo Bay and CIA prisons to justify their own human rights violations. Are we less safe abroad due to our treatment of prisoners in CIA prisons and Gitmo. Do you think our own tactics are now being used agaiunst us. At 8:35 Kevin Mitnick our special guest to talk about his book Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker. Mitnick was the most elusive computer break-in artist in history. He accessed computers and networks at the world's biggest companies, and however fast the authorities were, Mitnick was faster, sprinting through phone switches, computer systems, and cellular networks. Mitnick was convicted of various computer- and communications-related crimes. At the time of his arrest, he was the most-wanted computer criminal in the United States.

Sirota Tuesday 9-27-11 Hour 1

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:17:30 -0400

David led off talking about and asking about whether you would run for any elected office in these days. He talked about the pros and cons within his own family as Emily is running for Denver Public School Board.

Sirota Monday 9-26-11 Hour 3

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:13:40 -0400

Tom Benton and Hunter Thompson collaborated on a series on posters called The Aspen Wallposters that promoted their Freak Power movement in the 1970's. Nationally recognized poster artist Tom Benton visually documented the issues and conflicts of America, andd his beloved Aspen, for four decades beginning in the turbulent late 1960s. Our special guest is Daniel Watkins who put out is the new coffee-table book Thomas Benton: Artist/Activist that chronicles the life and political activism of the artist. Two years after Tom Benton's death in 2007, Watkins embarked on a journey into the barns and basements and attics of old Aspen to unearth and catalog more than five hundred of his works, many of them previously unknown. The book includes never-before-published images of the Aspen Wallposters, a collaboration of Benton's art and Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson's writing that promoted their Freak Power movement. David then asked if you think comedians are funnier when they are fat. Jonah Hill from Superbad and Money Ball was on Regis and Kelly. His fans on his website have been mad at him for losing weight. They worry he will not be as funny because he is not as overweight. Is this ridiculous. Are overweight comedians funnier.

Sirota Monday 9-26-11 Hour 2

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:12:41 -0400

A statewide immigrant rights group is accusing Carbondale's school resource police officer of using his position to profile local Latino students and their families for possible immigration violations and turning them over to federal agents. However, Carbondale town officials and staff members in the town's schools who work closely with Carbondale Police Officer Alvaro Agon have been quick to defend him. An attorney for Agon also said he's prepared to file a defamation of character lawsuit against the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition and its area representative, unless a public apology is issued. In a press release sent out Monday, CIRC Rocky Mountain region organizer Brendan Greene alleged that Agon, 26, Carbondale's school resource officer for the past 313 and a half years, is also a liaison working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to identify undocumented immigrants. If allegations are true is this an abuse of power. We did news of the weird and then talked to Jeremy Nichols Director of the Climate and Energy Program at WildEarth Guardians Colorado. Coloradans for the same reasons as residents of Wyoming whose air in the Upper Green River Basin area reached levels of smog-forming ozone at 124 parts per billion earlier this year, worse than the worst day in Los Angeles all of last year, want the strongest air pollution standards possible for oil and natural gas drilling. The EPA is holding a public hearing in Denver on Wednesday, September 28 to receive public testimony on proposed improvements to federal standards that would drastically reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas industry, who are expected to show up in force to oppose these pollution standards.

Sirota Monday 9-26-11 Hour 1

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 09:12:24 -0400

David led off with reaction to President Obama's speech to the Congressional Black Caucus on Saturday night. I expect all of you to march with me and press on. Take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes. Shake it off. Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying. We are going to press on. We've got work to do, CBC, he said. Meanwhile, according to a new ABC Washington Post poll, the number of blacks who have strongly favorable views of Obama has dropped off a cliff, declining from 83 percent five months ago to 58 percent. David says this quote basically tells people to shut up and not question. What do you think. Why has his support among African Americans declined so far.

Sirota Friday 9-23-11 Hour 3

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:14:05 -0400

We had several guests this hour. The Gubna Chris Katechis from Oskar Blues in studio talking about OB and their Great American Beer Festival Events. We also had State Representative Joe Miklosi in studio talking about his race for Congress against Mike Coffman. We also talked with Jeff Warrick about his new film Programming the Nation: The history of Subliminal Messaging in America.

Sirota Friday 9-23-11 Hour 2

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:13:10 -0400

David talked about the Denver Air Show. He says he doesnt understand why people go to these things because the danger risk is so high, He rattled off several accidents at air shows and air races over the last year. Is there an inherent danger in going to these events. He isnt saying ban em just that he doesnt get it. What do you think. He also threw out several news items and played audio from last night's GOP debate.

Sirota Friday 9-23-11 Hour 1

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:00:56 -0400

The state board of health urged R.J. Reynolds to stop using Colorado as a test market for dissolvable tobacco products that look like toothpicks, breath strips and mints. The board asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate the controversial Camel products as tobacco, giving it more oversight power. R.J. Reynolds responded that it would not stop its test marketing of Camel Sticks, Strips or Orbs in Colorado. So R.J. Reynolds tells the CO board of health to stick it. What should or can be done. Is this a microcosmic commentary on who really has the power in our society. Also this hour we talked about paying for trash service. Denver residents may soon join most of their metro neighbors in having to pay for trash service and could see recycling and composting become a way of saving money. Denver is likely to consider charging residents for trash pickup, something that has been discussed for decades but never implemented in the Mile High City. The city is looking for ways to increase revenue and cut expenses to resolve a 30 million budget deficit that grows every year. Where do you come down on this.

Sirota Thursday 9-22-11 Hour 3

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:10:58 -0400

David led off talking about the competitive eating championships coming to Denver. David laid out his reasons why this is such a lame sport or event. What do you make of eating contests. We then talked with DPD Lt. Stacy Goss to talk about the big emergency preparedness test that is taking place statewide tomorrow. At 9:35 Dave Zirin joined us to talk about Nebraska Cornhusker Fans protesting the TransCanada Pipelne and we also got his thoughts on the Troy David execution.

Sirota Thursday 9-22-11 Hour 2

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:03:33 -0400

The Obama administration is assembling a constellation of secret drone bases for counterterrorism operations in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula as part of a newly aggressive campaign to attack al-Qaeda affiliates in Somalia and Yemen, U.S. officials said. Do you think drones better protect our country. What problems do you see with drone warfare. At 8:40 David was joined by Denver's clerk and recorder Debra Johnson. She plans to send ballots to inactive voters for the Nov. 1 election despite a threat from secretary of state Scott Gessler to take her to court. Denver has 236,410 active voters and 55,023 voters in the inactive or failed to vote category, meaning they didn't vote in 2010 and haven't responded to postcard requests about whether they want a ballot this fall. The Pueblo County clerk and recorder also wants to send ballots to inactive voters.

Sirota Thursday 9-22-11 Hour 1

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:56:34 -0400

David led off with some thought on the execution of Troy Davis. At 7:20 our special guest was Dr. W. Ian Lipkin to talk about his research and contributions to the film Contagion. Steven Soderbergh and Contagion screenwriter Scott Z. Burns were committed to the truth of the film right from the start and sought out Dr. Lipkin, one of the world"s foremost microbe hunters and a professor at Columbia University"s Mailman School of Public Health, to tap his scientific expertise as they developed the concept. Dr. Lipkin has identified at least 400 previously unknown viruses. At 7:35 the way you see God tells a lot about how you see the U.S. economy, a new national survey finds. About one in five Americans combine a view of God as actively engaged in daily workings of the world with an economic conservative view that opposes government regulation and champions the free market as a matter of faith according to research by Baylor professors. Our special guest is co author of the study and sociologist and Ph.D. candidate at Baylor University Scott Draper. Do you think God is directing the market.

Sirota Wednesday 9-21-11 Hour 3

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:41:09 -0400

We spent the first half hour taking more calls on red heads. Is there a stigma to being a red head. Can you name a male red head sex symbol. At 9:40 Malcolm Harris joins the show to discuss his n 1 Magazine piece Bad Education. The Project On Student Debt estimates that the average college senior in 2009 graduated with 24,000 in outstanding loans. Last August, student loans surpassed credit cards as the nation's single largest source of debt, edging ever closer to 1 trillion. Yet for all the moralizing about American consumer debt by both parties, no one dares call higher education a bad investment. The nearly axiomatic good of a university degree in American society has allowed a higher education bubble to expand to the point of bursting.

Sirota Wednesday 9-21-11 Hour 2

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:18:26 -0400

At 8:05 our special guest was director at COPIRG Danny Katz. Today they will release the new report, Apples to Twinkies, which examines how billions in taxpayer agricultural subsidies end up supporting junk food and contributes to the childhood obesity epidemic. The report is the first to make specific estimates of the amount of tax dollars going to junk food ingredients including high fructose corn syrup, and breaks down these estimates by calculating how many Twinkies, and how many apples, each taxpayer is paying for. David then talked about the War on Ginger Kids. The world's largest sperm bank isn't taking any more donations from men with red hair because demand for redheaded children is relatively low. Schou said that his company, which harvests donations in Scandinavia and ships semen to 65 countries worldwide, had reached its maximum capacity of 70 liters of semen from men with red hair. The company's already got 600 redheaded donors on a waiting list should redheaded children become more fashionable. Is there a stigma attached to being a red head. What's it like to be a red head.

Sirota Wednesday 9-21-11 Hour 1

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:03:25 -0400

David opened up talking about the UFC Championship Fight coming to the Pepsi Center. He talked about how fight clubs are popping up in high schools and how they are putting these fights on youtube and other social media sites. David asked what the appeal of the UFC and Boxing in general is. Do you see it as Barbaric.

Sirota Tuesday 9-20-11 Hour 3

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:07:41 -0400

Barry Estabrook joins the show to talk about his book Tomatoloand: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit. Estabrook reveals the huge human and environmental cost of the $5 billion fresh tomato industry. He traces the supermarket tomato from its birthplace in the deserts of Peru to the impoverished town of Immokalee, Florida, a.k.a. the tomato capital of the United States. He visits the laboratories of seedsmen trying to develop varieties that can withstand the rigors of agribusiness and still taste like a garden tomato, and then moves on to commercial growers who operate on tens of thousands of acres, and eventually to a hillside field in Pennsylvania, where he meets an obsessed farmer who produces delectable tomatoes for the nation's top restaurants. Barry Estabrook is a investigative food journalist. We then played audio of Representative John Fleming saying after he feeds his family he only has 400 thousand dollars left. Meanwhile Representative John Campbell says that he doesn't want to help pay for it. What is your take on these clips and class warfare being decried by the rich. We also talked about SOS Scott Gessler and how he is trying to eliminate inactive voters from voting. He is defining inactive voters by saying if you didn't vote in the last general election you are inactive.

Sirota Tuesday 9-20-11 Hour 2

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:07:35 -0400

William Shatner in an interview says that Star Wars cannot hold a candle to Star Trek especially in plot lines, messages, themes etc. We played the audio and threw it out to the audience. Congressman Ed Perlmutter even called in for some response.

Sirota Tuesday 9-20-11 Hour 1

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:06:59 -0400

David led off talking about the end of Don't Ask Don't Tell. One of our congressmen Doug Lamborn says he is concerned about this repeal. He says it will affect readiness and effectiveness. Are you happy DADT has been repealed. Is it a major or minor step to equality. What do you think we will say in 10 or 20 years from now on when gays are serving in the military. Will we look back at it in horror.

Sirota Monday 9-19-11 Hour 3

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:14:52 -0400

We led off the hour with Jeff Sharlet to discuss his new book Sweet Heaven When I Die: Faith, Faithlessness, and the Country In Between. We then talked about school lunch rooms and nutrition. We then hit this story. New proposed school lunch standards have some members of the Colorado congressional delegation wrangling. The proposed changes include lowering calorie counts and delivering more fruits, leafy green vegetables and whole grains. And they would limit the servings of starchy vegetables, including potatoes, lima beans, corn and peas, to 1 cup, once a week. Sen. Mark Udall, a Democrat, opposes the new rules and, in a July letter he co-authored, called for restricting the USDA from using any of its funds to implement the rule that unnecessarily discriminates against white potatoes, corn, lima beans and green peas. It wouldn't change the funding for school lunches, it would just prohibit the agency from acting on the policy. Where do you stand on this one.

Sirota Monday 9-19-11 Hour 2

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:09:35 -0400

There is a growing case of presidential buyer's remorse for some Americans, according to a new Bloomberg National Poll. Back in July when Bloomberg's poll asked whether the country would be better off under a President Hillary Clinton, only a quarter of those polled said yes. That number has jumped to a third, or 34 percent, in a poll out Friday. Are you having buyer's remorse. David then got a quick take on airlines and passenger's rights. Delta wants to kick someone off their platinum rewards programs because he complained too much. This bleeds over to all service business. Do you have a right to complain without retribution.

Sirota Monday 9-19-11 Hour 1

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:49:30 -0400

David led off talking about President Obama's proposed Buffet Rule tax plan that would create a minimum tax that all millionaires would have to pay that would be at the same rate as middle class tax rates. David says better late than never. Is there anybody out there that wants to make the argument that millionaires should not have to pay the same tax rate as middle class workers. Is this class welfare. At 7:40 we were joined by Pastor Frederick Stecker. He authored The Podium, The Pulpit and the Republicans: How Presidential Candidates Use Religious Language in American Political Debate. How exactly did God become a Republican.

Sirota Friday 9-16-11 Hour 3

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:10:05 -0400

Steve Almond joined the show after a bit of an absence. He talked about the 9-11 anniversary and the lessons or non-lessons of that day. He also gave us a new music selection. We then opened up Festivus Friday and took grievances. We also talked about what Ikea represents.

Sirota Friday 9-16-11 Hour 2

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:29:27 -0400

Professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and co-director of the Carolina Center for the Study of the Middle East and Muslim Civilizations Dr. Charles Kurzman our special guest. He has a new book out called The Missing Martyrs: Why There Are So Few Muslim Terrorists. Kurzman demonstrates that terrorist groups are thoroughly marginal in the Muslim world. He draws on government sources, public opinion surveys, election results, and in-depth interviews with Muslims in the Middle East and around the world. He finds that young Muslims are indeed angry with what they see as imperialism, and especially at Western support for local dictatorships. But revolutionary Islamists have failed to reach them, as can be seen from the terrorists' own websites and publications, which constantly bemoan the dearth of willing recruits. We then took a couple calls in response to our guest.

Sirota Friday 9-16-11 Hour 1

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:08:24 -0400

David opened up talking about the University of Colorado's war on marijuana. Meanwhile alcohol seems to be okay at the U. Do you think CU and other universities should have tougher penalties for marijuana consumption than alcohol consumption. At 7:40 Charles Minn our special guest to talk about his film 8 Murders a Day. Since January 2008, the Juarez drug cartel, led by Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, has been in a turf war against the Sinoloa drug cartel, led by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. This war is for the coveted smuggling routes into the USA. The Americans demand for illegal drugs has led countless weapons and cash to enter into Mexico in exchange for these drugs. This documentary investigates the current situation in Juarez, which has now become the murder capital of the world because of this turf battle. In 2007, the city of Juarez averaged less than one murder per day. Today, it is over 8 murders a day and counting. This became quite a contentious interview.

Sirota Thursday 9-15-11 Hour 3

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:08:44 -0400

Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson told his 700 Club viewers that divorcing a spouse with Alzheimer's is justifiable because the disease is a kind of death. During the portion of the show where the one-time Republican presidential candidate takes questions from viewers, Robertson was asked what advice a man should give to a friend who began seeing another woman after his wife started suffering from the incurable neurological disorder. He says I know it sounds cruel, but if he's going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again, but make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her. Does Mr. Robertson make any sense here. Sirota doesn't necessarily disagree with him. What is your take.

Sirota Thursday 9-15-11 Hour 2

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:09:00 -0400

Sarah Jaffe our special guest to discuss her Alternet piece How the Surveillance State Protects the Interest of the Ultra Rich. Her argument: as a global protest movement rises and spreads within the US, expect surveillance tactics honed in the war on terror to be used in the defense of wealth. David then did news of the weird with some unbelievable stuff coming out of the Larimer county repubs. At 8:35 our special guest was Dr. Johan Sulaeman, a financial economist at Southern Methodist University. His research and study is on MLB, pitch calls and minorities. When it comes to Major League Baseball's pitchers, the more strikes, the better. But what if white umpires call strikes more often for white pitchers than for minority pitchers. Analysis of 3.5 million pitches from 2004 to 2008 found that minority pitchers scale back their performance to overcome racial/ethnic favoritism toward whites by MLB home plate umpires.

Sirota Thursday 9-15-11 Hour 1

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:11:23 -0400

From the Washington Post: Republican leaders in Pennsylvania are pushing forward with a plan that would change that way the state awards its electoral votes for president and could have a significant impact on the 2012 presidential race. The plan, which is backed by Gov. Tom Corbett, would scrap the state's current winner-take-all method for awarding the state's 20 electoral votes and dole them out depending on the result in each of the 18 congressional districts. If passed, Pennsylvania would become the third state, along with Maine and Nebraska, to adopt that method, but unlike those two, its change could have a big impact given the size and swingish nature of the state. Democrats are freaking out already saying this will cost them big in 2012 especially if other states follow Pennsylvania's lead. Sirota says this isn't a bad idea. What do you think.

Sirota Wednesday 9-14-11 Hour 3

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:10:42 -0400

Dalton Conley our special guest to talk about his New York Times op/ed piece When Roomates Were Random. students with similar backgrounds have already connected and agreed to request one another. It's just one of many ways in which digital technologies now spill over into non-screen-based aspects of social experience. Dalton Conley, a sociologist, is the dean of social sciences at New York University and the author, most recently, of Elsewhere, U.S.A. We then took a couple calls on whether or not students room mate assignments should be random. We did some news including a campaign update. We then talked about HPV vaccinations. Is Rick Perry wrong to mandate that kids in Texas schools get the HPV vaccines. Would mandating such a vaccination encourage sex.

Sirota Wednesday 9-14-11 Hour 2

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:11:18 -0400

In Colorado, a burial can practically take place anywhere in the state, as long as it's not federal land. The Aurora city council is discussing limiting burials to just cemeteries and no longer back yards. Should you be able to bury people in your backyard. What ramifications should be involved if you say yes. What about Zombiez. Would you buy a house if you new someone was buried in your backyard.

Sirota Wednesday 9-14-11 Hour 1

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:05:11 -0400

David led off with a rant on charter schools and Jared Polis. School reforms that encourage the expansion of charter schools pushed by Rep. Polis passed the House on Tuesday. The bill reauthorizes three exisiting federal laws that provide new charter school start-up grants. In exchange for that, the law requires charter schools have strong financial plans and audit requirements and it conditions charter school growth be tied to student outcomes. At 7:20 Swanee Hunt our special guest new book to talk about her new book Worlds Apart: Bosnian Lessons for Global Security. She will be at the Tattered Cover on Colfax tonight for a book signing and discussion starting at 7:30 pm. Swanee Hunt chairs the Washington-based Institute for Inclusive Security. During her tenure as US ambassador to Austria from 1993 to 1997, she hosted negotiations and symposia focused on securing the peace in the neighboring Balkan states. She is a member of the US Council on Foreign Relations, the Eleanor Roosevelt Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and the president of Hunt Alternatives Fund. At 7:45 we had a chat with Congressman Dennis Kucinich on the problems with Obama and the Democratic Party. He will be the featured guest at the Boulder County Dems Truman Dinner on September 24th.

Sirota Tuesday 9-13-11 Hour 3

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:16:20 -0400

Providing a surprising portrait of the War on Terror and the War on Drugs as seen in TV dramas, a new study says that America's most popular shows stayed closer to reality than common stereotypes about what terrorists and drug users look like and what drugs Americans are abusing. But these ripped-from-the-headlines crime shows largely left out the basic mechanisms of the justice system: the reading of Miranda rights, and the presence of lawyers at interrogations, trials and punishment. The Primetime War on Drugs & Terror report was released by the Norman Lear Center at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. The study analyzed 49 hours of 10 top-rated TV series with storylines including terrorism or drugs that aired in 2010. Shows included NCIS, CSI: Miami, 24, Law and Order: SVU, House and The Good Wife. Our special guest is co author of the study Dr. Johanna Blakley. She is Managing Director & Director of Research at the The Norman Lear Center Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California. David then talked about an economic study that says one third of Americans are falling out of the Middle Class. According to a report by Pew's Economic Mobility Project, 28 percent of people who grew up in the middle class eventually fell down the income ladder. Are you one of these folks. Are you more off now or worse off than your parents were at your current age.

Sirota Tuesday 9-13-11 Hour 2

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:10:58 -0400

We led off with Marc Spitz who authored the new Mick Jagger Biography called called Jagger: Rebel, Rock Star, Rambler, Rogue. We then talked with Matt Stoller who wrote a piece for Salon called What Democrats Can Do About Obama. Stoller is a fellow at the Roosevelt Institute. From 2009-2011, he served as Senior Policy Advisor to Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida. We then asked if you think Obama has destroyed the Democratic Party like Stoller argues. Should he be primaried.

Sirota Tuesday 9-13-11 Hour 1

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 08:57:34 -0400

A federal judge is delaying a college student's lawsuit against the FBI for putting a GPS tracking device on his car without a warrant. The student, Yasir Afifi of San Jose, Calif., asked for the delay until the Supreme Court decides a related case. The high court plans to hear arguments in the next term over the case of Washington nightclub owner Antoine Jones, convicted of operating a cocaine distribution ring. An appeals court threw out Jones' life sentence because police tracked his Jeep for a month by GPS without a warrant.
Other courts have upheld the use of warrantless GPS tracking. The FBI admits it put the GPS on Afifi's car, but won't publicly reveal why. The Egyptian-American student says he never did anything to attract the FBI's attention. Do you think the police should have the power to track you without warrant. Does it violate your civil rights. We also talked about low flow toilets and whether they should be required in some places.

Sirota Monday 9-12-11 Hour 3

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:07:54 -0400

We led off the hour with special guest Dr. Thomas Vander Ven our special guest to talk about his book Getting Wasted: Why College Students Drink Too Much and Party So Hard. Vander Ven argues that college students rely on drunk support: contrary to most accounts of alcohol abuse as being a solitary problem of one person drinking to excess, the college drinking scene is very much a social one where students support one another through nights of drinking games, rituals and rites of passage. At 9:20 a lawmaker-requested study released last week by University of Denver researchers says Colorado's long-term budget outlook is worse than first thought, and the state should consider tax increases because cutting alone won't do the job. Our special guest is Charlie Brown, director of the research center at DU's Center for Colorado's Economic Future. We closed out the show talking about whether you love or hate the smartphone.

Sirota Monday 9-12-11 Hour 2

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:12:29 -0400

Dr. Joseph McCartin joins David to discuss his book Collision Course: Ronald Reagan, the Air Traffic Controllers, and the Strike That Changed America and his NY Times piece The Strike That Busted Unions. Thirty years ago, when he threatened to fire nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers unless they called off an illegal strike, Ronald Reagan not only transformed his presidency, but also shaped the world of the modern workplace. More than any other labor dispute of the past three decades, Reagan's confrontation with the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization, or Patco, undermined the bargaining power of American workers and their labor unions. We then talked about Governor John Hickenlooper's stance on education and proposition 103 that would return our taxes to 2000 rates. At 8:35, in the first study of its kind, researchers have linked a natural global climate cycle to periodic increases in warfare. The arrival of El Nino, which every three to seven years boosts temperatures and cuts rainfall, doubles the risk of civil wars across 90 affected tropical countries, and may help account for a fifth of worldwide conflicts during the past half-century, say the authors. The paper, written by an interdisciplinary team at Columbia University's Earth Institute, appears in the current issue of the leading scientific journal Nature. our special guest is one of the authors Kyle Meng, PhD student in Sustainable Development at Columbia University.

Sirota Monday 9-12-11 Hour 1

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:07:21 -0400

David led off talking about a report by the Center for American Progress on whether or not the terrorists have won. We talked dollars to make sense on the destruction of our economy. We have lost 1.3 trillion dollars. What else have we lost. David also talked about a story where local law enforcement relationships with Muslims are improving. In this article it also talked about law enforcement conducting mass interviews with Libyans. Should the FBI be interviewing people from countries that we have declared war on such as Libya. At 7:35 we switched it up with special guest is Margaret Spellings who will be in Denver tomorrow with Michelle Rhee for an event called Get Educated. They will talk about business involvement in school reform. The event is being organized by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Spellings, now with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and former education secretary and White House Domestic Policy Adviser under President George W. Bush. Spellings was one of the principal proponents of the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act that aimed at reforming primary and secondary education. In 2005, she convened a Commission on the Future of Higher Education to recommend reform at the post-secondary level.

Sirota Friday 9-9-11 Hour 3

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 11:13:36 -0400

Denver Post reporter Jennifer Brown our special guest to talk about her and David Olinger's piece Millions Spent After 9-11 But Are We Really Safer. Colorado governments have spent at least 354 million on homeland security since Sept. 11, 2001, but The Denver Post found that purchase records are in disarray and the most remote counties got a disproportionately large share of the money. We then opened the phones for any comments or observations as we observe the 10 year anniversary of the 9-11 attacks.

Sirota Friday 9-9-11 Hour 2

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:08:40 -0400

Miller McCune staff writer Tom Jacobs our special guest to talk about his piece A Legacy of 9-11: Years of Increased Illness. A large-scale study suggests 9-11-related stress led to a major increase in health problems across the U.S. David then played audio of President Obama's American Job Act speech from last night. David gave the details then some analysis. We then asked how do you talk to your kids about 9-11or how do you think 9-11 will be taught in schools about 9-11.

Sirota Friday 9-9-11 Hour 1

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 09:07:32 -0400

David led off with a rant on Governor John Hickenlooper. Hick gave a speech to an assembled group of rich business owners decrying paid sick days. Meanwhile he will be speaking at a 9-11 event this weekend and you know you will hear him say We Are All In This Together. David says what a bunch of BS. At 7:20 Salon reporter Justin Elliott our special guest to talk about his piece The Enduring Mysteries of 9-11. He argues perhaps the most corrosive effect of the 9-11 conspiracy theorists is that they have distracted attention from real unanswered questions about the attacks. Elliott looks at some of the most important of those questions. We kept Justin for two awesome segments.

Sirota Thursday 9-8-11 Hour 3

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:20:18 -0400

At 9:05 Darrell Hammond in studio. He has upcoming shows at Comedy Works Larimer Square on Friday night at 8:00 and 10:00 and on Saturday at 8:30 and 10:30. He has a new book book due out in November called God, If You're Not Up There, I'm F-cked: Tales of Stand-Up, Saturday Night Live, and Other Mind-Altering Mayhem. An actor and stand up comedian, he was a regular cast member of Saturday Night Live for 14 years from 1995 to 2009. David then opened up the last segment for calls on whether or not we have won the War on Terror. He also gave out some 9-11 myths.

Sirota Thursday 9-8-11 Hour 2

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:07:43 -0400

At 8:05 Dr. Michael Shermer joins the show as we feature his book The Believing Brain, From Ghosts and Gods to Politicians and Conspiracies - How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them As Truths. Dr. Michael Shermer is the Founding Publisher of Skeptic magazine, the Executive Director of the Skeptics Society, a monthly columnist for Scientific American, the host of the Skeptics Distinguished Science Lecture Series at Caltech, and Adjunct Professor at Claremont Graduate University. We then did News of the Weird and took a couple calls on turning beliefs into facts. At 8:40 Nation Contributing Writer Ari Berman on the show to discuss his latest piece in the latest Rolling Stone The GOP War on Voting.

Sirota Thursday 9-8-11 Hour 1

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 09:06:20 -0400

David led off talking about the Republican Presidential debate from last night. We played some hilarious clips from Rick Perry. At 7:20 Mike Levy our guest to talk about Mike Coffman asking the president to stop funding the Peace Corps Program in China. Mike Levy served in Peace Corps in China and is the author of Kosher Chinese: Living, Teaching and Eating with China's Other Billion. At 7:35
Our special guest is Anthony DeHerrera, a Pueblo County sheriff's deputy and member of the ACLU Race to Justice Coalition. His family reacted with frustration and resolved to get justice on Wednesday after two Denver police officers who were caught on tape beating their son had been reinstated.

Sirota Wednesday 9-7-11 Hour 3

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 11:45:57 -0400

We had tow authors on this hour. First up was Dr. Roy Baumeister to talk about his and John Tierney's new book Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength. In what became one of the most cited papers in social science literature, Baumeister discovered that willpower actually operates like a muscle: it can be strengthened with practice and fatigued by overuse. Willpower is fueled by glucose, and it can be bolstered simply by replenishing the brain's store of fuel. That's why eating and sleeping, and especially failing to do either of those, have such dramatic effects on self-control. Baumeister's latest research shows that we typically spend four hours every day resisting temptation. No wonder people around the world rank a lack of self-control as their biggest weakness. At 9:35 we were joined by Mark Yarm to talk about the Grunge scene in the 1990's as he just released the book Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge. Yarm captures the grunge era in the words of the musicians, producers, managers, record executives, video directors, photographers, journalists, publicists, club owners, roadies, scenesters and hangers-on who lived through it.

Sirota Wednesday 9-7-11 Hour 2

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:22:42 -0400

We took listener reaction to last hour's education debate and also asked what is the biggest problem with education in America today. At 8:50 we took a segment of calls on whether or not we are safer after 9-11.

Sirota Wednesday 9-7-11 Hour 1

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:14:17 -0400

Steven Brill and and Dana Goldstein our special guests to debate the state of education. Just last month Steven Brill released the book Class Warfare: Inside the Fight to Fix America's Schools. He argues that teachers unions are the main problem with education in America. Dana Goldstein wrote a piece for the Nation in response to Brill's book called Can Teachers Alone Overcome Poverty: Steven Brill Thinks So. Brill is the founder of CourtTV and American Lawyer magazine. His most recent venture is Journalism Online. He is the author of The Teamsters and After: How America Confronted the September 12th Era. Dana Goldstein is a Contributing Writer for The Nation magazine and Puffin Fellow at The Nation Institute.

Sirota Tuesday 9-6-11 Hour 3

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:27:26 -0400

Last week, photos of New Mexico State Police officer Bert Lopez having sex in uniform on the hood of a Honda went viral, and now he's been fired. Authorities say the encounter itself wasn't criminal, but wouldn't say whether or not Lopez was on duty at the time. Lopez has 30 days to appeal, and police won't be releasing a statement until the process is over. He was off duty but in uniform. Should he be fired. We dissected all angles of this story. We also threw out a story about food stamps and nutrition beofre closing with News of the Weird.

Sirota Tuesday 9-6-11 Hour 2

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:17:45 -0400

Juliet Eilperin is David's special guest to talk about her book Demon Fish: Travels Through the Hidden World of Sharks. She will be at the Tattered Cover on Colfax this Friday September 9th starting at 7:30 for a discussion and book signing. Juliet Eilperin is the national environmental reporter for the Washington Post, where she writes about science, policy, and politics in areas ranging from climate change to oceans. In this eye-opening adventure that spans the globe, Eilperin investigates the fascinating ways different individuals and cultures relate to the ocean's top predator. David then talked about 9-11. How has your life changed since 9-11. Have we changed for the better or worse.

Sirota Tuesday 9-6-11

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 09:09:11 -0400

David led off talking about education, standardized tests and student achievement. We also talked about a proposal to start school after Labor Day to save energy costs such as air conditioning. Should schools in Colorado move to open after Labor Day. At 7:35 Professor of History at Georgetown University Dr. Michael Kazin joins David to discuss his new book American Dreamers: How the Left Changed a Nation. Dr. Kazin takes us from abolitionism and early feminism to the labor struggles of the industrial age, through the emergence of anarchists, socialists, and communists, right up to the New Left in the 1960s and '70s. While the history of the left is a long story of idealism and determination, it has also been, in the traditional view, a story of movements that failed to gain support from mainstream America.

Sirota Friday 9-2-11 Hour 3

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:09:07 -0400

At 9:05 our special guest is Dr. Lise Eliot, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at The Chicago Medical School Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science. According to her research, there is no scientific basis for teaching boys and girls separately. Her review reveals fundamental flaws in the arguments put forward by proponents of single-sex schools to justify the need of teaching teach boys and girls separately. Neuroscience has identified few reliable differences between boys' and girls' brains relevant to learning or education. Her work is published online in Springer's journal Sex Roles. She is also the author of Pink Brain, Blue Brain: How Small Differences Grow Into Troublesome Gaps and What We Can Do About It. We then opened up the phones while John Common joined us in studio. Got into a nice little debate about taking your kids skiing if you live in Colorado.

Sirota Friday 9-2-11 Hour 2

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:12:45 -0400

David is joined by special guest Katrin Schumann co author of The Secret Power of Middle Children: How Middleborns Can Harness Their Unexpected and Remarkable Abilities. Schumann and Psychologist Catherine Salmon combine science, history, and real-life stories to reveal for the first time that our perception of middle children is dead wrong. Using unpublished and little-known research from evolutionary psychology, sociology, and communications, The Secret Power of Middle Children illustrates how adaptive strategies middleborns develop during childhood translate into stronger friendships, lasting marriages, successful careers, and effective parenting. We then took a couople calls on middle kids before being joined in studio by John Common. He has an upcoming KBCO show at the Soiled Dove Underground on September 24th. He just finished a 47 gig tour in 42 days.

David Sirota Fri 9-2-11 Hour 1

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 09:13:59 -0400

David opened up talking about employers doing credit checks on potential employees. How lame is this. Is it mean or is it just America. What are other things employers that are looking at that is unfair. At 7:35 Elizabeth Kolbert joins David to talk about her New Yorker article Sleeping With the Enemy: What Happened Between the Neanderthals and Us.Scientists are attempting to sequence the entire genome of the Neanderthal. The project is about halfway complete and has already yielded some unsettling results, including the news that modern humans, before doing in the Neanderthals, must have interbred with them. Once the Neanderthal genome is complete, scientists will be able to lay it gene by gene against the human genome, and see where they diverge.

Sirota Thursday 9-1-11 Hour 3

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:13:44 -0400

David is joined by Jason Benlevi to talk about his book Too Much Magic: Pulling the Plug on the Cult of Tech. The digital life is changing us in unexpected ways. The digital dream has a dark side for both our interpersonal behaviors and political systems. Unlike The Filter Bubble, this takes a much more comprehensive view and tells what is going on as they adopt an increasingly digital lifestyle. What the Banksters did to finance, the venture capitalists and media moguls are now doing to culture and politics. Issues like Net Neutrality and facial recognition on Facebook are just a peek at the larger issues that are largely hidden from view. You can buy this book at your local Tattered Cover. At 9:35 comedian and actor Bob Saget on the phone. He has upcoming shows at Comedy Works Landmark Theatre in the DTC on Friday and Saturday.

Sirota Thursday 9-1-11 Hour 2

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:11:58 -0400

A prostitution charge against a strip club owner and Golden High School tennis coach who operates a string of strip clubs has been dismissed. Troy Lowrie, who owns PT's Showclub in southwest Denver, among other clubs, was charged with furthering the act of prostitution, but the charge was dismissed last week in a Denver court. Lowrie was arrested in July after he allegedly approached a female undercover Denver police officer who was working a prostitution sting on West Colfax Avenue. Our special guest is Troy's attorney Harvey Steinberg. Should schools be discriminating employees due to what they do in their off time. Should he get his job back. At 8:50 Dr. Ed Fuller our special guest to talk about vouchers.He argues against them. Dr. Fuller is an education consultant and works with the University Council for Educational Administration housed in the Department of Educational Administration at The University of Texas at Austin. He is the former Director of Research at the State Board for Educator Certification and now works for UCEA as well as consults for a number of school districts, universities, and both state and national research organizations.

Sirota Thursday 9-1-11 Hour 1

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:06:02 -0400

We led off talking about a story in Grand Junction. Prosecutors have dismissed the most serious charges against a drunken driver after the victim asked a judge to show mercy. Kevin Bascue suffered broken legs in the accident last year and had 10 surgeries. Bascoe told Judge Richard Gurley he sympathized with 51-year-old Debra Devoe. According to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, Devoe was sentenced to 12 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to drunken driving, vehicular assault, leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury and drug charges. She will be eligible for parole in six years. Prosecutors dismissed more serious charges, including being a habitual criminal. Should prosecutors take into account what victims of crimes like this say. Should the prosecutor be representing the community. Is this a bigger than just the individual. Joel Bakan our special guest to discuss his book Childhood Under Siege: How Big Business Targets Children. Bakan uncovers the astonishing degree to which companies exploit the special vulnerabilities of children, manipulate parents' fears, and operate with callous disregard for children's health and well-being.

Sirota Wednesday 8-31-11 Hour 3

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:15:15 -0400

The Clayton Lane Fine Arts is hosting the fine art of Ted Geisel, known to the world as the one and only Dr. Seuss. This rare exhibition of reproductions from Geisel's never before seen personal collection runs through the end of October at Clayton Lane in Cherry Creek. This exhibition is held in conjunction with the release of a new coffee-table book collecting Geisel's personal work titled, Dr. Seuss's Secrets of the Deep: The Lost, Forgotten, and Hidden Works of Theodor Seuss Geisel, a collector's volume featuring many of the pieces in the exhibit. National Curator of the Seuss Art exhibit Bill Dreyer is our special guest. Dreyer is recognized as the leading authority on the Art of Dr. Seuss with research focused on prominent public and private collections including The Dr. Seuss Estate, the Dr. Seuss archives at the University of California San Diego, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential library as well as important private collections. Dreyer has spent the last 11 years researching the life and art of Theodor Seuss Geisel. We then asked the audience if you think Dr. Seuss was political. Was he Progressive. We also threw out a ton of news stories this hour.

Sirota Wednesday 8-31-11 Hour 2

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:12:35 -0400

We had two authors this hour. At 8:05 Professor of Law at Harvard Randall Kennedy our special guest to talk about The Persistence of the Color Line: Racial Profiles and the Obama Presidency. This book gives us a keen and shrewd analysis of the complex relationship between the first black president and his African-American constituency. He tackles such hot-button issues as the nature of racial opposition to Obama, whether Obama has a singular responsibility to African Americans, electoral politics and cultural chauvinism, black patriotism, the differences in Obama's presentation of himself to blacks and to whites, the challenges posed by the dream of a postracial society, and the far-from-simple symbolism of Obama as a leader of the Joshua generation in a country that has elected only three black senators and two black governors in its entire history. At 8:40 Amy Kalafa is David's special guest to discuss her new release Lunch Wars: How to Start a School Food Revolution and Win the Battle for Our Children's Health. She has a discussion and book signing tomorrow night at the Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch starting at 7:30 pm. David also threw out news stories including Pat Buchanon saying white males need affirmative action.

Sirota Wednesday 8-31-11 Hour 1

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:03:26 -0400

Sirota led off talking about Michael Vick's new 6 year 100 million dollar deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. David's take is that what he did was deplorable. He went to Jail and served his time and therefore should be able to have a second chance. We also talked about the racial aspect of this story. At 7:40 our special guests were Dr. John Rury and Dr. Argun Saatcioglu, professor and assistant professor of educational leadership and policy studies at KU. They recently published an article in the American Journal of Education showing how some suburban school districts gained advantages, thereby excluding them from some others. Opportunity hoarding, a term coined by sociologist Charles Tilley, claims that a group that gains advantages tends to work to maintain them.

Sirota Tuesday 8-30-11 Hour 3

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:19:13 -0400

Ken Reed our special guest to talk about the how dysfunctional NCAA Football programs have become especially the University of Miami. Ken Reed is Sports Policy Director for League of Fans, a sports reform project founded by Ralph Nader. David then played audio of Michelle Bachmann evoking God over earthquakes and hurricanes. At 9:35 Publisher at the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle Chuck Boniwell our special guest to talk about whether or not we need to pay those mailed photo radar or red light tickets. He says no.

Sirota Tuesday 8-30-11 Hour 2

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:16:06 -0400

Drew Magary our very special guest to talk about is new book The Postmortal: A Novel. Imagine a near future where a cure for aging is discovered and-after much political and moral debate-made available to people worldwide. Immortality, however, comes with its own unique problems-including evil green people, government euthanasia programs, a disturbing new religious cult, and other horrors.Would you want to live forever. What about 1,000 years. Could we sustain eternal life. What problems could you see come up.

Sirota Tuesday 8-30-11 Hour 1

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:06:27 -0400

David talked about the possibility of the Olympics in Denver in 2022. What do you think. At 7:35
Environmental activist Bill McKibben our special guest. McKibben is among hundreds of people arrested last week during ongoing sit-ins outside the White House, protesting the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that would carry tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada, to the Gulf of Mexico. On Friday, the U.S. State Department's final environmental review of the proposed pipeline found that the project will have limited adverse environmental impacts. Protesters began their second week of sit-ins yesterday, and continue to demand President Obama veto approval for the pipeline.

Sirota Monday 8-29-11 Hour 3

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:15:39 -0400

Josh Baron joins Sirota to talk about the book he co authored with Dean Budnick Ticket Masters:The Rise of the Concert Industry and How the Public Got Scalped. This is the story of the concert ticket monopoly, legalized scalping and how Ticketmaster came to rule the concert world. David then talked about the Dick Cheney book and Colin Powell response. We also threw out a few news items. At 9:40 Professor of Law at the University of Colorado Paul Campos our special guest to talk about the Law School Scam. Denver Post columnist Vincent Carroll recently wrote a piece on Campos' thoughts on whether Law School is a worthy investment.

Sirota Monday 8-29-11 Hour 2

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:08:35 -0400

The World Health Organization recommends slapping adult ratings on movies with scenes that depict smoking, an approach that some anti-tobacco advocates believe could deter kids from lighting up. Although WHO guidance is largely symbolic, and most nations have ignored it, supporters of controlling kids' access to these images now say restrictive ratings could influence what movie makers are marketing to kids, according to their policy paper in this week's issue of the journal PLoS Medicine. Authors of this paper say that some governments provide generous subsidies to the U.S. film industry for movies that indirectly promote tobacco use in youngsters. They would like to turn that around with a policy that relies on economic disincentives, such as making sure that films that include tobacco use are ineligible for public subsidies. Should a state be able to look at movie content before subsidizing it. Should movies that have smoking in it automatically get R ratings.

Sirota Monday 8-29-11 Hour 1

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:03:08 -0400

David led off talking about the overblown coverage of Hurricane Irene. Was it too overboard for you. Do you think the coverage was overblown because it covered the D.C. and New York City area. At 7:35 David talked about police using testicular grabbing to subdue people that are resisting arrest. Is this acceptable. Would you rather be tased or squeezed.

Sirota Friday 8-26-11 Hour 3

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:24:51 -0400

We led off with comedian actor Jon Lovitz who has shows at Comedy Works tonight and tomorrow night at 7:15 and 9:45. We talked comedy and about growing up as a Jew. David then brought up this local story. The University of Colorado is investigating an assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences who is accused of violating the school's amorous relationship policy because of an alleged affair with a graduate student who worked for him, according to sources with knowledge of the case. While the relationship was consensual, the sources said the professor never disclosed it to his department chair, a potential violation of a university policy adopted in 2003. That rule is meant to make sure students aren't being graded or evaluated by faculty members with whom they're having romantic relationships. Penalties for violating CU's amorous relationship policy can range from letters of reprimand to dismissal. Do you find a problem with this. What is your stance on workplace relationships. Where can there be problems.

Sirota Friday 8-26-11 Hour 2

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:13:43 -0400

The National Labor Relations Board issued new regulations that require companies to put posters on their bulletin boards that inform employees about their rights to unionize under federal law. Under the new regulations, businesses would have to display notices that explain the right to bargain collectively, to give out union literature and to work together to improve wages and conditions free of retaliation. Business groups were quick to criticize the new regulations, which they said were part of the board's pro-union tilt under President Obama. What are your thoughts on this one. At 8:40 we talked with Bart Miller the Water Program Director at Western Resource Advocates. A major source of water supply could face unprecedented shortages as oil shale development increases in the Colorado River Basin alongside with unchecked climate change, according to a new report by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Sirota Friday 8-26-11 Hour 1

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:59:19 -0400

David's conservative alter ego Barkeley Winmore hosted this hour for David. He argued for taxes in the conservative mold. How can he share his wealth. The wealthy are oppressed.

Sirota Thursday 8-25-11 Hour 3

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:12:19 -0400

According to the National Law Journal, a former KPMG senior manager filed a class action last week seeking 350 million for KPMG's women managers, senior managers and managing directors. Kassman claims she was told that KPMG cut her base salary by 20,000 while she was on maternity leave in 2003 because she was paid too much. When she asked her male supervisor how she could get that salary back, Kassman claims the supervisor said she did not need the money because she had a nice engagement ring. Have you ever been judged by an employer like this. How often do you think this happens. How else does this type of workplace discrimination happen.

Sirota Thursday 8-25-11 Hour 2

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:12:42 -0400

Republican Rep. Mike Coffman says members of Congress should follow millions of American workers and give up their pensions. The Republican from suburban Denver says that when Congress returns from recess, he'll suggest cutting the pension available to members with at least five years' service. Coffman says that the bad economy prompted his idea. Coffman says that pensions should continue for current congressional pensioners, and be frozen for lawmakers already vested in the pension plan. Coffman says Congress should switch to a defined-contribution retirement system similar to a 401 K. Coffman has not said how much his pension idea would save. Dave says this sends wrong message and is a further attack on unions and labor. What do you think. At 8:40 Aaron Kupchik, an associate professor of sociology and criminal justice at the University of Delaware our special guest. He is the co author of a new study on school security and povery. Elementary, middle, and high schools with large minority populations-but not necessarily higher crime rates-are far more likely than others to require students and visitors to pass through metal detectors, according to new research to be presented at the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association. In fact, the study finds that rates of student misbehavior and crime are only weakly and inconsistently related to school security measures.

Sirota Thursday 8-25-11 Hour 1

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:01:17 -0400

David talked about how we are investing our tax payer money in projects that are not helping the average American and rather building the Chinese middle class. We hear China built the MLK Memorial and are buying leases at the World Trade Center. What are your thoughts on this.

Sirota Wednesday 8-24-11 Hour 3

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:15:27 -0400

Our special guest is UC Berkeley Economics Professor Dr. Ulrike Malmendier who has been researching how big economic changes, such as a recession or depression, affect the way people invest. She says the past decade - with the tech bubble burst of 2000, the crash of 2008 and the plunge of this month - has made young people less likely to invest in the stock market. She also says her research suggests that young people today are likely to invest very little, if at all, in the stock market for decades. Dr. Malmendier received her PhD in Business Economics from Harvard University in 2002, and her PhD in Law (summa cum laude) from the University of Bonn in 2000. She joined Berkeley in 2006 as an Assistant Professor, after having been at Stanford as Assistant Professor of Finance since 2002. She currently serves as associate editor for the Journal of Financial Intermediation and the Economic Journal. She has been on the program committee and organized numerous sessions at the annual meetings of the American Economic Association, American Finance Association, and Western Finance Association. David then took calls on investing in this volatile recession. We also talked about teaching accelerated computer science courses to young kids. What do you think.

Sirota Wednesday 8-24-11 Hour 2

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:26:49 -0400

David spent the first half hour throwing out some news items and asking if whether or not you believe there are more bad people in the world than good people. Are people's attitudes just a sign of hard times. At 8:40 Joel Salatin joins David to talk about Boulder County's Eat Local Week which runs August 27th through September 4th. He is the keynoter speaker at an event at the Chataqua Ampitheater on Friday August 29th. Transition Colorado is putting on this event. Joel Salatin is the world's most-recognized beyond organic and strictly local, clean food farmer, prolific author and inspiring speaker, who with his family owns Polyface Farm in Virginia. He has been featured prominently in the NYT bestseller Omnivore's Dilemma and the Oscar-nominated documentary, Food Inc., as well as Fresh: The Movie.

Sirota Wednesday 8-24-11 Hour 1

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:06:58 -0400

David led off talking about child obesity. When you look at what Michelle Obama is doing as far as eating healthy and physical activity, is it proper. A group says she is inadvertently stigmatizing children. Do you think there is more psychological damage being done to people who are overweight. Do we have a child obesity epidemic. David also talked about workplace bullying. Have you ever been bullied at work. What defines workplace bullying.

Sirota Tuesday 8-23-11 Hour 3

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:30:44 -0400

We had some open phones and quite a rant from David this hour. A lot of nit picking, nasty emails and general Tuesday chaos led to this rant. We then were joined by Steven Greenhouse to update us on the supposed end of the Verizon strike. Greenhouse New York Times labor and workplace correspondent and author of The Big Squeeze: Tough Times for the American Worker.

Sirota Tuesday 8-23-11 Hour 2

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:22:31 -0400

David spent the first hour talking about a potential 4 day school week in stead of paying higher taxes. What would you prefer. At 8:40 It may not rank as the most compelling reason to curb greenhouse gases, but reducing our emissions might just save humanity from a pre-emptive alien attack, scientists claim. This highly speculative scenario is one of several described by a NASA-affiliated scientist and colleagues at Pennsylvania State University that, while considered unlikely, they say could play out were humans and alien life to make contact at some point in the future. Corresponding author of the study Seth Baum our special guest. He currently is a PhD candidate in Pennsylvania State University's Geography Department and a visiting scholar at Columbia University's Center for Research on Environmental Decisions.

Sirota Tuesday 8-23-11 Hour 1

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:56:00 -0400

As the 10-year anniversary of the 9-11 terror attacks approaches, the Department of Homeland Security has launched a national television campaign to remind citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities. The TV spots are inspired by a local campaign that began across New York subways and buses in the wake of the 9-11 terror attacks. The Big Apple's Metropolitan Transit Authority owns the rights to the campaign idea and its memorable tagline, If You See Something, Say Something. They have licensed that tagline to Homeland Security for its anti-terror and anti-crime efforts. Is the government endorsing a culture of paranoia. Do you think this ad will be effective. Will this make our community safer or will it sow more fear that isolates us from each other.

Sirota Monday 8-22-11 Hour 3

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:15:30 -0400

Our very special guest is Dr. Tsuyoshi Hasegawa, a highly respected historian at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has marshaled compelling evidence that it was the Soviet entry into the Pacific conflict, not Hiroshima and Nagasaki, that forced Japan's surrender. David then threw out several news items before being joined by Progress Report and Think Progress' Lee Fang to talk about his piece Fake Facebook Identity Used by Military Contractors Plotting to Hack Progressive Organizations.

Sirota Monday 8-22-11 Hour 2

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 10:19:06 -0400

Bill Smoot our special guest to talk about his book Conversations With Great Teachers. In the spirit of Studs Terkel's Working, Bill Smoot interviews master teachers in fields ranging from K--12 and higher education to the arts, trades and professions, sports, and politics. The result suggests a dinner party where the most fascinating teachers in America discuss their various styles as well as what makes their work meaningful to them. Bill Smoot has been a teacher for 35 years at levels ranging from 6th grade to university. He has taught at Northwestern, University of Hawaii Hilo and Miami University. He currently teaches English at a Bay Area prep school. David then asled teh audience what makes a great teacher. What's the difference between good and great teachers.

Sirota Monday 8-22-11 Hour 1

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:05:22 -0400

David led off talking about the news in Libya. Libyan government tanks and snipers put up scattered, last-ditch resistance in Tripoli on Monday after rebels swept into the heart of the capital, cheered on by crowds hailing the end of Muammar Gaddafi's 42 years in power. Let's assume Gaffadi is about to fall, do you think the Libya War was or is a good idea. Do you think chaos will ensue. We also talked about the poverty line and what the Heritage Foundation is defining as poor. What defines poverty level for you. David also threw out some news stories.

Sirota Friday 8-19-11 Hour 3

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:13:13 -0400

Comedian Christopher Titus and Brian O'Connell from Renegade Brewing Company in studio this hour. We also took votes for schmuck of the week and took grievances.

Sirota Friday 8-19-11 Hour 2

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:15:13 -0400

It may not pay to be nice in the workplace. A new study finds that agreeable workers earn significantly lower incomes than less agreeable ones. The gap is especially wide for men. The researchers examined agreeableness using self-reported survey data and found that men who measured below average on agreeableness earned about 18 percent more-or 9,772 more annually in their sample-than nicer guys. Ruder women, meanwhile, earned about 5 percent or 1,828 more than their agreeable counterparts. Our special guest is study co-author Beth A. Livingston, an assistant professor of human resource studies at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations. We then asked why you think this is the case. We also opened up Festivus Friday and took some grievances. We also talked about the very racist Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. He says the president is privileged because he is black. You agree or disagree.

Sirota Friday 8-19-11 Hour 1

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:06:20 -0400

Sirota led off with the fuss about presidential vacation. GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney is criticizing President Barack Obama for taking a vacation when the U.S. economy is in shambles. Romney said if he was president right now, he'd go back to the office immediately, pull back members of Congress from their vacations and focus on getting the job done. David says everyone deserves vacation and paid. Do you think it is outrageous that he is taking vacation right now

Sirota Thursday 8-18-11 Hour 3

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:24:41 -0400

News reporter at Science Magazine currently based in Cambridge UK Sara Reardon our special guest to talk about her piece Climate Change Sparks Battle in Classroom. An informal survey this spring of 800 members of the National Earth Science Teachers Association found that climate change was second only to evolution in triggering protests from parents and school administrators. Most science teachers don't relish having to engage this latest threat to their profession and resent devoting precious classroom time to a discussion of an alleged controversy. And they believe that politics has no place in a science classroom. Even so, some are being dragged against their will into a conflict they fear could turn ugly. We threw out news items, took a couple calls on cliamte change and teachers befroe being joined by Cathy Davidson. She talked about her new book Now You See It: How the Brain Science of Attention Will Transform the Way We Live, Work and Learn.

Sirota Thursday 8-18-11 Hour 2

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:12:02 -0400

New reports and business numbers are showing that the tattoo industry is recession proof. More people are getting them and more people are getting them removed. What are your general thoughts on tattoos. Do you think employers should be able to discriminate against workers with tattoos.

Sirota Thursday 8-18-11 Hour 1

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:02:38 -0400

Sirota led off talking about Karl Rove who said on Fox News last night that it is offensive to say that America is a Christian Nation. Do you agree or disagree with Karl Rove. How would the media react if the president or anyone on the left said the same thing. At 7:35 our special guest was Susan McMahon who is running for Douglas County school board. That is where a huge voucher battle is going on.

Sirota Wednesday 8-17-11 Hour 3

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:16:12 -0400

David led off updating that Congressman Doug Lamborn has asked for the Do Not Protest Sign be taken down from the building where his office is. We then talked about this story. A relatively new brand of dissolvable tobacco has industry insiders on the defensive over critics claims that the Camel brand product looks a lot like something you might pop in your mouth to freshen your breath. RJ Reynolds is currently testing the market of its Camel dissolvable tobacco in Denver and North Carolina as it decides whether to market it on a more nationwide level. RJ Reynolds spokesperson David Howard says the fact that the tobacco comes in child-proof containers and provides large warnings on both the front and back on the box is a clear example of who should and who should not be using it. Critics are quick to counter however. Both sides plan to present arguments in front of the Colorado Board of Health on Wednesday. Camel's dissolvable tobacco comes in the form of orbs, sticks, and strips, and contains less nicotine than the average smoker consumes from the average cigarette, according to Howard. What are your thoughts on this.

Sirota Wednesday 8-17-11 Hour 2

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:23:35 -0400

Attacks on sorely-needed increases in state tax revenues often include the unproven claim that tax hikes will drive large numbers of households, particularly the most affluent, to other states. The same claim also is used to justify new tax cuts. Compelling evidence shows that this claim is false. The effects of tax increases on migration are, at most, small. So small that states that raise income taxes on the most affluent households can be assured of a substantial net gain in revenue. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has a report out disputing these claims. Our special guest is Jon Shure Director of State Fiscal Strategies at the CBPP. David threw out the challenge for someone who will move out of the state if we raise our sales tax rates.

Sirota Wednesday 8-17-11 Hour 1

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:00:16 -0400

David led off talking about a new poll confirming suspicion about folks in Washington D.C. and that they exist in a world that is totally different and divorced from the reality of most Americans' lives. Washington DC has the highest percentage of folks who believe the economy is headed in the right direction and they have low unemployment numbers. Denver Post staff writer who covers energy issues Mark Jaffe our special guest to talk about his piece Colorado Property Owners Faced With Possibility of Being Forced Into Drilling Plans. Across Elbert and Douglas counties, where energy companies are competing for leases, landmen are using the forced pooling card as leverage, property owners say. At 7:35 we talked about a study by University at Buffalo sociologists that found that the portrayal of women in the popular media over the last several decades has become increasingly sexualized, even pornified. Our special guest was one of the authors of the study Dr. Erin Hatton, an assistant professor in the UB Department of Sociology.

Sirota Tuesday 8-16-11 Hour 3

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:41:35 -0400

At 9:05 University of Colorado Environmental Studies professor Roger Pielke Jr. our special guest. He has a pitch that he thinks could help solve the university's budget woes. He suggests CU charge one flat tuition rate for in-state and out-of-state students. His commentary, published by the Chronicle of Higher Education, suggests eliminating the differential tuition rates for Colorado students and their non-resident peers. CU officials say it's an interesting idea but they're not entertaining it now. At 9:20 the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado and the ACLU Women's Rights Project took action yesterday against a Jefferson County public charter school that fired a teacher for asserting her right to pump breast milk while at work, in violation of state and federal anti-discrimination laws. The ACLU filed a state notice of claim against the school as well as a federal complaint of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, signaling the ACLU's intent to file a formal lawsuit. Our special guest is Colorado ACLU staff attorney Rebecca Wallace. We then threw it out to the audience why does breast feeding make some uncomfortable and what do yu think about this lawsuit?

Sirota Tuesday 8-16-11 Hour 2

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:24:18 -0400

At 8:05 James Gilligan our special guest to talk about his new book Why Some Politicians are More Dangerous Than Others. Gilligan has discovered a devastating truth that has been hiding in plain sight for the past century - namely, that when America's conservative party, the Republicans, have gained the presidency, the country has repeatedly suffered from epidemics of violent death. Rates of both suicide and homicide have sky-rocketed. David then threw out some news items before being joined by Mike Elk to talk about his Nation piece The Hidden History of ALEC and Prison Labor. We then asked if we should be using prison labor in a recession and job numbers are so weak.

Sirota Tuesday 8-16-11 Hour 1

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:06:53 -0400

David led off talking about TSA. Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee dubbed a new Transportation Security Administration behavior-detection program set to begin Monday as chat downs. The lawmakers renewed their criticism of the TSA tactic, drawing an obvious comparison to the agency's controversial pat-downs and hand searches. The TSA was expected to begin testing the program for 60 days at Boston's Logan Airport. Under the proposal, travelers will be interviewed to assess suspicious behavior by their reactions to certain questions. Do you think a full body scan is less invasive than an interview. Would you rather go through a scanner or take an interview. Do you think your neighborhood government should be allowed to via zoning laws etc, to move or eliminate halfway houses out of their communities.

Sirota Monday 8-15-11 Hour 3

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:17:53 -0400

Salon staff writer Mary Elizabeth Williams joins Sirota to talk about her Salon piece Does Eating Right Have to be Expensive. We then talked about vouchers and Douglas County. A Denver judge has granted a motion to halt the Douglas County voucher pilot pending further court action, a ruling that could send hundreds of students back to district schools. In a 68-page ruling issued late Friday afternoon, District Court Judge Michael Martinez finds merit in six of eight legal challenges raised by attorneys representing a handful of Douglas County parents and groups including the American Civil Liberties Union. He says the court is not prepared to mandate that Colorado taxpayers fund private religious education noting the voucher plan violates both financial and religious provisions of the Colorado Constitution. We talked about whether or not you are for or against voucher programs.

Sirota Monday 8-15-11 Hour 2

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:12:43 -0400

San Francisco city officials are considering a law that would prohibit private employers, landlords and city contractors from inquiring about an individual's arrest or conviction history before determining whether that person is qualified for a job or housing. If the law is approved, San Francisco would join Hawaii, New York, Massachusetts and Philadelphia in protecting most people with criminal records from blanket discrimination in the private job market. A handful of jurisdictions in Illinois and Wisconsin impose similar restrictions on landlords, and Seattle is now weighing a proposal comparable to San Francisco's that does both. Our special guest at 8:10 was Julio Medina, the Executive Director of Exodus Transitional Inc. We then opened it up to the audience and asked if landlords and employers should be able to look at your criminal records.

Sirota Monday 8-15-11 Hour 1

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 08:58:37 -0400

Back in 2009, two female students at a Fort Wayne Indiana high school were disciplined after photos emerged that they had posted on MySpace. The girls, aged 15 and 16, took photos at a sleepover that displayed sexually suggestive poses with various props. The girls put these photos on MySpace, and according to the AP, their privacy settings only allowed friends to see them. Somehow, a parent at the school came across the photos and brought them to the district superintendent. The parent said that the photos were causing divisiveness among the school volleyball team, of which the girls were members. The principal suspended the two girls from the volleyball team, the choir and the cheerleading team. He also ordered the girls to complete three counseling sessions and made them apologize to an all-male coaching board. With the help of the Indiana ACLU, the two teens filed a lawsuit against the school district in October of 2009. And now, the District Judge has ruled that the school violated the girls' first amendment rights by disciplining them for the racy photos. Do you think the school system should be in the business of punishing your kid for something that is legal outside of school. At 7:35 Boulder DA Stan Garnett and State Senator Linda Newell joined us to talk about zero tolerance policies in schools.

Sirota Friday 8-12-11 Hour 3

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:34:32 -0400

Comedian and actor Rob Schneider our special in studio guest. He has shows at Comedy Works this tonight and tomorrow night. Known as an actor, writer, producer, but most of all- comedian, Rob Schneider has been in feature films, tv shows and on stages making people laugh for decades. He is considered one of the funniest men in entertainment today, the Emmy-nominated actor is known for his trademark blend of character and comedic acting. He currently has multiple projects in the works but you may recognize him from numerous Happy Madison productions, many with Adam Sandler, including Bedtime Stories, 50 First Dates, The Longest Yard, Little Nicky, Mr. Deeds, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, The Hot Chick, The Animal and recently the hit Grown Ups. Schneider has many comedy credits on his resume as well including 4 seasons on Saturday Night Live that earned him 3 Emmy nominations and a Peabody Award. You won't believe how truly progressive he is. You gotta hear this hour. We closed things out with Paul Anderson who has an event and lecture on the suburbs and fil at the MCA Denver.

Sirota Friday 8-12-11 Hour 2

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:09:57 -0400

Should college students be eligible to collect food stamps.We also opened up Festivus Friday and aired grievances. At 8:35 Juan Williams our special guest. NPR News terminated his contract after remarks he made on the Fox News Channel about Muslims. He has a new book out called Muzzled: The Assault on Honest Debate.

Sirota Friday 8-12-11 Hour 1

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:08:11 -0400

We led off playing audio of GOP hopeful Mitt Romney insisting that corporations are people. A new poll in Colorado says that two thirds of Coloradans say that state capital dome repairs should be paid for by corporations. We also talked about Sports Authority Field at Invesco Field. What do you think about corporations being solicited to pay for such things. What do you think about selling off the symbol of our public sector. What corp would you like to see but naming rights for the dome on the capital. We also talked about a potential John Hickenlooper presidency in 2016. Would you be excited about this. Is there some deeper commentary that he is being mentioned as a presidential candidate.

Sirota Thursday 8-11-11 Hour 3

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:20:15 -0400

At 9:06 Barbara Ehrenreich our very special guest. Her bestselling book, Nickel and Dimed: On Not Getting By in America, is just out in its tenth anniversary edition. Its new afterword takes the reader through the looking glass of the 2008 financial meltdown and into a new world of American poverty. This week's TomDispatch post, shortened and adapted from that afterward, is perfectly timed for an American era in which the book's subtitle might have to be changed to On Not Getting a Job in America. We talked about the criminalization of poverty. We then took some calls on it. At 9:40 Simon Reynolds joins David to talk about his new book Retromania: Pop Culture's Addiction to It's Own Past.

Sirota Thursday 8-11-11 Hour 2

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:20:23 -0400

David McRaney our special guest to talk about his AlterNet piece Why do People Believe Stupid Stuff, Even When They're Confronted With the Truth. David is the author of the upcoming book You Are Not So Smart: Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook, Why Your Memory Is Mostly Fiction, and 46 Other Ways You're Deluding Yourself. At 8:25 we threw out news stories and at 8:35 we talked with Jeff Ryan about his book Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America.

Sirota Thursday 8-11-11 Hour 1

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:58:16 -0400

Is the US Military preparing for London type riots. Do you think we will see these type of riots in the US. What is fueling these riots. David argues it is economic distress. We threw out several news stories and also talked about the proposal to make welfare recipients take drug

Sirota Wednesday 8-10-11 Hour 3

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:27:52 -0400

We led off with Wired Magazine's Tim Carmody to talk about Google Plus. Folks on the right and left in the media are claiming President Obama as anti business president. Doesn't this seem like a big misnomer with the new debt deal. Why are so many businesses giving so much money to him if he is anti business.

Sirota Wednesday 8-10-11 Hour 2

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:07:11 -0400

At 8:06 Jim Davidson and Kevin Vaughan our special in studio guests to talk about their book The Ledge: An Adventure Story of Friendship and Survival on Mt. Rainier. In 1992, best friends Jim Davidson and Mike Price ascended up Mount Rainier, a glacier-covered volcano in Washington. On their way down, a snow bridge collapsed beneath Jim. He plummeted down 80 feet into a glacial crevasse, dragging his best friend down with him. Mike Price died instantly from injuries and Jim was left to scale an 80-foot overhanging wall of ice, without the proper equipment, all by himself. David threw out some local stories before being joined by Dr. Wayne Koestenbaum joins the show discussing his new book Humiliation. Bill Clinton was humiliated by that thing he did with the cigar. Anthony Weiner was shamed for lewd photo messages. Those guys on Jackass ought to be embarrassed for their pranks, as should many of the people who post videos to YouTube. Why is our society obsessed with the humiliation of others. What does that say about us. Is embarrassment becoming more common and less meaningful in the age of the internet. Can there be some redemptive power in humiliation. We then started taking humiliating stories.

Sirota Wednesday 8-10-11 Hour 1

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:45:08 -0400

David led off talking about a Denver Post opinion piece on working while in school. Do you encourage or discourage your kid from working while going to school. Does working take away from academic achievements. We also talked about a petition going around asking for Sesame Street to let Bert and Ernie marry. You for or against.

Sirota Tuesday 8-9-11 Hour 3

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 11:27:36 -0400

New York Times Op-Ed contributor Jeff Smink joins the program to discuss his piece This is Your Brain on Summer. He argues that the American ideal of lazy summers filled with fun has an unintended consequence. If students are not engaged in learning over the summer, they lose skills in math and reading. Jeff Smink is the vice president for policy for the National Summer Learning Association.David then threw out several news items. He also talked about the London and Philly riots. David gave his analysis on why they are happening. We also talked about a proposed tax hike in Aurora to help raise funds for the police department. Good or bad idea and will Aurora push it through.

Sirota Tuesday 8-9-11 Hour 2

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:12:46 -0400

Cornell Professor Melissa Ferguson joins Sirota to talk about her study that looks at the political impact of the flag's image on Americans. The research finds that for up to eight months after glimpsing the stars and stripes, voters of all political persuasions shift toward conservative Republican attitudes and voting behavior. Melissa Ferguson, an associate professor of psychology at Cornell, conducted two experiments with Travis J. Carter, Ph.D. '09, of the University of Chicago and Ran R. Hassin of Hebrew University. The results were published in Psychological Science July 8. We then asked why, how or when the American flag and patriotism got hijacked.

Sirota Tuesday 8-9-11 Hour 1

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 09:12:21 -0400

Probably to his chagrin, the past week has launched Donald Rumsfeld back into the media spotlight amidst allegations of torture and harsh interrogation techniques. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled Monday that two American men can move forward with a civil lawsuit against the former Defense Secretary regarding allegations of torture by the U.S. military in Iraq. Do you think we can and should hold top government officials personally liable for the actions carried out in their name in public office. At 7:40 Dr. Nassir Ghaemi joins the show to discuss his book A First Rate Madness: Uncovering the Links Between Leadership and Mental Illness. Nassir Ghaemi, who runs the Mood Disorders Program at Tufts Medical Center, draws from the careers and personal plights of such notable leaders as Lincoln, Churchill, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., JFK, and others from the past two centuries to build an argument at once controversial and compelling: the very qualities that mark those with mood disorders - realism, empathy, resilience, and creativity-also make for the best leaders in times of crisis. At 7:56 Executive VP at Presidential Brokerage Michael Speer joined us to talk about the market today.

Sirota Monday 8-8-11 Hour 3

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:35:05 -0400

We led off with Mike Berners-Lee to talk about his book How Bad Are Bananas: The Carbon Footprint of Everything. At 9:20 our special guest was CBS Moneywatch.com's analyst Alan Roth to update us on today's market slide and the Smalls and Poors downgrade. Also this hour we talked about this story. An increase in Spanish-speaking votadores in Colorado is expected to trigger some complicated election changes that have counties nervously waiting for federally mandated orders as deadlines loom. Sixteen Colorado county clerks are anticipating that the U.S. Department of Justice will notify them in the next month that they must provide election materials in Spanish as well as English, under provisions of the Voting Rights Act. There is also a slight chance that the entire state could be ordered to provide dual-language ballots, according to the Colorado secretary of state's office. What are your thoughts on this.

Sirota Monday 8-8-11 Hour 2

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:23:03 -0400

A Utah man lionized by environmentalists for crashing a 2008 government auction of energy leases near two national parks was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 10,000 dollars last Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Dee Benson in Salt Lake City ordered Tim DeChristopher taken into custody immediately. DeChristopher could have received up to 10 years in prison and a 1.5-million fine. In March, a jury convicted him of two felonies: making a false statement and violating laws on oil and gas leasing. He was not allowed to testify about his motivations for bidding on the oil rights to 22,000 acres in Utah's red rock country, near Arches and Canyonlands national parks. An economics student at the time, DeChristopher said he was moved by a fellow environmentalist who was watching the sale and weeping. He hoped to delay the fate of 13 parcels, which he'd offered to lease for nearly 1.8 million before officials ejected him from the auction. Obama's Interior Department eventually ruled that its predecessor had incorrectly administered the lease sale and yanked the parcels off the auction block. A federal judge later ruled that the Obama administration's actions were improper, but did not reinstate the leases. The energy industry pushed for a prosecution, worried that DeChristopher would inspire future auction-crashers. After his conviction, federal prosecutors asked that he be sentenced to a significant prison term to promote respect for the law. They maintained that he cost oil firms hundreds of thousands of dollars in higher bids for other parcels. Our special guest is DeChristopher's attorney Pat Shea who says he will appeal the case. We updated the market on the Smalls and Poors downgrade. David then asked if we should raise legal immigration levels. A top GOPer says it is time to do so. You agree.

Sirota Monday 8-8 Hour 1

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:58:04 -0400

Sirota led off talking about the Standard and Poors downgrade. Futures took a nose-dive Monday following last week's downgrade of U.S.'s credit rating from triple A for the first time in history by ratings agency Standard and Poor's. David laid out the effects of the downgrade. Chiona now humiliating us on the world stage. How will this affect us. Do you agree with China that we need to cut defense spending. At 7:40 we were joined by Dr. Sandra Steingraber to talk about her book Raising Elijah: Protecting Children in an Age of Environmental Crisis.

Sirota Friday 8-5-11 Hour 3

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 11:27:10 -0400

Geoff Berg in today. We talked more about the tea party, racial politics and more. We also took nominations fro Schmuck of the Week.

Sirota Friday 8-5-11 Hour 2

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:11:26 -0400

Geoff Berg in today. He led this hour playing some audio of Chris Matthews saying we need a new WPA type program to get the economy turned around. We talked taxes and about the Tea Party as well. At 8:30 Geoff talked about Tar Baby Gate and Congressman Doug Lamborn. Why are some folks still claiming this is not a racially insensitive. Why are some talkers on the right worried this will chill free speech.

Sirota Friday 8-5-11 Hour 1

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:07:08 -0400

Geoff Berg in for Sirota today. He led with some news analysis and talked about the new job numbers. At 7:18 Lanny Sachnowitz an investment specialist and cousin of Geoff joined the show to break down the numbers. Geoff also played audio of Paul Krugman dropping bombs on Obama calling him the second coming of Herbert Hoover.

Sirota Thursday 8-4-11 Hour 3

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:11:51 -0400

Male contraceptives are attracting growing interest from scientists, who believe they hold promise for being safe, effective and, also important, reversible. Now, scientific advances are producing approaches that could pass muster. Prompted by women's organizations, global health groups and surveys indicating that men are receptive, federal agencies are financing research. Some methods will be presented at an October conference sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The most studied approach in the United States uses testosterone and progestin hormones, which send the body signals to stop producing sperm. While effective and safe for most men, they have not worked for everyone, and questions about side effects remain. So scientists are also testing other ways of interrupting sperm production, maturation or mobility. Would you want to use a pill instead of a condom if you are a man. And women, would you trust that the men are using the contraception correctly. We also talked about potential government restrictions on how loud Ipods can get. You for or against this.

Sirota Thursday 8-4-11 Hour 2

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:35:03 -0400

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock in studio this hour. He took questions on all the issues including paid sick days, jobs, Denver Police, marijuana legalization and much more.

Sirota Thursday 8-4-11 Hour 1

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:56:07 -0400

David led off with some more run off news on the Doug Lamborn Tar Baby comments. We also talked about postal service potentially going to 3 days a week. Would you support this. At 7:40 Colorado Progressive Coalition co-executive director Miriam Pena our special guest to talk about how minorities are lacking when it comes to getting paid sick days.

Sirota Wednesday 8-3-11 Hour 3

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 11:06:33 -0400

Douglas Rushkoff our special guest to talk about hackers and what is a hacker in 2011. Rushkoff is a media theorist, writer, columnist, lecturer, graphic novelist, documentarian and author of, most recently, Program or Be Programmed: Ten Commands for a Digital Age. He is best known for his association with the early cyberpunk culture, and his advocacy of open source solutions to social problems. Rushkoff currently teaches in the Media Studies department at The New School University in Manhattan. David then threw out some news. At 9:40 Susan Gregory Thomas our guest to discuss her Wall Street Journal piece The Divorce Generation and her book In Spite of Everything: A Memoir.

Sirota Wednesday 8-3-11 Hour 2

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:17:33 -0400

David led off on a rant on Doug Lamborn and his use of Tar Baby in referring to his dealing with the president. He issued a non-apology apology and also accused Sirota of starting this and said maybe David grew up around racists. At 8:15 we talked to Food and Water Watch's Sam Schabacker about fracking and the problems that arise. He recently wrote a Denver Post opinion piece on fracking. Just yesterday the mayor said he wanted to stop the paranoia surrounding fracking. Is it really paranoia. We then trew out news items before being joined by Tom Scocca to talk about his book Beijing Welcomes You: Unveiling the Capital City of the Future. Within the past decade, Beijing has debuted as the defining city of the now and foreseeable future, and China as the ascendant global power. Beijing is the ultimate representation of China's political and cultural capital, of its might-and threat. For so long, the city was closed off to the world, literally built around the Forbidden City, the icon of all that was ominous about China. But now, the country is eager to show off its new openness, its glory and magnanimity, and Beijing is its star. Scocca talked to the scientists tasked with changing the weather; interviewed designers and architects churning out projects; checked out the campaign to stop public spitting; documented the planting of trees, the rerouting of traffic, the demolition of the old city, and the construction of the new metropolis.

Sirota Wednesday 8-3-11 Hour 1

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:09:29 -0400

How can we make our schools better. Should we lengthen the school day. How about get rid of summer vacation. David threw out new data and we talked about the school schedule. David also fact checked Congressman Ed Perlmutter on his comments yesterday that since 2008 we have gotten Universal Health Care. We also played audio of Matt Damon defending teachers. David admitted to a man crush on Damon.

Sirota Tuesday 8-2-11 Hour 3

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:09:27 -0400

David's very special guest is Cenk Uygur. His public feud with MSNBC made headlines when The Young Turks host and creator called the cable network out for calling him an outsider. Uygur has made statements about why he is not choosing to renew his contract with MSNBC after executives told him that he has upset some insiders with his no-holds-barred stories on Washington which reveal the corruption from both parties. He went off on media. We then went to open phones for reaction to the debt deal.

Sirota Tuesday 8-2-11 Hour 2

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 10:10:02 -0400

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer our special guest. Early in July an estimated 42,000 gallons of crude oil poured out of ExxonMobil's Silvertip pipeline and into the Yellowstone River in Montana. Significant accumulations of oil have been found more than 40 miles downriver, and traces of oil have floated twice as far. While the cause of the spill has not been determined, speculation has centered on high river waters that could have exposed the pipe to damage. He even had some fine words on the budget deal and on the Tea Party. We threw out a few news items before joining Congressman Ed Perlmutter on his vote for the new debt deal.

Sirota Tuesday 8-2-11 Hour 1

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:59:35 -0400

The House of Representatives on Monday approved an 11th-hour deal to raise the borrowing limit, clearing the biggest hurdle to averting a potentially catastrophic debt default. Just one day before the deadline to lift the debt ceiling, the passage by 269 votes to 161 by the Republican-controlled House paved the way for an expected approval in the Senate of a 2.1 trillion deficit-cutting plan hammered out over the weekend. The Senate is set to vote today. David led with analysis. At 7:20 Congresswoman Diana DeGette explained her vote against the deal. At 7:42 Eliza Griswold joins David to discuss her new book The Tenth Parallel: Dispatches from the Fault Line Between Christianity and Islam. To explore the knife-edge where Islam and Christianity meet, Eliza Griswold has spent much of the past seven years traveling in Africa and Asia between the equator and the line of latitude seven hundred miles to the north, the tenth parallel. Through a series of unforgettable characters and their lives of deep faith, she tells the fifteen-hundred year story of how these two great faiths have come to intersect and interact. She concludes that the most important forces shaping the future of the world's religions are those contests unfolding inside of Christianity and Islam, not between them. She shows us that religion, like the weather, links us to each other whether we like it or not.

Sirota Monday 8-1-11 Hour 3

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:06:20 -0400

New York Times Magazine food columnist Mark Bittman our special guest to talk about his piece Bad Food? Tax It, and Subsidize Vegetables. Mark Bittman also has a column in the paper's Opinion section and blogs for The New York Times. He is the author of several books including How to Cook Everything, Food Matters and the Food Matters Cookbook. We then took calls on how we fund our food system. Should we end subsidies to commodities that make junk food. Should we subsidize healthy foods. Is this Nanny State. At 9:30 we talked about MTV's 30th Anniversary today. Is MTV better or worse than what it used to be and is what are your thoughts on MTV 30 years later.

Sirota Monday 8-1-11 Hour 2

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 10:18:50 -0400

ACLU of Colorado Legal Director Mark Silverstein our special guest for a civil liberties update. We talked about a case on letting inmates exercise outdoors and a case of alleged discrimination at the Gypsum Post Office. David then played audio of Congressman Doug Lamborn on Caplis and Silverman saying that he does not want to be involved with Obama on the debt debate because it's like being stuck to a TAR BABY. Do you think it's a racial shot. Or is just talking about being in a sticky situation? To close the hour Fox 31's Eli Stokols joined us to talk about a court case that deals with education in Colorado. Mayor Hickenlooper is named in the case.

Sirota Monday 8-1-11 Hour 1

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:52:58 -0400

David talked about the debt ceiling debate and about a White House cave to the Republicans. David talked more about the manufactured crisis and about the absence of tax talk in this issue. We took listener response on the debate.

Sirota Friday 7-29-11 Hour 3

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 11:07:29 -0400

Bobcat Goldthwait our special guest to lead off the hour. He has upcoming shows at Comedy Works tonight and tomorrow night. We talked about his fabled career, politics and making it in comedy. We had open phones and news items as well. At 9:40 New York Times science reporter Dennis Overbye joins the show to talk about his piece It's Alive! It's Alive! Maybe Right Here on Earth. Generations of scientists, children and science fiction fans have grown up presuming that humanity's first encounter with alien life will happen in a red sand dune on Mars, or in an enigmatic radio signal from some obscure star. But it could soon happen right here on Earth, according to a handful of chemists and biologists who are using the tools of modern genetics to try to generate the Frankensteinian spark that will jump the gap separating the inanimate and the animate.

Sirota Friday 7-29-11 Hour 2

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:08:18 -0400

Ross Perlin joins us from China to talk about his book Intern Nation: How to Earn Nothing and Learn Little in the Brave New Economy. Perlin has written the first expose of this world of drudgery and aspiration as he takes the reader inside both boutique nonprofits and megacorporations such as Disney, which employs 8,000 interns at Disney World alone. He profiles fellow interns, talks to academics and professionals about what unleashed this phenomenon, and explains why the intern boom is perverting workplace practices in locations all around the world. We then went to open phones and began Festivus Friday. We took the airing of grievances and took comments on any issue we have covered today. We also took President Obama live on debt talk. He says its up to Congress to act now. We also talked

Sirota Friday 7-29-11 Hour 1

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 09:09:05 -0400

Security versus privacy and freedom. Civil libertarians are raising the alarm over the state's plans to create a Big Brother database that could map drivers' whereabouts with police cruiser-mounted scanners that capture thousands of license plates per hour - storing that information indefinitely where local cops, staties, feds and prosecutors could access it as they choose. The computerized scanners, known as Automatic License Plate Recognition devices, instantly check for police alerts, warrants, traffic violations and parking tickets, which cops say could be an invaluable tool in thwarting crime. Is this too much Big Brother. We also talked about a police entrapment like scam when undercover police officers are selling stolen bikes. It's a sting on bike thefts. Critics say the police are focusing on delivery men. Should the police be in this kind of business. At 7:40 Dorothy Roberts joins David to discuss her new book Fatal Invention: How Science, Politics and Big Business Re-Create Race in the Twenty-First Century. Roberts argues that America is once again at the brink of a virulent outbreak of classifying population by race. By searching for differences at the molecular level, a new race-based science is obscuring racism in our society and legitimizing state brutality against communities of color at a time when America claims to be post-racial. Dorothy Roberts is the Kirkland & Ellis Professor at Northwestern University School of Law and a faculty fellow at the Institute for Policy Research.

Sirota Thursday 7-28-11 Hour 3

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:10:06 -0400

David talked about anonymity in the internet world. A top executive at Facebook says the era of anonymity is over. Are you for anonymity in public forums like Facebook or Instant Messaging a radio show. Should there be anonymity online. What about the whole parenting thing and keeping tabs on your kids. Also the number of parents who use Facebook to spy on their kids equals 55 percent. Another 5 percent would if they knew how. What do you do as a parent.

Sirota Thursday 7-28-11 Hour 2

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:08:07 -0400

Two Republican lawmakers say they're worried about back-to-school fliers Brighton parents received that promote a Democrat's proposed ballot initiative to raise Colorado's income and sales taxes to help fund schools. Sen. Nancy Spence and Rep. Tom Massey sent a letter Wednesday to the state education commissioner asking him to remind district administrators that schools are barred from sending political fliers to parents. Spence and Massey say the flier was distributed by the principal at Brighton's Prairie View High School. Democratic Sen. Rollie Heath is working on getting signatures to put a tax proposal on the November ballot. Democratic Senate spokesman Eddie Stern says he doesn't know whether such a flier was sent. But he says Democrats agree that administrators should be aware they shouldn't send political literature to students' parents. David agrees that public monies should not be spent to circulate this information. But, his initiative is non partisan and doesnt say vote for Heath. It just goves info on the school's ability to be a school. Is there a problem with this. At 8:35 we talked about Congressman Jared Polis saying that taxing internet gambling and legalizing marijuana can get us out of our economic crisis or at least will help extraordinarily help. Do you think exploring these ideas can reduce national debt.

Sirota Thursday 7-28-11 Hour 1

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:57:31 -0400

David led off with analysis of the debt debate. At 7:20 we talked about same sex marriages in Colorado and it potentially being on this year's ballot. The Boulder Daily Camera says Civil Rights for minority groups should not be put up for vote by the majority. Would you want your marriage put up to a vote of the people. Isn't this why we have a court system and a legislature when it comes to civil rights. You need to hear the first call of the day. Homophobe Raul in Boulder who says gays are a super minority and that he should be able to objectify women but he does not want any guys looking at him. Why is it usually men who seem to be more homophobic.

Sirota Wednesday 7-27-11 Hour 3

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:00:37 -0400

We carried over conversation on whether or not The Playboy Club to be aired at 10 pm on NBC is appropriate or glorifies porn. We also talked about mutton busting and whether it is child abuse if you make your kids try it and what is the problem with mutton busting in general.

Sirota Wednesday 7-27-11 Hour 2

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:10:30 -0400

Instead of calming fears, the death of Osama bin Laden actually led more Americans to feel threatened by Muslims living in the United States, according to a new nationwide survey. Our special guest is Erik Nisbet, assistant professor of communication at Ohio State University, and one of the leaders of the survey project. We opened iyt up and asked the audience why you think it has not changed or gone up since the death of Osama bin Laden. At 8:40 David asked whether or not the new NBC series the Playboy Club glorifies pornography. Is this show appropriate for primetime television.

Sirota Wednesday 7-27-11 Hour 1

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:07:29 -0400

David led off talking about the Grand Opening of Ikea in the DTC. 100 people lined up by Monday for today's opening. There is traffic plans and a special radio station set up for traffic updates around Ikea. The media is all in an uproar too. What does this have to say about our society. Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi our special guest to talk about his latest blog entry Corporate Tax Holiday in Debt Ceiling Deal: Where's the Uproar. He talked about the deals inside the deal and about another potential tax holiday.

Sirota Tuesday 7-26-11 Hour 3

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:28:27 -0400

At 9:06 Lori Gottleib joins the show to talk about her Atlantic piece How to Land Your Kid in Therapy. She argues that our obsession with our kids' happiness may be dooming them to unhappy adulthoods. Lori Gottleib is best known as the author of the controversial self-help book, Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough which was a New York Times bestseller. At 9:20 Executive Director at The Plains Conservation Center Tudi Arneill and Dry Dock Brewing Company's chief brewer Doug Hindman join the show to talk about this Friday's Hops for Habitat event. At 9:35 Rachel Stier joins the show to talk about her book The Steal: A Cultural History of Shoplifting.

Sirota Tuesday 7-26-11 Hour 2

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:10:13 -0400

David Browne our special guest to talk about his book Fire and Rain: The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, CSNY, and the Lost Story of 1970. As the account of a single year in music, Browne weaves the narratives of four bands and artists who each released an album of lasting influence in 1970: The Beatles' Let It Be, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's Deja Vu, James Taylor's Sweet Baby James, and Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water. Fire and Rain tells the story of these four iconic albums of 1970 and the He sets these stories against an increasingly chaotic backdrop of events that sent the world spinning throughout that tumultuous year: Kent State, the Apollo 13 debacle, ongoing bombings by radical left-wing groups, the diffusion of the antiwar movement, and much more. David Browne is a Rolling Stone editor and frequent contributor to The New York Times. David then updated the Norway massacre and talked about what is really considered terrorism today. In Norway maximum prison sentence for any crime is 21 years. Most murderers spend 14 years in jail. Is this too lenient of a sentence for a crime like this.

Sirota Tuesday 7-26-11 Hour 1

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:39:45 -0400

Sirota led off playing audio of President Obama's speech on the debt ceiling last night. Sirota thinks this is all theatrics in politics. Who's fault is this manufactured crisis and are you really worried about it. Do you believe there will be a financial apocalypse. We also talked about Denver parking meters that have been called misleading by the City and County of Denver. Yet they wont repay the tickets handed out for them. We posted the pic and asked if the sign is misleading. Also, in a growing number of US states, pregnant women who miscarry their babies are being criminalized, some charged with murder. Ultimately, the move by state prosecutors is more widely aimed at stripping women of the legal right to abortion sanctioned by the US Supreme Court in its 1971 ruling in Roe v. Wade. How ridiculous is this. What do we say is legal and not legal for a woman to do in her life when she is pregnant. Can you say prosecute a mother for murder if she miscarried and is a meth user.What about a cigarette smoker when they are pregnant.

Sirota Monday 7-25-11 Hour 3

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:11:14 -0400

Susan Saladoff our special guest to talk about her HBO film that is on HBO On Demand through the end of July Hot Coffee. Hot Coffee was an official selection of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival along with festivals in Los Angeles, Seattle and Boston among others. The film tells four stories to illustrate how big business interests have spent the last 30 years trying to convince the public that we have out of control juries, too many frivolous lawsuits and a civil justice system that needs reforming. We also talked about whether or not your health benefits should cover birth control and health services for pregnant in their health insurance plans. What do you think. The US Department of Health and Human Services thinks so.

Sirota Monday 7-25-11 Hour 2

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:08:09 -0400

The Nation Magazine's and Edge of Sports Radio Host Dave Zirin joined us to give us an update on the NFL lockout. David then threw out several news items before being joined by Tim Zimmerman. to talk about his Outside Magazine piece Blood in the Water. On December 24, 2009, a 6,600 pound orca killed trainer Alexis Martinez at a marine park in the Canary Islands. Two months later, Dawn Brancheau was killed by an orca at SeaWorld in Orlando. Should Martinez's death have served as a warning about the lethal potential of killer whales being trained for our entertainment. Also Loro Parque, and what happened there, is also now playing into the debate over a young killer whale that was rescued off the Netherlands last year. instead of returning the killer whale, called Morgan, to the wild there are now plans to send her to Loro Parque, and SeaWorld wants to acquire her. Tim Zimmerman is a Washington-DC based writer and Correspondent for Outside magazine, a former Senior Editor and Diplomatic Correspondent for US News & World Report, and author of The Race.

Sirota Monday 7-25-11 Hour 1

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:55:59 -0400

David led off talking about the Norway attacks and what is considered a terrorist attack. Much of the media were quick to suspect Muslims when the bombing occurred and we knew very little. Why are we so quick to race to the Muslim terrorist blame game. David also asked the question why this is a wall to wall media event. He argued that these type of killings happen all over the world. Why do we place more importance on white industrialized human life. Is this even a fair question to ask. Also what does this attack mean. Is white wing terrorism is as big of a terrorist threat as all the others we hear about in the Muslim world.

Sirota Friday 7-22-11 Hour 3

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:32:25 -0400

We continued taking calls on Arnie, Maria Shriver and spousal support. At 9:30 actor and comedian Dave Foley in studio. He has shows tonight and tomorrow at Comedy Works in Larimer Square. He talked Arnie, drugs, his comedy, divorce and much more.

Sirota Friday 7-22-11 Hour 2

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:10:34 -0400

Gloria Neal fills in today. Colorado's rates of marijuana and cocaine use, alcohol consumption, and binge drinking are far higher than the national average and among the highest states in the nation, according to a federal survey. Coloradans reporting marijuana use grew from previous surveys, which may add fuel to the ongoing debate over legal medical marijuana. The number of young adults who said they had used marijuana in the past year was 38.5 percent in the Colorado survey, compared with a national average of 29.1 percent. The queries of more than 137,000 Americans were made in 2008 and 2009. The number reporting pot use was up 3 percentage points from the last survey, in 2007 and 2008. The state also had higher-than-average rates of people with a major depression episode or serious thoughts of suicide, according to the survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Why are we one of the nation's leaders in these categories. We also took calls on the Arnie spousal payments.

Sirota Friday 7-22-11 Hour 1

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:00:11 -0400

Gloria Neal in for Sirota today. She led off talking about Arnold Schwarzenegger saying he won't pay spousal support to Maria Shriver. At 7:25 ESPN Radio 97.5's Carl Dukes joined Glo to give us an update on the NFL lockout.

Sirota Thursday 7-21-11 Hour 3

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:49:25 -0400

We continued talk on the breast feeding baby doll and pornography in libraries.

Sirota Thursday 7-21-11 Hour 2

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:14:19 -0400

Gloria Neal in for Sirota today. We worked a couple different stories this hour. Jefferson County allows its patrons to surf porn on the internet and it has some folks mad. Should porn be allowed in our libraries. Also the breast feeding doll. Are breast feeding dolls appropriate for young children.

Sirota Thursday 7-21-11 Hour 1

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 09:12:01 -0400

Gloria Neal in for Sirota today. She led off talking about education with special guest Kelly Brough. She is President and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. We talked about the challenges we are facing as a state as far as education is concerned. She stayed the whole hour and took calls and comments from listeners. The money issue in schools was a tense discussion here.

Sirota Wednesday 7-20-11 Hour 2

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:27:59 -0400

We talked about the spending and tax debate in DC and about the Gang of Six proposal. We had a Tea Bagger...errr Tea Partier call in towards end of hour that was awesome.

Sirota Wednesday 7-20-11 Hour 3

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:10:11 -0400

We continued conversation from last hour on the spending debate. We spent a lot of the last half hour talking about the president and his stance on gay marriage. We also talked about a guy who is selling his 1999 Columbine yearbook for 500 dollars. Deplorable or not. We closed the hour with attorney Brett Lampiosi. He is the lawyer for a convicted murderer who is suing Colorado prison officials for ignoring a do not resuscitate order when the inmate went into cardiac arrest. He says that the case is about upholding the life-ending wishes of prisoners

Sirota Wednesday 7-20-11 Hour 1

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:08:07 -0400

Geoff Berg in again today. He led off with a Rupert Murdoch phone hacking update. How about the pie in the face attempt by a protester at the hearing. We played audio from the hearings. Murdoch is not taking personal responsibility meanwhile he says he is a hands on owner. Our special guest to talk about media coverage on the Murdoch scandal is Simon Maloy from Media Matters for America. He spent two segments dissecting the media with us. We then played audio of Glenn Beck laughing at and making light of the fact one of the whistle blowers in this case died. We closed out the hour with a Tea Bagger errrr Tea Partier.

Sirota Tuesday 7-19-11 Hour 3

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:22:59 -0400

Geoff started taking calls on the presidential field for 2012. We played extremely scary audio from front runner, yep front runner, on the right Michelle Bachmann. How can she be leading. We also threw out if you will vote for Obama as Progressives in 2012.

Sirota Tuesday 7-19-11 Hour 2

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:15:33 -0400

We took a couple more calls. One from Bill who said the New Deal extended the Great Depression. He threw out a lot of revisionist conservative history. Mick in Denver put him in his place. We then talked about presidential politics and the race in the GOP. Our special guest at 8:20 was Scott Braddock, a Dallas reporter and political analyst. We concentrated on Rick Perry here. At 8:35 Joshua Trevino our special guest to talk about Rick Perry. Joshua is Vice President of Communications for the non-partisan Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Sirota Tuesday 7-19-11 Hour 1

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 08:57:50 -0400

Geoff Berg in today for Sirota. We led off with more on the debt debate. We talked bout the Republican and Tea Party views on the debt limit negotiation. We played audio from some of these folks. Your general thoughts on the debt debate. Geoff also talked about possible WPA type projects and asked if we should try these again.

Sirota Monday 7-18-11 Hour 1

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 08:54:17 -0400

Geoff Berg filled in for David this morning. He opened up talking about potential cuts to Social Security and Medicare. At 7:10 our special guest was Kelly Canfield who is organizing the local Firedoglake National Day of Action with a visit to Diana DeGette's office. It's tomorrow July 19th at Diana DeGette's congressional office. We talked about the debt debate. President Obama wants to means test Social Security and Medicare. What do you think about the debate and what the pres is considering. We played some audio of the folks leading the debate including the crazy Louie Gohmert. He talked about Obama using fear based tactics while he talks about terror babies in the United States. Gohmert also talked about Sharia Law and detath panels.

Sirota Friday 7-15-11 Hour 3

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:16:44 -0400

Northwestern University researchers have provided new biological evidence suggesting that the brain works differently when memorizing the face of a person from one's own race than when memorizing a face from another race. Their study, which used EEG recordings to measure brain activity, sheds light on a well-documented phenomenon known as the other-race effect. One of the most replicated psychology findings, the other-race effect finds that people are less likely to remember a face from a racial group different from their own. Our special guest is one of the co authors of the study Joan Chiao. She is an assistant professor of psychology at Northwestern University is an affiliated faculty member of the Neuroscience Institute the Cognitive Science Program and Asian-American Studies Program. At 9:20 Josh Kerson manager of the Ft Collins Small Planet E-Vehicles our special guest as sponsor of Day 5 of Low Impact Week. At 9:35 Coloradans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty is hosting Mike Farrell for a couple of benefit picnic events. First in Boulder on Saturday and in Denver on Sunday. Farrell, best known for his role as B.J. Honeycutt in the MASH TV show, has spent 30 years advocating for the end of capital punishment in the US. He is a founder and president of Death Penalty Focus and has served on the Board of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Mike is our special guest.

Sirota Friday 7-15-11 Hour 2

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:08:47 -0400

Should parents of extremely obese children lose custody for not controlling their kids' weight. A provocative commentary in one of the nation's most distinguished medical journals argues yes, and its authors are joining a quiet chorus of advocates who say the government should be allowed to intervene in extreme cases. It has happened a few times in the U.S., and the opinion piece in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association says putting children temporarily in foster care is in some cases more ethical than obesity surgery.
Dr. David Ludwig, an obesity specialist at Harvard-affiliated Children's Hospital Boston, said the point isn't to blame parents, but rather to act in children's best interest and get them help that for whatever reason their parents can't provide. What do you think.

Sirota Friday 7-15-11 Hour 1

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:08:30 -0400

David led off talking about facial recognition software. Dozens of law-enforcement agencies from Massachusetts to Arizona are preparing to outfit their forces with controversial hand-held facial-recognition devices as soon as September, raising significant questions about privacy and civil liberties. With the device, which attaches to an iPhone, an officer can snap a picture of a face from up to five feet away, or scan a person's irises from up to six inches away, and do an immediate search to see if there is a match with a database of people with criminal records. The gadget also collects fingerprints. Does this freak you out or make you feel more safe. At 7:40 Bryan Walsh our special guest. He is tha author of Time Magazine's cover story The End of the Line: The Future of Fish, Can Farming Save the Last Wild Food.

Sirota Thursday 7-14-11 Hour 3

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:13:54 -0400

David led off this hour asking who is responsible for the recession we are in. At 9:25 we were joined by Chris Young and Matthew Lawrence of Denver Solar and Wind as sponsors of day 4 of Low Impact Week. At 9:40 Brian Kahn was David's special guest to discuss his new book Real Common Sense: Using Our Founding Values to Reclaim Our Nation and Stop the Radical Right from Hijacking America. America's extreme Right falsely claims the Founding Fathers as allies for their radical agenda. Pundit Glenn Beck has gone so far as to use the title of Tom Paine's famous 1776 pamphlet Common Sense for his own book, a book that attacks the political, social and economic rights which Paine and the Founders fought for. Kahn says It's time to cut through the rhetoric, smoke, and spin, and get back to our core American values.

Sirota Thursday 7-14-11 Hour 2

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:13:20 -0400

Want to fool merchants with a fake ID, hack someone's text messages, track where your co-workers are without their knowing it. There's an app for that. The explosion in smartphone and tablet applications that allow people to check the weather, follow their stocks and play Words With Friends has a dark side. Apps that facilitate questionable if not outright illegal behavior. What are your thoughts on applications like this. Should the government get involved in the banning of such applications. We were then joined by comedian Dana Gould who is in town at the Comedy Works Landmark DTC.

Sirota Thursday 7-14-11 Hour 1

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:00:29 -0400

The historic El Paso Club in Colorado Springs has played host to presidents and literary greats. Now, the 134 year-old gentlemen's club is debating a major change. The admitting of women. Club members voted for the first time last month whether to admit female members. The Gazette reported the proposal was defeated by nearly 70 percent. But some club members say the club needs to admit women to reinvigorate the 1877 dining and billiards club that has lost a quarter of its members in the past decade and counts fewer than 300 members. Are these kind of gender inclusive clubs okay to you. We also talked about Denver cops. Denver's Independent Police Monitor will release a report today, criticizing Denver Police for giving preferential treatment to off-duty officers pulled over for driving drunk. In the report, Richard Rosenthal notes that since monitoring began in 2005, not a single Denver Police officer has been arrested for DUI by another DPD officer without having first been involved in a traffic collision. In one specific case, Rosenthal criticizes the manager of safety for imposing what he deemed "insufficient" discipline upon a Denver police officer who was drunk when he ran his vehicle off a mountain road and then made overt attempts to avoid being arrested. We took listener reaction to this report.

Sirota Wednesday 7-13-11 Hour 3

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:21:22 -0400

We led off talking about the report How Speculation is Driving Up Gasoline Prices Today. The report is co authored by our special guest Dr. Robert Pollin, an economist at the Political Economy Research Institute of the University of Massachusetts. The study found that the average U.S. car owner paid a Wall Street premium of about 41 dollars at the pump in May alone. For a two-car family that meant about 82 dollars in May, which would translate into an annual cost of nearly a 1,000 dollars. At 9:20 our special guest was Darren Hein President of Heinsight Solutions as sponsor of day 3 of Low Impact Week where we try use no vampire energy. They install skylights, roof windows, sun tunnels and solar water heating systems. They are located in Old Town Ft Collins and can be reached at 970-988-3622.

Sirota Wednesday 7-13-11 Hour 2

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:14:52 -0400

We continued taking calls on state mandating diversity in toys such as dolls must be represented by three races in child care centers. At 8:35 Bloomberg Businessweek contributor Charles Kenny our special guest to talk about his piece How to be a Patriot: Hire an Illegal Immigrant. Laws against illegal immigration make little economic or moral sense, so why punish the brave citizens who break them. He argues what makes the political impasse over immigration particularly frustrating is that hiring an illegal alien is good for the illegal alien, good for the U.S. economy, and good for the country he or she comes from. So what's not to like? In cases like this, there is only one moral course available for true patriots: Go find an illegal to hire. Huge numbers of people in border states are doing precisely that.

Sirota Wednesday 7-13-11 Hour 1

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 08:59:27 -0400

From setting the number of crayons in a classroom to mandating the races of dolls children can play with, a slew of proposed rules would impose sweeping changes on Colorado licensed child-care centers. But some day-care operators and some lawmakers say many of the proposed rules are a vast overreach by the Department of Human Services, moving the regulations from a focus on health and safety to a system that dictates exact standards for early-childhood education. One rule proposed is that dolls must have at least three different races represented. Should the state mandate that child care centers do this.

Sirota Tuesday 7-12-11 Hour 3

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:08:24 -0400

Joanne Barkan our special guest to discuss her Dissent Magazine piece Firing Line: The Grand Coalition Against Teachers. This is a follow up her Winter 2011 article Got Dough: How Billionaires Rule Our Schools. Barkan investigates the fix the teachers campaign of today's education reformers. These are the folks who want public schools run with the top-down, data-driven, accountability methods used in private businesses. They aim to replace as many regular public schools as possible with publicly funded, privately managed charter schools, some are trying to expand voucher programs to allow parents to take their per child public education funding to private schools. We then talked to Mike Miller from Basil Doc's Pizza as a sponsor of Low Impact Week Day 2. Eat a local meal today at Basil Doc's. We then closed with open phones.

Sirota Tuesday 7-12-11 Hour 2

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:15:57 -0400

Legislative Director at Citizens for Tax Justice Steve Wamhoff joins the show to discuss recent data that shows the U.S. is one of the least taxed developed countries. He also responded to some of our dicsussion from hour 1. Salon's food and agriculture writer Tom Philpott talks to David about his piece Is Your Meat Habit Giving You Diabetes. A new peer reviewed study published in the journal Diabetes Care found a strong link between diabetes onset and blood levels of a group of harsh industrial chemicals charmingly known as persistent organic pollutants or POPs, most of which have been banned in the United States for years but still end up in our food. We then took some phone calls and votes on your most hated American company.

Sirota Tuesday 7-12-11 Hour 1

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 08:58:18 -0400

Sen. Orrin Hatch pushed back Monday on criticism that he wants to tax the poor, but called it perverse that people on the bottom half of the income ladder pay little or no federal income tax. Hatch attracted heavy criticism last week for saying the poor need to share some of the responsibility for lowering the deficit while complaining that the rich already pay too much in taxes. Hatch backtracked somewhat on Monday, but still suggested that the rich have an unfair share of the load. We let listeners respond.

Sirota Monday 7-11-11 Hour 3

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:21:14 -0400

A broad coalition of organizations and activists launched a campaign in support of a 2012 statewide ballot initiative that would end marijuana prohibition in Colorado and establish a system in which the substance is regulated and taxed in a manner similar to alcohol. The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol has received approval of its initiative language and will begin collecting signatures Friday to qualify the measure for next year's ballot. Our special guest is Mason Tvert executive director at SAFER and co author of Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink. At 9:20 Low Impact Day One Sponsor Pure Water Solutions' John Rickert in studio. Pure Water Solutions is a Colorado based firm serving pharmaceutical, medical, commercial, industrial, and government customers across the United States and abroad. They serve residential customers along the Front Range and Western Slope. From their new GMP Certified 20,000 square foot facility in Castle Rock, they specialize in the design, sale, and service of water purification systems and components.

Sirota Monday 7-11-11 Hour 2

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:11:32 -0400

Mike Levy joins thin studio to talk about his book Kosher Chinese: Living, Teaching and Eating with China's Other Billion. He will be at the Tattered Cover on Colfax tonight starting at 7:30 pm. In this lively memoir of serving in the Peace Corps in Guiyang, China, Levy explores a society in flux, while mining the entertaining if familiar terrain of cross-cultural misunderstandings. He struggles to explain English terminology to students who unknowingly translate their names into expletives, is coerced into eating the specialty at Dog Meat King, and finds that the community distrusts him not merely because he is American, but because he is Jewish. Mike is currently teaching at Saint Ann's School in Brooklyn, New York. He returns frequently to China to check in on his students and visit the basketball courts where he momentarily attained stardom. While in the United States, he keeps strictly kosher. While in China, he eats anything with four legs except the table.

Sirota Monday 7-11-11 Hour 1

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:14:02 -0400

David led off with some brief tax talk analysis. At 7:20 Paul Kreischer from Lightly Treading in studio as Title Sponsor of Low Impact Week. Lightly Treading works to educate homeowners, builders, building science professionals and community members about energy efficiency and improved comfort in new and existing homes and small commercial buildings. We do this by offering energy audits, HERS Ratings, energy efficiency workshops, training certifications, system specific diagnostic testing and more. At 7:35 Rolling Stone contributing editor Janet Reitman our special guest to discuss the history of the Church of Scientology and her book Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion.

Sirota Friday 7-8-11 Hour 3

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:14:36 -0400

Todd Thibault from Breckenridge Brewery in studio sampling beers and talking about their 21st anniversary party tomorrow at the Kalamath location. We took grievance airings and calls on David not wanting and letting his son play football. At 9:35 Steve Almond came on and talked about the issues and offered a new music sampler.

Sirota Friday 7-8-11 Hour 2

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:09:05 -0400

David started off the hour with comedian John Mulaney from SNL. He is in town doing shows at Comedy Works Larimer Square. David also talked about how he will do whatever he can to not let his son Isaac play football. Is this ridiculous and what things should the Sirotas should not let Isaac do. At 8:40 Glenn Carle joins the show to discuss his book The Interrogator: An Education. A veteran CIA officer who ended his twenty-three year career with the Agency in 2007 as the Deputy National Intelligence Officer for Transnational Threats, Carle was one of the United States government's three most senior officers for intelligence assessments on threats to the U.S.

Sirota Friday 7-8-11 Hour 1

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:08:59 -0400

David led off talking about the new job numbers. Do you think the Obama campaign is right that voters will not vote on economy and jobs issue. Will unemployment be a key issue in 2012. We also opened up Festivus Friday.

Sirota Thursday 7-7-11 Hour 3

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:08:50 -0400

Center for American Progress Senior Fellow Dr. Lawrence Korb our special guest to talk about his Institute for Policy Studies piece Report of the Task Force on a Unified Security Budget for the United States. With military cuts now on the negotiating table, Korb and co author Miriam Pemberton give a set of expert recommendations on what to cut and yet keep us safe and secure. We talked about the ratio of offense spending to defense spending. At 9:35 we talked about kids' sleep and TV. If your preschooler can't sleep, turn off the violence and nighttime TV. That's the message in a new study that found sleep problems are more common in 3 to 5 year olds who watch television after 7 p.m. Watching shows with violence, including kids' cartoons, also was tied to sleeping difficulties. Watching nonviolent shows during the day didn't seem to have any connection with sleep problems in the 617 youngsters studied. The study builds on previous research linking media use with kids' sleep problems, and also bolsters arguments for limiting children's screen time. Our special guest is Dr. Michelle Garrison, lead author and a scientist at Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute.

Sirota Thursday 7-7-11 Hour 2

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:15:24 -0400

At 8:05 Glenn Hurowitz joined the show to discuss his Grist piece How America Just Lost 1 Million Greenish Jobs to Europe. European aircraft manufacturer Airbus trounced the traditional U.S. behemoth Boeing at the Paris Air Show, booking a record 50 billion more in orders for new planes. The reason: commercial plane buyers' demands for high fuel efficiency and low emissions. That giant sucking sound you hear is approximately half a million well-paying American jobs leaving Boeing factories in Seattle and other parts of America and heading to Airbus facilities in Toulouse, Seville, and Hamburg. Glenn Hurowitz is a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, where he works primarily on climate policy and politics. At 8:20 we talked about this news. The Obama administration, in seeking 4 trillion in spending cuts in a debt limit deal, has put major changes to Social Security and Medicare on the table if Republicans agree to increased tax revenues. The offer caters to both sides in the debt limit negotiations and according to the Washington Post, President Obama will urge congressional leaders on Thursday to seize the opportunity to act. The compromise, however, still puts both Republicans and Democrats in tough spots. Democrats have vowed to protect Medicare and Social Security, while Republicans still argue that tax increases are not realistic legislative proposals. If leadership from both parties agree to the Obama's compromise, the next move will be to sell the plan to their respective bases and to members of Congress. We asked for listener response.

Sirota Thursday 7-7-11 Hour 1

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:07:38 -0400

News out of California. The state assembly okays bill to allow gay figures in text books. Have we for too long left out this group when it comes to social studies and American history. Are you for or against gay figures being highlighted in text books. We played audio of KHOW's Dan Caplis saying just because he is against this he doesn't necessarily hate gays. A real rich clip you need to hear.

Sirota Wednesday 7-6-11 Hour 3

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 11:10:23 -0400

New York Magazine's Frank Rich our special guest to talk about his piece Obama's Original Sin. Rich argues that the president's failure to demand a reckoning from the moneyed interests who brought the economy down has cursed his first term, and could prevent a second. At 9:35 Award-winning writer Christian Parenti joins David to talk about his new book Tropic of Chaos: Climate Change and the New Geography of Violence. Parenti argues that the new era of climate war is upon us. Extreme weather brought on by global warming is unleashing cascades of unrest and violence from Africa to Asia to the Americas, across a belt of economically and politically battered postcolonial states straddling the planet's mid-latitudes, the tropic of chaos.

Sirota Wednesday 7-6-11 Hour 2

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:19:39 -0400

At 8:05 Sarah Stillman our special guest to discuss her New Yorker piece The Invisible Army. It discusses how for foreign workers on U.S. bases war can be hell. David then threw out some more scary war type news stories before being updated on the Gaylord Entertainment Complex in Aurora by Denver Post reporter Steve Raabe. We closed out the hour talking about obscene bumper stickers. Tennessee is cracking down on obscene stickers. Should we follow suit.

Sirota Wednesday 7-6-11 Hour 1

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 08:55:20 -0400

David opened up talking about the debt limit issue. David talked about the unsustainability of our country on many levels. Would most non political people agree we are on a non sustaining course. We are no longer going to be the big world giant that we are. Do you think we can sustain our way of life. Would you care if we just became a normal country and not a world superpower.

Sirota Monday 7-5-11 Hour 3

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:22:48 -0400

Miller McCune reporter Tom Jacobs our special guest to discuss his piece For Some Boomers, Political Affiliation a Matter of Chance. New research finds a link between long-term party affiliation and the prospect of being drafted into the Vietnam War. Tom Jacobs is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years experience at daily newspapers. He has served as a staff writer for The Los Angeles Daily News and the Santa Barbara News-Press. His work has also appeared in The Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and Ventura County Star.

Do you think we need a draft now to awaken the silent masses to the decisions we are making? We take your calls on the topic.

Sirota Monday 7-5-11 Hour 2

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:26:00 -0400

First James Howard Kunstler joins David to talk about his piece in Orion Magazine Back to the Future: A Road Map for Tomorrow's Cities. What will a typical U.S. city like Denver look like a couple decades from now, as the world's supply of fossil fuels constricts, the global economy changes, and heat stress from climate change ratchets up? The editors of Orion magazine asked noted futurist and urban planning critic James Howard Kunstler his opinion on the matter, and he serves up a road map for tomorrow's cities in the July/August issue. James Howard Kunstler is also the author of The Geography of Nowhere and The Long Emergency and Home From Nowhere.

The Secret Service said Monday it will investigate the hacking of Fox's political Twitter account over updates claiming that President Barack Obama had been assassinated.

Secret Service spokesman George Ogilvie says the law enforcement agency whose job it is to protect the president will conduct a probe of the false postings and that "we will conduct the appropriate follow up" reports CBS News.

Hackers broke into the FoxNewsPolitics account early Monday, leaving a series of six tweets reporting that Obama had been shot to death in Iowa and the shooter was unknown.In a statement posted on its website, Fox News called the tweets "malicious" and "false."

We also take your calls

Sirota Monday 7-5-11 Hour 1

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:13:24 -0400

The use of photo retouching doesn't just make for unrealistic images - it can also be bad for your health.

The American Medical Association has taken a stand against the Photoshopping of images since "such alterations can contribute to unrealistic expectations of appropriate body image - especially among impressionable children and adolescents, according to a decision announced this week reports the New York Daily News.

The AMA has adopted a new policy that encourages ad agencies to work with agencies devoted to child and adolescent health to develop guidelines for ads.

David takes your calls

Also although the 40-hour week is still considered the benchmark in American work culture, most researchers would argue that it is nearly as obsolete as most of the factory jobs to which it was originally applied. According to a recent survey by Expedia.com, 63 percent of Americans work more than 40 hours a week, with some 40 percent exceeding the 50-hour a week mark. More than $21 billion dollars in vacation time goes unused annually as we spend 2.5 more weeks, and three months more, at work than do our Japanese and western European counterparts, respectively. Again, we take your calls on the subject.

Sirota Friday 7-1-11 Hour 3

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:13:58 -0400

Washington Post staff writer Neil Irwin our special guest to talk about his piece Five Economic Lessons From Sweden, the Rock Star of Recovery. This Scandinavian nation of 9 million people has accomplished what the United States, Britain and Japan can only dream of: Growing rapidly, creating jobs and gaining a competitive edge. The banks are lending, the housing market booming. The budget is balanced. We then went back to open phones and threw out even more news items including testing 4 year olds.

Sirota Friday 7-1-11 Hour 2

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:14:16 -0400

We led off with editor in chief at Mother Jones Monika Bauerlein our special guest to talk about her and Clara Jeffery's cover piece All Work and No Pay: The Great Speedup. The worker is doing more with less while corporate profits are up 22 percent. This article reveals the dirty secret of the jobless recovery. Have you experienced the great speedup at work.

Sirota Friday 7-1-11 Hour 1

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 08:57:43 -0400

David led off with an update on the Los Alamos fire with CBS news correspondent August Skamenca. David then talked about the death of newspapers. A new report on the journalism industry shows there are more pr folks in the industry than reporters. Do you care about the future of the newspaper industry. Is there something special about newspapers or do you believe the internet, TV and radio can replace it. We also threw out a ton of news items.

Sirota Thursday 6-30-11 Hour 3

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:12:06 -0400

Three civil liberties organizations filed suit in Denver District Court to challenge a school voucher plan adopted by the Douglas County School District. The American Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado and Americans United for Separation of Church and State sued on behalf of a group of parents, clergy and other taxpayers who oppose the program's effort to divert taxpayer money to primarily religious, private schools. The lawsuit argues that the voucher plan violates the Colorado Constitution's religious liberty provisions, which bar the appropriation of public funds to religious schools. The lawsuit also claims that the program violates Colorado constitutional provisions and statutes that require educational funds to pay for public education and remain under government control. Our special guest is ACLU cooperating attorney Tim McDonald of the firm Arnold and Porter. At 9:20 CBS news correspondent August Skamenca joined us to update the situation with the Los Alamos fire. David then threw out some news items and took open phones.

Sirota Thursday 6-30-11 Hour 2

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:46:02 -0400

David led off with an update on the Los Alamos fire. We then took more calls on the Denver Aurora entertainment complex story. At 8:40 A Reuters investigation has found that a business in Cheyenne Wyoming serves as a little Cayman Island on the Great Plains. It is the headquarters for Wyoming Corporate Services, a business-incorporation specialist that establishes firms which can be used as shell companies, paper entities able to hide assets. Our special guest is Reuters business reporter Brian Grow who wrote the piece Shell Games along with Kelly Carr.

Sirota Thursday 6-30-11 Hour 1

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 08:57:54 -0400

Dave opened up talking about new census numbers showing that more whites are moving to cities. Denver is one of those cities seeing increase in young Caucasians moving into urban areas. We talked about the term inner city and what it means. When you hear urban areas are drawing young white families into the city, what do you take away from that. David also talked about the new stock show complex and how Denver taxpayers will be on the hook for 150 million to move the facility out to Aurora. What do you think of this.

Sirota Wednesday 6-29-11 Hour 3

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:18:04 -0400

We played audio of Michelle Bachmann backing up her claims that the founding fathers worked tirelessly to end slavery. We also had a caller that agreed with her. At 9:30 we switched it up and talked about Wall Street reform and a provision that would warrant all major companies to disclose their SEC files. Good transparency measure. 81 CEO's of some of the largest US companies are lobbying for a repeal of this provision. Where do you come down.

Sirota Wednesday 6-29-11 Hour 2

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:12:41 -0400

Matt Stoller our special guest to talk about his Naked Capitalism piece Who Wants to Keep the War on Drugs Going and Put You in Debtor's Prison. More than a third of all states allow debtors who can't or won't pay their debts to be jailed. In 2010, according to the Wall Street Journal, judges have issued 5,000 such warrants. What is behind the increased pressure to incarcerate people with debts. Is it a desire to force debt payment, or is it part of a new structure where incarceration is becoming increasingly the default tool to address any and all social problems. Is the rise of debtors prisons a good or bad thing and should we use police force be used or should it be held to civil courts.

Sirota Wednesday 6-29-11 Hour 1

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:14:06 -0400

How are we exceptional. What does American Exceptionalism mean to you. What separates us from the rest of the world. Do you think it's braggard when we claim to be the best country on earth or declaring ourselves exceptional.

Sirota Tuesday 6-28-11 Hour 3

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:11:19 -0400

Jeff Benedict joins the show to talk about his book Poisoned: The True Story of the Deadly E. Coli Outbreak That Changed the Way Americans Eat. Poisoned chronicles the Jack in the Box E. coli and food poisoning outbreak in the early 1990s that killed four children and made 700 others sick. It also follows the story of lawyer William "Bill" Marler; the investigations and the political and legal battles that ensued; and, finally, the permanent changes made across the food industry. Jeff Benedict is considered one of America's top non-fiction writers. He is the author of nine critically acclaimed books and over fifty articles. His writing has been the basis of feature segments on 60 Minutes, ABC 20/20, NBC Dateline, HBO Real Sports, and the Discovery Channel. He is a contributor for Sports Illustrated and his articles have also been published in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and The Hartford Courant.

Also new research by faculty at Rice University, the University of Texas-San Antonio and the University of Minnesota finds that men's conspicuous spending is driven by the desire to have uncommitted romantic flings. And, gentlemen, women can see right through it. The series of studies, Peacocks, Porsches and Thorstein Veblen: Conspicuous Consumption as a Sexual Signaling System, was conducted with nearly 1,000 test subjects and published recently in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Our special guest is Dr. Jill Sundie, Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Texas at San Antonio and David takes your calls on the topic.

Sirota Tuesday 6-28-11 Hour 2

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:54:39 -0400

Colorado State University will work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs" Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program starting this fall, enabling the school to offer full tuition, fees, and housing and books stipends to U.S. military veterans and their children, CSU reported Monday.

Active-duty service members can transfer the benefits to dependents, making children of active military and veterans eligible to attend CSU under the same provisions reports the Denver Business Journal.

The Yellow Ribbon programs stems from the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which pays public, in-state tuition for returning veterans or dependents.

Make sure to catch David's take on the Topic as he takes your call all hour.

Sirota Tuesday 6-28-11 Hour 1

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:22:43 -0400

First, although video-game software is cutting-edge, the underlying issue is a century old. For decades, courts have overturned laws intended to preserve children"s morality by restricting access to penny arcades, movies, rap music and cable television. Without exception, courts have ultimately rejected state and municipal statutes limiting youth access to video games because they violate the most basic free-speech principles. As Justice Antonin Scalia explained in the majority"s opinion Monday: All speech that communicates ideas, including video games, is protected. It is "difficult to distinguish politics from entertainment, and dangerous to try" reported the Washington Post.

Do you think the supreme court made the right decision? David takes your calls.

Also do you know which appliance in your home uses the most phantom power? David shares the secret that drives up your energy bill while you sleep.

Sirota Monday 6-27-11 Hour 3

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:50:42 -0400

VegFest is coming to Colorado and will be held Saturday, July 2nd from 9 am to 7 pm at the Exhibit Hall at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden. This one-day event is designed to educate attendees on the benefits of a plant-based diet in a fun atmosphere and is hosted by the Vegetarian Society of Colorado. Our special guest is VegFest spokesman Mark Reinhard. He is a writer, lecturer and media consultant on vegetarian and animal issues for many years. He is best known for his humor column, On or Off the Mark, and for his book, The Perfectly Contented Meat-Eater's Guide to Vegetarianism.

Also living in the city or growing up in one can affect brain function during a stressful situation, a brain imaging study has found.

The world is becoming more urbanized, with almost 70 per cent of people expected to live in urban areas by 2050, according to projections by the United Nations.

Studies suggest that living in a city increases the risk of depression and anxiety, and that schizophrenia rates are higher in people born and brought up in cities. But until now, there hasn't been research into how human brain structures might be affected by urban living.

David takes your calls on the age old debate Suburbs or City?

Sirota Monday 6-27-11 Hour 2

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:32:07 -0400

While American cities are synchronizing green lights to improve traffic flow and offering apps to help drivers find parking, many European cities are doing the opposite: creating environments openly hostile to cars. The methods vary, but the mission is clear to make car use expensive and just plain miserable enough to tilt drivers toward more environmentally friendly modes of transportation reports the Pittsburg Post Gazzette.

Cities including Vienna to Munich and Copenhagen have closed vast swaths of streets to car traffic. Barcelona and Paris have had car lanes eroded by popular bike-sharing programs. Drivers in London and Stockholm pay hefty congestion charges just for entering the heart of the city. And over the past two years, dozens of German cities have joined a national network of "environmental zones" where only cars with low carbon dioxide emissions may enter. We take your calls on Public Trasportation funding and using these ideas in America.

Also the cost of maintaining AC for the troops across the globe has exceeded the yearly budget for NASA, do we need to rethink what these wars are costing us? David discusses and takes your calls.

Sirota Monday 6-27-11 Hour 1

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:42:05 -0400

Last week, Obama informed Congress that administration lawyers deemed the Libya conflict did not require additional congressional approval, arguing US forces were merely playing a supporting role in the Nato campaign the BBC reports.

That role, the White House says, does not match the definition of "hostilities" as described in the War Powers resolution. Because of this Congress' vote against declaring war is meaningless but later on Friday, Democrats and 89 Republicans beat back an effort to cut off funding for drone attacks and airstrikes against Libya.

What do these opposing votes mean? David takes your calls.

Also Pictures of the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant north of Omaha, Neb., show it encircled by the swollen waters of the Missouri River, which reached a height of nearly 1,007 feet above sea level at the plant yesterday reports the New York Times.

The plant's defenses include new steel gates and other hard barriers protecting an auxiliary building with vital reactor controls, and a water-filled berm 8 feet tall that encircles other parts of the plant. Both systems are designed to hold back floodwaters reaching 1,014 feet above sea level. The plant was shut down in April for refueling and will remain so until the flood threat is over but David upates the saftey of the situation and takes your calls.

Sirota Friday 6-24-11 Hour 3

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:15:53 -0400

David led off with a call from Yoda. They talked about Afghanistan, the generals and winning wars. At 9:10 comedian Jim Breuer jumped in studio for a couple segments. He has upcoming comedy shows here at the Comedy Works. He stuck around til the end of the hour .

Sirota Friday 6-24-11 Hour 2

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:28:29 -0400

We led off the hour with Hannah Nordhaus to talk about her new book Beekeeper's Lament: How One Man and a Half a Billion Bees Help Feed America. Nordhaus tells the remarkable story of John Miller, one of America's foremost migratory beekeepers, and the myriad and mysterious epidemics threatening American honeybee populations. In luminous, razor-sharp prose, Nordhaus explores the vital role that honeybees play in American agribusiness, the maintenance of our food chain, and the very future of the nation. We then took a couple calls for Festivus Friday. At 8:35 Pro Publica's Marie Baca our special guest to talk about her piece called Forced Pooling: When Landowners Can't Say No to Drilling.

Sirota Friday 6-24-11 Hour 1

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:10:35 -0400

Sirota led off the hour talking about a potential corporate tax holiday. Glimmerings of bipartisan support emerged in Congress this week around a tax break for bringing back U.S. corporate profits held overseas, but many lawmakers remain skeptical that such a move would help generate new jobs. Sen. Charles Schumer said Thursday that his party would be willing to consider a tax-repatriation holiday, provided the companies that benefit from the lower tax rate use the funds to help create jobs. Under such a holiday, U.S. companies would be enticed to bring foreign profits back to the U.S. by taxing them at a roughly 5 percent tax rate, rather than the current top corporate rate of 35 percent. Sirota says this is bunk. What do you think. At 7:40 Harvard researcher and filmmaker, Dr. Tony Wagner our special guest to talk about the new documentary The Finland Phenomenon: Inside the World's Most Surprising School System.

Sirota Thursday 6-23-11 Hour 3

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:12:58 -0400

At 9:05 Thomas C. Foster joined David to discuss his new book Twenty Five Books That Shaped America. We did some news stuff and then were joined by Matthew Fox to talk about his book The Pope's War: Why Ratzinger's Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved.

Sirota Thursday 6-23-11 Hour 2

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:12:56 -0400

Our special in studio guest is Richard Rosenthal. He is the Independent Monitor for the City and County of Denver. The IM monitors the Denver Police and Sheriff Department's Internal Affairs Bureaus and monitors officer-involved shooting and in-custody death investigations. The Monitor makes recommendations regarding the imposition of discipline and conducts audits of police policy issues. Mr. Rosenthal has been an Adjunct Professor, lecturer and facilitator for numerous organizations including: the University of Colorado at Denver's Graduate School of Public Affairs, Portland State University, Loyola Law School, the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, the National White Collar Crime Center, and the California District Attorney's Association.

Sirota Thursday 6-23-11 Hour 1

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:02:27 -0400

David led off with his analysis of the President's speech on the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. We played some audio and David gave his take. At 7:20 we talked about the proposed entertainment complex in Aurora. Gaylord Entertainment Co.'s proposed Aurora hotel is set to receive a financial incentive package far higher than for any of its other hotels. Gaylord stands to receive up to 300 million in state and local rebates and incentives for a planned 824 million, 1,500-room hotel and entertainment complex near Denver International Airport. Our gust was Denver Post staff writer Steve Raabe. At 7:30 Good Job First's Greg LeRoy joined Dave to discuss tax incentive financing schemes and how it may relate to the new entertainment complex.

Sirota Wednesday 6-22-11 Hour 3

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:23:37 -0400

FDA requires cigarette packages to carry grisly new warning labels. Do you think these ads are inappropriate or appropriate. At 9:40 As automated traffic monitoring systems such as red light cameras keep a law enforcement "eye" on the streets across the country, many drivers accuse city governments of installing the monitors as a way to generate revenue. New research from the University of Missouri says the safety benefits of automated traffic monitoring systems far outweigh the potential for abuse. Carlos Sun, an associate professor of civil engineering in the MU College of Engineering and author of the study is our special guest. David also threw out several news items this hour.

Sirota Wednesday 6-22-11 Hour 2

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:14:57 -0400

Bruce Bartlett our very special guest to talk about his New York Times piece Can We Afford the Military Budget. Bruce is a historian who turned to writing about supply-side economics. He was a domestic policy adviser to President Ronald Reagan and was a Treasury official under President George H.W. Bush. David then talked about the upcoming speech from the president tonight on the future of the Afghanistan War. We went inside the numbers and asked if what they are selling us on the war is the reality.

Sirota Wednesday 6-22-11 Hour 1

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:03:25 -0400

As record floodwaters along the Missouri River drench homes and businesses, concerns have grown about keeping a couple of notable structures dry: two riverside nuclear power plants in Nebraska. Our special guests on this issue are Matthew Wald from the New York Times and Tyson Slocum from Public Citizen. Wald wrote the New York Times piece Flooding Brings Worries Over Two Nuclear Plants. Wald covers transportation for The New York Times's Washington bureau, specializing in aviation and highway safety. He also writes about various environmental and energy issues. Tyson Slocum joined Public Citizen's Energy Program in 2000 and is Director, promoting decentralized, sustainable energy and providing affordable clean energy solutions for working families. Do you believe the energy commission when they say there is nothing to see and no problem here. How worried are you about this. Is it time to cease nuclear energy.

Sirota 6-21-11 9am

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:23:49 -0400

News from the world and your calls.

Sirota 6-21-11 8am

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:17:10 -0400

8am-Ellis Cose joins the show to discuss his new book The End of Anger: A New Generation's Take on Race and Rage. This book is a contemporary look at the decline of black rage, the demise of white guilt, and the intergenerational shifts in how blacks and whites view and interact with each other. Ellis Cose was a Chicago newspaper columnist before he was old enough to vote.. A respected journalist, Cose has worked as reporter and columnist for several major newspapers and went on to become editor of the New York Daily News's editorial page and contributing editor to Newsweek; he is the author of a number of well-received, bestselling books; and he has also served with government and university think tanks as an expert in journalism and the politics of energy. Honored with several journalistic awards, including a lifetime achievement award from the New York Association of Black Journalists, Ellis Cose has secured a place among the leaders of his profession. http://elliscose.com/
8:30am-Fewer than a quarter of American 12th-graders knew China was North Korea's ally during the Korean War, and only 35% of fourth-graders knew the purpose of the Declaration of Independence, according to national history-test scores released Tuesday. The results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress revealed that U.S. schoolchildren have made little progress since 2006 in their understanding of key historical themes, including the basic principles of democracy and America's role in the world. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303714704576385370840592218.html The overall lackluster performance is certain to revive the debate about whether history and other subjects, such as science and art, are being pushed out of the curriculum because of the focus on math and reading demanded under the No Child Left Behind federal education law. The federal law mandates that students be tested in math and reading. Our special guest is Sue Blanchette, president-elect of the National Council for Social Studies, a national association of K-12 and college social-studies teachers. She called the results disheartening and said history education has been marginalized in the last decade. http://www.socialstudies.org/
8:45am-Trista Sutter talks bike to work day.

Sirota 6-21-11 7am

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:12:42 -0400

7am-Leading off....Taxing the internet a good idea?
7:15am-Urban Goats and your calls
7:30am-Adele Stan our special guest to discuss her Alternet piece Wall Street Journal Honcho Shills for Secret Worker Education Program Linked to Koch Group. http://www.alternet.org/teaparty/151182/wall_street_journal_honcho_shills_for_secret_worker_'education'_program_linked_to_koch_group/ During the 2010 election campaign, WSJ editorial board member Stephen Moore carried the Koch agenda to Wisconsin workers, in workplace seminars called by their bosses. Adele Stan is the Washington bureau chief for AlterNet and has served as a columnist and blogger for The American Prospect Online and as a featured essayist for The Guardian's Comment Is Free site. She is the author of Debating Sexual Correctness, in which the author details the porn wars, date rape controversy and theory on sexual harassment that helped define the modern feminist movement. Stan has also served as a contributing writer to Mother Jones, and Washington correspondent for Working Woman.

Sirota Monday 6-20-11 Hour 3

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:08:38 -0400

We led off with British animal behaviorist John Bradshaw to discuss his new book Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet. From explaining why positive reinforcement is a more effective, and less damaging, way to control dogs' behavior than punishment to demonstrating the importance of weighing a dog's unique personality against stereotypes about its breed, Bradshaw offers extraordinary insight into the question of how we really ought to treat our dogs. We then asked more about whether or not you were a Cameron Frye or a Ferris Bueller. At 9:35 Kevin Seccia joins the program to hit his new book Punching Tom Hanks: Dropkicking Gorillas and Pummeling Zombified Ex-Presidents - A Guide to Beat Up Anything. He joined in on the Ferris vs Cameron debate.

Sirota Monday 6-20-11 Hour 2

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 10:13:06 -0400

The Nation's sportswriter and host of Edge of Sports Radio Dave Ziren our special guest. We talked about Lebron James and his answers to why people want him to fail. We also hit on the Vancouver riots after the Bruins beat the Canucks in the Stanley Cup Finals. We then tossed out some more news items including how much money we lose being equal to the GDP of Zimbabwe. At 9:45 the Checks and Balances Project released an analysis of the rhetoric that politicians and oil industry executives have used over the last century to portray oil shale as a viable energy solution. This, in spite of the fact that the oil and gas industry has failed to produce oil shale commercially in the United States under either Republican or Democratic administrations. In their memo entitled Oil Shale: a century-old science fiction story, the Checks and Balances Project used Google News Archives and LexisNexis to examine samples from a search turning up more than 84,000 news articles mentioning oil shale, beginning around 1910 and continuing to 1980. Our special guest is Matt Garrington, the Denver-based deputy director of the Checks & Balances Project, a government and industry accountability group. We then talked about the 25 year anniversary of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Were you a Cameron and hated High School or were you poular and miss high school.

Sirota Monday 6-20-11 Hour 1

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:56:10 -0400

David Sirota is back from vacation. This hour he had special guest Erin Bennett from 9to5 to talk about the push to get Coloradans paid sick days. Almost forty percent of Denver workers do not receive paid sick days. They are forced to choose between going to work sick and losing pay. Many even lose their jobs if they dare to call in sick. There is a ballot initiative to get Coloradans paid sick days set forth by the Campaign for a Healthy Denver. We threw it out to the audience, should workers get paid sick days. Sirota also threw out several news items this hour.

Sirota Friday 6-17-11 Hour 3

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:13:33 -0400

Geoff Berg in for Dave. We opened this hour with comedian and former Air America talker Marc Maron. He has upcoming shows at the Comedy Works Larimer Square. He is host of the very popular webcast WTF with Marc Maron. Geoff then went back to open phones and took some suggestions for schmuck of the week.

Sirota Friday 6-17-11 Hour 2

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:08:56 -0400

Geoff Berg in for Sirota. We cleaned up some calls on our small business versus giant corps discussion from last hour. We talked about small business and jobs. Geoff also opened up the topics for the last day of the work week. We also talked about and played audio from a marriage equality debate going on in New York State.

Sirota Friday 6-17-11 Hour 1

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:00:10 -0400

Geoff Berg fills in for Sirota today. Geoff led with some news items from around the country including Texas Governor Rick Perry possibly running for President. He also talked about Mitt Romney. At 7:20 American Small Business League President and Founder Lloyd Chapman joined Geoff to talk about some hearings going in DC about small business funds being directed to Fortune 500 companies. He also talked about the hushing in the media bout covering this story.

Sirota Thursday 6-16-11 Hour 3

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:39:14 -0400

Gloria Neal fills in. She returned to conversation about education and charter schools. Should charter schools even be part of the equation when we talk about fixing education in America.

Sirota Thursday 6-16-11 Hour 2

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:34:36 -0400

Gloria Neal fills in. She continued taking calls on whether or not fathering is more difficult now than in the past. We also talked about Anthony Weiner who has decided to step down. Is that the right decision.

Sirota Thursday 6-16-11 Hour 1

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:39:28 -0400

Gloria Neal in for Sirota today. This hour she talked about whether or not it's easier or harder to be a father today. What are the biggest challenges for fathers these days.

Sirota Wednesday 6-15-11 Hour 3

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:12:33 -0400

Gloria Neal carried over conversation on charter schools. Are they good for education. Are they destroying the public school system.

Sirota Wednesday 6-15-11 Hour 2

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:35:42 -0400

We continued conversation from last hour on Charter Schools. Gloria had some resistance on her thoughts on charters. At 8:30 Denver Mayor Elect Michael Hancock joined the show to discuss how phone records showed no contact to the prostitution scandal.

Sirota Wednesday 6-15-11 Hour 1

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:51:07 -0400

Gloria Neal in for Sirota today. Former Colorado Senate President Peter Groff our special guest. He is now President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. We talked about the state of education and where charter schools fit in. We then had some reaction from listeners. What are your thoughts on Charter Schools and the state of public education.

Sirota Tuesday 6-14-11 Hour 3

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:08:15 -0400

Gloria Neal in for Sirota. This hour she talked about baggage fees and major airlines. Do you feel like we are being had when we travel. Who do you fly. What is the best airline. We also had a pilot that said we should be charged way more than we are.

Sirota Tuesday 6-14-11 Hour 2

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 10:09:37 -0400

Gloria in for Sirota. We were joined in studio by Michael Brown to talk about his book Deadly Indifference: The Perfect Political Storm: Hurricane Katrina, The Bush White House, and Beyond.

Sirota Tuesday 6-14-11 Hour 1

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 09:07:28 -0400

Gloria Neal in for Sirota today. Gloria led off talking about a debate she had with some women at work. How old id too old to get pregnant. Is 35, 40, 50 years old too old to be starting a family. We heard from a woman who had older parents, a foster parent and a guy that said we should learn more from how primates raise their children. We also talked to a person who had really young parents which is a different dynamic.

Sirota Monday 6-13-11 Hour 3

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:39:05 -0400

Denver Mayor Elect Michael Hancock Gloria's guest all hour. He discussed all the issues including, education, transportation, business, budget and the prostitution accusations.

Sirota Monday 6-13-11 Hour 2

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:07:53 -0400

Gloria Neal in for David. This hour we talked about the issue of women in politics and cheating. Why are no female politicians getting caught cheating. Do you think the punishment would be different if a female politician were caught cheating. Do women lose their sex drive faster than men. Are women just more discreet.

Sirota Monday 6-13-11 Hour 1

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:52:56 -0400

Gloria Neal in for David today. She led off talking about Anthony Weiner. First off should he stay or go. Why is there pressure within the party for him to step down. She also asked if you can cheat via the internet. Is online sex really sex. We had a classic call from Marcus in Denver you gotta hear.

Sirota Friday 6-10-11 Hour 3

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:20:43 -0400

Our special guests this hour to discuss taxes and budget for Colorado is State Representative Lois Court and Corrine Fowler director of the Campaign for Economic Justice at the Colorado Progressive Coalition. At 9:30 Governor John Hickenlooper joins the show to talk about our state's budget.

Sirota Friday 6-10-11 Hour 2

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:08:26 -0400

This hour Jonny talked about achieving peace in the Middle East. Our special guests this hour were Evan Weissman from Jewish Voice for Peace and Wadi Muhaisen and attorney and American Palestinian. Wadi is also a spokesman for several Muslim and Arab-American groups.

Sirota Friday 6-10-11 Hour 1

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 08:55:30 -0400

Jonny 5 from the Flobots filling in today. He led off talking about the basic news of the day. We played google guitar and then introduced our first guest Walt Pourier a Oglala Lakota Executive Director Stronghold Society a non profit dedicated to improving life on reservations especially for youth. There is a rash of suicides by young women on the reservation. Walt also talked about a very cool thing Pearl Jam is doing. They are building a skate park in the Pine Ridge Reservation. At 7:35 Shannon Francis a Hopi Dineh a Indigenous Permaculturalist joined the show to talk about sustainability. We closed out the hour with Ryan Red Crow from the Osage Nation and also runs Buffalo Nickel Creative. He makes t shirts, writes songs and does branding for many products that get the Native American message out.

Sirota Wednesday 6-9-11 Hour 3

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:14:17 -0400

Jonny 5 fills in for Sirota. He opened this hour taking a couple calls on police accountability. At 9:10 guests Judith Marquez and Gerardo Noriega from Rights for All People joined the show to talk about secure communities and deportation. At 9:40 sitting Denver Mayor Bill Vidal joined the show to discuss the handoff to Michael Hancock, police accountability and secure communities.

Sirota Thursday 6-9-11 Hour 2

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:10:09 -0400

Denver City Councilman Doug Linkhart our first guest this hour. He talked a little about the mayors race and about what is next for the city of Denver. We also started talking about police accountability. At 8:20 Alexander Landau joined the show. In 2009 he was a Community College of Denver student and was pulled over for an illegal left turn and beaten bloody by three Denver cops. Now, thanks to a 795,000 dollar settlement, he's received one of the largest-ever payouts for police brutality in the city's history. Alex tells us his story. His attorney Anna Holland Edwards joined us as well to break down the case.

Sirota Thursday 6-9-11 Hour 1

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:29:05 -0400

Jonny 5 fills in today for Sirota. His special in studio guest this hour was editor in chief at Westword Patricia Calhoun. They opened up playing a what's more important news quiz with Patty. We then discussed the Denver mayor race. What were the issues that decided this race. Was it a personality or issue race.

Sirota Wednesday 6-8-11 Hour 3

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:10:05 -0400

The rise of drug-resistant infections in humans has been linked to the overuse of antibiotics in animal feed since the early 1970s, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has failed to meet its legal responsibility to address the mounting health threat posed by the practice, according to a suit filed by a coalition of concerned health and consumer organizations. The lawsuit was filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Food Animal Concerns Trust, Public Citizen, and Union of Concerned Scientists. Our guest is Steve Roach, the public health program director at the Food Animal Concerns Trust. At 9:30 we were joined by Scott Carney to talk about his new book The Red Market: On the Trail of the World's Organ Brokers, Bone Thieves, Blood Farmers and Child Traffickers. This book reveals the rise, fall, and resurgence of this multibillion dollar under ground trade through history, from early medical study and modern universities to poverty ravaged Eurasian villages and high-tech Western labs, from body snatchers and surrogate mothers to skeleton dealers and the poor who sell body parts to survive.

Sirota Wednesday 6-8-11 Hour 2

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:01:01 -0400

We led off with Fox 31's Eli Stokols to talk about the Denver mayoral runoff race where Michael Hancock won by a large margin. Eli talked about why Fox 31 and major media outlets decided not to run with the prostitution ring story. Eli Pariser then joined us at the bottom of the hour to discuss his book The Filter Bubble: What the Internet is Hiding From You.

Sirota Wednesday 6-8-11 Hour 1

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:36:47 -0400

Jonathan Alter and Diane Ravitch our special guests to debate education reform. In a Bloomberg column, Alter called out Diane as one of the obstructionists to education reform. Jonathan Alter is a journalist and author who was a columnist and senior editor for Newsweek magazine from 1983 until 2011. Alter is currently a lead columnist for Bloomberg Review. Diane Ravitch is a historian of education, an educational policy analyst, and a research professor at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Previously, she was a U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education. At 7:50 Mayor Michael Hancock briefly joined us to talk about his win over Chris Romer.

Sirota Tuesday 6-7-11 Hour 3

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 11:38:23 -0400

Media Matters' Eric Boehlert joined the show to lead off the hour. We discussed, Sarah Palin, Anthony Weiner, Breitbart and much more. David then threw out some news items before being joined by Annie Jacobsen. She is the author of the award winning Area 51: An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base.

Sirota Tuesday 6-7-11 Hour 2

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:13:02 -0400

Stephen Kull our special guest to discuss his new book Feeling Betrayed: The Roots of Muslim Anger at America. Steven Kull, a political psychologist and acknowledged authority on international public opinion, has sought to understand more deeply how Muslims see America. He conducted focus groups with representative samples in Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, Jordan, Iran, and Indonesi. He conducted numerous in depth surveys in eleven majority Muslim nations over a period of several years, and comprehensively analyzed data from other organizations such as Gallup, World Values Survey and the Arab Barometer. We then took a few primal screams on the Weiner situation before being joined by comedian D. L. Hughley. He has upcoming shows at Comedy Works Larimer Square this weekend.

Sirota Tuesday 6-7-11 Hour 1

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:08:27 -0400

Sirota led off talking about Anthony Weiner Gate.We talked about this scandal compared to John Edwards. Dave calls it the John Edwards scale. Can Weiner come back from this. We then talked about who you are voting for or voted for in the Denver Mayor race. Also Connecticut becomes the first state to require businesses to provide paid sick days to employees. Should Colorado follow suit.

Sirota Monday 6-6-11 Hour 3

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 11:20:02 -0400

Justin Cronin in studio with David. He is the author of last summer's hit The Passage. It's now out in paperback and he will be at the Boulder Bookstore tonight at 7:30 PM. With The Passage, Cronin has written both a breathtaking adventure and an epic chronicle of human endurance in the face of unprecedented catastrophe. Its masterful prose and depth of human insight mark it as a singular and unforgettable work of fiction. The Passage is the first novel of a planned trilogy. The Twelve and The City of Mirrors are due to be released in 2012 and in 2014. Canadian scientists have studied and say a new drug can get rid of bad memories. This is being considered for cases of PTSD etc. But would you use a drug to erase bad memories.

Sirota Monday 6-6-11 Hour 2

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:08:50 -0400

A new study published by Ad Age takes a look at the various ways new technologies concluding that at the end of the day, additive technologies make life more complicated than not. Fewer than half, the study says, found that new supplemental devices like tablets and e-readers made everyday living more fun or easier. Have new technologies made your life easier. What kind of devices are you using. Have they made everyday life better. More complicated. David also threw out some news stories including one on a WHO report on cell phones being a carcinogenic.

Sirota Monday 6-6-11 Hour 1

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:09:44 -0400

As a nationwide hunt for a suspect in the kidnapping and sexual assault of an 8 year old girl continued Sunday, fearful parents in her neighborhood are keeping close tabs on their children and hoping for a quick capture. Police suspect Bret Lee Luckett Thompson, 27, of abducting the girl Thursday. She was snatched from the 400-block alley between South Raleigh and South Stuart streets, where she was with friends. Sunday night, Fox31 news reported that Thomp son had been living with relatives in an east Aurora home. A Fox reporter showed Thomp son's photo to two residents across the street, and they said he lived in the home until Friday. What do you do in reaction to this. How afraid should we be of abductions and assaults. At 7:40 Kelly Dorfman joins the show to talk about her book What's Eating Your Child: The Hidden Connection Between Food and Childhood Ailments. She will be at the Boulder Bookstore on Tuesday June 14th at 7:30 PM. Kelly Dorfman is a sought-after nutritionist whose typical family in her practice comes to her after already having seen three or more medical specialists.

Sirota Friday 6-3-11 Hour 3

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:13:23 -0400

At 9:05 Peter Moskos joins David to discuss his new book In Defense of Flogging. The problems in our prisons are far from resolved. Just last week, the U. S. Supreme Court ordered California to reduce its prison population by over 30,000 prisoners, citing that the state has violated the Eighth Amendment's ban against cruel and unusual punishment. In Defense of Flogging offers a radical and revolutionary solution to our nation's broken criminal justice system. Moskos proposes that we let offenders chose between corporal punishment and serving time behind bars. It also takes on the tremendous costs imposed by the U.S. criminal justice system and defines an elective alternative policy that is actually more humane than our present imprisonment predicament. At 9:30 comedian Chris Bliss in studio. He has shows all weekend at the Comedy Works Landmark DTC. We also opened up Festivus Friday as Chris sat in the rest of the hour.

Sirota Friday 6-3-11 Hour 2

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:25:40 -0400

It's the Reporter's Roundtable with special guests Eli Stokols from Fox 31 KDVR, Dominic Dezzutti from Colorado Public Television Channel 12 and The Denver Daily News' Peter Marcus. We talked about the mayor's race, a busy week for Hickenlooper,

Sirota Friday 6-3-11 Hour 1

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 08:58:12 -0400

New job numbers out today. Still digging through though the numbers but the first glance is very disappointing. A net 54,000 new jobs accounting for 83,000 private sector growth, versus 29,000 contraction in the public sector. A lot of teh talk by the right says that public employees are less valuable to the economy. Is there something less valuable about a public job versus a private sector job.

Sirota Thursday 6-2-11 Hour 3

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 11:08:11 -0400

At 9:05 Deepak and Gotham Chopra our special guests to talk about their new book The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes: Harnessing Our Power to Change the World. They will be at the Tattered Cover in Lodo next Monday June 6th for a discussion and book signing. Numbered tickets for signings will be handed out on a first come, first serve basis and event starts at 7:30. From Buddha's search for truth to Batman's struggle with his dark side, from Wolverine exposing his greatest fears to Hanuman's divine gifts of inspiration, New York Times bestselling author Deepak Chopra with his son Gotham, author and cofounder of Liquid Comics, decode the seven essential laws that govern the realm of superheroes both ancient and modern, cosmic and commercial, and explain their relevance, importance, and perhaps most critically, how to apply them to our daily lives. At 9:35 Emma Donoghue joins David to talk about her book Room which was just released in paperback. She will be at the Tattered Cover on Colfax tomorrow at 7:30. An international bestseller and New York Times Notable Book, Room was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Hughes & Hughes Irish Novel of the Year and the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. This novel is a tale at once shocking, riveting, exhilarating--a story of unconquerable love in harrowing circumstances, and of the diamond-hard bond between a mother and her child. Emma Donoghue is a writer of contemporary and historical fiction whose novels include the bestselling Slammerkin.

Sirota Thursday 6-2-11 Hour 2

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 10:14:48 -0400

A new University of Houston research study links job stress in teachers to student achievement. Our special guest is Teresa McIntyre, a research professor in the department of psychology and the Texas Institute for Evaluation, Measurement and Statistics at the University of Houston. Prof. McIntyre did conduct a pilot study in the Greater Houston area in 2010 that indicated that a least one third of middle school teachers may be significantly stressed. At 8:40 Mark Haggerty our special guest. He and his wife Julia wrote an op-ed for the Bozeman Daily Chronicle called State Experiences Suggest Federal Oil and Gas Subsidies Can Go. The Obama Administration has proposed eliminating several federal tax breaks for the oil and natural gas industry. This raises an important question: Do tax incentives influence oil production.

Sirota Thursday 6-2-11 Hour 1

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:58:27 -0400

David read an excerpt of a speech from accused terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki. He flipped around the words Muslim and Iranian with American in this speech and asked the audience if this is protected speech. A very cool test in this hour.

Sirota Wednesday 6-1-11 Hour 3

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 11:06:37 -0400

Westword reporter Melanie Asmar our special guest to talk about her cover story Passing on Education. The story questions whether students at North High School were allowed to cheat in online credit recovery courses in order to make up classes they'd failed -- and ultimately, graduate. In the three years that North has used credit recovery, graduation rates have increased. And that appears to be what happened this year, too. We then talked about this news item. For the first time ever, married couples are no longer the majority. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, married couples now represent 48 percent of all U.S. households. That's down from 52 percent in the last Census. The flip in the 2010 Census happened in 32 states. In another seven states, less than 51 percent of households were helmed by married couples. The reason, said Portland State University demographer Charles Rynerson, is twofold: The fast-growing older population is more likely to be divorced or widowed later in life, and 20-somethings are putting off their nuptials for longer stretches. What are some of your reasons why this is going on.

Sirota Wednesday 6-1-11 Hour 2

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:13:39 -0400

Although he doesn't think animal cruelty charges are warranted against an Erie police officer who shot and killed a German shepherd May 10, Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett said Colorado law could be clearer on when it's OK to use deadly force against an animal. In considering possible charges against Erie officer Jamie Chester, Garnett said he reviewed the state's use of deadly physical force statute. The law, which talks specifically about using force upon another person, states that someone can use a degree of force that is believed to be necessary for protection. Deadly force only can be used if a person believes a lesser degree of force is inadequate and that he or another person is in imminent danger of being killed or seriously injured, according to the law. Because the law doesn't address use of force against animals, Garnett wrote in his report about the shooting, his office analyzed the facts of the case assuming that an animal has an equivalent right not to be subjected to use of physical force as would be given a person. To be found guilty of cruelty to animals in Colorado, prosecutors must prove that a person knowingly tortures, needlessly mutilates or needlessly kills an animal. Our special guest is Jennifer Edwards, attorney and founder of Wheatridge-based Animal Law Center. David then talked a little more about racism. At 8:30 our special guest was PBS' Bill Moyers.

Sirota Wednesday 6-1-11 Hour 1

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:01:27 -0400

The US economy was supposed to be in bloom by late spring, but it is hardly growing at all. Expectations for second-quarter growth are not much better than the measly 1.8 per cent annualised rate of the first quarter. That is not nearly fast enough to reduce America's ferociously high level of unemployment. The labor department will tell us on Friday whether the jobs situation improved in May, but there has been no sign of a surge in hiring. Nor in wages. Average hourly earnings of production and non-supervisory employees - who make up 80 per cent of non-government workers - dropped to 8.76 in April. Adjusted for inflation, that's lower than they were in the depths of the recession. Meanwhile, housing prices continue to fall. They are now 33 per cent below their 2006 peak. Are we headed for a double-dip recession. Have we ever gotten out of recession. Have you seen or felt any uptick in recovery. Should we raise taxes.What can we do to fix the economy. At 7:40 Tufts Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Samuel Sommers our special guest He is co-author of this report Whites See Racism as a Zero-sum Game that They Are Now Losing, which appears in the May 2011 issue of the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science.

Sirota Tuesday 5-31-11 Hour 3

Tue, 31 May 2011 11:57:35 -0400

Wall Street Journal reporter Stephanie Simon joins David to talk about her piece Public Schools Charge Kids for Basics, Frills. Public schools across the country, struggling with cuts in state funding, rising personnel costs and lower tax revenues, are shifting costs to students and their parents by imposing or boosting fees for everything from enrolling in honors English to riding the bus. At high schools in several states, it can cost more than 200 hundred dollars just to walk in the door, thanks to registration fees, technology fees and unspecified instructional fees. Though public schools have long charged for extras such as driver's education and field trips, many are now asking parents to pay for supplies needed to take core classes-from biology-lab safety goggles to algebra workbooks to the printer ink used to run off grammar exercises in language arts. In some schools, each class comes with a price tag, to be paid at registration. Some schools offer installment plans for payment. Others accept credit cards-for a processing fee. Public-school administrators say the fees-some of which are waived for low-income families-allow them to continue to offer specialty classes and activities that would otherwise fall to the budget ax. Some parents support that approach, saying they'd rather pay for honors physics or drama than see those opportunities eliminated altogether. Stephanie Simon is a former LA Times reporter now living in the Denver are and reporting for the Wall Street Journal. We then took calls on how to or why we are not willing to pay for education. We also took a classic call on civil liberties and played classic Eric Cartman audio.

Sirota Tuesday 5-31-11 Hour 2

Tue, 31 May 2011 10:15:56 -0400

Spending top dollar for megastar players like Miguel Cabrera and Alex Rodriguez helps Major League Baseball teams attract fans and earn higher profits, but clubs that spend the bulk of their player payroll on a couple of superstars ultimately win fewer games, a University of Michigan study shows. Our special guest is author of the study Jason Winfree, an associate professor of sport management at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology. We then threw this one out to the audience. Would you rather have a superstar on your team and maybe win less or have a team that has no real high paid stars they win. Also a case was thrown out of court for a man flipping off a police officer. Should we be allowed to flip a police officer off. Is that protected speech.

Sirota Tuesday 5-31-11 Hour 1

Tue, 31 May 2011 08:51:30 -0400

The food and advertising industries are pushing back against an Obama administration proposal that calls for food makers to voluntarily limit the way they market sugary cereals, salty snacks and other foods to children and teens. From yogurt makers to candy manufacturers, they lined up Tuesday to tell regulators that the first-ever proposed guidelines for marketing to children would not stop the childhood obesity problem but would certainly hurt their businesses and abridge their right to free speech. The regulators held Tuesday's meeting to gather input from the public. They are accepting written comments until July 14 before finalizing the recommendations and submitting them in a report to Congress. The far-reaching guidelines would cover a wide array of marketing, from traditional media such as television, print and radio to pop-up ads on Internet sites. They would apply to social media, toys in fast-food meals, ads shown in movie theaters , sponsorship of athletic teams and philanthropic activities, as well as product placement in movies and video games. Is it time to crack down on this or is this a chill on free speech.

Sirota Friday 5-27-11 Hour 3

Fri, 27 May 2011 11:21:07 -0400

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin on Thursday signed into law a bill establishing a single-payer health care plan for the state, making Vermont the first state to do so. Vermont lawmakers passed the legislation in March by a 92-49 margin. The legislation, when fully enacted, will guarantee every Vermont resident the right to enroll in a state-sponsored insurance plan, Green Mountain Care. Our special guest is State Representative Christopher Pearson who helped push the legislation through. He is a member of the House Health Care Committee and chair of the House Progressive Caucus. We then went to open phones and threw out several news stories.

Sirota Friday 5-27-11 Hour 2

Fri, 27 May 2011 10:12:33 -0400

David opened up the hour talking about his column When Do War Criminals Deserve Justice. Ratko Mladic was caught and will face trial at The Hague. Authorities arrested Mladic on Thursday, ending his 16 years as a fugitive. He faces genocide charges related to the 1992-1995 Bosnian war. In 1995, he was indicted in the killings of about 7,500 Bosnian Muslim men and boys in what has been dubbed the worst single atrocity in Europe since World War II. Now why is he facing trial and Osama bin Laden not. We also opened up Festivus Friday. At 8:40 we switched it up with a guest. Members of the House of Representatives considerably outperform the stock market in their personal investments, according to a new academic study. Four university researchers examined 16,000 common stock transactions made by approximately 300 House representatives from 1985 to 2001, and found what they call significant positive abnormal returns, with portfolios based on congressional trades beating the market by about 6 percent annually. Our special guest is one of the study's authors Dr. Alan Ziobrowski. He is a associate professor in the Department of Real Estate in the College of Business at Georgia State University.

Sirota Friday 5-27-11 Hour 1

Fri, 27 May 2011 08:53:38 -0400

Michael Hancock and Chris Romer squared off in our Denver Mayoral debate.

Sirota Thursday 5-26-11 Hour 3

Thu, 26 May 2011 11:09:10 -0400

We carried over some calls on the re authorization of the Patriot Act. We also threw in a local angle on surveillance. Should Boulder consider surveillance cameras. Many attacks are occurring in Boulder and some officials are saying put surveillance cameras to stop it. Is this a good idea. We also talked about the Pentagon and selling of war.

Sirota Thursday 5-26-11 Hour 2

Thu, 26 May 2011 10:29:15 -0400

Congress is expected to vote next week to extend expiring provisions of the Patriot Act, which would allow the controversial anti-terrorism law to continue four more years despite opposition from an unusual coalition of Democrats and Republicans. An earlier attempt to continue parts of the surveillance law suffered a surprise setback this year as tea party freshmen and veteran conservatives joined with Democrats to defeat the bill before passing a temporary extension. Would you like to see it extended or expired. Do you think the Patriot Act doesn't affect you and you just don't care.

Sirota Thursday 5-26-11 Hour 1

Thu, 26 May 2011 09:09:04 -0400

So far this year, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland and Nebraska introduced legislation hiking their gas taxes and Arkansas might boost its diesel fuel tax, according to data compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Tax Foundation. Conversely, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming already have shot down proposed increases this year. With high cost of gas why are more people not buying electric cars. The federal government has not raised the national gas tax of 18.4 cents since 1993. Because the federal tax hasn't kept up with inflation, the revenue created for federal transportation projects is being eroded over time. What do you think about the gas tax. Should it increase. Also, why are people not buying electric cars. Apparently 66 percent of Americans don't see themselves owning an electric car.

Sirota Wednesday 5-25-11 hour 3

Wed, 25 May 2011 12:21:44 -0400

We start with Dave Zirin to talk about Lance Armstrong and the allegations of him using performance enhancing drugs. Yahoo News reported Lance Armstrong 's former teammate, Tyler Hamilton, says Armstrong and other team leaders encouraged, promoted and took part in a doping program in an effort to win the Tour de France in 1999 and beyond, according to a report aired Sunday night on "60 Minutes." Hamilton says he saw Armstrong take banned drugs EPO and testosterone and also saw him receive a banned blood transfusion. The show also uses unidentified sources to report that another Armstrong teammate and close friend, George Hincapie, testified to the grand jury looking into the case that he and Armstrong supplied each other with EPO and discussed having used testosterone to prepare for races. Armstrong has long denied doping and has never tested positive.

We then have a discussion on drinking at sporting events and if its getting outta conrol. If we ban alcohol at sporting events are we addressing the symptoms and not the problem? Do we punish everyone for the actions of a few? Are there things that we can do to control either sales or behavior at these events without removing alcohol all together. We take your calls and suggestions on this topic.

Sirota Wednesday 5-25-11 hour 2

Wed, 25 May 2011 10:15:10 -0400

One of the environmental movement's greatest achievements has been the passage of legislation that protects dolphins from being slaughtered. Now, U.S. dolphin protection rules have gotten slammed yet again by the WTO. the WTO found that even purely voluntary labeling convention like the U.S. "dolphin safe" labels could be deemed mandatory if they impeded non-labeled tuna's "marketing opportunities in the United States." In other words, even private consumer preferences for dolphin-safe tuna can lead to a WTO violation. This could cast a real chill on voluntary labeling practices, which a lot of supporters of free trade are in favor of. Moreover, the Obama administration did not appear to even use all possible defenses to fight against this attack. We are joined by the author of this article, Todd Tucker, to talk about the WTO and who an unelected body is governing trade laws.

Then we talk about what it means to spport Israel in todays world. President Obmam supports our long standing policy towards the Middle East but now is being attacked for not supporting Israel by the right wing becasue he does not support advancement into Palisitinian areas. Does this mean the American policy needs to change or are these supposedly "pro Israli" supporters simply "anti Arab", we take your calls on the topic.

Sirota Wednesday 5-25-11 hour 1

Wed, 25 May 2011 09:02:45 -0400

First a commentary on pop culture and what we are teaching our children. Piartes? Mobsters? Are we glorifying the criminals and terriorists of the olden days? Why is that ok? Is it because that the "Hero" terrorists (pirates) and gangsters (mobsters) are white and our enemies now are not? David takes your calls as to if this is what we are teaching our children and if its ok we take our kids to the new Pirate exhibit and a local Denver Museum and a Mobster Museum in Vegas.

Also we update on the news of the day, Is Congress guilty of insider trading? Some new research say that they may be. Also a Democrat wins a normally republican house seat in Western New York using Medicare as a cvampagin cornerstone. Is this a test case for how the 2012 election season will pan out?

Sirota Tuesday 5-24-11 hour 3

Tue, 24 May 2011 11:22:08 -0400

First, It's our media misinformation report with Senior Fellow at Media Matters for America Eric Boehlert. He is the author of Lapdogs: How the Press Rolled Over for Bush and Bloggers on the Bus: How the Internet Changed Politics and the Press. He worked for five years as a senior writer for Salon.com, where he wrote extensively about media and politics. Prior to that, he worked as a contributing editor for Rolling Stone.

David also does open phones on local reactors, tax breaks for Walmart, advice for how to balance his life, comments from Newt Gingrich, a Republican blocking the Patriot act and attack, a progressive ruling from the supreme court and Romer and his attacks on Michael Hancock and his belief on creationism. Its a jam packed hour and David opens up the phones to take your calls on all the headlines of the day.

Sirota Tuesday 5-24-11 hour 2

Tue, 24 May 2011 10:49:19 -0400

David starts the hour making his big annoucment. No, our favorite talk show host isn't going anywhere, tune into the begging of the hour on the Podcast to hear the big announcement and why David felt it was important to announce on air to all his listeners.

Then we vspend the rest of the hour with local author Stephen Singular joins David to talk about his book The Wichita Divide: The Murder of Dr. George Tiller and the Battle Over Abortion. He has an event at the Tattered Cover on Colfax tomorrow night starting at 7:30 PM. On May 31, 2009, Scott Roeder walked into a Wichita church, drew a pistol, and shot Dr. George Tiller at point blank range. Tiller, who was the most public practitioner of late-term abortions in America, had been a lightning rod for controversy, regularly referred to in the conservative media as Tiller, the Baby Killer. Tiller"s death was a pivotal, public murder in a war that has been raging for decades. It"s a war of violently opposing ideologies, encompassing abortion, but also questions of privacy, sexuality, and religion. It"s being fought in our nation"s courtrooms, school and churches, on television sets, at our dinner tables, and in our bedrooms. And more and more, the key battlegrounds are in Kansas, once home to Brown vs. Board of Education and some of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. This is a gripping look at a cold-blooded terrorist action, two men representing opposite ideological extremes, and the region where those violent forces clash. Stephen Singular's first book, Talked to Death, set the tone for his journalistic career. Published in 1987, it chronicled the assassination of a Denver Jewish talk show host, Alan Berg, by a group of neo-Nazis known as The Order. The book was nominated for a national award -- the Edgar for true crime -- and became the basis for the 1989 Oliver Stone film, Talk Radio. Since 1987, Singular has published 17 more non-fiction books that reflect a wide range of interest and diversity of styles. and is a two time New York Times best selling author. David interviews and takes your calls with Stephen for the remainder of the hour.

Sirota Tuesday 5-24-11 hour 1

Tue, 24 May 2011 10:13:25 -0400

First the Nuclear Power 2021 Act calls for the construction of two small nuclear reactors by 2021, both of which will be funded partially by the Department of Energy. While the legislation presents itself as a possible solution to record-high gasoline prices, the proposal will inevitably be met by anxious constituents still reeling from the recent nuclear meltdown in Japan reports the Pittsburg Post-Gazette. Westinghouse has been working on small nuclear reactors. The company designed a Small Modular Reactor that shrinks nuclear operations to one capsule that stands about 90 feet tall and doesn't need to be located near a large body of water for its cooling needs. The 7-month-old project is still in the "nursery" stages of research and development, said Westinghouse CEO Aris Candris, but the company envisions the plants to be something like a new windmill: just part of the scenery. What do you think? David takes your calls on if you want a ractor in your backyard?

Also the Pikes Peak region would see more than $1 billion in increased economic activity over the next 15 years from a pair of significant projects being considered in Colorado Springs. Construction would consist of a Wal-Mart data center and the addition of data and technology centers at Agilent Technologies existing campus. The City Council today will consider approval of economic incentive packages for the two companies that would total $2.3 million in the form of business personal property tax rebates and sales-and-use tax rebates. El Paso County, Academy School District 20 and the state of Colorado also are offering incentives for Wal-Mart, while the county and state are involved in the Agilent project reports MSNBC. Should a city so strapped for cash be giving so many tax breaks to a muti-national comany?

Sirota Monday 5-23-11 9am

Mon, 23 May 2011 11:32:24 -0400

First correspondent for the Atlantic and a Research Fellow at the New America Foundation in Washington Brian Till joins David to discuss his book Conversations With Power: What Great Presidents and Prime Ministers Can Teach Us about Leadership. He will be speaking for the Rocky Mountain Regional Center and Institute of International Education on Wednesday, May 25 from 5:30pm 7:30pm at the Denver Athletic Club. Fresh out of college, and frustrated with own generation's political apathy, Brian Till set out to interview the former world leaders he most admired. To his surprise, they were eager to talk, and he soon found himself discussing everything from energy to terrorism to nuclear disarmament with the greatest leaders of the last twenty-five years. Here, he distills what they learned in office, their predictions for the future, and their advice for the leaders of tomorrow. Interviewees include Bill Clinton, Gro Bruntland, Jimmy Carter, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Ehud Barak, Vaclav Havel, Mikhail Gorbachev, Pervez Musharraf, F.W. de Klerk, Ricardo Lagos, Helmut Schmidt, Goh Chok Tong and Paul Keating.

David also continues to talk about a new poll that says sixty-one percent of likely voters believe the democratic uprisings in the Arab world that President Obama embraced in a major speech Thursday will make things more difficult for the United States, according to a new poll conducted for The Hill. Just 20 percent of respondents said the turmoil would benefit the United States, while more than 3 in 5 said the unrest would make things more difficult. The remaining 19 percent were unsure.

Finally David takes your calls on If we should be spending on advertising the city of Denver, if we should have a state mascot and if so what it should be and some questionable comments from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Sirota Monday 5-23-11 8am

Mon, 23 May 2011 10:21:10 -0400

The Boston Herald has accused the White House of denying its reporter full access to President Obama's local fundraiser Wednesday evening, claiming the Obama administration cited concerns about an op-ed the paper ran more than two months ago by Republican Mitt Romney. According to emails published Wednesday in the Herald, when the newspaper tried to sign up for pool reporter duty ahead of Obama's visit to Boston, a White House spokesman questioned whether the newspaper could cover the president fairly. Do you think this violates our first amendment rights? David takes your calls

Also 8 state workers from a document processing center showed up at a hospital in Pueblo complaining of eye and skin irritations and nausea Friday afternoon, symptoms consistent with exposure to hazardous materials reported KRDO. Pueblo County emergency authorities say several people in the emergency room, including a hospital employee were also checked out because of they may have come in contact with the original 8. As of late Friday night, the cause of the illnesses remained a complete mystery.

Finally David also takes your calls on a new poll that says sixty-one percent of likely voters believe the democratic uprisings in the Arab world that President Obama embraced in a major speech Thursday will make things more difficult for the United States, according to a new poll conducted for The Hill. Just 20 percent of respondents said the turmoil would benefit the United States, while more than 3 in 5 said the unrest would make things more difficult. The remaining 19 percent were unsure.

Sirota Monday 5-23-11 7am

Mon, 23 May 2011 09:39:20 -0400

Americans may be postponing marriage, and fewer are wedding at all. But what about the people who do get married? They're staying together longer than they have in years. Three in four couples who married after 1990 celebrated a 10-year anniversary, according to census statistics reported Wednesday. That was a rise of three percentage points compared with couples who married in the early 1980s, when the nation's divorce rate was at its highest, reported the Washington Post. One reason for the increase, said demographers and sociologists who study families, is that people are marrying later in life, after they have completed their education. Not only are they more mature, but they also are more financially secure.

Also A citizens group fighting photo red lights in Aurora has expressed interest in a proposed California law that would hold government accountable before installing the speed traps. Citizens for Responsible Aurora Government has taken note of the popular California bill, which would require municipalities in California to prove a safety need for the cameras before proceeding with installing them. Concerns have been raised that such photo red light cameras are installed not to protect the public, but instead to raise revenue, reports the Denver Daily News

David takes your calls on these to news stories and also mourns the death of wrestling idol "Macho Man" Randy Savage and updates everyone on the Lance Armstrong and the allegations that he used performance enhancing drugs and the White House blocking the Boston Herald from a public event.

Sirota Friday 5-20-11 part 2

Fri, 20 May 2011 14:41:05 -0400

Despite our problems with the Atari 2600 we managed to get most of the show recorded, here is what we got.

David welcomes back comedian Jay Mohr in studio but this time the comedian tries his hand at some political fodder. In a very entertaining half hour David and Jay go back and forth about his political views, fiscal conservative vs social liberal and the Tea Party.

To finish off the show Steve Almond joins to give us his album suggestion which this week is Sophie London's self titled album and we will sample the song What's the Harm. Steve will also discuss the weeks burning issues with David. Steve is the author of the story collections My Life in Heavy Metal and The Evil B.B. Chow, the novel Which Brings Me to You, and the non-fiction books Candyfreak and (Not That You Asked). His latest book is Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life. He is also, crazily, self-publishing a book called This Won't Take But a Minute, Honey, which is composed of 30 very brief stories, and 30 very brief essays on the psychology and practice of writing.

Sirota Friday 5-20-11 part 1

Fri, 20 May 2011 13:43:04 -0400

Despite our problems with the Atari 2600 we managed to get most of the show recorded, here is what we got.

First David welcomed Glenn Greenwald to discuss the legality of our continued war in Lybia. Glenn wrote "When President Obama ordered the U.S. military to wage war in Libya without Congressional approval (even though, to use his words, it did "not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation"), the administration and its defenders claimed he had legal authority to do so for two reasons: (1) the War Powers Resolution of 1973 (WPR) authorizes the President to wage war for 60 days without Congress, and (2) the "time-limited, well defined and discrete" nature of the mission meant that it was not really a "war" under the Constitution (Deputy NSA Adviser Ben Rhodes and the Obama OLC). Those claims were specious from the start, but are unquestionably inapplicable now."

Then David welcomes comedian Jay Mohr in studio to talk about everything but politics, but don't worry David and Jay get into that later. For this part of his visit the comedian gets into movies, sports and his career in a very entertaining visit.

Finally David has on Michael Hancock to update his race for Mayor of Denver. They spend most of the visit clarifying the Candidate's position on Creationism and its place in schools from the debate with his opponent Chris Romer. David will have both candidates on next Friday to discuss the race and hopefully have a spirited debate.

Sirota Thursday 5-19-11 Hour 3

Thu, 19 May 2011 13:05:03 -0400

Our special guest is Dominique Browning to talk about her New York Times Piece Hitting the Bottle. Manufacturers might be removing Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used to harden certain plastics, from their products, but they are substituting chemicals that may be just as dangerous, if not more so. BPA is a synthetic estrogen that disrupts normal endocrine function. There is growing evidence in animal studies that exposure during fetal growth affects the development of reproductive systems and, in offspring, can lead to neurological problems. BPA has also been linked to prostate and breast cancer. BPA has been found on money, likely transferred from credit card and A.T.M. receipts printed on thermal paper that contains BPA. It's also in dental sealants, in the lining of food cans, and in many other items. But now companies may be using BPS which might not be that good either. Dominique Browning is a writer, editor and consultant in the newspaper and magazine fields. She has worked with and written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, O, and the Oprah magazine. She writes a monthly column about environmental issues for the Environmental Defense Fund website.

Then David talks about how President Obama has conviently left open several very import financial regulatory positions while he rakes in money for is 2012 re-election campain and how tomorrow is the 2 month anniversary of the war in Lybia and how after that date we can no longer wage war in that country without the approval of congress.

In the second half of the hour Bloomberg Businessweek Senior Economic Editor Peter Coy joins David to discuss that the US may not be digging itself out of its current economic slump and the job recovery will continue to suffer. Coy writes that not only is the American public angry but it also senses that things aren't working out the way they're supposed to, and that the recovery is taking too long, if it's happening at all.

Also Sirota talks about how a private prison in Arizona isn't saving that much money compared to its public counterparts and opens up the phone lines to take your calls on the topics of the day.

Sirota Thursday 5-19-11 Hour 2

Thu, 19 May 2011 12:02:08 -0400

David discuss and takes our calls on the Democratic Party Debate where the latest of a series of Denver mayoral runoff debates and forums between Michael Hancock and Chris Romer where the men answered a series of questions from the audience that were more elaborate, but towards the end of the debate during a rapid-fire round of Yes/No questioning and the question was asked "Do you believe Creationism and Intelligent Design should be taught in schools?" to which Hancock, answered, "Yes." said The Huffington Post.

In a statement made later on his campaign website, Hancock, who claims to have misunderstood the question, clarified his quick answer response by saying "While I am a man of great faith, I believe Creationism and Intelligent Design are religious beliefs that have no place in a public school curriculum. The best place for religion to be taught is at home or a place of worship."

Also according to our guests conservationist Charles Saylan and UCLA life scientist Daniel T. Blumstein, schools must revamp how they teach about the environment to prevent ecological collapse. They have just released the book The Failure of Environmental Education And How We Can Fix It. They say Americans like to think we are doing a great job educating our kids about the environment, but there has been a major disconnect between raising awareness about the environment and taking action to reduce environmental degradation. They believe environmental destruction via pollution, global warming, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, over-harvesting resources, to name a few, is ruining the Earth and that students should be taught to preserve the Earth. Charles Saylan is co-founder and executive director of the Ocean Conservation Society and Daniel Blumstein is a UCLA professor and chair of the department of ecology and evolutionary biology

Sirota Thursday 5-19-11 Hour 1

Thu, 19 May 2011 08:43:15 -0400

David Spends the beginning of the hour talking about his run in with Ed Schultz yesterday and explaining why what Ed said was troubling to him.

Also last night at the Democratic Party Debate, the latest of a series of Denver mayoral runoff debates and forums between Michael Hancock and Chris Romer, The men answered a series of questions from the audience that were more elaborate, but towards the end of the debate during a rapid-fire round of Yes/No questioning and the question was asked "Do you believe Creationism and Intelligent Design should be taught in schools?" to which Hancock, answered, "Yes." said The Huffington Post.

In a statement made later on his campaign website, Hancock, who claims to have misunderstood the question, clarified his quick answer response by saying "While I am a man of great faith, I believe Creationism and Intelligent Design are religious beliefs that have no place in a public school curriculum. The best place for religion to be taught is at home or a place of worship."

Sirota Wednesday 5-18-11 Hour 3

Wed, 18 May 2011 11:12:03 -0400

At 9:05 Over 60 percent of wireless customers with traditional cellular plans would support a government rule to avoid cell phone bill shock, according to a new poll released today by Consumers Union, nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports. Such a rule would require mobile network providers to notify customers when they are about to exceed their plan's allowance in order to avoid overage charges. The poll also found wide support, 57 percent, for a government rule requiring that wireless providers give their customers the option to have features disabled when they are in danger of exceeding their plan's allowance. The survey also found that 1 in 5 respondents had received an unexpected charge on a cell phone bill during the past year, with 38 percent reporting being hit with a charge of 30 dollars or more. Our special guest is Parul P. Desai, policy counsel for Consumers Union. At 9:18 Ed Schultz called in to respond to David's criticism. This didn't last very long.

Sirota Wednesday 5-18-11 Hour 2

Wed, 18 May 2011 10:08:50 -0400

We opened up playing audio of Michael Moore saying he would have liked to see Osama Bin Laden get a trial. We then played audio of Ed Schultz saying that liberals have no right to question the presidents actions. We then aired Keith Olbermann's special commentary where he blasts Ed Schultz for lambasting Michael Moore. Ed Schultz has spent a huge amount of resource to criticize liberals who question the president. David also laid out Ed's right-wing past. Is he going back to these days. Is Ed pretending to be a liberal or is he returning to his right wing ways.

Sirota Wednesday 5-18-11 Hour 1

Wed, 18 May 2011 09:12:52 -0400

David opened up talking about immigration. Voters are more pessimistic than ever about the possibility of stopping illegal immigration for good in the United States. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that just 35 percent believe it is possible to end illegal immigration in this country. Forty-seven percent do not think it is possible to end illegal immigration, while another 19 percent are not sure. What do you think. At 7:40 Architect Curtis Fentress, winner of the AIA's 2010 Thomas Jefferson Award, the highest honor for public architecture, our very special guest. He will be joined by celebrated guest artist Lawrence Argent and designer Michael McCoy tonight at the Tattered Cover in Lodo to discuss art's role in public architecture. Each designer will present his award-winning body of work and the inspiration and creative process behind his work in the public realm. The designers will then participate in a panel discussion moderated by Mary Chandler, former architectural critic of the Rocky Mountain News. Fentress and Chandler will then discuss and sign their new book Public Architecture: The Art Inside. Guests will hear the inside story on famous designs, ranging from Denver International Airport's passenger terminal and the Colorado Convention Center with its beloved big blue bear, to public art sculptures and award-winning international furniture design.

Sirota Tuesday 5-17-11 Hour 3

Tue, 17 May 2011 11:32:18 -0400

Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi our special guest to talk about his latest pieces on Goldman Sachs and about how banks are using municipal bonds to make big money. He is a journalist reporting on politics, media, finance, and sports for Rolling Stone and Men's Journal. Taibbi writes for the print edition of Rolling Stone, and contributes to their website in his current blog, Taibblog. We talked more about Chris Romer and ties to JP Morgan and the DPS deal. Although Romer denies being invlolved in the DPS deal, do you have concerns about putting a JP Morgan executive in the Mayor's office of Denver.

Sirota Tuesday 5-17-11 Hour 2

Tue, 17 May 2011 10:13:52 -0400

The Chuck E. Cheese's chain of restaurants uses the slogan, Where a kid can be a kid. But to one San Diego mother , the chain is really where a kid can develop a serious gambling habit. Debbie Keller, a real estate agent with two kids ages 3 and 5, is suing the Dallas-based restaurant chain for 5 million because she feels that many of the games intended for children at these locations are actually illegal gambling devices, like slot machines and roulette wheels. Although Keller is asking for a jury trial as well as damages and restitution totaling at least 5 million, her lawyer, Eric Binink told the San Diego Union Tribune that the money is a secondary issue. Benink said the lawsuit's real purpose is to prevent Texas-based parent company CEC Entertainment Inc. from keeping the machines in its game rooms. Is this an outrageous lawsuit or does it have merit.

Sirota Tuesday 5-17-11 Hour 1

Tue, 17 May 2011 08:55:04 -0400

David opened up talking about the Rollie Heath tax increase proposal. State Sen. Rollie Heath unveiled the final details Monday of his proposal to ask Colorado voters for a five-year, 3 billion tax increase to stop the maddening cuts to our schools.
But Heat, largely stood alone, without business or education groups backing him, at a news conference. To be precise, the measure, if approved by voters in November, would increase the state's income tax, now at a flat 4.63 percent, for five years to its 1999 level of 5 percent. Meanwhile, the initiative would - also for five years - raise the state's sales tax, which is now at 2.9 percent, to 3 percent. That is where it was until it was reduced in 2000. Do you support this. At 7:35 Comedienne Paula Poundstone our special guest. She will be at the Chautaqua Auditorium in Boulder this Saturday May 21st at 8 pm. Paula is a regular panelist on NPR's popular weekly news quiz show Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. She is the 2008 winner of the prestigious Peabody Award for broadcasting excellence. She was also recently inducted into the Comedy Hall of Fame.

Sirota Monday 5-16-11 Hour 3

Mon, 16 May 2011 11:12:25 -0400

Dr. Sheldon Jacobson from the University of Illinois our special guest to talk about his research on obesity and driving your car. Junk food, video games and a lack of exercise all have received their fair share of blame for the spiraling epidemic of obesity in the U.S. But according to Dr. Jacobson, public health enemy No. 1 for our supersized nation may very well be the one staple of modern life most Americans can't seem to live without, the automobile. David then brought up this story. A recent sting in which detectives spent hundreds of dollars getting drunk at a local strip club that ultimately surrendered its liquor license struck some in the community as clear case of the morality police at work. Letters to The Gazette and commenters on message boards decried the crack down on PT's Showclub, which was cited for alleged liquor law violations. A visibly drunk detective continued to be served alcohol, but none of the employees were enticed into having sex for money, according to the report. Assigning seven detectives, who spent 700 for drinks and entertainment on March 5, represented a severe distortion of priorities, wrote on letter writer. The commander whose judgment they were questioning, Lt. John Godsey, defended the sting and believes much of the criticism stems from misunderstandings about how the unit's investigators do undercover work and how it's paid for. Do you have a problem with this. We also had open phones

Sirota Monday 5-16-11 Hour 2

Mon, 16 May 2011 10:08:46 -0400

We continued taking calls on the ethics of drone warfare. We also hit on this story. Parents of Jefferson County students are digesting what it will mean to fork over 100 dollarsnext year for kids to ride the bus to neighborhood schools or 150 dollars to get to option schools. Facing a shrinking budget, the Board of Education will charge a transportation fee. The plan was made official in a 4-1 vote to approve the 2011-12 school budget. District spokeswoman Lynn Setzer said adding a fee means some bus routes can be saved. Is this the right thing to do facing budget restraints in schools.

Sirota Monday 5-16-11 Hour 1

Mon, 16 May 2011 09:24:22 -0400

David led off talking about the legalization of marijuana. proponents of marijuana use say they'll begin collecting signatures this summer to get full legalization of the drug before Colorado voters on the 2012 ballot, The Associated Press reports. Colorado already allows the use of medical marijuana for patients with a certified medical need, but the proposal that could reach the ballot next year would expand the use to any adult. Where do you stand. At 7:35 The Guardian's security editor Richard Norton-Taylor our special guest to talk about his piece The Terminators: Drone Strikes Prompt MoD to Ponder Ethics of Killer Robots. The growing use of unmanned aircraft in combat situations raises huge moral and legal issues, and threatens to make war more likely as armed robots take over from human beings, according to an internal study by the Ministry of Defence in Britain. We then asked is there ethical problems when using drones for war.

Sirota Friday 5-13-11 Hour 3

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:13:30 -0400

Morgan Spurlock our special guest to talk about his movie The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. How much are your eyes worth. What's the value of your subconscious. Morgan Spurlock, already an anti-corporate crusader known for his fast food attacking Super Size Me documentary, stars in the film and works to answer those questions. The film takes on the product placement and corporate sponsorship that has overtaken film, by becoming the subject, and making its own sponsorship the entire plot. Spurlock is a documentary filmmaker, humorist, television producer, screenwriter, bounty hunter and journalist. He was the executive producer and star of the reality television series 30 Days. We also mixed in a couple calls and news items. At 9:40 New York Times food writer Gary Taubes joined us to talk about his piece Is Sugar Toxic.

Sirota Friday 5-13-11 Hour 2

Fri, 13 May 2011 10:10:31 -0400

A special reporter's roundtable on energy issues. Our special guests include Abrahm Lustgarten from Pro Publica, David O. Williams from The Colorado Independent and Dennis Webb from the Grand Junction Sentinel. A new major study has just been released about the effects of natural gas drilling on the environment. Lustgarten is the reporter who first brought wide-spread attention to the issue. Lustgarten has been the lead reporter on most of ProPublica's hundreds of stories about the environmental impact of natural gas drilling and he's won several journalism awards for his work. David and Dennis have been covering energy issues for their respective publications. david then aired a grievance at a family member.

Sirota Friday 5-13-11 Hour 1

Fri, 13 May 2011 09:01:17 -0400

David Martin, national security correspondent for CBS news, is reporting that the raid, including the takedown of bin Laden and the collection of a veritable treasure trove of intelligence information in the house, took about forty minutes.
National security officials are apparently reviewing video recorded by the twenty-five Navy SEAL helmet cameras in order to get a more accurate portrait of the raid and possibly glean more intelligence information. The continuously refined storyline conflicts with initial reports that Osama himself had been armed and possibly used one of his wives as a human shield. The public has since learned that bin Laden was unarmed, though resisting, when killed and that the only gunfire exchange occurred with an al-Qaeda courier living in a guest house. Do you think the video should be released.

Sirota Thursday 5-12-11 Hour 3

Thu, 12 May 2011 11:11:41 -0400

Larry Flynt and David Eisenbach our very special in studio guests. He will be at the Tattered Cover in Lodo tonight at 7:30 for a book signing and discussion of his and David Eisenbach's new book One Nation Under Sex: How the Private Lives of Presidents, First Ladies and Their Lovers Changed the Course of American History. Free numbered tickets for a place in the booksigning line will be handed out at 6:30 pm. Seating for the presentation prior to the booksigning is limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis to ticketed customers only. Larry Flynt is the legendary publisher of Hustler magazine and has been a famous crusader for First Amendment and privacy rights for over three decades. His landmark Supreme Court case, Hustler Magazine v. Falwell, is taught in law schools throughout the United States. David Eisenbach, Ph.D., is an award-winning historian who teaches American political history at ColumbiaUniversity. He was the creator and host of the two-hour History Channel special The Beltway Unbuckled, about how presidential sex shaped American history.

Sirota Thursday 5-12-11 Hour 2

Thu, 12 May 2011 10:06:48 -0400

Comedian Jo Joy our special in studio guest. he has upcoming shows at Comedy Works Landmark DTC tonight, tomorrow night and Saturday night. From filling clubs across the nation to being seen weekly as a regular guest on Chelsea Lately, Daily Variety has named him one of the 10 Comics to Watch. At 8:40 new research suggests white audiences tend to stay away from movies featuring minorities due to the assumption that the film "wasn't made for me". http://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/why-whites-avoid-movies-with-black-actors-30890/ Nonwhite actors played major roles in only two of the 30 top-grossing films of 2010. Studio executives believe white audiences prefer to see white characters, while black audiences want to see black characters, so they increasingly make films for each demographic. Are they being too cynical? The research suggests the answer is, sadly, no. But it also suggests this troubling tendency may largely be the effect of the studios' all-too-effective marketing strategies. In short, white moviegoers seem convinced that films with black stars are not made for them. Our special guest is Andrew Weaver of the Indiana University Department of Telecommunications who explored how the racial makeup of the cast impacts the preferences of white filmgoers.

Sirota Thursday 5-12-11 Hour 1

Thu, 12 May 2011 08:53:55 -0400

The Boulder Daily reports that two Boulder high schools are going to start the school day later. Study shows that later starts are better for students. Do you think schools in Colorado should open a wee bit later. David also threw out the story about 1 in 6 women would rather be blind than obese. What do you think this is all about.

Sirota Wednesday 5-11-11 Hour 3

Wed, 11 May 2011 11:10:23 -0400

Could one of the largest toy distributors in the world be run out of business by a California mom? In a lawsuit that McDonald's filed to have dismissed, mother of two Monet Parham has charged that the chain's Happy Meals violate California consumer protection laws, and looked to stop them from containing those kid-enticing toys. Our special guest is Mary Elizabeth Williams who wrote the Salon piece Could the Happy Meal Become Extinct? We then took a call on the food issue and about oil drilling in Douglas County. At 9:35 wew were joined by Stephen Lewis to talk about the Canada elections. Stephen was elected as an NDP Member of Provincial Parliament to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1963. He became leader of the Ontario NDP in 1970 and was the leader of the Official Opposition of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1975. He resigned from politics in 1978. He is currently co-director of AIDS-Free World, an international advocay organization.

Sirota Wednesday 5-11-11 Hour 2

Wed, 11 May 2011 10:12:28 -0400

PBS Frontline correspondent Stephen Grey our special guest to talk about the new film he and Dan Edge produced Kill Capture. Behind the strike that killed Osama bin Laden last week was one of the U.S. military's best kept secrets: a covert campaign that officials have credited with taking out thousands of Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters. A six-month investigation by Frontline has gone inside the military's kill capture operations to discover new evidence of the program's impact and its costs. Stephen Grey is a freelance writer and reporter based in London, covering security issues for both newspapers and television and radio. At 8:40 State Representative Mark Ferrandino joined the show as there were fireworks in the last day of the legislative session. Last night House Republicans jammed an amendment onto SB11-078, the General Assembly's annual rule-review bill, to undo fair rules regulating the payday lending industry. The move was a shameless special interest giveaway in the last hours of the 2011 legislative session, and one that could ultimately undermine core and critical functions of government and public safety. We then did Whiner's Wednesday and threw out some news items.

Sirota Wednesday 5-11-11 Hour 1

Wed, 11 May 2011 09:06:09 -0400

Sirota threw out several news items this hour but we mostly talked about the defense budget. At a minimum, the raid on bin Laden's compound fortifies the president's pledge to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan in July, and softens Republican backlash against scaling back an increasingly unpopular war. On the heels of widespread cuts instituted by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Obama is proposing $400 billion more in defense spending reductions over the next 12 years. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist strikes, the Pentagon budget has skyrocketed from just over 300 billion annually to about 700 billion this year. Is president Obama right when he says we need to talk about cutting defense budget. Or do you think the Republicans will win this debate with fear mongering. David also talked about drilling in Douglas County. Would you sell rights under your house to an oil or gas company.

Sirota Tuesday 5-10-11 Hour 3

Tue, 10 May 2011 11:18:22 -0400

We led off with our media misinformation report with Eric Boehlert ate Media Matters for America. We talked about the Osama bin Laden coverage over the last week. At 8:25 our very special guest was Alice Walker. She has a new memoir out called The Chicken Chronicles: Sitting with the Angels Who Have Returned with My Memories: Glorious, Rufus, Gertrude Stein, Splendor, Hortensia, Agnes of God, The Gladyses, & Babe: A Memoir. She talked about current issues in the news.

Sirota Tuesday 5-10-11 Hour 2

Tue, 10 May 2011 10:08:30 -0400

Chris Hedges our special guest. He has a new book out called The World As It Is: Dispatches on the Myth of Human Progress. This is a panorama of the American empire at home and abroad, from the coarsening effect of America's War on Terror to the front lines in the Middle East and South Asia and the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hedges, whose column is published Mondays on Truthdig, spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent in Central America, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. He has reported from more than 50 countries and has worked for The Christian Science Monitor, National Public Radio, The Dallas Morning News and The New York Times, for which he was a foreign correspondent for 15 years. Hedges is a senior fellow at The Nation Institute in New York City and has taught at Columbia University, New York University and Princeton University. He currently teaches inmates at a correctional facility in New Jersey. David then briefly talked about a possible frat and Greek System ban in Boulder due to the number of sexuyal assaults on campus.

Sirota Tuesday 5-10-11 Hour 1

Tue, 10 May 2011 08:49:04 -0400

Workers' rights advocates are calling for support of a ballot initiative requiring Denver businesses to provide employees with paid sick days. Supporters of the campaign to put the initiative on the November ballot stressed public health concerns and personal hardship, but business interests are unlikely to support mandatory paid sick time. Under the initiative, paid sick time would be capped at 72 hours per year for full-time employees and at 40 hours for businesses with fewer than 10 workers. Part-time workers would receive pro-rated paid sick time based on hours worked. They could use this paid time to recover at home, see a doctor or care for a sick family member. A spokeswoman for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce said she had not had a chance to review the proposed initiative but that the chamber would likely oppose it. Should business be forced to provide this benefit. at 7:40 our special guest was Robert Mazur to talk about the War on Drugs, wasted money and Mexican cartels. He is the author of The-Infiltrator: My Secret Life Inside the Dirty Banks Behind Pablo Escobar's Medellin Cartel. He is the president of Chase & Associates a forensic investigative service. He retired from a 27-year career as a federal agent. During his government career, he was a Senior Special Agent with three federal agencies. The IRS Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Customs Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Sirota Monday 5-9-11 Hour 3

Mon, 09 May 2011 11:07:28 -0400

Josh Chetwynd our special guest to lead off the hour. He authored The Secret History of Balls: The Stories Behind the Things We Love to Catch, Whack, Throw, Kick, Bounce and Bat. He has a discussion and book signing event tomorrow night at the Tattered Cover on Colfax starting at 7:30 pm. Our guest at 9:40 was Dr. Ben Cowan. Why do some teenagers engage in risky behavior such as drinking, drug use and multiple sex partners. Washington State University economist Dr. Cowan has discovered a startlingly simple correlation that provides at least part of the answer. The more it costs to attend community college, the more likely it is that teens will act in self-destructive ways.

Sirota Monday 5-9-11 Hour 2

Mon, 09 May 2011 10:10:05 -0400

David talked about why it is absurd to talk about who you want assassinated in last hour. We also talked about a plastic bag ban in Boulder. Should we ban plastic bags. They are typically used for less than 12 minutes at a time and create a lot of environmental problems. At 8:40 the most comprehensive study of 20th century children's books ever undertaken in the United States has found a bias towards tales that feature men and boys as lead characters. Surprisingly, researchers found that even when the characters are animals, they tend to be male. The findings, published in the April issue of Gender & Society, are based on a study of nearly 6,000 books published from 1900 to 2000. While previous studies have looked at the representation of male and female characters in children's books, they were often limited in scope. Our special guest is lead author of the study Professor Janice McCabe. She is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Florida State University.

Sirota Monday 5-9-11 Hour 1

Mon, 09 May 2011 09:01:58 -0400

That Barack Obama has continued the essence of the Bush/Cheney Terrorism architecture was once a provocative proposition but is now so self-evident that few dispute it. But one policy where Obama has gone further than Bush/Cheney in terms of unfettered executive authority and radical war powers is the attempt to target American citizens for assassination without a whiff of due process. That Obama was compiling a hit list of American citizens was first revealed in January of last year when The Washington Post's Dana Priest mentioned in passing at the end of a long article that at least four American citizens had been approved for assassinations; several months later, the Obama administration anonymously confirmed to both the NYT and the Post that American-born, U.S. citizen Anwar al-Awlaki was one of the Americans on the hit list. Yesterday, riding a wave of adulation and military-reverence, the Obama administration tried to end the life of this American citizen, never charged with, let alone convicted of, any crime, with a drone strike in Yemen, but missed and killed two other people instead. Are you okay with this? Does the pres have the power to order assassinations of it's citizens without a trial or even being charged with a crime? Are you okay with this. Does the pres have the power to order assassinations of it's citizens without a trial or even being charged with a crime.

Sirota Friday 5-6-11 Hour 3

Fri, 06 May 2011 11:14:58 -0400

Our special guest is Geek Dad Ken Denmeade. It's Friday! Jump in the car, rush home, throw your briefcase behind the couch, and get out your science goggles! Ken kas just released The Geek Dad's Guide to Weekend Fun: Cool Hacks, Cutting-Edge Games and More Awesome Projects for the Whole Family. Denmead continues his widely successful Geek Dad series with a second book guaranteed to add some jolt in your weekend. At 9:20 Whitney Cummings our special in studio guest. She has some shows at the Comedy Works in Larimer Square tonight and tomorrow night. She performed one show last night. Whitney is a comedian, actress and writer. As a comedian she got her start as a series regular on MTV's PUNK'D and now appears regularly on Chelsea Lately. We then went to open phones and even got a call from Cosmo in Eugene.

Sirota Friday 5-6-11 Hour 2

Fri, 06 May 2011 10:06:17 -0400

It's our Reporter's Roundtable with special guests Peter Marcus from the Denver Daily News, Fox 31's Eli Stokols and Dominic Dezzutti from CPT Channel 12. Topics included the Denver Mayor race, education cuts and much more.

Sirota Friday 5-6-11 Hour 1

Fri, 06 May 2011 09:03:19 -0400

David led off looking for Mothers Day tips for Emily. He also talked about the order to kill and not capture Osama Bin Laden. Should the president have the authority to make these calls to kill not capture. At 7;30 Rock and Roll lifesaver Steve Almond jumped in and talked about the weeks events and sample a new song. This week it's Mia Dyson's Parking Lots CD>

Sirota Thursday 5-5-11 Hour 3

Thu, 05 May 2011 11:26:55 -0400

We took calls on any topic we covered this morning. We talked about shady details on the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden as well as about getting rid of state standardized school tests. David closed out the hour with some talk on labor issues in Colorado.

Sirota Thursday 5-5-11 Hour 2

Thu, 05 May 2011 10:24:28 -0400

Opponents of standardized tests for schoolchildren have a fresh weapon this year in Colorado, the high price of exams. Colorado lawmakers are expected to consider joining other states in dropping statewide testing requirements beyond those required by the federal government. That could mean a sharp reduction in the $20 million or so spent each year giving students in grades three through 11 annual writing exams and other standardized tests. The change would also get rid of mandatory ACT exams for high school juniors. Our special guest State Representative Judy Solano says we are over tested. She plans to propose abolishing non-mandatory standardized tests. We then took reaction to this story and also took calls on whether or not the US has become a lawless society. when it comes to the White House now saying there was not a firefight at the compound where we took down Osama bin Laden.

Sirota Thursday 5-5-11 Hour 1

Thu, 05 May 2011 09:07:38 -0400

David led off talking about the ever changing accounts of the take down of Osama bin Laden. The White House now says there is no firefight at all. International media is now wondering whether or not he was captured and then executed. Bin Laden's daughter claims he was captured alive then summarily executed. If we can put nazis on trial like the Nuremberg Trials do you think we should have captured and put Osama bin Laden on trial. Have we become a lawless society. At 7:40 Dave Ziren joined Sirota to talk about his new column Sports, bin Laden and The New Normal.

Sirota Wednesday 5-4-11 Hour 3

Wed, 04 May 2011 11:13:35 -0400

Children whose mothers are exposed to high amounts of certain pesticides while pregnant appear to have lower IQs than their peers when they reach school age, according to three government-funded studies. The pesticides, known as organophosphates, are commonly sprayed on food crops and can be found in trace amounts on berries, green beans, and other fruits and vegetables sold in stores. The pesticides have also been used in homes and gardens, although their indoor use has been widely restricted due to safety concerns. Our guest is one of the study's authors Dr. Jonathan Chevrier from the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. He is an epidemiologist with expertise in biostatistics, toxicology and endocrinology. At 9:20 Rich Jones director of policy and research at the Bell Policy Center joined us to talk about some updates on the Payday Lending Bill. We then threw open the phones for any issue we discussed.

Sirota Wednesday 5-4-11 Hour 2

Wed, 04 May 2011 10:33:14 -0400

We led off this hour with Antonia Juhasz. She has a new book out called Black Tide: The Devastating Impact of the Gulf Oil Spill. She will be at the Tattered Cover Colfax tonight starting at 7:30 for a book signing and discussion. Antonia Juhasz is Director and Founder of the Energy Program at Global Exchange, a San Francisco-based human rights non-profit organization. She is a policy-analyst, author and activist. Juhasz is leading oil industry expert and critic who also specializes in international trade and finance policy. At 8:40 our special guest was Felix Gillette of Bloomberg Businessweek. He wrote a piece about how online casinos are heading to a convenience store or market near you. We also threw out several news items and talked a little more about the details of the Osama Bin Laden killing.

Sirota Wednesday 5-4-11 Hour 1

Wed, 04 May 2011 08:59:46 -0400

David opened the show with a little more Osama Bin Laden analysis and constant war. We also talked about the details coming out of the White House on the killing and how details are varying. Is the White house being straight up. At 7:40 Michael Hancock our special guest. He appears headed to a runoff election with Chris Romer for Denver Mayor. To close out the hour David was joined by Eli Stokols of Fox 31. They have a series airing on education cuts in Colorado.

Sirota Tuesday 5-3-11 Hour 3

Tue, 03 May 2011 11:20:14 -0400

Open phones on whether or not the cost of the hunt for Bin Laden was worth it. We also talked about whether the younger generation is better or worse off than we were 10 years ago. We also took any calls on the Denver mayor's race.

Sirota Tuesday 5-3-11 Hour 2

Tue, 03 May 2011 10:17:54 -0400

We talked about the Denver Mayor race for the first half hour. Who did or are you voting for and why. At 8:30 Pulitzer Prize winner Tina Rosenberg is David's special guest to talk about her new book Join the Club: How Peer Pressure Can Transform the World. Rosenberg identifies a brewing social revolution that is changing the way people live, based on harnessing the positive force of peer pressure.

Sirota Tuesday 5-3-11 Hour 1

Tue, 03 May 2011 09:01:59 -0400

David led off with more analysis of the bin Laden killing. Was it worth the cost of the war on terror or 1.3 trillion dollars. That would pay for health care and college for every American. Each American, according to our own govt, spent 4 thousand dollars in the hunt for bin Laden. Was it worth it.

Sirota Monday 5-2-11 Hour 3

Mon, 02 May 2011 11:22:43 -0400

We continued conversation from the last two hours on the killing of Osama Bin Laden. We had quite an electric phone call about 10 minutes in here. Should we be celebrating the death like it was a football game that WE won.

Sirota Monday 5-2-11 Hour 2

Mon, 02 May 2011 10:08:25 -0400

We continued conversation from last hour. We also asked why did it take 10 years to take him down. No conspiracy but really how did we not locate him til now.

Sirota Monday 5-2-11 Hour 1

Mon, 02 May 2011 08:54:32 -0400

David led off with his thoughts on the news of the death of Osama Bin Laden. He says it is quite a shame for people to be celebrating in the streets on the death of anyone. Obviously this is good news that bin Laden is dead but it it worthy of celebration publicly. David also talked about this being a time for reflection about where we are in the world and the state of the world. How do we not create any more Osama bin Ladens. Instead of saying yey we are awesome should we be reflecting on something else.

Sirota Friday 4-29-11 Hour 3

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 12:00:13 -0400

John Turk fills in for David Sirota and discusses the oil industry.

Sirota Friday 4-29-11 Hour 2

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:08:54 -0400

John Turk fills in for David Sirota and continues the discussion on birthers.

Sirota Friday 4-29-11 Hour 1

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:08:23 -0400

John Turk fills in for David Sirota and tackles the birther issue.

Sirota Thursday 4-28-11 Hour 3

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:04:38 -0400

For the first time, women surpass men in advance college degrees. Meanwhile these women are still making comparatively less than their male counterparts. What do you make of this gender gap issue. We then talked with Adam McKay about his new protest song website. McKay is a screenwriter, director, comedian, and actor. He is most famous for his partnership with Will Ferrell, with whom he co-wrote the films Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and The Other Guys. In April 2007, he and Ferrell launched the user-submitted comedy video site Funny or Die. Ferrell and McKay co-produce the HBO series Eastbound & Down. He directed and co-wrote with Ferrell the Broadway show, You're Welcome America, A Final Night with George W. Bush. He is scheduled to co-star in the film Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.

Sirota Thursday 4-28-11 Hour 2

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:06:15 -0400

We spent the first half hour talking local issues with Humane Society President and CEO Wayne Pacelle. There are many relevant news topics currently in Colorado that The HSUS is working closely on. Wayne will cover topics such as the controversial spring bear hunt, influx of puppy mill dogs in the state, the proposed livestock care committee at The Department of Ag, the legal act of canned hunting in CO, the recently failed horse tripping bill and the newly formed state animal protection caucus. He also has a new book out called The Bond: Our Kinship With Animals, Our Call To Defend Them. At 8:35 our special guest is Jane Velez-Mitchell. America's values have changed a great deal over the last fifty years; unfortunately, not for the better. We have become a nation that craves instant gratification and in order to satisfy these cravings we have all become addicted to something. When enough people are hooked on the same substance or behavior, it crosses the boundary into a cultural addiction. In her latest book Addict Nation, Jane gets to the root of why a whole nation now needs an intervention. Jane is an award winning television journalist and bestselling author. Jane Velez-Mitchell currently has her own show on HLN, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell

Sirota Thursday 4-28-11 Hour 1

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:56:47 -0400

Does racial prejudice play a role in questions about Barack Obama's citizenship. Racial prejudice plays a role, suggests a study led by Eric Hehman of the University of Delaware in the March Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, which contrasted voter's perceptions of vice president Joe Biden, the most comparable target with Obama. Do you think race is the motivating factor. Also should adultery, as a matter of law, remain illegal.

Sirota Wednesday 4-27-11 Hour 3

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:14:22 -0400

David led with a couple brief news stories. We then were joined by our great friend Dave Ziren who covers sports. We talked about MLB taking over the Los Angeles Dodgers and about the NFL lockout. We then went to open phones on any topic we covered today.

Sirota Wednesday 4-27-11 Hour 2

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:05:56 -0400

As America continues to wage two wars in the Middle East, a striking new study shows a shift in attitudes about how to treat captured enemies. Why does the post 9-11 generation favor gruesome interrogation techniques. A new study by the American Red Cross found that a surprising majority, almost 60 percent, of American teenagers thought things like water-boarding or sleep deprivation are sometimes acceptable. More than half also approved of killing captured enemies in cases where the enemy had killed Americans. When asked about the reverse, 41 percent thought it was permissible for American troops to be tortured overseas. In all cases, young people showed themselves to be significantly more in favor of torture than older adults. Our special guest is Isabelle Daoust, who heads ARC's humanitarian law unit. We then took some calls on teens and thoughts on war. At 8:35 household gun ownership in the United States has dropped to its lowest level since it peaked in 1977 according to a report issued by the Violence Policy Center analyzing new data from the General Social Survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. The GSS has tracked household and personal gun ownership since the early 1970s and, except for the U.S. Census, is the most frequently analyzed source of information in the social sciences. The VPC report, A Shrinking Minority: The Continuing Decline of Gun Ownership in America , comes out two days before the National Rifle Association begins its annual convention this Thursday in Pittsburgh, PA. Our special guest is executive director at the Viloence Policy Center Josh Sugarmann.

Sirota Wednesday 4-27-11 Hour 1

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:50:22 -0400

Have we made it to easy to go to war. With talk of drone warfare, no drafts, presidential power with war, have we made it to easy to wage. Meanwhile President Obama has authorized 25 million dollars in aid to Libyan rebels. At 7:30 Jeff Shear our special guest. He has a three-part piece on the evolution of the American military. His first part is called America in the Hands of a Professional Military. Part two is called A Professional Military and the Privatization of Warfare. We then carried President Obama's brief speech on the release of his long-form birth certificate. David laid out why this will not be a topic on his show.

Sirota Tuesday 4-26-11 Hour 3

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:24:52 -0400

We led off with Eric Boehlert from Media Matters for America. He gave us the media misinformation report which included items on Glenn Beck and the Royal Wedding. At 9:25, new research shows that undocumented immigrants in Colorado are a significant contributor to the state's economy and that undocumented immigrants contribute as much in sales, property and income taxes as they cost in K-12 education and other mandated services. The population of undocumented immigrants in Colorado has declined in recent years, tracking the downturn in the economy, but the debate over immigration has only grown more heated. Some of the heat generated in that debate comes from claims that undocumented immigrants take jobs and overburden state resources. Research was conducted by the Bell Policy Center and the Colorado Center on Law and Policy. Our special guest is Director of Policy and Research at the Bell Policy Center Rich Jones. Rich stuck around and took calls and comments for one segment.

Sirota Tuesday 4-26-11 Hour 2

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:10:05 -0400

Michael Haederle our special guest to talk about his Miller-McCune cover story piece Are New Solar Power Projects Anti-Environmental. Big money, big energy and big environmentalism join forces to support big solar energy projects on federal land in the Southwest. But could these green projects actually be anti-environmental boondoggles in the making. We then went to open phones. We had reaction to the solar guest. We also took calls on the fight against pharmaceuticals and on the topic from hour one on men and obesity.

Sirota Tuesday 4-26-11 Hour 1

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 08:56:52 -0400

David led off talking about a story in Advertising Age about Weight Watchers and how they are picking a new target. Men. They are trying to attract men to weight loss programs. It says that 90 percent of weight loss industry clients are female. If obesity is a national health care crisis and more men are obese than women, why is most the weight loss advertising aimed at women. At 7:35 a new national strategy is being unveiled by the White House drug czar to combat prescription drug abuse aims to cut misuse of powerful painkillers like oxycodone by 15 percent within five years through education, stepped-up law enforcement and pill-tracking databases. Our special guest was Regina LaBelle Policy Director at ONDCP.

Sirota Monday 4-25-11 Hour 3

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 07:59:04 -0400

At 9:05 Jill Richardson and George Naylor our special guests to talk about farm subsidies. Jill has argued that a piece by Robert Paarlberg saying that farm subsidies don't create cheap junk food is totally bunk. Read her column here. Jill is the author of Recipe for America: Why Our Food System is Broken and What We Can Do to Fix It. She is also the founder of the blog La Vida Locavore and a member of the Organic Consumers Association policy advisory board. George Naylor is in his 35th year of farming corn and soybeans near Churdan, Iowa,, He is the past president of the National Family Farm Coalition. We then went into open phones on any subject. We also talked about whether or not CU should ban the smoke in day on 4-20.

Sirota Monday 4-25-11 Hour 2

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:09:18 -0400

David led off with a dissenting voice on the Obama deficit commission. Former President of the Service Employees International Union Andy Stern our special guest. For his talent at recruiting new members, Stern has been described as the "most important labor boss in America. Stern also currently holds an appointment as the Alice B. Grant Labor Leader in Residence at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. David then talked a little about the royal wedding and a Bahrain dictator invite. At 8:35 Ken Gillingham and Bryan Bollinger join the show to talk about a study that shows solar panels are contagious. A new study out of Stanford says that you are. More specifically, it finds that for every 1 percent increase in the number of installations in a particular zip code, the time until the next adoption of solar decreases by 1 percent. David ended with open phones, Also on issue was whether the Southwest Plaza Mall suspect a terrorist.

Sirota Monday 4-25-11 Hour 1

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 08:43:41 -0400

The number of people moving to Colorado is booming, far outpacing the number of jobs created in the state as employers try to bounce back after a major economic downturn, economists and demographers say. Economists predict the state will gain between 10,000 to 20,000 jobs this year, but Colorado's population is expected to grow by 85,000, including births, The Denver Post reported Sunday. The state lost 130,000 jobs from 2008 to 2010 but that didn't keep people from wanting to move to Colorado. About 145,000 people moved to Colorado during that time from other states. Why are people coming to Colorado if job economy is worse that the national average. Is this good news or bad news. At 7:35 a report by a Montana-based research group said the economic impact of the fossil fuels industry comes from tax revenues, not energy-related jobs for workers who can be transient, and recommended maximizing those revenues by raising rates. The report by Headwaters Economics said government data show energy-related jobs including coal mining jobs made up less than 3 percent of the total employment in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Utah and about 8.5 percent in Wyoming in 2008. Our special guest is the study's author Dr. Julia Haggerty. She is responsible for research and policy analysis in the areas of land tenure, agriculture, public lands, and energy development.

Sirota Friday 4-22-11 Hour 3

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:36:25 -0400

A mini Denver Mayor Candidate Roundup with special guests James Mejia and Denver city councilmen Michael Hancock and Doug Linkhart.

Sirota Friday 4-22-11 Hour 2

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:21:02 -0400

We spent the first 40 minute on our Reporter's Roundtable with special guests Eli Stokols of Fox 321, Guerin Lee Green of Cherry Creek News and Jerry Bell of Clear Channel. We mostly talked about the Denver mayoral race. At 8:45 Noam Chomsky our very special guest.

Sirota Friday 4-22-11 Hour 1

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 08:54:12 -0400

David opened talking about the story that the iphone is keeping a log of your location. Buried under that story is a story from the commerce department that is trying to form a cyberspace identification system. One username and one password for all. Would you use a system like this. Would you trust this system. At 7:20 Roadside Attraction's new historical thriller, The Conspirator, is now playing nationwide. Directed by Robert Redford, The Conspirator tells a powerful and true story about America and stars James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Evan Rachel Wood, Jonathan Groff, Kevin Kline, Tom Wilkinson and our special guest Alexis Bledel. We then went back to phones on on his first topic and took Festivus grievances and nominations for schmuck of the week.

Sirota Thursday 4-21-11 Hour 3

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:20:26 -0400

Jonathan Waterman our guest to talk about his Colorado River: Flowing Through Conflict exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science that runs April 1 through September 15 in the Leprino Atrium. The exhibit shows us the river that has defined the landscape and the water issues of the West. Peter McBride shot many of the photographs from the air. Jonathan Waterman, at times joined by McBride, spent approximately 100 days paddling the river's 1,450 miles, beginning from its source in the Rocky Mountains and completing the final leg of his journey with a 10-day walk across dry riverbed that once reached the Sea of Cortez. David then opened the phones and took calls on any issue including ta balancing parenthood and work question. At 9:35 Comedian Jake Johannsen our special guest. He has upcoming shows at the Comedy Works Landmark DTC tomorrow and Saturday night.

Sirota Thursday 4-21-11 Hour 2

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:30:22 -0400

Imani Perry our special guest to talk about her book More Beautiful and More Terrible: The Embrace and Transcendence of Racial Inequality in the United States. Imani Perry asserts that the U.S. is in a new and distinct phase of racism that is post-intentional: neither based on the intentional discrimination of the past, nor drawing upon biological concepts of race. Drawing upon the insights and tools of critical race theory, social policy, law, sociology and cultural studies, she demonstrates how post-intentional racism works and maintains that it cannot be addressed solely through the kinds of structural solutions of the Left or the values arguments of the Right. Rather, she identifies a place in the middle-a space of righteous hope-and articulates a notion of ethics and human agency that will allow us to expand and amplify that hope. This conversation opened up to the listeners as they called in and responded.

Sirota Thursday 4-21-11 Hour 1

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:43:09 -0400

Sweeping new rules adopted last week by the Colorado Board of Education require school districts to inform parents when an employee is facing felony charges or a misdemeanor sex crime. Districts also must tell parents if an employee who transports children is arrested for or charged with a drunken- driving offense. The new rules go into effect May 30 and are aimed at making sure that all school districts inform parents that a teacher or another district employee is under criminal investigation, said Bob Schaffer, chairman of the state education board. At 7:20 our guest was Beverly Ingle President of the Colorado Education Association. Should the state be ordering local school districts to notify parents of a teacher being charged of a crime. Is this legislating hysteria or lack of trust.

Sirota Wednesday 4-20-11 Hour 3

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:40:53 -0400

At 9:05, a television show that will air on the History Channel the week before Easter makes the case that two Roman nails found in an ancient tomb in the Jerusalem area may have been used to crucify Jesus. The Nails of the Cross airs at 9 pm local tonight. Our special guest is Simcha Jacobovici, a three-time Emmy Award winner who created and hosts the show. He describes it as investigative archaeology, which interprets the historical record through context and clusters of artifacts. At 9:30 Roger Gastman and Caleb Neelon our special guests to talk about their book The History of American Graffiti. This is the definitive story behind the most influential art form of the last one hundred years. Tracing the evolution of the medium from its early freight-train days to its big-city boom on the streets of New York City and Philadelphia, and to its modern-day influences, this volume is a compelling look at the key moments, places, and players in an art form distinctly American in flavor yet global in its reach.

Sirota Wednesday 4-20-11 Hour 2

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:14:14 -0400

Congressman Ed Perlmutter in the AM 760 Dojo. He talked about all the issues and took listener questions and comments.

Sirota Wednesday 4-20-11 Hour 1

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:09:11 -0400

David led off talking about a couple different stories. One was on motorcycle deaths and our no helmet laws in Colorado. Should we have helmet laws. Also should dui offenders be on the hook for all damages in an accident including mental anguish. At 7:50 Mike Elk joins David to talk about his and Mark Ames' Nation exclusive piece on the Koch brothers' workplace political propaganda. The Kochs have taken the lead in the effort to do propaganda in their workplaces at Georgia Pacific making workers attend seminars and send them bizarre 17 page documents about liberterian theology where they praise the Calvin Coolidge as best President in American History.

Sirota Tuesday 4-19-11 Hour 3

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:10:28 -0400

Michael Lind joins the show to discuss his Salon piece Why We Should Ebrace the End of Human Spaceflight. This week NASA is announcing where the soon-to-be-retired space shuttles will be displayed as museum relics. Today the space shuttle Endeavor will be launched, on the penultimate mission of the program. The end of the space shuttle program will mean that the U.S. will have to rely on Russian rockets to deliver American astronauts to space, pending the development of private commercial spaceflight. We then took calls on any topic we have hit this morning.

Sirota Tuesday 4-19-11 Hour 2

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:08:40 -0400

Since late 2006, crop prices have risen dramatically, reversing a decades-long trend that saw persistent declines in agricultural commodities prices. U.S. Department of Agriculture officials talk regularly about boom times for U.S. farmers, citing their most recent figures on the economic performance of the farm sector. Recent reports point to records in net farm income. But are small-to-mid-scale family farmers really benefiting from the boom? No, according to the latest of three studies by our special guest Timothy A. Wise, who has looked behind the glowing headlines on the farm sector as a whole to examine how family farmers have fared in this high-price environment. The report was released jointly with a report from farm advocacy groups showing that credit tightened considerably for family farmers after the financial crisis. Timothy A. Wise is Director of the Research and Policy Program at the Global Development and Environment Institute at Tufts University. At 8:30 we were joined by special guest Susan Freinkel to talk about her book Plastic: A Toxic Love Story. Freinkel treks through history, science and the global economy to assess the real impact of plastic in our lives. She tells her story through eight familiar plastic objects: the comb, chair, Frisbee, IV bag, disposable lighter, grocery bag, soda bottle, and credit card. Each one illuminates a different facet of our synthetic world, and together they give us a new way of thinking about a substance that has become the defining medium, and metaphor, of our age. Her conclusion is that we cannot stay on our plastic-paved path. And we don't have to.

Sirota Tuesday 4-19-11 Hour 1

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 08:55:59 -0400

This comes from the Newsweek cover story Dead Suit Walking. Through the first quarter of 2011, nearly 600,000 college-educated white men ages 35 to 64 were unemployed, according to previously unpublished Labor Department stats. That's more than 5 percent jobless-double the group's pre-recession rate. That might not sound bad compared with the plight of younger, less-educated workers and minorities, but it's a historic change from the last recession, when about half as many lost their oxford shirts. The number of college-educated men unemployed for at least a year is five times higher today than after the dotcom bubble. In New York City, men in the 35-to-54 kill zone have lost jobs faster than any other group, including teenage girls, according to new data from the Fiscal Policy Institute. David threw out some figures on unemployment among whites, blacks and other minorities. He says there is ample evidence that suggests minorities are still hit the hardest. What do you think, are white males being hit the hardest or persecuted the most in this recession.

Sirota Monday 4-18-11 Hour 3

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:10:53 -0400

We led off with our good friend and sports writer and host of Edge of Sports Radio Dave Ziren. He talked about his column on the Barry Bonds witch hunt. We then did a couple news stories before being joined by Taylor Clark to talk about his book Nerve: Poise Under Pressure, Serenity Under Stress, and the Brave New Science of Fear and Cool.

Sirota Monday 4-18-11 Hour 2

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:17:06 -0400

David spent a lot of the first half hour responding to a call from last hour on fracking and fracking fluids getting into water supplies. He also threw out several news stories. At 8:35 James Mejia joined the show. According to a Denver Post and 9 News poll it's a 3 way race for Denver mayor between Mejia, Chris Romer and Michael Hancock. Romer and Mejia lead with 22 percent a piece. David also spent some time this hour talking about exponging criminal records after years of no violations.

Sirota Monday 4-18-11 Hour 1

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 08:55:23 -0400

David led off with some news analysis and talking about tax day. Do you feel you are over or under taxed. New research finds a shift in emphasis in pop song lyrics over the decades, from we to me. Clear evidence of American society's increasing narcissism can be found in our best-selling popular songs. That's the conclusion of a study just published in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts. Compared to a quarter-century ago, Popular music lyrics now include more words related to a focus on the self, reports a team of researchers led by University of Kentucky psychologist and our special guest C. Nathan DeWall. David went back to tax talk and asked about selling off vanity plates to the highest bidder. Would you be for that. What are your thoughts on vanity plates in general.

Sirota Friday 4-15-11 Hour 3

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:12:40 -0400

David led with off with an interview of Peter Mayhew who played Chewbacca. We then went back to phones on whether or not Star Wars and Star Trek had a liberal or conservative bend. We also talked about women and sci fi.

Sirota Friday 4-15-11 Hour 2

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:26:23 -0400

We continued conversation on whether or not Star Wars and Star Trek were heavily themed conservative or liberal. Also why is science fiction mostly liked by males or is that a bs suggestion. David also became a Klingon!

Sirota Friday 4-15-11 Hour 1

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:28:38 -0400

David on remote today from Star Fest at the Marriott DTC. StarFest is an annual Denver convention encompassing all aspects of popular media, film and television. Started in 1977, it attracts several thousand fans of popular culture for a weekend of social interaction, games and fun. There are over a hundred activities on the multi-track programming schedule. His topic this hour was is Star Wars anset in a conservative or liberal world. What about Star Trek. Also why does the whole sci fi world seem male dominated or mostly male fans.

Sirota Thursday 4-14-11 Hour 3

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:11:48 -0400

Rowdy Roddy Piper in studio. He has some upcoming shows at Comedy Works in Larimer Square tonight through Saturday night. www.comedyworks.com

Sirota Thursday 4-14-11 Hour 2

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:07:53 -0400

At 8:05, Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett joined David to discuss Boulder's race problems. For at least the past decade, Boulder has for minorities resembled the Old South before the civil rights movement. The city has seen 12 hate crimes in just the past two years. That is an astonishing figure for a community of fewer than 100,000 residents, and it puts Boulder's per capita occurrence of hate crimes at more than twice the nationwide rate. As nonwhites compose only 11.7 percent of the city's population, it's clear that they are at an extraordinary risk of violence, intimidation and harassment in Boulder. Garnett has acknowledged the systemic problem and said he planned to rein it in. We then asked if you think Boulder has a race problem.

Sirota Thursday 4-14-11 Hour 1

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:01:33 -0400

David led off with analysis of President Obama's talk on the budget yesterday. At 7:30 former Denver Mayor Federico Pena joined David to talk about the mayoral race and the future of Denver.

Sirota Wednesday 4-13-11 Hour 3

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:09:59 -0400

Peggy Orenstein joins David to talk about her new book Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches From the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture. Pink and pretty or predatory and hardened, sexualized girlhood influences our daughters from infancy onward, telling them that how a girl looks matters more than who she is. Somewhere between the exhilarating rise of Girl Power in the 1990s and today, the pursuit of physical perfection has been recast as a source-the source-of female empowerment. And commercialization has spread the message faster and farther, reaching girls at ever-younger ages. At 7:20 Under a new city ordinance passed after state lawmakers last year created an exemption in Colorado's drug paraphernalia laws to allow those who work at exchanges to possess needles, the Harm Reduction Action Center should soon become Denver's first legal syringe exchange. Last month, the Denver City Council amended a 1997 ordinance on syringe-exchange programs, making it easier for them to operate in the city. Amendments to the ordinance eliminate both a one-for-one syringe exchange provision and the requirement that participants in an exchange carry an identification card. We are joined by Harm Reduction Action Center Director Lisa Raville. We then went to open phones on the topic of whether or not you can say you supported the Confederacy in the Civil War and not be a racist.

Sirota Wednesday 4-13-11 Hour 2

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:02:48 -0400

A 6 year old was patted down by TSA at the New Orleans Airport. We have video and we want to know if you think small children should be frisked. Was this pat down overly aggressive. David also talked about the increase of use of the halo cameras on street intersections. Are you for or against these. At 8:35 Joanna Weiss our special guest to discuss her Slate piece Play Nice: The Rise and Fall of the Mean Sitcom. For most of its eight seasons, Two and a Half Men has been the nation's top-rated comedy, and if Sheen hadn't self-destructed, there would have been no reason to change the formula. But Two and a Half Men finds its future uncertain at a time when Americans finally seem to have maxed out on bullying, cruel awards-show hosts and even on some of the most extreme political chatter. Perhaps it's little surprise that viewers are also embracing a new trend in TV comedy: the sitcom about people who are nice to each other. Joanna Weiss is TV Critic for the Boston Globe.

Sirota Wednesday 4-13-11 Hour 1

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:11:48 -0400

David opened up talking about Barack Obama's budget cut proposals. The president is to deliver a speech outlining his proposal to reduce spending in Medicare and Medicaid, raise taxes on the wealthy and cut defense costs. He talked about disappointment in the president and about what is your line as to where you will not vote for him again. At 7:20 Governor Howard Dean our special guest. He is coming to town to attend the Peer Assistance Services Annual Awareness Event on Friday night at The Cable Center at 2000 Buchtel Boulevard in Denver. He will discuss the opportunities for substance abuse prevention and treatment with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. With Sirota he discussed Obama budget proposals and medicare and social security. We then went to open phones.

Sirota Tuesday 4-12-11 Hour 3

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 11:19:37 -0400

Video game enthusiasts can become deeply involved in their game play, sometimes to the point where they block out the external environment and momentarily feel that their play space is as vivid and important as the so-called real world outside the game. Researchers at Colorado State University now say that such absorptive experiences can in the right circumstances actually be positive ones, providing important mental health benefits. Two studies recently published by our guest, Jeffrey Snodgrass, associate professor of anthropology at Colorado State, examine types of video gaming experiences and the effects they can have on players' lives, including their self-reported levels of stress, life satisfaction and happiness. We then played audio of Denver mayoral candidate and current Denver City Council member Carol Boigan rip on marijuana dispensaries saying these are not job makers. Should medical marijuana dispensaries be seen as contributing to the job market or is it really the problematic symbolization of the drug industry.

Sirota Tuesday 4-12-11 Hour 2

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:29:37 -0400

PBS Frontline producer Rachel Dretzin our special guest to talk about her new documentary Football High. It airs tonight on PBS at 9:00 pm local. In Arkansas, Frontline documents a tragic story of heatstroke injuries that reveal how weak regulation has created a crucial lack of athletic trainers at most high schools. It all raises a critical question: has the amped-up culture of high school football outrun necessary protections for the boys who play the game. We then played audio of former Wyoming Senator Alann Simpson saying that there are homophobes in his party. He is a conservative. We took a little reaction before our next guest. At 8:35 Cornell University professors will publish research that concludes natural gas produced with a drilling method called hydraulic fracturing contributes to global warming as much as coal, or even more. Our guest and author of the study Cornell Professor Robert Howarth argues that development of gas from shale rock formations produced through hydraulic fracturing brings far more methane emissions than conventional gas production. Dr. Howarth is a David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology and Environmental Biology at Cornell University.

Sirota Tuesday 4-12-11 Hour 1

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 08:47:09 -0400

Gallup study on American views of American Institutions. Americans believe that the only institution that needs more power is the US military. Do you agree with the majority in this poll that say the military needs more power. We also talked about this story. Colorado lawmakers say they are considering making common-cold medications that some people use to make illegal methamphetamine harder to get. A bill pending before the state Senate would make drugs that contain pseudoephedrine unavailable over the counter and available by prescription only, The Denver Post reported Monday. Pseudoephedrine in colds and flu medicine is a precursor ingredient used to cook the illegal and highly addictive methamphetamine. Its sale is already restricted with the drugs kept behind pharmacy counters and purchasers required to show an ID. Would you support this bill.

Sirota Monday 4-11-11 Hour 3

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:12:26 -0400

David had to leave early so this hour was a best of Dave. We played a few interviews from the past few weeks including Dr. Horace Campbell on motivations in Libya, PBS Frontline producer Lowell Bergman on Money and March Madness, and LA Times entertainment critic Ben Fritz on how Hollywood is changing the remake of Red Dawn as nto to upset our relationship with China.

Sirota Monday 4-11-11 Hour 2

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:20:01 -0400

In Texas, it seems 80 mph just isn't fast enough. A bill passed in the state House of Representatives would raise the speed limit to 85 miles per hour on certain long stretches of road or designated lanes. The Senate is working on a similar proposal.If the bill becomes a law, Texas will have the highest speed limit in the country. Many other western states have 75 mph speed limits including Arizona, Nebraska, Nevada, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Idaho, and Colorado, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Would you be for or against an increase to 85 mph on some Colorado interstates. At 8:30 David was joined by veteran gaming columnist Harold Goldberg joins David to discuss his book All Your Base Are Belong To Us: How Fifty Years of Videogames Conqueres Pop Culture.

Sirota Monday 4-11-11 Hour 1

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:57:05 -0400

Sirota led off talking about private vs public sector jobs and pay. In an economy where private-sector workers have seen layoffs, furloughs and cuts to their pay and benefits, Colorado state employees' jobs have remained relatively stable and their benefits, especially their pensions, have stayed comparatively generous. That's not to say state workers haven't taken hits in the recession. They have not gotten pay raises for the past three years, they were furloughed for eight days in fiscal year 2009-10 and the state has made them pay a greater share of their pension costs. And the state workforce has been diminished in some areas while workload has increased. Pay and benefits of government workers are being scrutinized nationally amid the battle in Wisconsin and elsewhere over public workers' benefits. Why when one set of worker's having trouble, the immediate response is that everyone else should feel the same pain. Stats show that Colorado public employees make less than the private sector. Where does this attitude come from. Where should the talk be centered on when talking about budget.

Sirota Friday 4-8-11 Hour 3

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:09:10 -0400

Comedienne Heather McDonald joins David in studio. She has upcoming shows at Comedy Works Landmark in the DTC. She has shows at 7:15 and 9:45 pm tonight and tomorrow night. Besides performing stand up comedy, Heather McDonald is a full-time writer and story producer on the E Channel's top rated show Chelsea Lately. Her new book, You'll Never Blue Ball in this Town Again, has already climbed to the number 1 position on Amazon's Bestsellers in Entertainment list. We then talked with marketing director at Independent Power Systems Steve Schoo. They are our sponsor for day 5 of Low Impact Week.

Sirota Friday 4-8-11 Hour 2

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:15:20 -0400

It's our Reporter's Roundtable with special guests Lynn Bartels from The Denver Post, Scot Kersgaard from The Colorado Independent and freelancer Michael de Yoanna formerly of 5280.

Sirota Friday 4-8-11 Hour 1

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:03:46 -0400

David led off discussing possible ground troops in Libya. We then had on our Rock and Roll Lifesaver Steve Almond on to discuss the issues. We talked government shutdown, free market capitalism and Libya. We also played his new music sampler from Sam Roberts. We sampled Let It In from the album Collider. We then talked all the national issues with Congressman Ed Perlmutter.

Sirota Thursday 4-7-11 Hour 3

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:10:42 -0400

Dr. Michael Chorost our speciel guest to talk about his new book World Wide Mind: The Coming Integration of Humanity, Machines, and the Internet. What if digital communication felt as real as being touched? This question led Michael Chorost to explore profound new ideas triggered by lab research around the world, and the result is the book you now hold. Marvelous and momentous, World Wide Mind takes mind-to-mind communication out of the realm of science fiction and reveals how we are on the verge of a radical new understanding of human interaction. Dr. Chorost is a technology theorist with an unusual perspective: his body is the future. In 2001 he went completely deaf and had a computer implanted in his head to let him hear again. This transformative experience inspired his first book, Rebuilt: How Becoming Part Computer Made Me More Human. Aty 9:20 Mike Miller, owner of Basil Doc's Pizza and sponsor of day 4 of Low Impact Week. No Meat Day. www.basildocspizza.com

Sirota Thursday 4-7-11 Hour 2

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:07:08 -0400

House Democratic Leader Sal Pace from Pueblo our special guest regarding the budget proposal brokered by the Joint Budget Committee. After more than a week-long impasse, Colorado lawmakers reached an agreement Tuesday on the state budget, a deal that involves restoring some tax breaks for businesses while softening the cuts to public schools. This hour we talked about teens and drinking. After years of decline, a new report shows teen drug and alcohol use is heading in the wrong direction. The national study released Thursday shows nearly half of teenagers don't think drinking alcohol everyday is a big deal. The research completed by The Partnership at Drugfree.org finds nearly half of teens questioned don't think drinking five or more alcoholic beverages a day is a big risk. The report also finds that the average age teens have their first drink is 14. Overall, 68 percent say they've tried alcohol. According to the study, the top reasons teens had for drinking was for fun, and to not be left out. Why do you think binge drinking among teens is rising.

Sirota Thursday 4-7-11 Hour 1

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 08:58:18 -0400

David led off talking about the potential federal government shutdown. We are increasing defense spending but cutting other programs even though there are examples of waste and abuse with money in the Pentagon's budget. Obama cites the military as the primary reason for not allowing a government shutdown. Should the defense department be exempt from the budget shutdown. At 7:40 James Mejia joined the show to talk about his mayoral race. We talked budgetary issues, collective bargaining rights, education and much more.

Sirota Wednesday 4-6-11 Hour 3

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:14:24 -0400

Graeme Wood our special guest to talk about his Bloomberg Businessweek piece Boom Behind Bars. His reporting shows that private jail operators like Corrections Corporation of America is making millions off the crackdown on illegal aliens. Graeme is a contributor to Bloomberg Businessweek and to The Atlantic. We then were joined by Debbie and James Weingardt from Bestway Insulation to talk about vamp energy and their business as they are our sponsor for vamp energy day for Low Impact Week.

Sirota Wednesday 4-6-11 Hour 2

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:33:51 -0400

Edward Morgan our special guest to talk about his latest book What Really Happened to the 60's: How Mass Media Culture Failed American Democracy. In his provocative look at mass media's connection with those turbulent years, Morgan simultaneously seeks to explain what happened in the 1960s and what happened to how we remember it. His comprehensive overview and critical analysis reveal how the mass media have shaped the popular image of a raucous decade in ways that have curtailed its promise of democracy. Edward Morgan is a professor of Political Science at Lehigh University since fall, 1976. He has taught classes on Social Movements and Legacies of the 1960s, and Propaganda, Media, and American Politics for some 25 years. He is also the author of The 60's Experience: Hard Lessons About Modern America. We then took some calls before being joined by Colorado Springs Gazette city hall reporter Daniel Chacon to update us on what happened in the mayor's race in Colorado Springs.

Sirota Wednesday 4-6-11 Hour 1

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:07:20 -0400

David led off talking about local budget issues. After more than a week-long impasse, Colorado lawmakers reached an agreement Tuesday on the state budget, a deal that involves restoring some tax breaks for businesses while softening the cuts to public schools. We also talked about this story: A House panel voted Monday to revamp the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission again to restore the influence the gas industry lost in 2007. House Bill 1223 would add two members from the gas and oil industry to the nine-person commission. The panel used to have seven members, with five from the industry, before Gov. Bill Ritter and Democrats in the Legislature changed it to be more environmentally friendly. Legislators also voted to strip voting rights on the commission from the heads of the departments of public health and natural resources. Those two officials got voting rights in Ritter's 2007 bill. The House Agriculture Committee voted 6-5 in favor of the bill. Is this the definition of cororatism. How bad is this bill. We took some calls and closed the hour with Whiner's Wednesday.

Sirota Tuesday 4-5-11 Hour 3

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:19:09 -0400

We led off with our media misinformation report with Eric Boehlert from Media Matters. At 9:20 Low Impact Week Day 2 sponsor Sazza Restaurant in studio to talk about eating organic. Owners Jeff and Jenny Rogoff join David. They specialize in pizza and salads with all organic ingredient and source from local sustainable farmers and are an extremely earth friendly restaurant. They are located located on the southeast corner of University and Orchard by the Old Navy. We then threw out some news stories to close out the show.

Sirota Tuesday 4-5-11 Hour 2

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:09:43 -0400

Dave Ziren joins the show to talk about inflated college coach salaries, increasing tuition and college athletes who have no share in the billions of dollars the NCAA pulls in. Zirin's column, Edge of Sports, appears on Sports Illustrated's website and he is the host of XM satellite's weekly show, Edge of Sports Radio. Zirin is a frequent contributor to The Nation, a columnist for SLAM Magazine, and The Progressive, as well as being a frequent guest on ESPN's Outside The Lines and Democracy Now. We ran through stats of who is making what at the universities and NCAA. Do you think that coaches are worth what they are paid in American universities. Tuition for students are being raised and coaches salaries are going up. Does this make any sense. Should there be a cap on what coaches in in college make. Also should the athletes get any of the money that the NCAA receives.

Sirota Tuesday 4-5-11 Hour 1

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:52:06 -0400

David led off with some analysis of national budget talks. At 7:20 ACLU public policy director Jessie Ulibarri joined the show to talk about the Sanchez v. Denver case and about their upcoming Denver Mayor Candidate's Forum on Police Brutality this Thursday night. At 7:40 Colin Macilwain our special guest his Nature Magazine piece Concerns Over Nuclear Energy Are Legitimate. He says reassurances from experts on the safety of nuclear power will not wash, and that the Fukushima crisis raises genuine questions.

Sirota Monday 4-4-11 Hour 3

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:09:55 -0400

We kicked off Low Impact Week and we led off this hour with two sponsors. Today is green tune your car day and our guest was Ryan Ferrero from Green Garage at 9:20. But at 9:05 John Rickert from Pure Water Solutions joined us as the title sponsor. At 9:35 PBS Frontline reporter Lowell Bergman our very special guest to discuss his new documentary Money and March Madness. Bergman takes a hard look at the economics of the annual NCAA tournament, a cash cow for amateur athletics that generates enormous dollars for everyone except the players themselves, raising basic questions of fairness that are now leading a handful of influential figures to challenge the way the NCAA operates.

Sirota Monday 4-4-11 Hour 2

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:13:58 -0400

Denver City Council members Carol Boigan and Doug Linkhart our special guests to talk about their votes to raise pay for elected Denver officials. This is an increase to be delayed for half of their four-year terms, however he city is facing a $100 million budget shortfall for the 2012 budget and has a structural budget problem that, if not addressed, could balloon into a $500 million deficit by 2030. Doug Linkhart voted for the increase and Carol Boigan voted against it. Additionally city councilman Michael Hancock, who is also running for Denver Mayor, voted for the increase but he could not join us this morning. David also threw out several news items and talked a little about restaurants providing caloric information on every item they serve. Should the FDA require all restaurants to provide caloric information.

Sirota Monday 4-4-11 Hour 1

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:04:36 -0400

David led off with some analysis of all the news over the weekend in Libya. At 7:20 Chris Romer our special guest to talk about his run for Denver Mayor. He talked about budget, collective bargaining and much more. This conversation got pretty intense. We then took listener response to Chris Romer's interview

Sirota Friday 4-1-11 Hour 3

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:07:41 -0400

Money may not buy happiness, but beauty buys both money and happiness, says a study that gauged happiness and attractiveness among more than 25,000 people worldwide. Economists at the University of Texas-Austin analyzed data from five large surveys conducted between 1971 and 2009 in the USA, Canada, Germany and Britain. They found that beautiful people are generally happier than the plain Jane or even ugly Joe. Our special guest is lead author Dr. Daniel Hamermesh, who has studied attractiveness effects for many years. He is a Sue Killam Professor in the Foundations of Economics at the University of Texas at Austin, Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and Research Associate and Program Director at the Institute for the Future of Labor. We then went to open phones and David also talked about MLB thinking about banning tobacco use by its players and managers. Also Turk announced his new show Colorado Craft Beer Radio which will air on Saturdays at noon starting April 16th on Am 760.

Sirota Friday 4-1-11 Hour 2

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:50:32 -0400

It's our Reporter's Roundtable with special guests Dominic Dezzutti from Colorado Public Television Channel 12, Westword's Patti Calhoun and Fox 31's Eli Stokols. Topics this week include the Civil Union legislation dying in the House, education issues, the ACLU and police brutality and much more.

Sirota Friday 4-1-11 Hour 1

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 08:52:57 -0400

David led off asking whether or not it is okay for Emily Sirota to not allow David into her book club. David cries discrimination. What say you. At 7:20 Free Press campaign manager Timothy Carr joins David to talk about the Alternet piece he co authored How Western Corporations Have Been Helping Tyrants Suppress Rebellions in the Arab World. At 7:40 Associate Editor of the Scientific American David Biello our special guest to talk about the health risks associated with oil, coal, natural gas and other sources.

Sirota Thursday 3-31-11 Hour 3

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:15:55 -0400

We led off with Executive Director at SAFER Mason Tvert to talk about a federal lawsuit concerning initiative and petitioning processes in Colorado. David then read some news before being joined by Dr. Leslie Martin to talk about the book she co authored with Dr. Howard Friedman The Longevity Project: Surprising Discoveries for Health and Long Life from the Landmark Eight-Decade Study. UC-Riverside health researchers Friedman and Martin draw on an eight-decade-long Stanford University study of 1,500 people to find surprising lessons about who lives a long, healthy life and why. The authors learned, for example, that people don't die simply from working long hours or from stress, that marriage is no golden ticket to old age, and the happy-all-the-time types may peter out before the serious plodders. If there's a secret to old age, the authors find, it's living conscientiously and bringing forethought, planning, and perseverance to one's professional and personal life.

Sirota Thursday 3-31-11 Hour 2

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:06:41 -0400

David is joined in studio by Ray Jayawardhana. He is an astronomer at the University of Toronto, where he holds the Canada Research Chair in Observational Astrophysics. His primary research areas include the formation and early evolution of stars, brown dwarfs and planets. He is an award-winning science writer and author of the new book Strange New Worlds: The Search for Alien Planets and Life Beyond Our Solar System. He has an event tonight at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science starting at 7 pm. Tickets are $8 for members and $10 for non members. He will describe the latest findings that are challenging our view of the cosmos and casting new light on the origins and evolution of planets and planetary systems. He'll reveal how technology is rapidly advancing to support direct observations of Jupiter-like gas giants and super-Earths-rocky planets several times the mass of our own planet. David then closed the hour talking about collective bargaining.

Sirota Thursday 3-31-11 Hour 1

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:54:18 -0400

David led off with some news analysis on Libya. He talked about oil production in the world. The US consumes 25 percent of the world's oil. It is impossible to produce as much oil as we are using. How do we begin using less energy. At 7:20 A bitterly divided Supreme Court on Tuesday tossed out a jury verdict won by a New Orleans man who spent 14 years on death row and came within weeks of execution because prosecutors had hidden a blood test and other evidence that would have proven his innocence. The 5-4 decision delivered by Justice Clarence Thomas shielded the New Orleans district attorney's office from being held liable for the mistakes of its prosecutors. The evidence of their misconduct did not prove deliberate indifference on the part of then-Dist. Atty. Harry Connick Sr., Thomas said. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg emphasized her disapproval by reading her dissent in the courtroom, saying the court was shielding a city and its prosecutors from flagrant misconduct that nearly cost an innocent man his life. Our special guest is John Hollway author of KILLING TIME: An Eighteen Year Odyssey From Death Row to Freedom that chronicles the John Thompson case. He is an attorney and writer who has worked both in a federal prosecutor's office and as a defense attorney in state and federal courts. He says several troubling things happen as a result of this decision. David then talked more about Libya and war powers and Barack Obama.

Sirota Wednesday 3-30-11 Hour 3

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:15:51 -0400

Lovisa Stannow our special guest to discuss her New York Times piece Prison Rape and the Government. A large majority of inmates who have been sexually abused by staff or by other inmates never report it. And corrections officials, with some brave exceptions, have historically taken advantage of this reluctance to downplay or even deny the problem. According to a recent report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, a branch of the Department of Justice, there were only 7,444 official allegations of sexual abuse in detention in 2008, and of those, only 931 were substantiated. These are absurdly low figures. But perhaps more shocking is that even when authorities confirmed that corrections staff had sexually abused inmates in their care, only 42 percent of those officers had their cases referred to prosecution; only 23 percent were arrested, and only 3 percent charged, indicted, or convicted. Fifteen percent were actually allowed to keep their jobs. Lovisa Stannow is the Executive Director of Just Detention International. Ms. Stannow has spent the past two decades working in the fields of communications and international human rights. At 9:40 Stanford Professor and Slate Magazine contributor Richard Thompson Ford joins the show to talk about the Dukes v. Wal-Mart Supreme Court case. This is the largest employment discrimination class-action suit in American history. In 2001, Betty Dukes sued Wal-Mart for sex discrimination in a lawsuit filed on behalf of every woman who worked for the company since 1998. There are cases where women have been hired, paid and fired in relation to their sex.

Sirota Wednesday 3-30-11 Hour 2

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:14:39 -0400

Administration for the Cherry Creek School District disputes a claim made by students that a school principal shut down operations of a school paper because he didn't like the paper's content. Despite claims from students and the president of the Colorado High School Press Association, a spokeswoman for the Cherry Creek School District said Aurora's Overland High School is publishing the remaining scheduled issues of its student newspaper, The Scout. Students alleged last week that Overland High School Principal Leon Lundie shut down publication of The Scout after objecting to articles that had an unfavorable view of the school. Where would you side on this and is it okay for administrators to censor any student on issues like this. We also continued taking calls on Libya and Obama.

Sirota Wednesday 3-30-11 Hour 1

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:57:47 -0400

David led off with some news analysis on Libya. He says the president is acting even more rogue than George W. Bush did in leadup to Iraq War. At 7:20 Deputy Editor at ShopSmart Magazine Sue Perry our special guest to talk about her recent piece and study Are Healthy Foods Really Healthy. There are a lot of foods out there that look like they're good for you. But looks can be deceiving. That's what Consumer Reports ShopSmart found when it played diet detective to come up with a list of unhealthy health foods. Also this hour, A divided Supreme Court made it more difficult to sue local prosecutors' offices for courtroom wrongdoing on Tuesday, overturning a 14 million verdict for a New Orleans man who came within weeks of being executed for a murder he did not commit. Writing for the court's 5-4 majority, Justice Clarence Thomas said that Thompson could not show that the New Orleans district attorney was deliberately indifferent to those abuses because he could not point to a pattern of similar violations in previous criminal cases. Without that, Thomas wrote, the court could not conclude that the prosecutors' boss, former district attorney Harry Connick Sr., was on notice that better training was needed to prevent violations. What is your take on this decision. Should prosecutors be accountable for improper sentencing and for withholding evidence.

Sirota Tuesday 3-29-11 Hour 3

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:12:28 -0400

We led off with our media misinformation report with Jess Levin from Media Matters for America. We then went to open phones on any subject we hit on this morning. We also talked about getting rid of the paper dollar bill. We could potentially save 5 billion dollars if we get rid of the dollar bill. Would you care if we got rid of the dollar bill.

Sirota Tuesday 3-29-11 Hour 2

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:08:41 -0400

Dr. Abbas Milani our special guest to discuss his biography of Iran's last king The Shah. Ten years in the making, this comprehensive and gripping account shows us how Iran went from politically moderate monarchy to totalitarian Islamic republic. Milani reveals the complex and sweeping road that would bring the U.S. and Iran to where they are today. Dr. Milani is the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University and a visiting professor in the department of political science. In addition, he is a research fellow and co-director of the Iran Democracy Project at the Hoover Institution. We then opened up phones and talked about a Wired Mag story on the iphone factories at Foxconn. There had been a few suicides since 2007. Then a spate of nine between March and May 2010, all jumpers. There were also suicides at other Foxconn plants in China. Although the company disputes some cases, evidence gathered from news reports and other sources indicates that 17 Foxconn workers have killed themselves in the past half decade. What had seemed to be a series of isolated incidents was becoming an appalling trend. When one jumper left a note explaining that he committed suicide to provide for his family, the program of remuneration for the families of jumpers was canceled. Some saw the Foxconn suicides as a damning consequence of our global hunger for low-cost electronics. Reports from inside the factories warned of sweatshop conditions; old allegations of forced overtime burbled back to life. Foxconn and its partners-notably Apple-found themselves defending factory conditions while struggling to explain the deaths. How responsible are consumers in this case.

Sirota Tuesday 3-29-11 Hour 1

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 08:51:01 -0400

David led off the show discussing President Obama's speech on Libya last night. We played some audio and took listener reaction. Sirota thinks the speech was a hunk of crap and that the record is that the US continues to prop up some of the most brutal dictators in the world while screaming freedom and democracy. We expect this hawkish posture from a Republican president but is this what you expected from our Democratic president.

Sirota Monday 3-28-11 Hour 3

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:13:01 -0400

Someone who boasts of a military honor he didn't receive is contemptible, but is he a criminal. Congress thought so when it enacted the Stolen Valor Act, which provided for fines or prison time for anyone who falsely represents himself or herself, verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States. But the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has taken the wiser view, concluding that such misrepresentation, however offensive, is protected by the 1st Amendment. Refusing to disturb a previous decision by a three-judge panel, the appeals court essentially upheld the dismissal of charges against Xavier Alvarez. In 2007, as a new board member of the Three Valleys Municipal Water District in Claremont, Alvarez introduced himself this way: I'm a retired Marine of 25 years. I retired in the year 2001. Back in 1987, I was awarded the congressional Medal of Honor. I got wounded many times by the same guy. I'm still around. The only truthful statement was I'm still around. It wasn't the only time Alvarez had traded in lies. According to an earlier decision in his case, he claimed to have rescued the U.S. ambassador during the Iranian hostage crisis and to have played hockey for the Detroit Red Wings. If Congress could punish misstatements about a military decoration, there would be no constitutional obstacle to criminalizing those other lies. What are your thoughts on lying and the first amendment.

Sirota Monday 3-28-11 Hour 2

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:08:25 -0400

Dr. Horace Campbell our special guest to talk about possible motives in the Libya bombings. He says U.S. involvement is being turned into a public relations ploy for AFRICOM. AFRICOM is fundamentally a front for U.S. military contractors like Dyncorp, MPRI and KBR operating in Africa. U.S. military planners who benefit from the revolving door of privatization of warfare are delighted by the opportunity to give AFRICOM credibility under the facade of the Libyan intervention. No African country has agreed to let AFRICOM onto the continent. It has 1,500 people operating out of Stuttgart, Germany. If Libya is indeed partitioned, that new state could provide a base for AFRICOM. Dr.Campbell is professor of African American studies and political science at Syracuse University and is currently working on a book on AFRICOM. We took response to Dr. Campbell and David asked if you opposed the Iraq War why are you not asking the same questions of Barack Obama. Are you upset with the given reasons for our involvement.

Sirota Monday 3-28-11 Hour 1

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:53:36 -0400

David led off with some thoughts and analysis of Libya. We then talked about cursive. Colorado schools are spending less and less time teaching students cursive writing, and focusing instead on teaching keyboarding, reports the Denver Post. While some schools have stopped teaching cursive altogether, those that still do devote less class time to making sure the kids know how to read and write it. Most of the time, how much effort is devoted to teaching cursive has been left up to the teacher, with some virtually abandoning the practice while an ever-increasing minority enthusiastically embrace it.Teachers and educators cite many reasons for the shift. Some say that typing is faster and more efficient. According to Vanderbilt University professor Steve Graham, studies have shown that overall, word processors produce better quality writing. Others point out that with the prevalence of computers, students are unlikely to make much use of their cursive skills once they leave school. Is it time to get rid of cursive. What other education tools are becoming archaic.

Sirota Friday 3-25-11 Hour 3

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:17:01 -0400

Actor and comedian Kevin Pollak our special guest. He has upcoming stand up shows at the Comedy Works Landmark Theatre in the DTC. Shows start at 7:15 and 9:45 tonight and tomorrow night. At 9:30 Steve Almond joined us for his new music sampler and to hit on the hot button issues of the week.

Sirota Friday 3-25-11 Hour 2

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:13:26 -0400

We continued conversation from last hour. At 8:35 race scholar and author Tim Wise our special guest to talk about his column A Bad Year for White Whine and the Cult of Caucasian Victimhood. Tim broke down the facts about scholarships for students of color as many white students are complaining they are not getting scholarships.

Sirota Friday 3-25-11 Hour 1

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:01:23 -0400

U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes' bill to reaffirm In God We Trust as the national motto and encourage its display in all public schools was approved by a House committee after a sharp partisan debate. Opponents argued it goes too far in pushing one religious belief, while supporters said it acknowledges what they consider God's role in the success of the United States. Forbes said the legislation is needed to combat a concerted effort by some to drive all references to God out of public institutions. Is this absurd. What would you have our national motto be. We also took Festivus Friday grievances and took schmuck of the week nominations.

Sirota Thursday 3-24-11 Hour 3

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:09:24 -0400

Amanda Little joins the show to talk about her New York Times column Making Every Oil Calorie Count. As turmoil in Libya pushes up the price of oil, American consumers are once again feeling the sting of 3.50-a-gallon gasoline. The problem is that there is no easy way to quantify how much total energy we consume. Fortunately, there's a great model already in widespread use: the nutritional information that appears on the back of every food product. Why not create the same sort of system for energy. Amanda Little is the author of Power Trip: The Story of America's Love Affair With Energy which was released in paperback last year. She has been published widely on energy, technology, and the environment. Her columns on green politics and innovation have appeared on Grist.org, Salon.com, and in Outside magazine. Her articles have been published in the New York Times magazine, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Wired, New York Magazine, In Style, Men's Journal, and the Washington Post. She stuck around for an extra segment and took some questions. www.amandalittle.com We then went to open phones on any topic we hit on today.

Sirota Thursday 3-24-11 Hour 2

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:14:50 -0400

Dave Zirin our special guest to talk about his column Skipping Class - The Blind Side of the Duke-Michigan Uncle Tom Debate. Its was about the spat between Jalen Rose and Grant Hill over race and growing up a poor black man versus a rich black man. At 8:40 Wired Magazine contributing editor Brendan Koerner our special guest to talk about his piece Made in America - Small Businesses Buck the Offshoring Trend.

Sirota Thursday 3-24-11 Hour 1

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:01:10 -0400

David led off with more analysis of Libya. Would you support Congress if they were to cut off funding of the war in Libya. Or is it a king's army. At 7:40 Ari Berman joins David as he will be in town as the keynote speaker at the Larimer County Democrat Party Annual Dinner on Saturday March 26th at the Fort Collins Marriot. He talked about the dem response to Libya.

Sirota Wednesday 3-23-11 Hour 3

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:24:02 -0400

We led off the hour reconnecting with Janine Zacharia live from Jerusalem. She was on with us in hour one when a bomb went off near her. She covers the Middle East for the Washington Post. We then played audio of former SNL star Victoria Jackson going off on homosexuality and the show Glee. We also played audio of Franklin Graham saying the earthquake in Japan is a sign from god of the second coming. How do you reconcile your progressive Christian views compared to people like Victoria Jackson and Franklin Graham.

Sirota Wednesday 3-23-11 Hour 2

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:04:20 -0400

Denver City Council members Monday night approved a 6.6 percent pay increase for the city's elected officials, which Council President Chris Nevitt called symbolic. Nevitt voted along with seven other council members for the pay raise for the next sitting council, mayor, auditor, and clerk and recorder. Five voted against the raise. The raise will be delayed for the first two years of the four-year term and kick in with a 3.3 percent raise in July 2013 and the second part of the raise in July 2014. The raise could have totaled 350,000, but the delayed raise will equal about a 90,000 total increase, Nevitt said. Compared with the city's 850 million budget, that is a small amount, he said. Is this a shame when we are cutting jobs and other educational programs in Colorado. Is this morally a bad thing to do.

Sirota Wednesday 3-23-11 Hour 1

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:54:41 -0400

Geoff Berg in for Sirota today. He led off with Janine Zacharia the Middle East Bureau Chief for the Washington Post. We talked about all the news in the Middle East including Sarah Palin in Israel, the Libyan conflict and Middle East revolutions. Her call was cut short due to an explosion of a bus in Jerusalem. How will the Israel Palestinian conflict affect other uprisings in the Middle East.

March 22 2011 9am

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:00:52 -0400

Turk fills in and has open lines.

March 22 2011 8am

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:03:08 -0400

Turk fills in for David and tells us why prostitution should be legal.

March 22 2011 7am

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:03:30 -0400

Turk fills in for David and takes calls on Libya.

Sirota Monday 3-21-11 Hour 3

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:07:57 -0400

New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman our guest to talk about his piece Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others. He says it's time to take a look at the line between pet and animal. When the ASPCA sends an agent to the home of a Brooklyn family to arrest one of its members for allegedly killing a hamster, something is wrong. At 9:35 Entertainment writer for the Los Angeles Times Ben Fritz our special guest to discuss his and John Horn's piece Reel China: Hollywood Tries to Stay on China's Good Side. MGM is digitally erasing Chinese flags and military symbols from the Red Dawn remake substituting dialogue and altering the film to depict much of the invading force as being from North Korea, an isolated country where American media companies have no dollars at stake.

Sirota Monday 3-21-11 Hour 2

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:08:27 -0400

Water Policy analyst with Western Resource Advocates Drew Beckwith our special guest to discuss thier report Filling the Gap: Commonsense Solutions for Meeting Front Range Water Needs. It offers a balanced, realistic blueprint for meeting Front Range water needs while protecting our state's waterways and outdoor heritage. Existing trans-mountain diversions of water from the Western Slope to the Front Range have left the upper Colorado River and scores of its tributaries nearly dry at times. The result is low stream flows, high water temperatures and fewer fish, bugs and other indicators of healthy stream habitat. As Western Slope streams are diverted east, so goes the economic livelihood of many mountain towns and businesses that depend on tourism and recreation. We then took a few more calls on Libya before being joined by executive director at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Dede de Percin to update us on the Healthcare Day of Action at the Capital on Wednesday March 23rd at 11:15 am at the west steps. They also have a press call with small business leaders in Colorado this morning at 10:30. She will also talk about the introduction of a health exchange bill. Senator Betty Boyd will intro the bill that would loosely create a structure for a Colorado health exchange and a board tasked with putting together a health exchange program where insurers and the insured could meet.

Sirota Monday 3-21-11 Hour 1

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 09:07:15 -0400

Third war in the Middle East. David argues that Congress should have enacted the war authorization in Libya. President Obama also talked about this before the runup to his election. Do you think this is an afront to the US constitution. Is what we are doing in Libya a good or bad idea. Where is the anger from the progressive left.

Sirota Friday 3-18-11 Hour 3

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:39:15 -0400

Fallout from Japan's crippled nuclear reactors could reach the West Coast within a couple of weeks, depending on weather conditions. But some scientists who track pollution blowing across the Pacific Ocean say the amount of radioactivity should pose no danger to the United States. Like other forms of pollution, radioactivity attaches to dust and fine particles that are carried by wind, rain and snow and can be breathed in or ingested. As the disaster in Japan unfolds, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is sending extra staff to the West Coast to monitor radiation levels in air, cow's milk and rain. Other agencies, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Energy, are tracking weather patterns and using computer models to predict how radioactivity from Japan might spread. Our special guests are Dr. Daniel Jaffe an atmospheric scientist at the University of Washington-Bothell and Michael Thomason a physicist at the Colorado University's Department of Physics. We then went to open phones and took grievances for the week.

Sirota Friday 3-18-11 Hour 2

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:10:53 -0400

Reporter's Roundtable with special guests Dan Haley editorial page editor at Denver Post, Vanessa Martinez web editor at 5280 and reporter Alan Prendergast from Westword. Topics this week will include nuclear power in Colorado, tuition hike at CU, pay raise for Denver elected officials, vouchers in Douglas County and much more.

Sirota Friday 3-18-11 Hour 1

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:10:28 -0400

The New York Times announced plans Thursday to charge the most frequent users of its website for access, drawing mixed reactions among media analysts on its odds of succeeding. It follows similar efforts to build pay walls by the Augusta Chronicle in Georgia and the Dallas Morning News. Pay walls are going up amid growing concern over the future of newspapers. Combined print and online advertising revenue for newspapers slid 6.3 percent in 2010, reaching a 25-year-low, according to the Newspaper Association of America. Will you pay for online news services.

Sirota Thursday 3-17-11 Hour 3

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 11:09:10 -0400

Bestselling author Ron Rosenbaum our special guest to discuss his new book How the End Begins: The Road to a Nuclear World War III. Drawing on decades of study in the field, Rosenbaum points to a new world that will feature multiple nuclear powers that pose a threat for touching off a regional nuclear war that could escalate to global scale. At 8:40 our special guest was Joel Stein who wrote the Time cover piece on Data Mining and how much companies know about you.

Sirota Thursday 3-17-11 Hour 2

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:14:44 -0400

We led off with GQ entertainment reporter Mark Harris to talk about his piece The Day the Movies Died. He argues that Hollywood films aren't getting any better and the potential death of the great American art form. We then took a couple more calls on nuclear energy. At 8:40 Omar Samaha and Tom Mauser our special in studio guests to discuss to talk about the Fix Gun Checks campaign and movement. On February 16, the bipartisan Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition launched the Fix Gun Checks Truck Tour, a mobile billboard traveling across the country to call attention to glaring problems in the U.S. gun background check system. The Fix Gun Checks Truck Tour is part of an online advocacy campaign launched after the Tucson shootings that claimed the lives of 13 Arizonans and wounded six others, including Rep. Gabby Giffords. The campaign includes an online petition for citizens to join the call to fix the background check system. Omar's sister was killed in the Virginia Tech Massacre and Tom Mauser's son was killed at the Columbine Tragedy.

Sirota Thursday 3-17-11 Hour 1

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:47:48 -0400

President Barack Obama on Tuesday defended the use of nuclear energy despite the calamity in Japan where a nuclear power plant leaked radiation in the wake of a devastating earthquake and tsunami. The president said facilities in the U.S. are closely monitored and built to withstand earthquakes, even though nothing's failsafe. Proponents of nuclear power fear their efforts to win over the public to the safety of their industry have been dealt a tremendous blow by the disaster in Japan. Why do we seem to be the only industrialized country that seems to still support nuclear energy. Why are we saying we do not need to do anything differently.

Sirota Wednesday 3-16-11 Hour 3

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:12:26 -0400

Mary Elizabeth Williams joins David to talk about her Salon piece The Problem with 1980's Nostalgia Movies. She argues that new movies like Take Me Home Tonight sell a cheery misrepresentation of a feel-bad time. David and Mary Elizabeth debated the 80's. Then we took calls on the 80's, Ronald Reagan and whether or not Cheech and Chong are 70's or 80's icons. John Turk took the last two segments.

Sirota Wednesday 3-16-11 Hour 2

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:44:56 -0400

We opened up the phones and took calls on any subject we talked on last hour but for the most part we talked about at what age it is appropriate to allow your kids to have a Facebook page. What about email addresses or cell phones.

Sirota Wednesday 3-16-11 Hour 1

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:58:08 -0400

David opened up talking a little bit about the Denver Mayor candidates ripping the city council's move to raise Denver elected officials salary by 6.6 percent. Two of those in the city council that voted for the raise are mayoral candidates. Is this a bad time for a pay raise when we are in a huge economic shortfall. At 7:20 Dr. Curt Stager our special guest to talk about his new book Deep Future: The Next 100,000 Years of Life on Earth. He brought updated news in Japan to prove his point. At 7:40 Natural Resource Defense Council senior attorney Kate Sinding our special guest to talk about all the fracking news as of late and whether or not folks in Colorado is in danger.

Sirota Tuesday 3-15-11 Hour 2

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:21:40 -0400

We led off with Eric Boehlert and our media misinformation report with Media Matters for America. We talked about Fox News and the Peter King hearings and coverage of Japan. We then went to open phones and talked mostly about the possibility of more nuclear energy facilities in the US.

Sirota Tuesday 3-15-11 Hour 2

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:09:03 -0400

State Senators Linda Newell and Evie Hudak our special guests to talk about their school discipline bill. They authored a bill asking the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to study fair discipline in schools saying punishments handed out by Colorado schools in this zero-tolerance era often needlessly involve law enforcement, unfairly target minorities and defy common sense. Newell and Hudak contend that behavior that just a few years ago would have been handled with a trip to the principal's office or a call to parents now often results in police involvement and lengthy suspension or even expulsion. At 8:35 John Francis our special guest to talk about his new book The Edge of Silence: Finding Peace in a Noisy World. After witnessing the devastating effects of a 1971 oil spill, John Francis embarked on a period of reflection that stretched into 17 years of self-imposed silence and 22 years of walking. Francis examines the power of silence through history, including practice by Native American, Hindu, and Buddhist cultures. Through their time-honored traditions and his own experience of communicating silently for 17 years, Francis's practical exercises lay the groundwork to build constructive silence into everyday life: to learn more about oneself, to set goals and accomplish dreams, to build strong relationships, and to appreciate and be a steward of the Earth.

Sirota Tuesday 3-15-11 Hour 1

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:59:41 -0400

With the United States poised to expand nuclear power after decades of stagnation, it will be important to reassess safety standards. Some 30 American reactors have designs similar to the crippled reactors in Japan. Various reactors in this country are situated near geologic faults, in coastal areas reachable by tsunamis or in areas potentially vulnerable to flooding. Colorado historically has been a hotbed of uranium production dating back to World War II and the Cold War, and the state has slowly been ramping back up its uranium milling and mining operations to meet an anticipated spike in demand as nuclear power enjoys renewed interest because it doesn't generate nearly the carbon emissions of conventional fossil fuels. There are currently 13 new nuclear facilities either in the planning stages or under construction in the United States, mostly in the South, and more than 65 new facilities are being planned or built worldwide. Questions about safety will undoubtedly surge back to the forefront after the Japan disaster. Does what happened in Japan change your view on nuclear energy. Would you be against a nuclear power plant in Colorado.

Sirota Monday 3-14-11 Hour 3

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:16:50 -0400

Geoff Berg in today. He continued conversation from last hour on inconsistency in the GOP and elected officials.

Sirota Monday 3-14-11 Hour 2

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:11:10 -0400

Geoff Berg in for Dave. He talked about the will of the people and what elected officials view and see as the will of the people. Congressman Cory Gardener wants to repeal health care reform due to the will of his constituents. Same thing going on in Wisconsin and Scott Walker who claims to be speaking for the will of the people when it comes to collective bargaining. Is this dishonest of politicians to do this. Does the left do it too.

Sirota Monday 3-14-11 Hour 1

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:02:30 -0400

Geoff Berg in for Sirota today. He led off talking to Paul Carroll from Ploughshares Fund to discuss the potential danger with the nuclear facilities in Japan that were damaged during last Friday's earthquake. Paul Carroll is responsible for managing the grantmaking at Ploughshares and ensuring that resources are directed toward the smartest people with the best ideas for reducing the risks from nuclear weapons and reducing conflict. Paul has traveled twice to North Korea and met with foreign ministry officials regarding the nuclear program and Six Party process. He has expertise on nuclear weapons policy and the production process. Prior to coming on board in 2000, Paul worked at the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Paul has a Bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and a Masters of Public Policy in National Security Studies from the University of Maryland. Geoff then talked about how Japan is different than Haiti.

Sirota Friday 3-11-11 Hour 3

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:13:42 -0500

Steve Turner from Asher Brewing Company our special guest as they have blended a new beer for Sirota's book release party next Wednesday night. It's a Kolsch IPA mix. Send us an instant messenger on what we should call this 80's beer. We also were in open phones and had Steve Almond to talk about his new album recommendation.

Sirota Friday 3-11-11 Hour 2

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:08:15 -0500

Its our reporter's roundtable with special guests John Tomasic from the Colorado Independent, Peter Marcus of the Denver Daily News and Michael Roberts from Westword. Topics this week will include civil unions, Ag land tax breaks, the state budget and much more.

Sirota Friday 3-11-11 Hour 1

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:01:23 -0500

David has a new column out today. He argues that we have come to define terrorism as exclusively perpetrated by Muslims. In part he says this is what pop culture has taught us through the years. Is this just straight up stupidity or learned behavior. What do you think. We also talked about a teacher who was put on administrative leave after it had been circulated she was a former porn star. Is this a big deal. At 7:35 State Senate President Brandon Shaffer joined us to talk about the budget and about how he is asking for 200 million less in cuts to K through 12 education.

Sirota Thursday 3-10-11 Hour 3

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:04:28 -0500

Annie Leonard our special guest to discuss her book The Story of Stuff: The Impact of Overconsumption on the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health and How We Can Make It Better. This is an expansion of her short documentary of the same name and her project The Story of Stuff. A Time magazine Hero of the Environment, Leonard has traveled the world tracking trash and its wake of destruction. Her investigations convinced her that the impossible dream of perpetual economic growth and the rampant consumer culture it engenders are the root causes of today's environmental crises. Leonard believes that we must calculate the full ecological and social cost of our stuff. We then took some calls for open phones. At 9:40 Daniel Byrd and Carla Saporta from Greenlining Institute our special guests. They have a new study about the role of race in the health care debate.

Sirota Thursday 3-10-11 Hour 2

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:12:43 -0500

Spokesman for the Colorado Muslim Council Taj Ashaheed our special guest to discuss Congressman Peter King's hearing today on radicalization in the U.S. Muslim community. King's critics argue that the hearing called The extent of radicalization in the American Muslim community and that community's response, unfairly targets Muslim-Americans and will likely widen the divide between them and law enforcement. It could possibly even spur more extremists to action, critics say. A group of 56 Democratic lawmakers wrote to King on Wednesday in a last-ditch effort to get him to call the hearing. We then took a couple calls on the hearings. At 8:35 comedian Orny Adams in studio. He has upcoming shows at Comedy Works starting tonight through Saturday. They talked a lot about the 80's, and his new show Teen Wolf. .

Sirota Thursday 3-10-11 Hour 1

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:01:37 -0500

David opened up talking about a piece by Anna Holmes in the New York Times on Charlie Sheen and The Disposable Woman. She argues that pop culture in our society affords more leniency to white men. Is there something to this.

Sirota Wednesday 3-9-11 Hour 3

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:10:14 -0500

The Nation's sports writer and host of Edge of Sports radio show Dave Ziren on to talk about the NFL labor issue and President Obama's stance on it. We then took calls on the NFL issue and on anything we talked about this morning.

Sirota Wednesday 3-9-11 Hour 2

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:12:04 -0500

David continued taking calls on what should be US policy in Libya. Also, Rasmussen Reports telephone survey reveals that among a variety of occupations, 30 percent of Americans think that teachers should get paid the most. Military personnel and doctors lag behind at 14 percent and 13 percent respectively. Just 10 percent believe business leaders should get the highest salary. Who should get paid the most. We also did our Whiner's Wednesday segment.

Sirota Wednesday 3-9-11 Hour 1

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 09:05:54 -0500

At 7:20 David was joined by Eric Fried from Fort Collins Ranked Voting. Come the end of April, Fort Collins voters could pass in a new voting system that could change how candidates and constituents treat elections. The option for ranked voting, or Instant Runoff Voting, has been petitioned as an initiative onto the April mayoral election ballot and will amend the city code to allow ranked voting in Fort Collins. The system would let voters rank their candidates from their top to last choices. If a candidate with an absolute majority of votes, 50 percent plus one, isn't found through the first round of voting, the last candidate gets dropped from the ballot and those voters would have their second choice count instead of their first choice. This system would replace the current plurality system, which only requires a candidate to receive a relative majority, receiving the most votes relative to other candidates. At 7:35 Denver Post staff reporter Christopher Osher on the show to discuss the ag land tax break issue that is hampering Colorado. David also talked about the situation in Libya. Should we enforce a no fly zone. Should we stay out of Libya.

Sirota Tuesday 3-8-11 Hour 3

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:08:15 -0500

We pick this up with Jess Levin from Media Matters for America talking about Mike Huckabee's really flabbergasting week saying some real crazy things. Jess also talked about the Muslim radicalization meeting called for by Representative Peter King.

Sirota Tuesday 3-8-11 Hour 2

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 10:39:37 -0500

At 8:15 award winning journalist and author Rebecca Skloot joined us to talk about her bestseller The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. At 8:40 According to a new report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, even as the federal deficit has ballooned, U.S. corporations are paying lower tax bills than ever before. CBPP Director Chuck Marr our special guest and he says they are now paying taxes at historical lows as a share of the total economy. Marr points to a basic discrepancy: While the U.S.'s top corporate tax rate of 35 percent is one of the highest in the world, the amount corporations actually end up forking over to the government is much lower, sometime as low as 4 percent. This is due to a dizzying number of deductions, write-offs, and other accounting tricks that allow corporations to legally reduce their tax burden. From 1999 through 2004, Chuck Marr was Economic Policy Advisor to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and Senior Advisor for Budget Policy at the National Economic Council from 1997 through 1999 during the second term of President Clinton.

Sirota Tuesday 3-8-11 Hour 1

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 09:07:58 -0500

The Denver Post reports actors, captains of industry, an Ivy League astrologer, sports figures, politicians, energy giants, schoolteachers from Pasadena, Calif. All these are also considered farmers or ranchers for tax purposes in Colorado. They have secured low property taxes through agricultural designations on land they own even though they personally have little or nothing to do with producing food, the reason state legislators originally created a low property-tax rate for the agriculture sector. In some cases, the properties where they have second, third or fourth homes were traditional working ranches before they were sold to the wealthy and became what, in real-estate lingo, are termed gentleman ranches or recreational ranches. For example. Tom Cruise owns five parcels of land on a scenic mesa northwest of Telluride that has become an enclave of high-end vacation homes. Sheep graze around the mansions for brief periods each year, according to the assessor's office. Cruise pays just more than 400 in taxes for 248 acres for which he paid nearly 18 million between 1994 and 2002. He pays 11,380 in residential property taxes for the land where his 9.7 million home is located. Does this madden you. What are the solutions to this problem. We also talked about charging individuals for risky behavior for search and rescue for example a skier that gets hurt or lost in backcountry portions of ski resorts. At 7:40 Westword reporter Melanie Asmar our special guest to talk about her bedbug coverage as the epidemic grows in Colorado.

Sirota Monday 3-7-11 Hour 3

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:09:47 -0500

We carried over conversation from the end of last hour. Are you for or against civil unions and if not why do same sex marriages threaten the sanctity of marriage. David also asked if it is time to cut off cable.

Sirota Monday 3-7-11 Hour 2

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:18:04 -0500

Du to technical difficulties we are missing first minute of the podcast but we pick this up talking to former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Jean Dubofsky to talk about Colorado Attorney General John Suthers' stance on states' rights in relation to his joining an amicus brief for a case in Massachusetts challenging the constitutionality of the denial of federal benefits and protections to lawfully married gay and lesbian couples in that state. At 8:25, Medicaid, K-12 education and corrections budgets will increase by more than the amount of new money that Colorado brings in over the next 15 years, forcing the state to have to cut other areas drastically or find new revenue sources, according to a study released the University of Denver's Center for Colorado's Economic Future. Our special guest is Charlie Brown lead author of the study. We then started asking whether you are for or against same sex marriage and we also asked why does same sex marriage threaten the sanctity of marriage.

Sirota Monday 3-7-11 Hour 1

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:59:51 -0500

A key US congressional panel will hold a hearing March 10 into the radicalization of US Muslims, even as some lawmakers charge the goal is to tar an entire population as possible extremists. The House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee hearing has drawn heavy fire since its chairman Republican Representative Peter King announced general plans to hold the event. Japanese-American lawmaker Mike Honda blasted the plans this week in a San Francisco Chronicle op-ed, tying King's hearing to the World War-II era detention of Japanese-Americans in internment camps. Do you think it's irresponsible for Peter King to hold a hearing on the radicalization of one religion or one community. David also talked about the 12 year old boy from Burlington who killed his mother and father and allegedly tried killing his siblings as well. Colorado law dictates that charges must be filed initially in juvenile court because of the boy's age; however, the law does permit the district attorney to request that the case be moved to district court. Should he be charged as an adult.

Sirota Friday 3-4-11 Hour 3

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:10:00 -0500

Representative Diana DeGette from Colorado's 1st congressional district our special guest to talk about her fracking bills and about the internal documents obtained by The New York Times from the Environmental Protection Agency, state regulators and drillers that show that the dangers to the environment and health are greater than previously understood. At 9:20 Oskar Blues' Chris Katechis in studio for a taste test. We also opened up Festivus Friday and nominations for Scmuck of the Week.

Sirota Friday 3-4-11 Hour 2

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 10:15:08 -0500

It's our Reporter's Roundtable with Cherry Creek News publisher Guerin Lee Green, Colorado Public Television Chanel 12's Dominic Dezzutti and Fort Collins Coloradoan editor Bob Moore. Topics this week will include Rollie Heath's proposed tax hike, amending the constitution, more problems with DPS and much more.

Sirota Friday 3-4-11 Hour 1

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 09:08:55 -0500

Republican presidential prospect Mike Huckabee slammed Oscar winner Natalie Portman for her out-of-wedlock pregnancy. People see a Natalie Portman who boasts, we're not married but we're having these children and they're doing just fine, Huckabee told conservative radio host Michael Medved on the day after Portman won the best actress statue. I think it gives a distorted image. It's unfortunate that we glorify and glamorize the idea of out-of-wedlock children he said. Calling Portman's pregnancy troubling, Huckabee said most single moms are very poor, uneducated, can't get a job, adding that there aren't a lot of single moms out there making millions out there for being in a movie. What do you make of this. Do you agree with Huckabee and that she is harming the culture and glorifying out of wedlock pregnancies.

Sirota Thursday 3-3-11 Hour 3

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:59:43 -0500

At 9:00 Bo Shaffer our special guest to talk about his book Colorado's Iceman & the Story of the Frozen Dead Guy. The frozen dead guy was once a normal Norwegian named Bredo Morstoel. When he died in 1990 his family cryogenically preserved his body and placed him in a permanent holding facility in Nederland, Colorado, to wait until technology might allow it to be defrosted and resurrected. His caretaker is Bo "Iceman" Shaffer, who has transported ice to the facility and represented the frozen dead guy for seventeen years and counting. Here he chronicles the history of one of Colorado's strangest and most colorful attractions, one that draws travelers from around the world to tour the site, attend the annual Frozen Dead Guy Days festival and have a drink with the frosty pair. 9:30 Proposed legislation in Texas to make it illegal to hire undocumented workers UNLESS they are cleaning your house.

Sirota Thursday 3-3-11 Hour 2

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:42:11 -0500

At 8:00 David is joined by State Representative Mark Ferrandino who along with and Senator Pat Steadman announced a proposal that will help Colorado"s middle class and small businesses and help make state government more transparent. Senate Bill 11-184 would create a tax amnesty program for 60 days this summer from August to September which will allow anyone who owes taxes prior to this year to pay what they owe and have penalties forgiven. Delinquent taxes paid in full during the amnesty period will be assessed interest at one-half the normal rate. Amounts collected above that needed to administer the program will be credited to the State Education Fund. The tax amnesty program is estimated to raise up to $15 million in revenue for the state. To ensure taxpayer money is spent wisely and well, and expand transparency and accountability, the legislation will also direct state agencies to demonstrate the cost and effectiveness of all tax expenditures that result in reduced revenue from the state; including income tax credits, sales tax exemptions. http://www.markferrandino.com/At 8:30 Distracted Drivers...Denver Police and their "Put It Down" campaign. Obviously texting while driving is a distraction but what else constitutes distracted driving and how can it be enforced?

Sirota Thursday 3-3-11 Hour 1

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:03:04 -0500

Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi our special guest. He is a journalist reporting on politics, media, finance, and sports for Rolling Stone and Men's Journal. Taibbi writes for the print edition of Rolling Stone, and contributes to their website in his current blog, Taibblog. http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog

Sirota Wednesday 3-2-11 Hour 3

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:37:21 -0500

A new research study released today by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law shows that allowing same-sex and different-sex couples to enter civil unions in Colorado would boost the state budget by nearly $5 million over three years. This net impact will be the result of savings in expenditures on state means-tested public benefit programs, an increase in state license fees, and sales tax revenues. Our special guest is Brad Clarke executive director of One Colorado, a statewide advocacy organization working to secure equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and Transgender Coloradans. We then went to open phones.

Sirota Wednesday 3-2-11 Hour 2

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:14:38 -0500

Some Colorado doctors are refusing to see patients who have not been vaccinated, pointing to recent whooping cough outbreaks in California and a woman with measles reported on a flight to Denver. While Colorado hasn't seen the outbreaks other states have, state health officials said they do continue to see preventable diseases cropping up in kids here. About 5 percent of children in Colorado have a documented exemption in order not to be vaccinated. Many parents haven't given their children vaccinations because of the once-reported link to autism, which has since been widely discredited. Should docs be forced to see patients without vaccinations.

Sirota Wednesday 3-2-11 Hour 1

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 09:08:39 -0500

Gov. John Hickenlooper Tuesday said he is reluctant to support the tax hike initiative rolled out a day earlier by Sen. Rollie Heath. Following his first bill signing ceremony in the Capitol's west foyer, Hickenlooper made his first public comments about the larger tax debate that his proposed budget cuts reignited last week. Hickenlooper called Heath's proposed tax increase the beginning of a discussion about the state's financial future and the size of government. When pressed further, Hickenlooper said he's unlikely to support the proposal at this point. What are your thoughts on Hick's stance. At 7:20 David Doniger policy director and senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council's Climate Center our special guest to talk about what the federal cuts to the EPA mean for Colorado. We also talked about a report that says the Latino population is growing here in Colorado and David asked if that is a good or bad thing.

Sirota Tuesday 3-1-11 Hour 3

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:17:37 -0500

We led off with Eric Boehlert from Media Matters for our media misinformation report. He talked about Glenn Beck's breakdown and on unions in Wisconsin. At 9:25 Cartoonist Tim Kreider our special guest to discuss his book Twilight of the Assholes: The Chronicles of the Era of Darkness 2004-2009. We then closed with open phones.

Sirota Tuesday 3-1-11 Hour 2

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 10:19:10 -0500

Dr. Siva Vaidhyanathan joins the show to talk about his new book The Googlization of Everything and Why We Should Worry. University of Virginia media studies and law professor Vaidhyanathan examines the insidious influence of Google on our society. In just over a decade, Google has moved so rapidly in its mission to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful that cries of Google it. resound through high school classrooms, business offices, academic halls, and public libraries. As Vaidhyanathan points out, we must be cautious about embracing Google's mission and not accept uncritically that Google has our best interests in mind. At 8:25 Denver City Councilman Doug Linkhart our special guest to discuss his stance on the legalization of marijuana, a recycling tax and other ideas he would bring to the city. At 8:40 freelance writer Amy Westervelt joines us to talk about her piece Don't Be Afraid of the Dark: The Surprising Link Between Light Pollution and Cancer.

Sirota Tuesday 3-1-11 Hour 1

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 09:00:53 -0500

David led off talking about a NY Times piece on fracking and the health problems it poses especially locally. Meanwhile Governor Hickenlooper says drill drill drill. What this story says is there is probably not a way to drilll and protect the public's water supply. At 7:20 State Senator Rollie Heath from Boulder joined us to talk about his proposal that would reinstate a sales and use tax rate of 3 percent which was cut to 2.9 in 2000. It would also increase corporate and individual tax rates from 4.63 percent to 5 percent, again back to where it was in 2000. He wants education to be continually funded. We then took a few calls on fracking and the budget.

Sirota Monday 2-28-11 Hour 3

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:13:32 -0500

Our guest this entire hour was Dr. Stephen Sheehi author of Islamophobia: The Ideological Campaign Against Muslims our special guest. Sheehi examines the rise of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab sentiments in the West following the end of the Cold War through GW Bush's War on Terror to the Age of Obama. Stephen Sheehi investigates the increased mainstreaming of Muslim-bating rhetoric and explicitly racist legislation, police surveillance, witch-trials and discriminatory policies towards Muslims in North America and abroad. Sheehi is an internationally acclaimed author, scholar and activist. Currently, he is Associate Professor of Arabic and Arab Culture at the University of South Carolina. He received his PhD in Near Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan. In addition to Islamophobia, he is the author of Foundations of Modern Arab Identity as well as the forthcoming Arab Image: A Social History of Indigenous Photography. www.stephensheehi.com

Sirota Monday 2-28-11 Hour 2

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 10:47:10 -0500

We continued taking calls on the state budget and about whether or not solitary confinement is cruel and unusual punishment. We also took a call from a conservative who said unions extort money from the public. At 8:40 Denver City Council Woman at large Carol Boigon joined us to talk about her ideas for Denver.

Sirota Monday 2-28-11 Hour 1

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 08:56:05 -0500

Colorado's economy is expected to come roaring back by 2012, but even with several years of robust growth that will follow, the state's budget won't grow fast enough to keep up with the demands of schools, prisons and health care for the poor. That was the sobering conclusion of an initial report released Friday by the University of Denver's Center for Colorado's Economic Future. Lawmakers last year asked the center to do a comprehensive study of the state's tax policy, something last done 53 years ago. Their projections show projections show state K-12 education costs growing at a compound annual rate of about 6 percent and Medicaid expenditures growing more than 8 percent annually. But general-fund revenues will grow at a compound annual rate of only 5 percent over that period. From this, we conclude that the state budget faces a persistent structural imbalance. Should we still cut taxes and spending. At 7:20 State Senator Morgan Carroll our special guest to discuss her bills on consumer protection and solitary confinement. We asked if you think solitary confinement is cruel and unusual punishment and took calls on the state budget study by DU.

Sirota Friday 2-25-11 Hour 3

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:11:00 -0500

Tim Myers from Strange Brewing Company our special in studio guest. We tried his brews and talked about his niche in the Colorado micro brewing industry. www.strangebrewingco.com We also took votes for schmucks of the week and let our audience air grievances for Festivus Friday. At 9:35 Steve Almond joined us to talk the hot issues of the week and about his album recommendation from The Poison Tree.

Sirota Friday 2-25-11 Hour 2

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:16:54 -0500

Reporter's Roundtable with special guests Eli Stokols from Fox 31, Denver Post political editor Curtis Hubbard and Clear Channel's News Director Kathy Walker. Topics this week will include budget issues, constitutional reform, Xcel ceasing their Solar Rewards program and much more.

Sirota Friday 2-25-11 Hour 1

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:14:05 -0500

A Colorado House committee on Wednesday approved a reinstatement of the state sales tax exemption on soda. In 2010, the Legislature suspended or eliminated 12 tax exemptions to raise 140 million to help balance the budget. One of those was the sales tax exemption on candy and soft drinks. On Wednesday, the House Finance Committee voted 7-5, along party lines, for House Bill 1162, sponsored by Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, which reinstates that exemption on soft drinks as of July 1. HB 1162 does not reinstate the sales tax exemption on candy. Is this ridiculous or what. Also the Denver city attorney's office is refusing to refund some 768,000 dollars in parking fines on tickets issued by unauthorized parking agents. Officials say the agents acted in their official duties as city employees, even though they weren't appointed by the manager of safety and chief of police as required by the city charter. What do you think of this decision. At 7:50 Congressman Ed Perlmutter joined the show to discuss his return to Government in the Grocery, his job fair today and about the budget and taxes.

Special Excerpt of Sirota's Book

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 13:27:54 -0500

Sirota Thursday 2-24-11 Hour 3

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:08:07 -0500

Dave Zirin our special guest to talk about the suicide of former Chicago Bear Dave Duerson. Duerson sent text messages to his family before he shot himself specifically requesting that his brain be examined for damage caused by playing professional football. Ziren also hit on the Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups trade. At 9:30 Dr. Paul Ehrlich, author of The Population Bomb, joins us to discuss his latest book Humanity on a Tightrope.

Sirota Thursday 2-24-11 Hour 2

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:16:46 -0500

David is joined by Mark Hertsgaard to talk about his new book HOT: Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth. We then were joined by comedian David Alan Grier for the rest of the hour. He has shows tonight, tomorrow night and Saturday night at Comedy Works in Larimer Square. You probably know him best for his roles on the In Living Color.

Sirota Thursday 2-24-11 Hour 1

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:15:43 -0500

David talked about the attitude towards federal and state workers and what we have seen over the last couple weeks in Wisconsin, Colorado and really all over the US. Headline today is that Wall Street pay has reached new record. Meanwhile state workers are getting screwed. Wall Street execs get the cash and teachers and firefighters don't. What do you make of this.

Sirota Wednesday 2-23-11 Hour 3

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:15:17 -0500

Michelle Alexander our very special guest to talk about her book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. We then had a segment of news and open phones before being joined by Ghost Hunter's Ami Bruni to preview Season 7 on Syfy channel.

Sirota Wednesday 2-23-11 Hour 2

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:18:04 -0500

Xcel Energy Inc. said it has temporarily stopped taking applications for its Solar Rewards rebate program for solar power systems at homes and businesses in Colorado, dealing a potentially devastating blow to the metro area's solar installation industry. The shutdown follows Xcel's announcement that the utility would cut total rebate levels for small-scale customer-owned solar power systems immediately by 34 cents per watt. The company also asked the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to cut the state-mandated minimum rebate from 2 dollars per watt to 25 cents per watt. The rebates are paid using money from Xcel's Colorado customers, who are charged an extra 2 percent of their monthly bill to cover the cost of adding renewable energy to the utility's portfolio in the state. Our special guest is executive director of the Boulder-based Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association Neil Lurie. Should Xcel be forced to give rewards for solar energy users. We also took calls on the dems in the legislature in WI fleeing the state to avoid a quorum and about a tax write off for breast feeding equipment.

Sirota Wednesday 2-23-11 Hour 1

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:06:43 -0500

Fourteen Wisconsin Democrats who have fled the state to prevent a quorum inside the state Senate face few legal and political consequences for their actions despite the unprecedented and extended nature of their absence. The lawmakers have been hiding out in an undisclosed location in Illinois since Thursday, saying it was the only way to block Gov. Scott Walker and Republican state legislators from rapidly approving a bill that would curb rights of state employee unions and trim members' benefits. Republicans, who accused their peers of breaking legislative rules, shirking responsibility and manipulating the democratic process, had initially dispatched the State Patrol to round them up and bring them back. The Wisconsin Senate seeds 20 lawmakers present to hold a vote on the bill. But with only 19 Republican members, at least one of the 14 Democrats must also attend. Should legislators be allowed to leave the state they serve to avoid passing bills they do not like.

Sirota Tuesday 2-22-11 Hour 3

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:12:58 -0500

We led off with Jess Levin from Media Matters for America. She gave us the media misinformation report which included items on Fox News and Wisconsin, Michelle Obama and breast feeding, and much more. We then went back to open phones and threw out several news items.

Sirota Tuesday 2-22-11 Hour 2

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:08:53 -0500

State Senator Rollie Heath our special guest in response to Governor Hickenlooper's budget. He says he will lead a push for a ballot initiative to raise taxes for schools this November. But Hickenlooper has said repeatedly that Coloradans have no appetite for a tax increase. Rollie serves Senate District 18 in Boulder. At 8:30 Noam Chomsky our very special guest. He hit on several issues including the Wisconsin problem, the Mid East and consumer culture.

Sirota Tuesday 2-22-11 Hour 1

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:01:49 -0500

David led off with some thoughts on the Carmelo Anthony trade to the New York Knocks. Melo was offered a 3 year 65 million dollar deal by the Nuggets last summer and that is a similar contract he will sign in New York. We talked about loyalty to fans and cities. Should he have shown any loyalty to Denver and the Nuggets organization. Also this hour we talked about a Supreme Court hearing. The U.S. Supreme Court next week will hear arguments in a case that may determine how far the government may go in detaining people as material witnesses. The court will hear a government appeal of a lower court decision upholding the right of Abdullah al-Kidd to sue former Attorney General John Ashcroft over Kidd's arrest and detention in early 2003 as a material witness in the prosecution of a terrorism suspect. Kidd was detained for about two weeks as a witness against Sami Omar al-Hussayen, who was accused of using his computer skills to aid terrorists. A jury in Idaho acquitted Hussayen on that charge in 2004, but deadlocked on other minor counts. Hussayen agreed to be deported to avoid retrial on those lesser charges. Should the US government be able to detain a citizen suspected of a terrorist plot even though they have no formal charges filed.

David Sirota Monday 2-21-11 Hour 3

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:03:50 -0500

A 16 year old Parker boy faces adult felony charges for allegedly sexually assaulting five young boys, all under the age of eleven. Grant Petta is being held on 150,000 bond at the Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center. He was arrested on Nov. 22, 2010 and initially charged with sex assault and kidnapping after the parents of a 7 year old boy said their son was victimized. Should we be charging kids as adults. Should we change the law that says district attorneys have full say without judicial review on how kids should be charged.

David Sirota Monday 2-21-11 Hour 2

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:12:32 -0500

We carried over conversation from last hour as well as talked a little about amending the state constitution. Should it be harder for lawmakers to amend the constitution. At 8:35 Dr. Brian Greene our special guest to talk about his new book The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos. He has a book signing and discussion tonight at the Tattered Cover in Lodo starting at 7;30 pm. A theoretical physicist and celebrated author, Greene offers intrepid readers another in-depth yet marvelously accessible look inside the perplexing world of modern theoretical physics and cosmology.

David Sirota Monday 2-21-11 Hour 1

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:00:37 -0500

Dave opened up talking about the Wisconsin news over the weekend. The New York Times reports that the political unrest in Wisconsin revolves around the question of whether or not public employees should have the fundamental right to collectively bargain with state and local governments. Only a few years ago, Colorado's then-governor Bill Ritter signed an executive order allowing such collective bargaining, but Gov. John Hickenlooper has not said whether he will maintain that executive order for the long haul. Should public employees be able to collectively bargain. At 7:20 State Senator John Morse from Colorado Springs joined us to talk about Hickenlooper's budget and how he thinks maybe a property tax increase may be a way to help out.

Sirota Friday 2-18-11 Hour 3

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:15:26 -0500

We carried over conversation on the birther movement and on the problems in Wisconsin. At 9:30 Adam Carolla joined the show as he has upcoming shows tonight and tomorrow night at the Comedy Works Landmark Theatre in the DTC.

Sirota Friday 2-18-11 Hour 2

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:54:42 -0500

We continued conversation about the birther movement. We had several conservatives chime in. Geoff also talked about Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. Thousands gathered in Madison, Wisconsin Thursday to protest a bill being pushed forward by Walker. If passed, the bill would strip teachers' unions of their collective bargaining rights, and would require that they contribute more to their benefits. In response, Democratic state senators skipped town Thursday, stalling a vote on the divisive bill. Your thoughts on the Wisconsin situation and thoughts on organized labor.

Sirota Friday 2-18-11 Hour 1

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 09:09:59 -0500

Geoff Berg in for Sirota today. He started off talking bout a poll that says 51 percent of likely 2012 GOP primary voters believe that President Obama was born in another country. Is this a legitimate question. Are you a birther and if so tell us why you think he is not American.

Sirota Thursday 2-17-11 Hour 3

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:09:38 -0500

Our special guest is Peter Hessler to talk about his best selling book Country Driving: A Chinese Road Trip which is now on paperback. He will have a book signing and discussion at the Tattered Cover on Colfax this Saturday starting at 5:30 pm. Hessler is a staff writer at The New Yorker, where he served as the Beijing correspondent from 2000 to 2007, and is also a contributing writer for National Geographic. Also this hour: a Colorado lawmaker wants the state to get rid of animal cruelty investigators who work for nonprofit organizations. Right now, a third of the state's investigators that look into animal abuse are employed by private organizations, not by government agencies. Rep. Wes McKinley, a southeast Colorado rancher who is proposing the bill, thinks a lot of the cases aren't serious enough to be looked into. Both sides will be arguing their points on Monday, Feb. 21 when the bill will be introduced in front of the House Agriculture Committee.Our special guest is Duane Adams, associate director of the new Colorado Humane Society and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Sirota Thursday 2-17-11 Hour 2

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 10:06:13 -0500

Denver gasoline prices inched upward over the last week, with regular around 3 dollars a gallon mark, according to the latest AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report from the American Automobile Association. The AFL-CIO and the Chamber of Commerce say raise the gas tax. Should we raise the gas tax or is that too regressive. We also talked about why there is no outrage in Colorado after Hickenlooper's budget proposals and cuts. Why isn't Colorado following Wisconsin rage.

Sirota Thursday 2-17-11 Hour 1

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:59:39 -0500

The Obama administration is expected to soon recommend that Congress begin reducing the size of mortgages that are eligible for government guarantees. Right now, mortgages up to 729,750 dollars are eligible, through temporary federal programs, for government backing. While it's been reported the administration will suggest to Congress that it lower the loan limit to 625,500 starting in September, do you believe it should go further. Why are taxpayers subsidizing million dollar mortgages. What should the limit be. How big a mortgage do you think we should effectively subsidize. At 7:40 Diane Ravitch our special guest to talk about her book The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education. She has a discussion and book signing event at the Augustana Lutheran Church at 5000 E. Alameda in Denver Thursday night starting at 6:30 pm. Attendance is free.

Sirota Wednesday 2-16-11 Hour 3

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:18:13 -0500

Dr. Elias Aboujaoude joined the show to discuss his book Virtually You: The Dangerous Power of E-Personality. With a practice located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, Stanford University psychiatrist Aboujaoude credibly and rigorously explains how the way an individual functions in cyberspace impacts his or her behavior in the real world. Whether in rekindled romances facilitated by Facebook friendship or outraged ventings of opinion on a blog, offline selves are being influenced by online personae in ways society has yet to fully comprehend. We then went to open phones on Hick's budget and threw out several news items.

Sirota Wednesday 2-16-11 Hour 2

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:06:29 -0500

What's your favorite prime-time crime show. Do you enjoy the fictional world of CSI or Law & Order, or do you find real-life tales like The First 48 or Dateline more engrossing. Your answers to those questions may say a lot about your fears and attitudes about crime, a new study finds. Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln surveyed hundreds of adults about how often they watched various kinds of crime TV - made-up dramas, documentary-style real crime programs, and local and national news. They found that how each type of program depicts crime was a factor in viewers' opinions on everything from their fear of crime to their confidence in the justice system to their support of the death penalty. Our special guest is Dr. Lisa Kort-Butler, UNL assistant professor of sociology and the study's lead author. At 8:30 National American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten our special guest to talk about teh state of education and the massive budgets going on locally and nationally. She is in town for a conference on education with Secretary of Educatio Arne Duncan.

Sirota Wednesday 2-16-11 Hour 1

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:05:06 -0500

Gov. John Hickenlooper is proposing state lawmakers slash public school funding by 375 million to help come to grips with an estimated 1 billion budget gap that's looming as federal stimulus money dries up and the economy continues to lag. The budget proposal that the new governor unveiled at the Capitol on Tuesday also includes a 125 million cut for state colleges and universities compared to this year and cutting about 250 state jobs, including 149 at the Fort Lyon Correctional Facility in Las Animas, which would be closed. Hickenlooper is also recommending the closure of Bonny Lake State Park and scaling back services at three other parks, Sweitzer, Harvey Gap and Paonia. Hickenlooper also wants to increase the state's reserve fund from 2 percent to 4 percent of the budget, enough to keep the state operating for about 14 days, in case revenues continue to drop or demand for state services like Medicaid rises more than expected. That's about an extra 100 million that might have otherwise gone to schools. Your thoughts on the budget proposals. At 7:20 State Senator Pat Steadman joined us to talk about the budget and the Colorado Civil Unions Bill he introduced on Monday. At 7:35 Carol Hedges, director of the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute joined us to talk about the Hickenlooper budget proposals.

Sirota Tuesday 2-15-11 Hour 3

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:45:31 -0500

We led off with Eric Boehlert from Media Matters for our media misinformation report. We then talked about the Puff Hookah Bar and Lounge who defended itself on Monday for an event held there last week outraged several parents. Last Friday they held a Lingerie Night, inviting minors as young as 16 to come dressed in lingerie for free entry into the party. Parents are outraged that an establishment would put together an event in a tobacco bar asking 16-year-old girls to come dressed inappropriately. Today they said they will no longer have under age lingerie parties and that they will no longer allow under 18ers into their establishment. If they had not changed their rules would this have been an issue for city council to hammer out or is it a parental situation.

Sirota Tuesday 2-15-11 Hour 2

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:08:40 -0500

Orson Scott Card our special guest to talk about his newest series opener The Lost Gate. Orson Scott Card is the bestselling author best known for the classic Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow and other novels in the Ender universe. The Lost Gate is a new fantasy series about young people with special abilities and powers. His work has won multiple awards, including back-to-back wins of the Hugo and the Nebula Awards-the only author to have done so in consecutive years. His titles have also landed on 'best of' lists and been adopted by cities, universities and libraries for reading programs. The Ender novels have inspired a Marvel Comics series, a forthcoming video game from Chair Entertainment, and pre-production on a film version. At 8:30 we were joined by special guest Ron Reagan to talk about his new book My Father at 100.

Sirota Tuesday 2-15-11 Hour 1

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 09:00:31 -0500

A bill to declare English the official language of the United States is being reintroduced to Congress by Representative Steve King, a Republican from Iowa. Some sections would materially disadvantage immigrants. For example, current law requires candidates for naturalization to be tested on their ability to read, write and speak English and their knowledge of civics. King's bill would require that all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English-language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the laws of the United States made in pursuance of the Constitution. Desirable as that may be, even many native-born citizens would struggle with their complex and archaic language. The most compelling argument against the bill involves symbolism. Its supporters see it as emblematic of the importance of English as a unifying force. But to many immigrants, including some who speak English fluently, the bill symbolizes something else: cultural and political dominance. Is this a racist bill. Why is there a push for English only laws.

Sirota Monday 2-14-11 Hour 3

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:07:23 -0500

U.S. businesses are increasingly banning not only smoking by employees, but employees who smoke. Among the first of the leading medical institutions to implement the policy was the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio in 2007.To put the policy into effect, hospitals and clinics have demanded urine tests of workers. In many cases, those who were found to have elevated levels of nicotine byproducts were then dismissed. Laws in 29 states and the District of Columbia prohibit employment discrimination against smokers. But among the states where such discrimination is lawful and where the practice is gaining ground are Florida, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. One reason for adopting the practice is that smokers have higher health care costs, on average of about 3,391 per employee as compared to non-smokers, according to the article.Do you support these moves by employers.

Sirota Monday 2-14-11 Hour 2

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:09:42 -0500

Daniel Drezner our special guest to talk about his new book Theories of International Politics and Zombies. What would happen to international politics if the dead rose from the grave and started to eat the living. Daniel Drezner's groundbreaking book answers the question that other international relations scholars have been too scared to ask. Addressing timely issues with analytical bite, Drezner looks at how well-known theories from international relations might be applied to a war with zombies. Dan is professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a senior editor at The National Interest. Prior to Fletcher, he taught at the University of Chicago and the University of Colorado at Boulder. At 8:20 State Senator Irene Aguilar M.D. joined David as she is unveiling a major Health Care Reform Bill today at a 1 p.m. press conference at the State Capitol. The bill establishes a board to create a blueprint for The ColoradoHealth Care Cooperative, which, if approved by voters in a referred ballot measure, would ensure accessible, affordable, quality health care for all Coloradans. David then talked about unaffiliated voters being able to participate in a party's primary. A bill has been proposed that would allow folks to participate in primaries of parties they don't even belong to. What do you think of this.

Sirota Monday 2-14-11 Hour 1

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 08:49:40 -0500

David opened up talking about President Obama's budget proposal for 2012. Obama is sending Congress a 3.73 trillion spending blueprint that pledges 1.1 trillion in deficit savings over the next decade through spending cuts and tax increases.Some of these cuts include energy assistance programs and college aid. While cutting many programs, the new budget does propose spending increases in selected areas of education, biomedical research, energy efficiency, high-speed rail and other areas Obama judged to be important to the country's future competitiveness in a global economy. The biggest tax hike would come from a proposal to trim the deductions the wealthiest Americans can claim for charitable contributions, mortgage interest and state and local tax payments. The Pentagon budget barely touched. Is this a Reaganesque budget. Do you think this is the right path for America. Also now that Mubarak is gone do you fear more uprisings in the Middle East and should it concern us.

Sirota Friday 2-11-11 Hour 3

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:43:18 -0500

Guerin Lee Green sticks around to discuss a story about how a reported rise in DPS graduation rates is misleading . When a good number of college freshmen still need to take remedial courses, is DPS really solving the problem? Then Steve Almond joins the show with this week's musical selection, Bob Schneider's song The Bringdown, and his take on today's topics.

Sirota Friday 2-11-11 Hour 2

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:32:39 -0500

It's our reporter's roundtable with special guests editor in chief at Westword, Patti Calhoun, writer for 5280 and editor at dscriber.com, Michael de Yoanna, and Publisher at The Cherry Creek News, Guerin Lee Green. Today's topics include the short lived fued between Governor Hickenlooper and Mayor Vidal, a progressive income tax in Colorado, other upcoming legislation and more.

Sirota Friday 2-11-11 Hour 1

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:12:28 -0500

Recent data shows that a sizable chunk of Americans will "lie" about receiving government benefits when polled. Why don't people perceive money from the GI Bill or programs like Medicare as government benefit? Is there a disconnect between benefits and assistance? Dave also talks about his recent column, The Super Bowl of Socialism.

Sirota Thursday 2-10-11 Hour 3

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:26:59 -0500

A liberal group that pushed a tax-increase initiative thrown out on a technicality is back with new proposals that would ask Colorado voters to increase taxes by up to 1.5 billion a year. The Colorado Center on Law and Policy last year proposed an initiative that would have returned the state to a graduated income tax and extended sales taxes to include services. But the state's Title Setting and Review Board in December rejected the measure on a technicality, saying proponents would have to start the process over. They did. The group this week filed six mix-and-match versions of its reworked tax-increase proposal, a strategy aimed at seeing which combination of constitutional changes would pass muster with the title board under the state's single-subject requirement for initiatives. Our guest is Carol Hedges executive director of the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, an arm of the Colorado Center on Law and Policy. She also stuck around and took questions from listeners tyhe entire hour.

Sirota Thursday 2-10-11 Hour 2

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 10:05:33 -0500

Kevin Nealon our special in studio guest. He has shows at Comedy Works Larimer Square tonight, tomorrow night and Saturday night. Currently, Kevin Nealon can be seen on Showtime's, Golden Globe winning hit series, WEEDS, now on its sixth season. As a cast member of Saturday Night Live, Kevin is most recognized for the characters he created, including The Subliminal Man and Hans and Franz, and anchoring Weekend Update. At 8:30 5280's Natasha Gardner joined the show to talk about her cover piece True Romance: Seven perfect dates in and around the Mile High City for you and that someone special. Natasha Gardner co-edits Atmosphere, 5280's front-of-the-book section, and contributes as a writer and editor to both service and narrative features.

Sirota Thursday 2-10-11 Hour 1

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:56:16 -0500

In the near future, getting busted for the first time on prostitution-related charges in Denver might not mean jail time, a fine or even a record. Well, at least for the one making the purchase. Under a proposed bill in the Senate, anyone arrested in Colorado for the first time on charges of soliciting a prostitute will have the opportunity to avoid jail time and a fine if they agree to attend and successfully complete a program designed to teach them about the impact and implication of soliciting prostitutes, with a special emphasis on human trafficking and the sex trade. SB 85 is sponsored by Senate President Brandon Shaffer and is modeled after similar programs in other parts of the country which Shaffer told the Longmont Times-Call have been successful in reducing the rate of repeat offenders. Are you for this bill. Also, Republicans in the Colorado Senate are attacking new renewable energy requirements they say are hurting consumers.The state Senate will debate a bill on Wednesday that would undo a requirement that utilities get 30 percent of their electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar by 2020. Senate Bill 71 would roll that requirement back to 10 percent, a renewable energy standard utilities have already achieved. Your thoughts on this.

Sirota Wednesday 2-9-11 Hour 3

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:09:37 -0500

Grist's senior food and agriculture writer Tom Philpott joins us to discuss his piece on the deregulation of genetically modified foods. We then did our Whiner's Wednesday segment. At 9:35 CNN co host of Parker Spitzer and former Governor of New York Eliot Spitzer our special guest to talk about Wall Street and his new book Government's Place in the Market.

Sirota Wednesday 2-9-11 Hour 2

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:16:13 -0500

Coaches of youth sports would be required to learn about brain injuries and to immediately remove athletes suspected of having concussions from competition under a measure introduced in the state Senate.Senate Bill 40, which faces a hearing in a Senate committee Thursday, would make it mandatory for all coaches of athletes ages 11-19 to take a free online concussion course that would teach them to recognize symptoms. The course takes about 30 minutes to complete. The measure, named the Jake Snakenberg Youth Concussion Act, also would require any coach who suspects an athlete has a concussion to immediately remove that athlete from play for the remainder of the game, match or practice. Youth associations see coaches as the logical front line for identifying concussion symptoms among their players. At 8:20 State Senator Linda Newell the sponsor of the bill joined us to talk. We then took listener reaction.

Sirota Wednesday 2-9-11 Hour 1

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 09:04:45 -0500

David threw out several news items before being joined by Face the State's Jared Jacang Maher. He has a piece on how state law makers have special legislative license plates that are undetectable by ticketing systems like the red light cameras. We then took calls on whether or not you think our politicians are getting preferential treatment and if you see it as a problem.

Sirota Tuesday 2-8-11 Hour 3

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 11:35:48 -0500

We led off with our media misinformation report with National Press Secretary at Media Matters Jess Levin. We then went back to open phones on any issue we hit on this morning.

Sirota Tuesday 2-8-11 Hour 2

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:10:20 -0500

New York Times Food Writer Mark Bittman joins the show to discuss his first column A Food Manifesto for the Future. Bittman is an Opinion columnist and the Times magazine's food columnist; his Minimalist column ran in the Dining section of The Times for more than 13 years. In 2009, Mr. Bittman, who has been urging Americans to change the way we eat for decades, published Food Matters, which explored the crucial connections among food, health and the environment. His most recent book is The Food Matters Cookbook. We then went back to pjhones on taxes and the rich versus the poor.

Sirota Tuesday 2-8-11 Hour 1

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 09:00:35 -0500

A 40 year-old Aspen man was arrested for disorderly conduct after yelling at police officers and calling one a douche bag. His lawyer contends that the disorderly conduct charge should have been dropped because Fordham was protected by free speech. She cited numerous sources to back her claim, ranging from Wikipedia to the Urban Dictionary to David Letterman. Is the term douche bag protected speech. Also, Gov. John Hickenlooper said he likely wouldn't support a proposal to increase taxes by approximately 1.5 billion a year. The Colorado Center on Law and Policy last week submitted six proposed ballot initiatives that would in part institute a progressive income tax structure. The initiatives would eliminate the current flat 4.63-percent state income tax rate and replace it with a tax that's relative to a person's income level. People making above 1 million would be taxed 9.5 percent, while Coloradans making less than 50,000 would be taxed 4.2 percent, for example. During yesterday's Mike Rosen Show appearance, Hickenlooper said he didn't think Coloradans had the stomach for a tax increase. Voters would have to approve the tax change under the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. What is your take on this.

Sirota Monday 2-7-11 Hour 3

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:10:03 -0500

University of Colorado faculty leaders may consider whether the use of black face paint at sporting events is school spirit or racially insensitive and reminiscent of blackface costumes. The Boulder Faculty Assembly's diversity committee has raised the concern that, on multiple occasions, blackface costumes have been displayed at sporting events and on Pearl Street during Halloween. But students who have worn black body paint to past football games say they're simply showing school spirit and supporting the Buffs, whose colors are black and gold.Members of the Boulder Faculty Assembly received notification Thursday of a resolution, still in its draft stage, that calls on the campus community to vigorously address the unacceptable behavior. The assembly is scheduled to discuss the measure at a meeting next month. The blackface minstrel acts, and their racist depictions of blacks, were a form of entertainment in 19th-century theater. Is this over reaction. Do you see a problem with students painting their faces black. Also, Republican lawmakers are pushing a bill that would allow a law-abiding person to carry a concealed weapon without a permit in Colorado, including at universities. Written in partnership with pro-gun group Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, House Bill 1205 is being sponsored by freshman Rep. Chris Holbert, R-Parker. It would make it optional to carry a concealed-carry permit. The bill comes as pro-gun advocates have filed a lawsuit seeking to allow concealed weapons at the University of Colorado. What do you think of this.

Sirota Monday 2-7-11 Hour 2

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:11:05 -0500

Zachary Levy joins the show to talk about his award winning documentary Strongman. It tells the up-close-and-personal story of Stanley Stanless Steel Pleskun, who can lift dump trucks and bend pennies with his bare hands, but who struggles to transcend his chaotic New Jersey home life and the toll of his slowly-but-surely advancing age. David then threw out some news before being joined by New York Times best seller Gary Taubes to discuss his new book Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It. He has a book signing event at the Tattered Cover on Colfax this Wednesday night at 7:30 pm.

Sirota Monday 2-7-11 Hour 1

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:56:23 -0500

David led off with a few thoughts about the news in Egypt over the weekend. Also, Governor John Hickenlooper says he wants to cut corporate taxes via a flat tax. He says businesses have too much red tape and are too burdened. Do business have enough political power. At 7:20 we talked with The Nation's sportswriter and host of Edge of Sports Radio Dave Ziren. We discussed militarism during the Super Bowl and any underlying political themes if any.

Sirota Friday 2-4-11 Hour 3

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:18:32 -0500

Dr. Marion Nestle our special guest to talk about the Walmart healthy food initiatives. Nestle is Paulette Goddard Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health (the department she chaired from 1988-2003) and Professor of Sociology at New York University. From 1986-88, she was senior nutrition policy advisor in the Department of Health and Human Services and managing editor of the 1988 Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health. Her research focuses on how science and society influence dietary advice and practice. She is the author of several books including Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health, Safe Food: The Politics of Food Safety and What to Eat. We then asked if you live in a food dessert or far from a supermarket, would you wan ta Walmart to come into that community. We also had open phones for schmucks

Sirota Friday 2-4-11 Hour 2

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:25:07 -0500

This week's Reporters Roundtable included guests Susan Greene, formerly of the Denver Post and now writing for the Huffington Post, Scot Kersgaard from the Colorado Independent and Colorado Public Television Channel 12's production director Dominic Dezutti. We talked about immigration, Fastracks, state deficit, the state of journalism and much more.

Sirota Friday 2-4-11 Hour 1

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:07:59 -0500

David led off talking about the Super Bowl. David says he is rooting for the Packers because they are a community owned team.Do you think sports would be better or worse if more communities owned their teams. He asked how do you deal with the Super Bowl and your kids. Troy Aikman says that the game has gotten so violent and dangerous that he wouldn't let his kids play. What kinds of messages do our kids get in particular during the Super Bowl. We also opened up Festivus Friday and took schmuck of the week nominations. We also talked about the forcible rape biil.

Sirota Thursday 2-3-11 Hour 3

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:17:54 -0500

We continued taking calls on the internet kkill bill and about forcing states to include contraception as part of preventative health care.

Sirota Thursday 2-3-11 Hour 2

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:11:44 -0500

Author and simple living advocate Dave Bruno our special guest to discuss his book The 100 Thing Challenge: How I got Rid of Almost Everything, Remade My Life and Regained My Soul. In 2008, average American family man Dave Bruno decided to unhook himself from the intravenous drip of consumerism that fueled his life by winnowing all his personal possessions down to just 100 things. Little did he realize that he would be igniting a grassroots movement. Should states and the federal government use their power to force health insurance companies to cover birth control as preventative health services.

Sirota Thursday 2-3-11 Hour 1

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:37:16 -0500

David led off talking about controlling the terms of the debate and our construct of what is going on in Egypt. We then talked about how the government in Egypt has shut down the internet. Now in the US a bill has been given a second chance in congress where the president would be given the power to shut down the internet in a time of emergency. Should we grant the pres this power. At 7:30 our special guest was Danny Pudi who plays Abed on the hit NBC sitcom Community. We then went back to calls on an internet kill switch.

Sirota Wednesday 2-2-11 Hour 3

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:14:17 -0500

Facing a prosecutor without an attorney, truck driver Ryan Weaver says he pleaded guilty to a crime he didn't commit because he thought he didn't have much of a choice. The law in Colorado states that a misdemeanor defendant who can't afford an attorney may apply for a public defender only after meeting with a prosecutor. Because of the law, legal observers say the wait for a defender in Colorado's crowded judicial system can take days, if not weeks, costing the accused jobs, their homes or a criminal record if they take a plea to get out of jail. Other jurisdictions across the country have similar methods of appointing public defense attorneys, but Colorado is the only state that has it written into law. The 1992 law was a cost-cutting measure to deal with a spike in drug and domestic violence cases. But the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar and Colorado Criminal Justice Reform are challenging it in federal court, arguing it frequently denies legal counsel for the poor. Our guest on this issue is Lisa Wayne president elect of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. We then went back to phones and took calls on any issue we hit on today.

Sirota Wednesday 2-2-11 Hour 2

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:07:40 -0500

The Confederate flag, which continues to fly on buildings throughout the American South 150 years after the Civil War, is a potent symbol. Newly published research provides evidence supporting the latter view. It suggests exposure to the flag evokes anti-black sentiments among whites, regardless of their stated beliefs on racial issues. Our special guest is Dr. Joyce Ehrlinger who led the study. She is a professor in the Florida State University Psychology Department.On issue this hour: Ronald Reagan admirers wanted to go all out to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the former president's birth on Feb. 6. A fighter jet flyover, a 21-gun salute and a Beach Boys performance are among the commemorations. But the Great Communicator's centennial birthday conflicts with another great American mega-event: Super Bowl Sunday. Yet Reaganites, true to the Gipper's attitude, saw an opportunity. Just before kickoff, a tribute to Reagan will be displayed on the video board at Cowboys Stadium. Do you think the Superbowl is a good venue for the celebration of a politician.

Sirota Wednesday 2-2-11 Hour 1

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:19:18 -0500

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, and One Colorado, a statewide advocacy organization dedicated to securing and protecting equality and opportunity for LGBT Coloradans and their families, have condemned Attorney General John Suthers for joining an amicus brief in Massachusetts v. Department of Health and Human Services, a case challenging the constitutionality of the denial of federal rights and benefits to married same-sex couples under the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. One Colorado is collecting signatures on a petition asking Suthers to withdraw his support of the lawsuit. Executive Director at One Colorado Brad Clark joins David to discuss. Why are we still not recognizing people's right to marry whoever they want and should we in Colorado recognize other states' civil union and marriage laws.

Sirota Tuesday 2-1-11 Hour 3

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:11:21 -0500

David took more calls on proselytizing at the Air Force Academy and about Egypt and democracy. We also talked about paying elected leaders in our state. Should we pay them better. Also should we have cancelled school today.

Sirota Tuesday 2-1-11 Hour 2

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:10:41 -0500

More opinions on the Egypt situation and also five faculty members and a religious watchdog group are suing the Air Force Academy, saying it is violating the constitutional separation of church and state by sponsoring a National Day of Prayer event and inviting a fundamentalist Christian to speaker. An academy announcement said the Feb. 10 prayer service would mirror the school's rich religious diversity, including readings by Islamic, Jewish and Christian Air Force members, Jewish and Catholic chaplains and a Buddhist religious leader, according to the complaint. Lawsuit plaintiffs, however, specifically oppose the invitation of Retired Marine Lt. Clebe McClary as the keynote speaker at the prayer event. McClary, a highly decorated disabled Vietnam veteran, describes himself as a Christian motivational and inspirational speaker. Do you find a problem with this. At 8:40 David is joined by Dr. Barry Schwartz to talk about the book he co authored with Kenneth Sharpe Practical Wisdom: The Right Way to Do the Right Thing. Schwartz and Sharpe delve deeply into what it means to practice wisdom. As they further make the case for empathy and patience, they delve into health care, education, and the groundbreaking work being conducted in the extraordinarily successful Veterans Court in Buffalo. Repeatedly, by example, they stress the necessity of a human approach, without politics, to the issues of how we live and interact with each other. And through all of this, Schwartz and Sharpe demonstrate how relevant Aristotle is today. Schwartz is the Dorwin Cartwright Professor of Social Theory and Social Action at Swarthmore College.

Sirota Tuesday 2-1-11 Hour 1

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:56:25 -0500

David again led with some analysis of the Egypt demonstrations and about the U.S. playing footsie with Mubarak. Are we going to support him or not. How can we say we support democracy in the Middle East and still be standing by Mubarak. At 7:20 our guest Jason Brownlee, a UT associate professor of government and Middle Eastern studies whose expertise includes Egypt, initiated an open letter to the president. More than 300 U.S. political scientists, historians and researchers have signed this letter urging President Obama to move beyond rhetoric in support of the democratic uprising in Egypt. In the letter, the hundreds of college and university scholars call on Obama to embark on a new course toward peace, democracy and prosperity for the people of the Middle East. Brownlee is currently a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center and is working on a book on U.S-Egyptian relations.

Sirota Monday 1-31-11 Hour 3

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:13:32 -0500

Senior Editor at Grist Lisa Hymas joins us to talk about her recent post 8 Things You Can Do About Population. She will also hit on the fundamental relationship between population size and environmental sustainability. Lisa is also a self-proclaimed GINK orGreen Inclinations, No Kids. Next up was actor Harry Hamlin on his book Full Frontal Nudity: The Making of an Accidental Actor. We closed with a couple phone calls

Sirota Monday 1-31-11 Hour 2

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:06:11 -0500

We continued conversation from hour one on the Egypt demonstrations. At 8:40 our special guest was retired deputy sheriff and Law Enforcement Against Prohibition spokesman MacKenzie Allen. Last week he asked the president in a teleconference about legalization of marijuana.

Sirota Monday 1-31-11 Hour 1

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:57:34 -0500

Sirota led with some analysis of the Egypt protests. David talked about the close relationship we have with some of the most brutal anti democratic dictators in the world. Do you fear what kind of change we may see in the Middle East. Do you support the longstanding policy of the US backing dictators in the name of stability. At 7:20 Southern Poverty Law Center's Mark Potok our special guest. They have a report out that shows harsh anti-immigrant laws enacted in communities across the country, promoted by national nativist organizations that want to severely limit immigration, have burdened taxpayers with millions in legal expenses, inflamed racial tensions and devastated businesses. We then went back to phones on the Egypt protests.

Sirota Friday 1-28-11 Hour 3

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:20:14 -0500

A recent NY Times article suggests Boulder is the New Silicon Valley where big ideas, young talent and funding are merging to spurt innovation. In light of this, MSNBC's Dylan Ratigan will host a live show examining this concept and whether it can help boom the economies of other parts of the country. This special event is a part of MSNBC's Steels on Wheels: Innovation and Economy tour, which aims to bring solutions to the challenges facing the American people. Dylan Ratigan joins us to talk about the business mold in Boulder. Also this hour we talked to artist Alexandra Nechita about her exhibit at Fascination St. Fine Art in Cherry Creek North over the weekend. She will be there tomorrow and Sunday and 15 percent of total sales during this event will be donated to The Children's Hospital in support of the Ponzio Creative Arts Therapy Program. Born in Romania in 1985, Alexandra Nechita began drawing at the age of two. By age seven, she was painting with oils and acrylics, and her first exhibit was a at a show held at a Los Angeles public library when she was just eight years old. Nechita's talent was instantly recognized as capacity crowds came to see her amazing, and often monumental paintings. After seeing her art, the press labeled her the The Petite Picasso. By age ten, Nechita was producing strikingly accomplished canvases, which were easily compared to the work of talented, fully mature artists. Her works have a developed artistic personality, highly sophisticated and fully alive to the nuances and possibilities of her medium.

Sirota Friday 1-28-11 Hour 2

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:05:32 -0500

Reporter's Roundtable with special guests Adam Schrager from 9 News, Peter Marcus Assistant Editor at the Denver Daily News and Jared Jacang Maher reporter from Face the State. Topics this week will include the Gessler and Stapleton situation, the hit and run arrests and immigration, ballot measure reform, Obama and education, the mayor's race and unemployment in Colorado.

Sirota Friday 1-28-11 Hour 1

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 09:06:53 -0500

David led off with several news stories. The world's Muslim population is expected to grow at about twice the rate of the non-Muslim population over the next two decades, and constitute over a quarter of the total projected global population in 2030, according to an analysis. David asked for an honest discussion on if this worries you. We then had Norm MacDonald in studio to BS and talk about his upcoming shows this weekend at Comedy Works Larimer Square.

Sirota Thursday 1-27-11 Hour 3

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 11:08:59 -0500

Sustainable food advocate Simon Fairlie our special guest to talk about his book Meat: A Benign Extravagance. Meat is a groundbreaking exploration of the difficult environmental, ethical and health issues surrounding the human consumption of animals. Fairlie argues that society needs to re-orient itself back to the land, both physically and spiritually, and explains why an agriculture that can most readily achieve this is one that includes a measure of livestock farming. At 9:20 John Dicker in studio to talk about this year's Geek Bowl V which will be at the Fillmore on Saturday. Dicker is owner of the national pub quiz company Geeks Who Drink who is hosting this year's quiz party. A sometimes author and former journalist, today John Dicker is best know as quizmaster-in-chief of Geeks Who Drink. The questions are smart but irreverent, and players are known to be as passionate about the quiz as they are of Star Wars and Arrested Development. Geeks now has well over 100 quizzes nationwide, and on Saturday Dicker will host the largest live quiz in American history at the Fillmore Amphitheater in Denver.

Sirota Thursday 1-27-11 Hour 2

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:05:50 -0500

Denver Mayoral Candidate James Mejia will announce his Moving Denver Forward economic development campaign platform at a press conference this afternoon. He gives us a preview of his economic plan. He also talked about education and about the hit and run arrest made this morning. We then went back to phones on the hit and run situation and about whether or not you are concerned your doctor is being paid to prescribe you drugs they are being paid to promote.

Sirota Thursday 1-27-11 Hour 1

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 08:47:21 -0500

Police say they have arrested a suspect in the deadly hit-and-run that killed a 21-year-old valet on Saturday night, but they are still looking for the driver in the case. 9Wants to Know has also learned the man in custody has been deported from the U.S. twice before. Montes-Garcia has an extensive criminal record, which includes charges for distributing drugs and many traffic offenses. He went to prison in October 2007 for attempted possession of a controlled substance in Alamosa County. In January 2008, he was turned over to U.S. immigration authorities. He was deported to Mexico on Jan. 18, 2008. Montes-Garcia was deported again on March 27, 2008 after he tried to illegally re-enter the U.S. Is this a story of an on going problem in Colorado of hit and run or is it a specific problem that means we need to crack down on illegal immigration. Is his legal status germane to this crime. At 7:20 our guests are Judy Calhoun from the Colorado Federation of Animal Welfare Angencies and Joe Stafford from the Colorado Association of Animal Control Officers. The Colorado State Senate is considering a bill to help animal care and control agencies as they work to get animals in abuse and neglect cases into new homes faster. Judy and Joe talked about SB-9. At 7:35 ProPublica's Charles Ornstein our special guest to talk about his piece Dollars for Docs Sparks Policy Rewrite at Colorado Teaching Hospitals. The University of Colorado Denver and its affiliated teaching hospitals have launched an overhaul of conflict of interest policies after a ProPublica database revealed extensive ties between its faculty and pharmaceutical companies.

Sirota Wednesday 1-26-11 Hour 3

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 11:10:21 -0500

Martin Tolchin our special guest to discuss his and his wife Susan Tolchin's book Pinstripe Patronage: Political Favoritism from the Clubhouse to the White House and Beyond. The process of patronage-performing favors and offering lucrative positions or rewards to people who raise money or offer service-has always been a part of government, but not to the extent that it is in American politics today, argue the Tolchins in this fascinating expos. Once defined by reliable blue-collar jobs and gifts of food to the poor, patronage has moved into the boardroom and grown exponentially in worth and influence. Martin Tolchin capped 40 years with the New York Times by founding The Hill newspaper and Politico. We then threw out some news stories before being joined by Harry Beckwith to talk about his new book Unthinking: The Surprising Forces Behind What We Buy. Marketing guru Harry Beckwith gives a guide to deciphering why customers choose one product or service over another. What is the new American psyche, and how do America's shrewdest marketers tap it. Drawing from dozens of disciplines, the internationally acclaimed marketing expert Harry Beckwith answers these questions with some surprising, even startling, truths and discoveries about what motivates us.

Sirota Wednesday 1-26-11 Hour 2

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:19:47 -0500

We continued conversation on the State of the Union. Also, a bill introduced in the House Friday would require school districts to fire non-licensed employees with certain felony criminal convictions and also require the firing in some cases of teachers and other licensed personnel for drug felonies. The measure, House Bill 11-1121, is similar to measures introduced by Republicans in the previous two legislative sessions. Those bills died in the Democratic controlled legislature. The measure would require firings of non-licensed employees if background checks turned up felonies involving child abuse, violence, sexual behavior, domestic violence, drugs or indecent exposure. It would include sex offenses committed as a juvenile that would have been felonies if committed as an adult. What is your take on this bill. We also had our Whiner's Wednesday segment.

Sirota Wednesday 1-26-11 Hour 1

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:59:48 -0500

David led off talking about the State of the Union speech. He talked about the president's proposed domestic spending freeze for the next five years. He also talked about the US and competition with China. Dave found it funny that Obama used a comparison to building the trans continental railroad. History says many undocumented Chinese immigrants helped build these railroads. He also talked about the great education myth. At 7:30 Ed Perlmutter called in to give his response.

Sirota Tuesday 1-25-11 Hour 2

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:00:00 -0500

Pulitzer Prize winner John Woestendiek our special guest to talk about his book Dog, Inc.: The Uncanny Inside Story of Cloning Man's Best Friend. In Dog, Inc. John Woestendiek skewers the unholy combination of consumer culture, emotional indulgence, and scientific chicanery that lie at the heart of the cloning movement, and yet somehow, in the process, he reminds us why we love our pets so much to begin with. We then debated what is better Mac or PC. Microsof or Apple. Why is Apple gaining so heavily.

Sirota Tuesday 1-25-11 Hour 3

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:18:24 -0500

We led off with Karl Frisch of Media Matters for our media misinformation report. At 9:20 Dr. Jane McGonigal our special guest to discuss her book Reality Is Broken: Why Games Makes Us Better and How They Can Change the World. More than 174 million Americans are gamers, and the average young person in the United States will spend ten thousand hours gaming by the age of twenty-one. The reason for this mass exodus to virtual worlds is that video games are increasingly fulfilling genuine human needs argues McGonigal.

Sirota Tuesday 1-25-11 Hour 1

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:42:14 -0500

On State of the Union Tuesday David asked what is the state of the union. What needs to be addressed this evening. David thinks we are headed for a double dip recession. Where are we headed.

Sirota Monday 1-24-11 Hour 3

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:20:27 -0500

Joanne Barkan our special guest to talk about her piece in the latest Dissent Magazine called Got Dough: How Billionaires Rule Our Schools. Joanne Barkan is a freelancer who writes on a wide range of political and economic topics. She became interested in the relationship between private foundations and their role in public education policy about a year and a half ago and began doing research. At 9:25 DPS Board Member Jeannie Kaplan joined us to inject how it is going on locally.

Sirota Monday 1-24-11 Hour 2

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 10:11:29 -0500

Dr. Kevin Nelson our special guest to discuss his book The Spiritual Doorway in the Brain: A Neurologist's Search for the God Experience. Inspired by his 30 years as a doctor collecting stories of near-death experiences as well as his personal experience, he examines the stories of people who have reported out-of-body experiences. In his cutting-edge research, Dr. Nelson has discovered that spiritual experiences take place in one of the most primitive areas of the brain. Dr. Nelson is a world-renowned neurologist with more than three decades of experience examining the processes of spiritual sensation. A professor of neurology at the University of Kentucky, he appears frequently on television to discuss near-death experience. A new Pentagon report says we should lift the ban on women serving in combat. What do you think? Also Obama names new job czar. Sirota thinks it's a bad selection as far as his history with GE and outsourcing.

Sirota Monday 1-24-11 Hour 1

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 08:56:58 -0500

Scott Gessler, Colorado's new secretary of state, said he plans to take on a second job, working 20 hours a month on contracted cases for his former law firm in addition to his official duties.Gessler said he needs to earn more money after taking a salary cut of more than 50 percent when he took over as secretary of state. He's a former partner with Hackstaff and Gessler LLC, now the Hackstaff Law Group. It's one of the state's most active election-law firms. The decision to moonlight while working as a state elected official is raising questions about whether the first-time office-holder, a Republican, can carry out his duties as secretary of state without conflict-of-interest charges cropping up. His office oversees many areas, including elections, business registration and bingo licensing. Also, there's the matter of how Gessler will deal with the Hackstaff Law Group. But it also raises a bigger question: Does Colorado pay its highest elected officials enough.Should public officials be allowed to hold a second job. Is 68,000 dollars a year a big enough salary to pay a statewide elected official.

Sirota Friday 1-21-11 Hour 3

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:09:21 -0500

At 9:05 Ken Denmead our special guest to talk about his book Geek Dad: Awesomely Geeky Projects and Activities for Dads and Kids to Share. An engineer and editor of the incredibly popular GeekDad blog on wired.com, Ken has created the ultimate, idea-packed guide guaranteed to help dads and kids alike enjoy the magic of playtime together and tap into the infinite possibility of their imagination. With illustrations throughout, this book offers projects for all ages to suit any timeframe or budget. We also talked to our good buddy Cosmo in Eugene. Steve Almond closed out the show with his music selection of the week and banter on the issues.

Sirota Friday 1-21-11 Hour 2

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 10:07:53 -0500

Reporters Roundtable where we discuss the weeks crucial local news. Our guests this week include 5280's online editor Vanessa Martinez, Westword blogger of The Latest Word Michael Roberts and Clear Channel reporter Jerry Bell. We talked about Mayor John Hickenlooper and deregulation, the Colorado legislature introducing a similar bill to the AZ immigration bill, stealth vouchers and much more.

Sirota Friday 1-21-11 Hour 1

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:59:42 -0500

Lawmakers are proposing that Colorado become the first state in which residents become organ donors by default. Currently, Coloradans renewing their driver's licenses or seeking identification cards are asked by Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles workers if they would like to be organ donors. Under the new proposal, all applicants are assumed to be organ and tissue donors unless they initial a statement that allows them opt out. Is this good or bad or why would you object to this. Should the state ever presume you want to participate in a program without your explicit approval. At 7:30 comedian and entertainer Sinbad in studio. He has shows this weekend at the Comedy Works Landmark Theater. We talked about his time in Denver growing up, race, the Tea Party and much more.

Sirota Thursday 1-20-11 Hour 3

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:09:27 -0500

We are joined by author Dr. Dominic Tierney to talk about his new book How We Fight: Crusades, Quagmires, and the American Way of War. He explores the extraordinary double mindedness with which Americans approach war, and reveals the opposing mindsets that have governed our responses throughout history: the crusade tradition-our grand quests to defend democratic values and overthrow tyrants, and the quagmire tradition-our resistance to the work of nation-building and its inevitable cost in dollars and American lives. At 9:40 Congresswoman Diana DeGette joined the show to talk about the push to repeal health care reform, social security and much more.

Sirota Thursday 1-20-11 Hour 2

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:19:04 -0500

Our special in studio guest this hour is Wendell Potter, a Senior Fellow on Health Care for the Center for Media and Democracy. He will discuss and sign his important book Deadly Spin: An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out on How Corporate PR Is Killing Health Care and Deceiving Americans at the Colfax Tattered Cover tonight at 7:30 pm. In June 2009, Wendell Potter made national headlines with his scorching testimony before the Senate panel on health care reform. This former senior VP of CIGNA explained how health insurers make promises they have no intention of keeping, how they flout regulations designed to protect consumers, and how they skew political debate with multibillion-dollar PR campaigns designed to spread disinformation. In Deadly Spin, he takes readers behind the scenes to show how a huge chunk of our absurd healthcare spending actually bankrolls a propaganda campaign and lobbying effort focused on protecting one thing: profits. Potter shows how relentless PR assaults play an insidious role in our political process anywhere that corporate profits are at stake-from climate change to defense policy. www.wendellpotter.com

Sirota Thursday 1-20-11 Hour 1

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:01:39 -0500

Sirota led off talking a little bit about right wing extremists and about the Spokane bomb. He is flabbergasted by lack of coverage. Are you. At 7:20 on to talk about President Obama's meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao was executive director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing Scott Paul. He says The state visit did little to change the underlying dynamic of the dysfunctional U.S. China economic relationship. David then asked whether you should be fined for not shoveling your sidewalk. Boulder is thinking about doing so.

Sirota Wednesday 1-19-11 Hour 3

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:10:03 -0500

Colorado AFL-CIO leaders put forward a more moderate legislative agenda Tuesday for which they said they hoped to find backers in the business world and across the political spectrum.The five-point legislative agenda, nicknamed Reinvest in Colorado, includes a push to give public bidding preferences to companies whose workforce comes from within Colorado and who use products made in America. More broadly, it also seeks to protect the jobs and salaries of state workers in the budget-cutting process, to continue providing unemployment benefits and to stop the state from awarding contracts to companies that outsource jobs internationally. You like this proposal. Also should US Airlines be forced to compensate stranded fliers.

Sirota Wednesday 1-19-11 Hour 2

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:14:10 -0500

Ashley Merryman our special guest as her and Po Bronson's book Nurture Shock: New Thinking About Children is out in paperback. She has an event tonight at the St. Anne's Episcopal School in Denver starting at 6:30 pm. www.st-annes.org Today we talked about the creativity crisis in children, the science of peer pressure, hidden environmental factors that hinder a kids' development and about Amy Chua's book and thesis. At 8:35 Nation national affairs correspondent William Greider joined David to talk about his The Nation article The End of New Deal Liberalism.

Sirota Wednesday 1-19-11 Hour 1

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:44:56 -0500

Sirota led with his thoughts on the push for the repeal of the Obama Health Care Reform Bill. He says it is all kabuki theatre. At 7:20 Highlights Magazine editor in chief Christine French Clark our special guest to talk about their new State of the Kid Survey. In the survey, children shared their thoughts about themselves, their families and their hopes for the future. David then talked about a local 10 year old being charged with arson in Parker Colorado. The kid lit a piece of paper on fire which caused damage to two townhomes. Do you agree with th DA and that arson charges should be sought. What should be done.

Sirota Tuesday 1-18-11 Hour 3

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:21:35 -0500

David threw out several news items this hour and took calls on both our topics this morning. Stealth vouchers and restricting fast food. We also interviewed Colorado ALF-CIO legislative director Phil Hayes about their priorities in the upcoming legislative session.

Sirota Tuesday 1-18-11 Hour 2

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:05:16 -0500

We led off with Richard Horne to talk about his book A is For Armageddon. It is an illustrated guide to every feasible disaster scenario from plague, drought and famine, to animal flatulence, obesity and World War III, from economic collapse and terrorism to ozone depletion and chemical sink. Accompanied by a critical timeline for when we might expect to die. Now, soon, later, or too late, it's already started. Richard is the author of the best selling 101 Things to Do Before You Die series. He is a graphic designer and artist. He is the illustrator of The Dangerous Book for Boys and has designed book jackets for the Harry Potter series. At 8:30 Dr. Vincent Harding our special guest. He helped write Dr. Martin Luther King's Fireside Church Speech. He was the first director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Center and of the Institute of the Black World. Harding currently serves as Chairperson of the Veterans of Hope Project: A Center for the Study of Religion and Democratic Renewal, located at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver. He talked about the Pentagon saying Dr. King would have supported the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. He also talked about the what Sirota calls the Santa Clausification of Dr. King.

Sirota Tuesday 1-18-11 Hour 1

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:08:29 -0500

Los Angeles is making one of the nation's most radical food policies permanent by effectively banning new fast-food restaurants in South Los Angeles, a huge section of the city that has significantly higher rates of poverty and obesity than other neighborhoods. Should cities use their power to limit their number of fast food restaurants. And in particular in places with high obesity rates and low income rates. Should affordable healthy options be a caveat. Also, a Republican lawmaker said Friday he can save the state hundreds of millions of dollars by encouraging parents to send their children to private schools. Parents could get tax credits of up to 3,400 dollars by pulling their kids out of public schools, under House Bill 1048, by Rep. Spencer Swalm, a Republican from Centennial. Parents who homeschool their children would get a 1,000 dollar tax credit. But the credits would apply only to students enrolled in public schools the previous year. Once parents and students qualified for the credit, they could continue to receive it as long as the children stay in private schools. Parents who already have children in private schools would not receive a tax credit because it would cost the state money rather than saving it, Swalm said. How ridiculous is it to give a tax break for parents to yank their kids out of public schools.

Sirota Monday 1-17-11 Hour 3

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:40:57 -0500

At 9:05 Filmmaker Robert Drew joins David to discuss his film A President to Remember: In the Company of John F. Kennedy. It debuts this Thursday January 20th on HBO. At 9:20 Grist's senior food and agriculture writer Tom Philpott joins the show to discuss his piece Mythbusting: Cheap Food Does Not Mean Higher Quality of Life. We then went back to phones on MLK.

Sirota Monday 1-17-11 Hour 2

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 10:17:59 -0500

In light of the incident in Arizona and the news that mental health services were dismal and shrinking in Tucson, the budget for mental health services in Colorado, like in most states, is dwindling and could shrink even further in this year's legislative session. Our special guest is executive director at the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council George DelGrosso. CBHC is a nonprofit that represents Colorado's statewide network of mental health centers. We then went back to open phones on MLK.

Sirota Monday 1-17-11 Hour 1

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 09:04:40 -0500

The Pentagon is saying that Dr. Martin Luther King, if alive today, would back our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. We played audio clips of Dr. King on the Vietnam War and war in general. Do you agree with what is coming out of the Pentagon. We also talked about how far we have come or not come since his days. Do you feel Dr. King has been Santa Clausified.

Sirota Friday 1-14-11 Hour 3

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:05:20 -0500

Rich Benjamin our special guest to tell us how Haiti is doing one year after the devastating earthquake. He has a new piece in the USA Today called Help is Laudable But Haiti Must Lift Itself. At 9:20 KOA host and former FEMA Director Michael Brown in studio to talk about the Arizona tragedy and about consequences with being a talk show host. We also mixed in as many calls as possible.

Sirota Friday 1-14-11 Hour 2

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:07:46 -0500

Our Reporters Roundtable this week included guests Gloria Neal from CBS 4 and Denver Magazine, Fort Collins Coloradoan Editor Bob Moore and Cherry Creek News Publisher Guerin Lee Green. We talked about the Tucson tragedy, anti government rhetoric, the John Hickenlooper administration, Brett Reese and much more.

Sirota Friday 1-14-11 Hour 1

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 09:13:37 -0500

David led off talking about some White House response to whether these type of shootings are fundamentally American. At 7:20 we talked to race scholar and author Tim Wise. He broke down his essay on dehumanizing and civil discourse and hate of government. Is it anti government rhetoric causing this type of phenomenon.

Sirota Interviews Jan 13

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:48:04 -0500

Check out this fabulous back to back interview exchange from today's show. First was Spike and Tonya Lewis Lee on their book Giant Steps to Change the World and on the Tucson tragedy and state of the country. Next was Stuff White People Like blogger Christian Lander on the persistence of white privilege in America.

Sirota Thursday 1-13-11 Hour 3

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 11:38:49 -0500

We led off with some more analysis of the Tucson tragedy and the treatment of Sheriff Dupkin. At 9:20 Spike Lee and his wife Tonya Lewis Lee joined us to talk about their new childrens book Giant Steps to Change the World and about the state of the US after this tragedy last weekend. At 9:40 our special guest was Christian Lander, the creator of the blog Stuff White People Like. He will discuss and sign his book Whiter Shades of Pale: The Stuff White People Like, Coast to Coast, from Seattle's Sweaters to Maine's Microbrews tonight at the Tattered Cover in Lodo at 7:30 pm.

Sirota Thursday 1-13-11 Hour 2

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:06:01 -0500

Editor and Mark Twain scholar Dr. Alan Gribben has caused a stir by overseeing a controversial new edition of Huckleberry Finn that cleans up the classic novel, most notably by replacing the n word with the word slave. Gribben also admits that while the edits might make this version of the book more appropriate for young readers, it discredits them as historical documents. Where do you come down on this one.

Sirota Thursday 1-13-11 Hour 1

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:56:48 -0500

David led off with his thoughts on the President Obama Tucson Memorial speech. We played some audio clips of the speech and took listener response. Will this be a turning point for many Americans in turning back to unity or do you think this is the beginning of a firestorm.

Sirota Wednesday 1-12-11 Hour 3

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:16:59 -0500

GQ Magazine contributor Alan Richman joined David to talk about his piece on ethical eating called Eat No Evil. He set out to try and eat ethically and this is what he found. Richman is the most decorated food writer in history. He has won 14 James Beard Journalism Awards and a National Magazine Award. He is the Dean of Food Journalism at The French Culinary Institute in New York, where he teaches a class in food writing. Richman's 14 Beard awards have been presented in restaurant reviewing, feature writing, and wine writing. At 9:25 our special guest was Mark Johnston, Professor and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Genetics. Johnston will discuss and sign his new book which he co authored with Stanley Fields Genetic Twists of Fate at the Colfax Tattered Cover tomorrow night at 7:30 pm. News stories report almost daily that scientists have linked a certain gene to a disease like Alzheimer's or macular degeneration, or to a condition like depression or autism, or to a trait like aggressiveness or anxiety. Accompanying this remarkable progress in unraveling the genetic basis of disease and behavior are new technologies that are rapidly reducing the cost of reading someone's personal DNA. Within the next ten years, hospitals may present parents with their newborn's complete DNA code along with his or her footprints and APGAR score. In Genetic Twists of Fate, distinguished geneticist Johnston helps us make sense of the genetic revolution that is upon us. We then threw out a couple news stroies and took some calls to end the show.

Sirota Wednesday 1-12-11 Hour 2

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:07:07 -0500

We continued talking about Sarah Palin response and about Rep Peter King's proposal to have a gun ban within 1,000 feet of a federal official.

Sirota Wednesday 1-12-11 Hour 1

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:01:55 -0500

Sirota opened up with some more analysis of the Arizona shooting and about Sarah Palin using the term blood libel as how the media is handling coverage of the slayings and connections with her. Problem is this is an old dog-whistle anti-semitic term referring to a false accusation or claim that religious minorities, almost always Jews, murder children to use their blood in certain aspects of their religious rituals and holidays. Historically, these claims have been a major theme in European persecution of Jews. At 7:20 Local journalist Bill Briggs our special guest to discuss his new book The Third Miracle: An Ordinary Man, a Medical Mystery, and a Trial of Faith. He also has a booksigning event at the Lodo Tattered Cover tonight starting at 7:30 pm. In his book, Briggs meticulously chronicles the Catholic church's investigation into a mysterious 2001 healing in Indiana and offers a unique window into the ritualistic world of the secretive Catholic saint-making process-one of the very foundations on which the Church is built. We then talked about a proposed gun ban within 1,000 feet of a feder

Sirota Tuesday 1-11-11 Hour 3

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:10:06 -0500

We led off with Senior Fellow ate Media Matters Karl Frisch. He gave us a breakdown of coverage of the Arizona tragedy. David threw out some news items and read some IMs before being joined by New York Times columnist Frank Rich. He talked about the Arizona Tragedy.

Sirota Tuesday 1-11-11 Hour 2

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:07:25 -0500

We led off this hour with more conversation on the what makes a terrorist a terrorist debate. At 8:40 Joshua Green our special guest to talk about his profile of Republican Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell in the latest The Atlantic called Strict Obstructionist.

Sirota Tuesday 1-11-11 Hour 1

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 08:58:34 -0500

Is Jared Loughner a terrorist. New evidence shows he planned for years to assassinate Congresswoman Giffords. Are we defining terrorism only as heinous acts committed by non whites.

Sirota Monday 1-10-11 Hour 3

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 11:28:35 -0500

Tim Wu our special guest to discuss his book The Master Switch: The Rise and Fall of Information Empires. The great information empires of the 20th century have followed a clear and distinctive pattern: after the chaos that follows a major technological innovation, a corporate power intervenes and centralizes control of the new medium, the master switch. Wu chronicles the turning points of the century' s information landscape: those decisive moments when a medium opens or closes, from the development of radio to the Internet revolution, where centralizing control could have devastating consequences. We then went back to phones on the Arizona Tragedy.

Sirota Monday 1-10-11 Hour 2

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 10:07:07 -0500

Reese Erlich our special guest to talk about his book Conversation With Terrorists: Middle East Leaders on Politics, Violence and Empire. He has a discussion of the book tonight at the Denver Press Club beginning at 6 pm. Erlich questions how the U.S. has dealt with terrorist threats since 2001, suggesting that by labeling all opponents as terrorists, the government has from a practical perspective... rendered the term terrorism meaningless. Using decades of his personal reporting, personal interviews, and new research, Erlich emphasizes the stark differences between the nihilism of al-Qaeda and the political aspirations of organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. He urges the U.S. to recognize the difference between isolated fanatics and groups fighting for legitimate causes, concluding that such a policy shift would do more to undermine groups such as al Qaeda than all U.S. invasions combined. At 8:25 Congressman Ed Perlmutter joined the show to talk about his reaction to this tragedy.

Sirota Monday 1-10-11 Hour 1

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 09:02:43 -0500

David led off with his thoughts on the Arizona tragedy where an assassination attempt on Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford left six dead and many more injured. David called it a terrorist attack and not just a crime against the individuals. David apologized for the industry he works in and for any words he has said that might have perhaps led to the vitriolic discourse in our country. We just took thoughts on the tragedy and about where, if any, blame is to be pointed.

Sirota Friday 1-7-11 Hour 3

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:10:35 -0500

Westword reporter Joel Warner our special guest to talk about his piece on the poor treatment of immigrant cab drivers by their employers called Mean Streets. They came to this country to escape tyranny and abuse, but say they found more of the same working for Denver's cab companies. We then went to open phones and took calls on the Daley and Sperling appointments as well as took votes for schmuck of the week.

Sirota Friday 1-7-11 Hour 2

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 10:15:25 -0500

Our first Reporter's Roundtable this hour. We talked about the important news items of the week locally with Denver Post's Curtis Hubbard, Westword's Patti Calhoun and Fox 31's Eli Stokols. We talked about the state budget, education, Xcel Energy, Pinnacol and much more.

Sirota Friday 1-7-11 Hour 1

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 09:03:19 -0500

Bill Daley and Gene Sperling, former wall streeters, appointed by Barack Obama to important positions in the White House. Bill Daly is a former JP Morgan executive and Gene Sperling is worked with Tim Geithner. David says this is a horrendous decision that shows a massive sellout. Can you defend these appointments. At 7:20 Ryan Ferrero of Green Garage joined us in studio . They make your vehicle more environmentally friendly. They have a new location and party opening today from 3 to 630 pm at 29th and Zuni.

Sirota Thursday 1-6-11 Hour 3

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:50:06 -0500

We led off with a call who said don't pay and cut the pensions for public employees. At 7:15 Rosanne Barr joined the show to discuss her new book Rosannearchy. She will be at the Tattered Cover in Lodo on Saturday at 3 pm. We then went to open phones and took calls on any subject we covered this morning.

Sirota Thursday 1-6-11 Hour 2

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 10:09:18 -0500

David talked about cutting public pensions. When total state government revenues across the nation plummeted by a record-breaking 30.8 percent in 2009, the steep investment losses of pension funds proved to be an even bigger drain on state coffers than recession-battered tax collections, according to census data released Wednesday. States reported 1.1 trillion in total revenues in 2009, down from 1.6 trillion a year earlier, the steepest drop the United States Census Bureau has reported since it began collecting data on state government finances in 1951. Tax collections fell by 66 billion, blowing a hole in the operating budgets of many states. But the biggest losses will be felt only in the future: states reported a 477 billion decline in what the census calls insurance trust revenue, mostly from pension funds but also from funds for unemployment insurance and workers' compensation. Should we cut the pension plans or not cut the pension plans and seek alternative ways to pay for it like raise taxes. Is there a moral obligation to pay these pensions.

Sirota Thursday 1-6-11 Hour 1

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 08:55:04 -0500

David opened up with talking about President Barack Obama saying that White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' 172 thousand dollars a year salary is modest pay. Are you offended by this. At 7:20 comedian and actor Rob Riggle joined us in studio. He has upcoming shows at Comedy Works tonight, tomorrow night and Saturday night. Rob is a former correspondent for The Daily Show with John Stewart. He also has starred in The Hangover, Going The Distance, Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, and The Other Guys. Rob is currently shooting Working Title's Everybody Loves Whales in Alaska alongside John Krasinski and Drew Barrymore. He recently guest starred on Chuck, recurred on CBS's Gary Unmarried, and on HBO's Funny Or Die Presents and was a cast member on Saturday Night Live. He can next be seen in Larry Crowne directed by Tom Hanks. Go to www.comedyworks.com for tickets.

Sirota Wednesday 1-5-11 Hour 3

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:08:01 -0500

Immigrant rights groups called it racist, but Gov. Bill Ritter on Tuesday decided to join 35 other states in signing onto the federal Secure Communities program, aimed at speeding deportations of illegal immigrants convicted of crimes. Under the program, the fingerprints of people booked into jail are automatically run against a federal database maintained by U.S. Customs and Enforcement to check whether the offender has had contact with ICE and what his or her immigration status is. The system automatically notifies ICE and local officials if it's known whether someone booked into jail is an illegal immigrant. You like or dislike this new program. We also talked about Colorado being the second highest state in regards to people relocating. You against or for people moving to Colorado.

Sirota Wednesday 1-5-11 Hour 2

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:05:35 -0500

Philip K. Howard joins David to talk about his Washington Post piece One Nation Under Too Many Laws. Howard is a lawyer, and chair of the legal reform nonprofit Common Good and the author, most recently, of Life Without Lawyers. He is a prominent civic leader in New York City and has advised national political leaders on legal and regulatory reform for fifteen years, including Vice President Al Gore and various 2008 presidential hopefuls. In addition to Life Without Lawyers, Philip is the author of The Death of Common Sense and The Collapse of the Common Good. Philip writes periodically for the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and the New York Times. We then went back to some phones on the filibuster and the new congress. David also talked about restaurants and health violations. Shoud a restaurant have to show or say that they have recently been cited for a health violation.

Sirota Wednesday 1-5-11 Hour 1

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:00:03 -0500

David led off with analysis of use of the filibuster to stop legislation. There is a chance for Democrats to change the rules in the new legislature. Should the congress end the filibuster. At 7:40 Congressman Ed Perlmutter talked about the filibuster and about the upcoming republican led congress.

Sirota Tuesday 1-4-11 Hour 3

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:13:18 -0500

We led off with our buddy Eric Boehlert from Media Matters for America. He gave us the misinformation report. We also took calls on budget and deficit. Also Dave brought up this story. President Barack Obama is considering naming William Daley, a JPMorgan Chase & Co. executive and former U.S. Commerce secretary, to a high-level administration post, possibly White House chief of staff, people familiar with the matter said. Is this more of the same and how are George W and Barrack Obama different.

Sirota Tuesday 1-4-11 Hour 2

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 10:08:28 -0500

Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to announce an agreement with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency that would make it easier to deport illegal immigrants booked into Colorado jails. Ritter's signature on the Secure Communities agreement would come after months of negotiations with federal officials in an attempt to get special conditions for Colorado to sign on to the program. Secure Communities is a program that matches fingerprints of people booked into jail against a database of prints maintained by ICE, identifying those who have been detained or deported before or who have had other contact with immigration authorities. Our guest is Public Policy Director at the Colorado ACLU Jessie Ulibarri. We then went back to our discussion from hour 1on our budget.

Sirota Tuesday 1-4-11 Hour 1

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 08:49:36 -0500

Sirota led off with a poll that says 61 percent of Americans say taxing rich is best way to balance the budget. Second up at about 20 percent was cuts in defense spending. At 7:20 State Senate President Brandon Shaffer joined the show to talk about the upcoming legislative session.

Sirota Monday 1-3-11 Hour 3

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 11:09:04 -0500

David and callers talk about the increase in the coyote population and its effects on our human population.

Sirota Monday 1-3-11 Hour 2

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 10:10:22 -0500

Richard Wilkinson is David's special guest and talks about his and Kate Pickett's new book The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger. Wilkinson and Pickett make an eloquent case that the income gap between a nation's richest and poorest is the most powerful indicator of a functioning and healthy society.

Sirota Monday 1-3-11 Hour 1

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 09:51:16 -0500

David and callers talk about property rights. Is it alright for someone to scrap a home considered to be historic and build a new home in its place? David and callers talk about historic preservation vs. homeowner's rights.

Sirota Friday 12-31-10 Hour 3

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 11:09:44 -0500

More of who is your Schmuck of the year? Your calls and more this hour with Steve Almond filling in for Sirota.

Sirota Friday 12-31-10 Hour 2

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 10:04:31 -0500

More of who is your Schmuck of the year? Your calls and more this hour with Steve Almond filling in for Sirota.

Sirota Friday 12-31-10 Hour 1

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 08:37:23 -0500

Who is your Schmuck of the year? Your calls and more this hour with Steve Almond filling in for Sirota.

Sirota Thursday 12-30-10 Hour 3

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 11:13:43 -0500

More lessons of the 2000's this hour with Steve Almond filling in for Sirota and your calls.

Sirota Thursday 12-30-10 Hour 2

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 10:08:27 -0500

More lessons of the 2000's this hour with Steve Almond filling in for Sirota and your calls.

Sirota Thursday 12-30-10 Hour 1

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 08:55:19 -0500

Steve Almond fills in for David. What are the lessons of the 2000's? Your calls and more this hour.

Sirota Wednesday 12-29-10 Hour 3

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:04:56 -0500

Steve Almond in for Sirota today. This hour we talked music and your and Steve's best from 2010.

Sirota Wednesday 12-29-10 Hour 2

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:10:56 -0500

Steve Almond subbing for Sirota. We continued conversation from last hour on how you deal with your conservative family during the holidays and how you deal with the rage that seems so prevalent today. We also talked about understanding emotions, anger and grief and the direction of this country.

Sirota Wednesday 12-29-10 Hour 1

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 09:55:56 -0500

Steve Almond in for Dave today. He talked about dealing with your conservative family or friends during the holidays.

Sirota Tuesday 12-28-10 Hour 3

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:08:03 -0500

Who is your most admired person of 2010?

Sirota Tuesday 12-28-10 Hour 2

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:22:01 -0500

Poll says people are worse off under President Obama than they were two years ago. Where are you? John Turk takes your calls.

Sirota Tuesday 12-28-10 Hour 1

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 09:08:36 -0500

Should the elderly be required to retake the driving test as they age? John Turk filling in for Sirota takes your calls. Also, unemployment and the effect of tax breaks.

Sirota Monday 12-27-10 Hour 3

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 11:21:42 -0500

John and callers continue to talk about safety on the ski slopes and what we can do to protect ourselves.

Sirota Monday 12-27-10 Hour 2

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 10:10:34 -0500

John Turk fills in for David Sirota. John talks with Craig Aaron, the Managing Director of Free Press, about Net Neutrality and an FCC vote that change the way internet services are provided. John also talks about safety on the ski slopes.

Sirota Monday 12-27-10 Hour 1

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 09:10:33 -0500

John Turk fills in for David Sirota. John and callers talk about Christmas spending, white elephant gift exchanges and various other topics. John and callers also give there Schmuck of the Week nominations.

Sirota Friday 12-24-10 Hour 3

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 12:00:36 -0500

Education Reform: An emerging consensus? - Alexander OomsBoard Founding Board, West Denver Prep. Colorado Charter Schools Institute Colorado Growth Model is a new way to evaluate how students are progressing in order to evaluate how well teachers are teaching.- Mark SaasTeacher, Adams Countyednewscolorado.org CSAP tests are effective for teachers to analize students.State Representative Judy Salano Chairs the Education Commitee.

Sirota Friday 12-24-10 Hour 2

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 10:10:03 -0500

Jonny 5 from the Flobots in for David for Full Disclosure. Healthcare in Colorado: The continuing movement for Single-Payer. Dr. Irene AguilarSenator Elect, SD 32 discusses the administrative waste in healthcare and how we could provide better care for less money if everyone paid in their fair share. Brian VicenteAttorney-At-LawSupporter of Medical Marijuana discusses the increase in dispensories and the increase of employment due to those dispensories here in Colorado.

Sirota Friday 12-24-10 Hour 1

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 09:50:01 -0500

Jonny 5 from the Flobots in for David for Full Disclosure. Homelessness during the holidays - a view from the front lines, How non-profit agencies are filling the gap where the government leaves off. Guests include Mary Hupp Director, Aurora Warms the Night and Tom Luehrs Executive Director, St. Francis Center.

Sirota Thursday 12-23-10 Hour 3

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:28:02 -0500

Jonny 5 of the Flobots filling in. We had two in studio guests to start the hour. Denver City Councilman At Large and Mayoral candidate Doug Linkhart and Face the State reporter Jared Jacang Maher. We talked about the issues facing the city and about police beatings. At 9:35 Michael Bracy from the Future of Music Coalition joined us to break down the net neutrality ruling.

Sirota Thursday 12-23-10 Hour 2

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:27:28 -0500

Jonny 5 of the Flobots our special guest host. His guests this hour were Annabel Park and Eric Byler from Coffee Party USA. We talked about their movement as well as the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.

Sirota Thursday 12-23-10 Hour 1

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:59:47 -0500

Jonny 5 from the Flobots in for David for Full Disclosure. Co Directors of the Colorado Progressive Coalition Carlos Valverde and Miriam Pena our special in studio guests. We talked about the political capital of the Obama Administration. Is the progress enough for you. Do you think the admin has made decent strides.

Sirota Wednesday 12-22-10 Hour 3

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:20:28 -0500

We carried on with our airing of grievances on Festivus Eve.

Sirota Wednesday 12-22-10 Hour 2

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:05:37 -0500

We continued taking our audience's airing of grievances. We talked about bad holiday traditions and much more.

Sirota Wednesday 12-22-10 Hour 1

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 08:57:47 -0500

David hosts the first annual Festivus Celebration on AM 760. We let listeners air their grievances. We also talked about whether or not you like or hate the holiday season. What is the lamest holiday tradition.

Sirota Tuesday 12-21-10 Hour 3

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:13:51 -0500

We led off with Eric Boehlert of Media Matters for America. We talked about the ridiculous hypocrisy of the right wing and coverage of the Repubs stance on paying for health care for 9-11 emergency responders. We then took open phones and talked about the War on Christmas, Star Wars and the South. We also talked aboutpublic employess - the new immigrants in the right's eye.

Sirota Tuesday 12-21-10 Hour 2

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 10:11:05 -0500

Former Illinois Senator Adlai Stevenson III our special guest to talk about the release of The Black Book: American Politics and History as Experienced by Five Generations of and American Family. The Black Book is a primary source offering a glimpse into the minute inner workings of American politics over three generations. Adlai is a lawyer and Marine Corps veteran of Korea, he served in the Illinois House of Representatives, as Illinois State Treasurer and in the US Senate from 1970 to 1981. He was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor of Illinois in 1982 and 1986 though the 1982 election was virtually tied. Notwithstanding evidence of widespread irregularities, he was denied a recount by one vote in the Illinois Supreme Court. We then talked to Congresswoman Diana DeGette about the flurry of activity in the Washington D.C. We then had a few calls to close out the hour.

Sirota Tuesday 12-21-10 Hour 1

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 08:56:58 -0500

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour sparks another race debate. The 63-year-old Barbour, a Republican, was asked what he remembered about growing up in his hometown of Yazoo City, Miss. during the 1960s civil rights era. Barbour told The Weekly Standard: I just don't remember it being that bad. When asked why Yazoo City managed to integrate public schools without any violence, as other Southern cities encountered, Barbour responded that his hometown did so because the town's business leaders wouldn't stand for it. He also said the Citizens Councils would run the KKK out of town. Meanwhile in South Carolina there is celebration of the 150th anniversary of secession. Can you celebrate southern history like this and not be considered racist. We also talked about when it is okay to show your son the Star Wars movies and whether or not a kid should be suspended for having a faux hawk.

Sirota Monday 12-20-10 Hour 3

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:25:57 -0500

We led off with Bruce Kushnick to discuss his and David Rosen's Alternet piece on the phone companies 100 billion dollar rip-off. Next time you open your phone bill, check out the numerous anonymous charges listed on it. In particular, note the one identified as the FCC Line Charge or the Federal Subscriber Line Charge SLC. What is it for and why am I paying it. Turk then had an interview with Widespread Panic's Jojo Hermann. They are playing two shows at Pepsi Center over New Years Eve. We ended with open phones.

Sirota Monday 12-20-10 Hour 2

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:07:34 -0500

We led off with very special guest Governor Howard Dean. We talked about the flurry of activity in D.C. the last few weeks. He hit on the deficit, tax cuts, DADT and the health care mandate. David then read an excerpt from his new book Back to Our Future. We also talked the celebration of Christmas. Should it really be a federal holiday.

Sirota Monday 12-20-10 Hour 1

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:10:30 -0500

The Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy will be repealed. Where do you come down on what the impact will be. Will it make troops less safe like some are claiming.

Sirota Friday 12-17-10 Hour 3

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:05:59 -0500

We led off with AM 760 sponsor Derek Handley from Water 2 Wine. We also talked to environmental Bill McKibben about what happened at the climate change talks in Cancun. He also talked about an awesome piece on TomDispatch.org

Sirota Friday 12-17-10 Hour 2

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:52:23 -0500

We opened up Fight Club Friday. Have a bone to pick with Dave, well now's your chance. We also continued our conversation on the unemployed.

Sirota Friday 12-17-10 Hour 1

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:04:24 -0500

David opened up talking about Congress votes on the Bush Tax Cut Extensions. It was passed but kudos to Ed Perlmutter and Diana DeGette for voting against it. Jared Polis voted for it as well as John Salazar. Sirota gave analysis and he believes that the tax cuts are with us for the rest of our lives. We also talked about unemployment and about the rhetoric out there saying the unemployed are lazy. David asked what do you think accounts for the change in attitude for the wealthy. Why do we deify the rich.

Sirota Thursday 12-16-10 Hour 3

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 11:10:48 -0500

During the past 20 years, the number of teachers of color has doubled to 640,000, while the number of white teachers has gone up 40 percent, according to a new and unpublished study from the University of Pennsylvania. Yet teachers of color still represent only 17 percent of the teaching workforce, even as the population of students of color has exploded. Recruitment is up, but it's a revolving door. For the past two decades, the Penn study shows, minority teachers, mainly blacks and Latinos, have been changing schools and abandoning the profession at higher rates than whites. What's more, the turnover gap is widening. We had a panel discussion with three guests. Dr. Betty Achinstein is a researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the co-author of Changed Agents: New Teachers of Color in Urban Schools. Dr. Ana Maria Villegas is Professor of Education and Director of the Doctoral Program in Teacher Education and Teacher Development at Montclair State University. She teaches courses in teacher education policy and research, culturally responsive teaching, and sociocultural perspectives on teaching and learning. Dr. Richard Ingersoll is a professor of Education and Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ingersoll's research is concerned with the character of elementary and secondary schools as workplaces, teachers as employees and teaching as a job. We then took a few calls on education to close out the show.

Sirota Thursday 12-16-10 Hour 2

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:26:27 -0500

We led off with Denver city councilman Michael Hancock to talk about his run for Denver Mayor. David then threw out some news stories and took a couple calls before talking with Joel Waldfogel about his book Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn't Buy Presents for the Holidays.

Sirota Thursday 12-16-10 Hour 1

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:00:59 -0500

A state lawmaker plans to introduce a bill next year that would make Colorado the fourth state to recognize civil unions.Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, said he believes the majority of Coloradans support civil unions and oppose gays being treated unfairly. Steadman, who is gay, said he expects his proposal to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, but he's not sure what kind of reception the idea will get in the Republican-controlled House. It could be a frosty one, said the speaker-elect, Rep. Frank McNulty, who noted Coloradans rejected a similar proposal four years ago. David asked if the concept of civil unions equal. Why can't it be called marriage. We also talked about corporate sponsorships at schools. Would you be opposed to see something like Budweiser stadium at Cherry Creek High School.

Sirota Wednesday 12-15-10 Hour 3

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:15:51 -0500

Dr. Vincent Harding our special in studio guest all hour. Dr. Harding is an African American historian and a scholar of religion and society. An activist as well, he is best known for his work with and writings about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1960, Harding and his wife, Rosemarie Freeney Harding, moved to Atlanta to participate in the Southern Freedom Movement as representatives of the Mennonite Church. The Hardings co-founded Mennonite House, an interracial voluntary service center and Movement gathering place in Atlanta. Harding occasionally drafted speeches for Martin Luther King, including his famous anti-Vietnam speech, A Time to Break Silence which King delivered on April 4, 1967 at Riverside Church in New York City, exactly a year before he was assassinated. Harding taught at the University of Pennsylvania, Spelman College, Temple University, Swarthmore College, and Pendle Hill Study Center. He was the first director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Center and of the Institute of the Black World. Harding currently serves as Chairperson of the Veterans of Hope Project: A Center for the Study of Religion and Democratic Renewal, located at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver. www.veteransofhope.org

Sirota Wednesday 12-15-10 Hour 2

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:05:22 -0500

Marijuana use is up and alcohol use is down amongst America's teens, who now perceive less risk surrounding marijuana and more risk surrounding alcohol, according to the annual Monitoring the Future survey released yesterday by the National Institute of Health. Although the U.S. Drug Czar believes we should be very concerned about these marijuana numbers, they might actually be indicative of progress, according to Denver-based Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation. Our special guest is executive director at SAFER and co author of Marijuana is Safer Mason Tvert. Is this data good news or bad news. Would you rather your kid experiment with alcohol or marijuana.

Sirota Wednesday 12-15-10 Hour 1

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:00:21 -0500

Lobbyists in the nation's capital say they have seen something unexpected from the Obama administration in recent weeks: a change in its attitude toward K Street. The White House's outreach to business in the wake of the midterm elections has led to a softening of relations, these lobbyists contend. Several lobbyists told The Hill that White House aides have become more open and willing to work with K Street as a bridge to the business world. President Obama has often criticized lobbyists. He has repeatedly complained they have undue influence on the political process, and his administration has placed restrictions on the profession, limiting advocacy for stimulus funds and banning lobbyists from federal advisory boards. Obama refused to accept donations from lobbyists in his 2008 presidential bid.Do you think the Obama administration has been hostile to big business and do you think they should be loading up with more corporate lobbyists. Or do you think they have been way to close to big business. We also talked about Fox News and a new study that suggests that viewers are particularly misinformed. It also says the more you watch of Fox News, the more uninformed you become. Do you believe this study or do you generally think uninformed flock to Fox News. How much does Fox News play into making us the idiocracy we have become.

Sirota Tuesday 12-14-10 Hour 3

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:13:25 -0500

We led off with Karl Frisch and our Media Misinformation Report. We then were joined by AM 760 sponsor Platte River Home Services. Paul Belongea and Aaron Smith were in studio. We then took open phones on any issue we talked about today.

Sirota Tuesday 12-14-10 Hour 2

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:10:15 -0500

We led off the hour with attorney Andrew O'Connor who is with John Prater Legal Offices. They are suing the state of Colorado in federal court last week, alleging that it is allowing lenders to seize properties without the due process required under the U.S. Constitution. David then threw out a story about the majority, or two thirds, of Americans who buy cell phones for their kids do it at 13 years old or below. What do you find an acceptable age to buy your kid a cell phone. At 8:40 Colorado Independent energy reporter David O'Williams our special guest. Both Xcel Energy and environmental groups cautiously praised Thursday's unanimous decision by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to convert the Cherokee 4 coal-fired power plant unit to natural gas. But both sides are clearly still concerned about the details in the plan. Xcel officials originally wanted to keep Cherokee 4 running on coal until 2022, five years past the 2017 deadline mandated by the Clean Air, Clean Jobs Act for cutting nitrogen oxide emissions by at least 70 percent of 2008 levels in order to comply with federal clean-air standards. Then the state's largest electrical utility recommended installing expensive new emissions controls. Other state agencies and Gov. Bill Ritter's office preferred shutting the plant down altogether in 2017 and replacing it with a brand-new natural gas-fired facility. Ultimately, the three PUC commissioners decided to convert the plant to natural gas, although on Thursday they didn't set a date certain for doing so.

Sirota Tuesday 12-14-10 Hour 1

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 09:09:49 -0500

David led off with analysis of the federal court decision on Monday that the mandate in the health care bill is unconstitutional. We played audio of Mark Udall on why he opposed the extension of the Bush Era Tax Cuts. At 7:20 we were joined by Firedoglake's Jon Walker to talk about the news on health care. He has been doing some fabulous reporting on this issue. We then took calls and opinions on a health care mandate.

Sirota Monday 12-13-10 Hour 3

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:26:53 -0500

Open phones this hour on any subject we hit on in the first two hours and David also threw out several important news items.

Sirota Monday 12-13-10 Hour 2

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 10:08:53 -0500

Two state lawmakers want to change how Coloradans set their clocks, but they have different proposals on what to do about daylight saving time. Our guest Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, wants Colorado to permanently run on daylight saving time, thus making it darker on winter mornings and lighter later in the evenings. Rep. Ed Vigil, D-Fort Garland, wants Colorado to join Hawaii and Arizona in staying on standard time year-round. David then talked about the WalMart expansion. A new Walmart super center will open in Longmont early next year and the company plans to hire 200 workers. Also a plan for a Lakeside store. Do you support WalMart expanding operations in Colorado. Remember, there are jobs to be had.

Sirota Monday 12-13-10 Hour 1

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:04:49 -0500

David led off talking about the weekend happenings at the White House and in D.C. Bernie Saunders filibusters, Obama brings in Bill Clinton to explain why Bush Tax Cut Extensions are good. David also hit on what he calls the lie about the cuts and the Republican fight. We had audio of John Boehner saying he would have signed on even if it didn;t include the cuts for the upper tax bracket. At 7:20 Kara Gotsch joins David to talk about a special report from The American Prospect magazine on Mass Incarceration in America. Gotsch is Director of Advocacy for The Sentencing Project, who contributed to the special report. Her article, Bipartisan Justice: Fixing America's Punitive Penal System has Politicians Crossing Party Lines, reviews the recent history of national criminal justice policy making, both punitive and progressive, and concludes that any movement to advance justice reform must incorporate a bipartisan strategy. We then talked about the hit and run in Stapleton where a mother was hit and she lost her 34 week old baby in utero. When they find the driver, should they be charged with murder as well as hit and run.

Sirota Friday 12-10-10 Hour 3

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 11:16:12 -0500

We had open phones for the first half hour. We took calls on Social Security, tax cut extension, schmucks and heros. We then had on author Mark Christensen on his new book Acid Christ: Ken Kesey, LSD and the Politics of Ecstacy.

Sirota Friday 12-10-10 Hour 2

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:10:20 -0500

Economist Dr. Rob Johnson our guest to argue that the the deficit hysteria is being manufactured to destroy Social Security. Dr. Johnson was previously a managing director at Soros Fund Management and managing director of Bankers Trust Company. He also served as Chief Economist of the US Senate Banking Committee under the leadership of Chairman William Proxmire and before that Senior Economist of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee under the leadership of Chairman Pete Domenici. We then went to phones in response to this interview and took schmuck of the week nominations.

Sirota Friday 12-10-10 Hour 1

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:59:28 -0500

David led off with a brief national and local news rundown. We then talked about the War on Christmas. Senator Inhoff of Oklahoma says he will not participate in Tulsa's annual holiday parade because Christmas was taken out of the name of the parade. There are several other stories about a supposed War on Christmas. We also opened up Fight Club Friday. Take on Dave for anything he has said this week.

Sirota Thursday 12-9-10 Hour 3

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:16:13 -0500

David took more calls on cigarette ad bans and where we would draw the line. Freedom from versus freedom to. At 9:45 Producer and Co-Director of the documentary Race To Nowhere Vicki Abeles our special guest. Abeles turns the personal political, igniting a national conversation in her new documentary about the pressures faced by American schoolchildren and their teachers in a system and culture obsessed with the illusion of achievement, competition and the pressure to perform. Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren't developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what's best for their kids, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

Sirota Thursday 12-9-10 Hour 2

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:10:31 -0500

David led off with a passioned rant on how these Bush Tax Cuts and the extension will affect our children. Then we talked about this story. Proposed changes to the European Commission's Tobacco Products Directive include a ban on the display of tobacco products in retail stores, the introduction of plain packaging, the enlargement of picture warnings on packs and the prohibition of all types of smokeless tobacco products. Should we ban the advertising of cigarettes and tobacco products completely. David also threw out a disgusting story out of New York. It has long been the standard practice in medical testing: Give drug treatment to one group while another, the control group, goes without. Now, New York City is applying the same methodology to assess one of its programs to prevent homelessness. Half of the test subjects, people who are behind on rent and in danger of being evicted, are being denied assistance from the program for two years, with researchers tracking them to see if they end up homeless.

Sirota Thursday 12-9-10 Hour 1

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 09:07:10 -0500

Breaking news this morning. Senator Michael Bennet will support President Obama's tax cut extension. We also played an ad from the PCCC with video of, then candidate, Barack Obama saying that the Bush Tax Cuts hurts his conscience. At 7:20 Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi joined the show to talk about a stealth move to destroy Social Security and about the Bush Era Tax Cut Extension. Check out Taibbi's latest book Griftopia. Would make a great Holiday gift. Open phones the rest of the hour on Obama then and now.

Sirota Wednesday 12-8-10 Hour 3

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 11:07:23 -0500

Tom Rosenstiel our special guest to talk about his and Bill Kovach's new book Blur: How to Know What's True in the Age of Information Overload. The printing press, the telegraph, radio, and television were once just as unsettling and disruptive as today's Internet, blogs, and Twitter posts. But the rules have changed. The gatekeepers of information are disappearing. Everyone must become editors assuming the responsibility for testing evidence and checking sources presented in news stories, deciding what's important to know, and whether the material is reliable and complete. Utilizing a set of systemic questions that the authors label the way of skeptical knowing, Kovach and Rosenstiel provide a roadmap for maintaining a steady course through our messy media landscape.Tom Rosenstiel is Director at Journalism.org The Pew Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism. A journalist for more than 30 years, he worked as media critic for the Los Angeles Times and chief congressional correspondent for Newsweek magazine and is vice chairman of the Committee of Concerned Journalists. We then talked about schooling some more. Douglas County has approved voucher system and we also hit on free education through college. Lastly we talked with Perry Jowsey from Freedom Service Dogs about ColoradoGives Day.

Sirota Wednesday 12-8-10 Hour 2

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:20:32 -0500

Professor Shamus Khan joins David to talk about two pieces he has up at Good Magazine. The first deals with how college only makes the rich get richer and the second is about education Texas-style, the 10 percent rule and if it could be coming near you. Shamus is a teacher in the sociology department at Columbia University. He works on inequality and elites. We then took response to this interview and asked whether or not you believe college makes the rich more rich.

Sirota Wednesday 12-8-10 Hour 1

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 08:59:41 -0500

David led off with some analysis of President Obama's press conference yesterday on middle class tax cuts and unemployment. He talked about compromise and why he did what he did. He called his critics on the left sanctimonious purists. David couldn't be more disgusted with Obama's explanation. At 7:20 our guest was Ethan Zuckerman to talk about Amazon dropping all WikiLeaks material from it's servers. Zuckerman is a researcher and fellow for the Berkman Center for Internet and Society. He has written about the tricky intersection of public space and private infrastructure. We then talked about graduated income taxes in Colorado. Would you be in favor of something like this.

Sirota Tuesday 12-7-10 Hour 3

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 11:27:43 -0500

We led off with Eric Boehlert from Media Matters for our media misinformation report. David also talked this hour about roboticized war. The Pentagon is looking to further robotocize combat saying war would be more safe. What is your take on using robots for war.

Sirota Tuesday 12-7-10 Hour 2

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 10:13:56 -0500

Dave Zirin joins the show to discuss the firing of Josh McDaniels and about why the NCAA should shut down Notre Dame's football program. We then went back to phones on Bush era tax cuts extension. We also threw out there whether it is okay for employers to discriminate against you for how long you have been unemployed.

Sirota Tuesday 12-7-10 Hour 1

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 09:01:45 -0500

David led off with some analysis with the extension of the Bush Tax cuts for two more years. A package that will cost 700 billion dollars. Sirota laid out why this sucks. At 7:20 Diane Ravitch our special guest to talk about school reform. Bill Gates, through his philanthropic foundation, has invested billions of dollars in education experiments and now has a pivotal role in reform efforts. Ravitch, the author of the bestselling The Death and Life of the Great American School System, has become the most vocal opponent of the Obama administration's education policy. She says Gates is backing the wrong initiatives and harming public schools. We then went back to phones on the tax cut extension.

Sirota Monday 12-6-10 Hour 3

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 11:18:20 -0500

Former CU-Boulder Coach Bill McCartney told the Denver Post that the university will never win again until its sports teams become less white. He said You can't win without the great black athlete, taking a chapter from disgraced sportscaster Jimmy the Greek. McCartney didn't mention any need to up the university's paltry population of non-athlete black students. At Boulder, 2 percent of students are black. McCartney's remarks come as the University is about to name its first black head coach, a move lobbied for over the course of years by McCartney. Do you see any problem with this. We also took more calls on the nativity scene protests and separation of church and state.

Sirota Monday 12-6-10 Hour 2

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:08:00 -0500

Three billboards protesting the Nativity scene at the Denver City & County Building are going up and will remain there for four weeks, according to the Colorado Coalition of Reason. Our guest Marvin Straus, is spearheading the billboard campaign for COCORE. Straus, who is the co-founder of Boulder Atheists, said that he is a strong believer in the First Amendment and the separation of church and state. He also says the Nativity scene is government supported religion and that Denver city officials are aware it is offensive to many people. The billboards are identical. They say, STOP government support of religion. MOVE this Denver nativity scene to a church. Do you think Denver resources should be used to host a nativity scene.

Sirota Monday 12-6-10 Hour 1

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:51:23 -0500

David back from 2 weeks Paternity leave. He led off talking about DPS Super Tom Boasberg living outside the district he oversees. He also sends his kids to private school. Do you see any problem with this. David also talked about the tax cut debate and gave some lies and facts. We also talked about what a 60 billion dollar cut could buy.

Sirota Friday 12-3-10 Hour 3

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:03:07 -0500

We continued conversation from hours 1 and 2 with Steve Almond.

Sirota Friday 12-3-10 Hour 2

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 10:35:05 -0500

We continued talking about tax cut compromise and took votes for schmucks of the week.

Sirota Friday 12-3-10 Hour 1

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 09:02:39 -0500

We talked about a possible cave on the Bush Era tax cuts for the wealthy. Are you ready to draw a line in the sand with President Obama if he compromises on this one. We also took votes for schmucks of the week.

Sirota Thursday 12-2-10 Hour 3

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 11:22:23 -0500

We spent the first segment wrapping up our musical guilty pleasures talk. We then opened up discussion on the gap between the rich and the poor, unemployment, tax cuts and much more.

Sirota Thursday 12-2-10 Hour 2

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 11:07:21 -0500

This hour we talked to many folks about their guilty pleasures when it comes to music likes. Is there some song out there that you just are kind of embarrassed to still like. And what movie plays in your head when you hear it.

Sirota Thursday 12-2-10 Hour 1

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:57:10 -0500

Steve Almond in for Sirota today. He left off talking about immigration issues. State Senator Lambert plans to introduce a bill similar to SB 1070 in Arizona. At 7:20 our guest was metro correspondent covering immigration issues for the New York Times Kirk Semple. We then talked to author Debbie Nathan who has covered immigration issues for three decades. www.debbienathan.com We are missing the first 60 seconds of the last segment but Steve closed with a few thoughts on immigration.

Sirota Wednesday 12-1-10 Hour 3

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 11:39:53 -0500

We led off with culture editor at Salon Sarah Hepola to discuss the Colbert and Stewart rally and about the inaction of a lot of progressives. www.sarahhepola.com We then had open phones for the rest of the hour.

Sirota Wednesday 12-1-10 Hour 2

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 10:14:34 -0500

Steve Almond in for Sirota. He led off this hour talking about Denver Post columnist David Harsanyi's latest piece. We then talked about what we do about a problem like turning to comedy for an escape valve. He is talking about Colbert and Stewart. Is that what makes people feel like they are being active. How does the right light a fire under their base and yet the left barely ever takes action. We also talked to comedian Nato Green about this at 8:35. We then squeezed in a few calls before the top of the hour.

Sirota Wednesday 12-1-10 Hour 1

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 08:56:32 -0500

Author of Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life Steve Almond in for Sirota today. He led off with this local story. It's a holiday tradition that often sparks lawsuits in cities across the country, nativity scenes on public property or in public buildings. But rather than go to court to remove the religious exhibition, a group of Colorado atheists are turning to outdoor advertising to spread their message. We're not here to be the Grinch of Christmas. That's why we're not picketing, said Marvin Straus with the Colorado Coalition of Reason. Instead, on Monday, the atheist group will target the nativity scene outside Denver's City Hall through three billboards-all within a half-mile of the Denver City and County Building. The billboards are going to say, stop government support of religion. Move this Denver nativity scene to a church, said Straus. COCORE says the religious depiction of an infant Jesus, his mother, Mary and her husband, Joseph, is a violation of the first amendment, which directs a separation of church and state. What's your stance on this one and if we gave you, an atheist 5 grand to spend on advertising how would you spend it.

Sirota Tuesday 11-30-10 Hour 3

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 12:26:58 -0500

John gets our media misinformation update from Karl Frisch, from Media Matters.org as well taking more calls on school safety and wiki leaks.

Sirota Tuesday 11-30-10 Hour 2

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 12:19:12 -0500

Former FBI special agent, Coleen Rowley, talks to John about wiki leaks and how less secrecy sometimes equals more securuity.

Sirota Tuesday 11-30-10 Hour 1

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:41:32 -0500

A new school shooting in Wisconsin prompts Turk to examine school security. Would you support metal detectors in your child's school?

Sirota Monday 11-29-10 Hour 3

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:49:57 -0500

Turk talks about raising your kids vegetarian, such as the Sirotas are doing.

Sirota Monday 11-29-10 Hour 2

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:39:08 -0500

Turk continues talking about the pros and cons of wikileaks and government transparency.

Sirota Monday 11-29-10 Hour 1

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:30:17 -0500

John Turk fills in, talking about wikileaks and the death of Leslie Nielson.

Sirota Wednesday 11-24-10 Hour 3

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:09:55 -0500

Corrine Fowler-Colorado Progress Coalition, Cheri Honkala-Poor Peoples Campaign for Economic Human Rights, State Rep. Louis Court, and former Gov. Dick Lamm join Jonny 5 this hour talking about taxes.

Sirota Wednesday 11-24-10 Hour 2

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 10:22:03 -0500

Jessica Cook Woodrum of One Colorado Education Fund and Comedian Chuck Roy join Jonny 5 this hour to talk about Marriage Discrimination and LGBT rights.

Sirota Wednesday 11-24-10 Hour 1

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 08:42:27 -0500

Melodye Feldman of Seeking Common Ground and Negin Sobhani, a Mideast Expert, join Jonny 5 filling in for Sirota again to talk about the Mideast peace process.

Sirota Tuesday 11-23-10 Hour 3

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:40:20 -0500

Jonny 5 welcomes Terrance Roberts, Executive Director of Prodigal Son Initiative and Cisco Gallardo from G.R.A.S.P. to talk about gang violence.

Sirota Tuesday 11-23-10 Hour 2

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 10:09:32 -0500

Jonny 5 of the Flobots continues with Raymonde Charles and is also joined by Karen Ashmore, Executive Director of the Lambi Fund of Haiti, and Tim McIlrath of the band, Rise Against.

Sirota Tuesday 11-23-10 Hour 1

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 09:23:58 -0500

Jonny 5 from the Flobots fills in for Sirota and speaks this hour with Julieta Quinonez of Jovenes Unidos and Raymonde Charles to talk about the DREAM Act.

Sirota Monday 11-22-10 Hour 3

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:20:41 -0500

more with Geoff on global warming and the TSA security searches.

Sirota Monday 11-22-10 Hour 2

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:45:24 -0500

More of your calls on Separation of Church and State, the TSA pat downs, and John Oliver in studio from the Daily Show.

Sirota Monday 11-22-10 Hour 1

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 08:53:26 -0500

Geoff Berg fills in for Sirota as David welcomes the newest addition to their family. Goeff takes your calls on baby names and the separation of church and state.

Sirota Friday 11-19-10 Hour 3

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:06:11 -0500

We led off with Pro Publica reporter Robin fields our special guest to discuss two different articles she wrote about dialysis. When Needles Dislodge, Dialysis Can Turn Deadly and In Dialysis, Life Saving Care at Great Risk and Cost. At 9:20 Sherri O'Hara our special guest from Small Planet EVehicles on as a sponsor of day 5 of Low Impact Week. We ended the show with comedien Natasha Legerro from the Chelsea Lately Show. She is at the Comedy Works downtown through tomorrow night.

Sirota Friday 11-19-10 Hour 2

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 10:46:19 -0500

We spent the first 40 minutes taking open phones on the DPS and Montbello siuation and also about punishing Wall Street. At 8:40 we were joined buy NY Times best selling crime and fiction writer Jeffrey Deaver about his new book EDGE and about writing the next James Bond book.

Sirota Friday 11-19-10 Hour 1

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 09:04:29 -0500

We opened up with some brief news items. At 7:20 we were joined by Colorado Auto Dealers Association President Tim Jackson to talk about the latest energy efficient cars hitting the market. This is the last day of Low Impact Week. At 7:35 we talked to Cherry Creek News Publisher Guerin Lee Green and former Montbello elementary school teacher Sabrina Stevens Shupe to talk about the restructuring of Montbello schools.

Sirota Thursday 11-18-10 Hour 3

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:10:51 -0500

In studio guests this hour Johnny 5 from the Flobots and Mike Miller from Basic Doc's Pizzeria. We talked music, pizza, the green movement, politics and much more.

Sirota Thursday 11-18-10 Hour 2

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:17:51 -0500

We led off with Johnny Pemberton, start of the new hit MTV show Megadrive. The show has been dubbed part Top Gear and part Jackass. It airs on Thursday nights at 11 pm. Pemberton attempts to master the most extreme vehicles 'off the road' often ending in mayhem and destruction. Although he has failed his drivers license test several times and has no business behind the wheel of anything that moves, Pemeberton will push these vehicles to their limits as he embarks on a hilarious adventure across America, where he challenges power, speed and gravity. We then talked to journalist and Wired Danger Room reporter Noah Shachtman. He has a op ed in the WSJ on how these TSA scans don't work.

Sirota Thursday 11-18-10 Hour 1

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:00:11 -0500

At 7:20 Department of Energy Residential Team Leader of the Residential Buildings Research Team in the Office of Building Technologies Ed Pollock our special guest to talk about energy waste in homes and vampire energy. How can we save energy in what seems to be an inefficient energy world. We then talked about fast food and toys. San Francisco has become the first major American city to prohibit fast-food restaurants from including toys with children's meals that do not meet nutritional guidelines. The ordinance, which would go into effect in December of next year, prohibits toy giveaways in fast-food children's meals that have more than 640 milligrams of sodium, 600 calories or 35 percent of their calories from fat. The law also would limit saturated fats and trans fats and require fruits or vegetables to be served with each meal with a toy.The legislation is a big victory for activists and public health advocates who have charged food marketers with being complicit in the country's growing childhood obesity rates. They hope other cities and counties nationwide will follow their lead.Should Colorado follow.

Sirota Wednesday 11-17-10 Hour 3

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 11:14:56 -0500

New York Times bestselling author Dan Buettner joins David to discuss his book Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way. Buettner reports on the surprising findings from his five-year global study of the keys to personal happiness. In addition to sharing his extraordinary insights of the world's happiest people, Buettner examines how their lifestyles and varied environments explain their extraordinary well-being. He details how to incorporate these powerful characteristics into our daily routine so that we, too, can THRIVE no matter where we live. As a pioneer in exploration and education, Dan has traveled the world to find the best practices in health, longevity and happiness. We then mixed in phone calls on wages and scanners. We also talked to Paul and Aaron from Platte River Home Solutions. They are our daily sponsor for Low Impact Week.

Sirota Wednesday 11-17-10 Hour 2

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:10:42 -0500

We spent the first 30 minutes talking more about civil liberties and scanner and biometrics at 24 Hour Fitness. We also talked a little about lowering wages. At 8:40 special guest is Michael Madigan to discuss his new book Historic Photos of Denver in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The book contains nearly 200 images reproduced in vivid black-and-white, with captions and introductions by Madigan. Michael is the author of Heroes, Villains, Dames & Disasters: 150 Years of Front-Page Stories from the Rocky Mountain News, a finalist for the 2010 Colorado Book Awards in the History category. He worked 36 years in the newspaper industry as a writer, editor, and senior manager. Thirty of those years were at the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, and he spent four years as general manager of the Daily Camera in Boulder. Madigan will discuss and sign his new book tonight at the Tattered Cover in Lodo starting at 7:30 pm.

Sirota Wednesday 11-17-10 Hour 1

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:11:57 -0500

A group that tracks language across the world has announced its top words, phrases and names of 2010. Spillcam, refudiate, guido and vuvezela top the list. You have any more for us. We also talked about light pollution. Should municipalities start buckling down on light pollution.

Sirota Tuesday 11-16-10 Hour 3

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:06:58 -0500

We led off with our media misinformation report with Eric Boehlert from Media Matters for America. We then had owner of Urban Oasis David Bailey in to talk about water conservation and what they do here in Colorado. Lastly was LA Times TV critic Mary McNamara about the craze with zombie series.

Sirota Tuesday 11-16-10 Hour 2

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:14:40 -0500

Cherry Creek News Publisher Guerin Lee Green and DPS Board Member Jeannie Kaplan our guests to talk about how much Denver school money is being taken by Wall Street.

Sirota Tuesday 11-16-10 Hour 1

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:57:30 -0500

David led with some local political news. We were then joined by two authors. First was Michael Specter on his book Denialism: How Irrational Thinking Hinders Scientific Progress, Harms the Planet, and Threatens Our Lives. Next was Barbara Ehrenreich on her latest release Bright Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America.

Sirota Monday 11-15-10 Hour 3

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:23:25 -0500

We continued open phones on credit card debt, drilling in state parks and what things should make a comeback or what did you enjoy as a kid that you wish you could enjoy now.

Sirota Monday 11-15-10 Hour 2

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:15:53 -0500

Ask a Mexican columnist Gustavo Arrelano our special guest. He is in town for several free and open to the public events for Metro State College. This includes a debate with Tom Tancredo on Tuesday night. We then went back to phones. We talked about credit card debt in Colorado. We also brought up a story about Colorado State Parks perhaps allowing drilling in order to make money for budget shortfalls. What is your take on this. David also talked about things that should make a comeback. He wants a onsie and a sippy cup. What should make a comeback.

Sirota Monday 11-15-10 Hour 1

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:05:21 -0500

Colorado ranks number 2 in credit card debt amongst the nation. A Metro State Professor says it is the housing crash in Colorado that has lead to this. Also a higher student debt load and highere cost of living with high unemployment. Sirota believes it is about fees and us not being able to have a reasonable tax and budget debate. What do you think are the reasons. At 7:20 we talked with Chris Hedges about his new book Death of the Liberal Class.

Sirota Friday 11-12-10 Hour 3

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:15:27 -0500

We led off with green news on vehicles from a couple sponsors of ours Pro Auto Care and Green Gears. Next up was Lon Symensma from ChoLon Bistro in Lodo.

Sirota Friday 11-12-10 Hour 2

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 10:15:13 -0500

Two years ago, faith in free-market capitalism was badly shaken when the international banking system nearly collapsed. To many, a sober re-evaluation of the government's regulatory role seemed an inevitable response. Instead, today's political discourse is largely driven by the Tea Party movement, which is impassioned and vocal in its defense of unfettered free-market capitalism. Why have so many rallied in support of a system that recent events suggest is deeply flawed. Newly published research confirms and expands upon an insight first revealed in the 1950s: If confidence in one's core tenets becomes shaky, a common response is to proselytize all the more vigorously. The apparent reason, according to Northwestern University researchers David Gal and Derek Rucker, is that advocacy on behalf of one's beliefs helps banish any uncomfortable lack of certainty. Derek Rucker is our special guest. He is associate professor of marketing at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. At 8:30 we talked to Gabor Mate about his book In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction. Mate looks at the epidemic of addictions in our society, tells us why we are so prone to them and what is needed to liberate ourselves from their hold on our emotions and behaviours. Improbable Pictures and the Harm Reduction Action Center present Dr. Mate tonight at The Bindery on 2180 Stout Street right next to the Mercury Cafe from 5:30-8:30pm. There will be dinner, poetry, viewing of the syringe exchange documentary trailer and more.

Sirota Friday 11-12-10 Hour 1

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:03:48 -0500

David led off talking about workplace discrimination. For 27 years, Marcellus Roberts worked as a Central Parking manager in Denver, regularly reminding his employees that if they worked hard and lived honestly, they would one day reap the benefits.But in 2006, Roberts, 58, says his faith in a strong work ethic was shaken when other Central Parking managers began to refer to him as boy and directed racial epithets at him. In October 2008, the longtime manager with a spotless record and a personnel file full of positive letters from customers and former bosses was accused of stealing 30 dollars from a parking lot money box. He was fired without appeal.In a federal racial discrimination lawsuit working toward trial, Roberts says fellow managers excluded him from training, lunches and golf tournaments because he is black. When he complained to human resources about the incidents, he says, he was ignored. Roberts says that after he complained, Central Parking retaliated against him by setting up a salting, where they marked money in a box and claimed it was missing at the end of his shift. Police were never called, and the company ultimately accused Roberts not of stealing the money but of mishandling it. Kim Dang, a former regional human-resources manager for Central Parking, verified in an affidavit that Roberts complained of being discriminated against, and she agreed he was wrongly fired. Do you believe Marcellus Roberts. We asked if you've ever been discriminated on at work for race or anything else. We also had Pulitzer Prize winning author David Phillips on to talk about his book Lethal Warriors: When the New Band of Brothers Came Home

Sirota Thursday 11-11-10 Hour 3

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:02:19 -0500

Time Magazine's TV critic and their Tuned In columnist James Poniewozik our special guest to talk about Conan O'Brien. He will hit on what's happened to him, whether what he's trying to do is unprecedented and why, how he might succeed and whether he's the face of a new media model. Then back to open phones and discussion on deficit report.

Sirota Thursday 11-11-10 Hour 2

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 11:27:47 -0500

We led off with Denver City Councilman Doug Linkhart. He laid out his basic platform as he is running for Denver Mayor. We then talked about the Eagle County DA issue with Sentencing Project Executive Director Marc Mauer. We hit on sentencing reform more generally and what the real world consequences are of having this criminal justice system that has a set of rules for people with resources and all together different set of rules for everyone else. We then opened the phones for discussion on any issue we talked about this morning.

Sirota Thursday 11-11-10 Hour 1

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 11:12:04 -0500

A proposal released Wednesday by the bipartisan leaders of the commission suggested cuts to Social Security benefits, deep reductions in federal spending and higher taxes for millions of Americans to stem the flood of red ink that they say threatens the nation's very future. The popular child tax credit and mortgage interest deduction would be eliminated. Interest groups on the right and the left squealed, predictably, about the plan, which would cut total deficits by as much as 4 trillion over the next decade, much of it from programs long considered all but sacred. What is your take on the report and some of the proposals. We also talked to guest Ribert Putnam this hour about his book American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us.

Sirota Wednesday 11-10 Hour 3

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:09:22 -0500

Ellen Ruppel Shell our special guest to discuss her book Cheap: The High Price of Discount Culture. She argues that the American drive toward bargain-hunting and low-price goods has a hidden cost in lower wages for workers and reduced quality of goods for consumers. We then had Dave Rich and Bill Nack in from Astralux Solar.

Sirota Wednesday 11-10 Hour 2

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:14:38 -0500

Author Bob Cavnar joins the show to discuss his book Disaster on the Horizon: High Stakes, High Risks, and the Story Behind the Deepwater Well Blowout. With thirty years in oil and gas operations, insider Bob Cavnar provides a candid, engaging, and chilling look at the industry, its resistance to regulation, and the government concessions that are now putting people and the coastlines in jeopardy. He brings the industry's technology and people to life, delivering the untold story of the blowout, response, and decisions made by BP, Transocean, and the US government. Ultimately, Cavnar charts a crucial course for how to avoid these disasters in the future. We then talked about Facebook and privacy. Federal authorities say a Connecticut woman was illegally fired from her job as an emergency medical technician after she posted disparaging remarks about her boss on Facebook. The National Labor Relations Board alleges that the woman's comments are protected speech under federal law that allows employees to discuss their jobs and working conditions with co-workers. The case could set a precedent as more workers use social networking sites. A spokesman for American Medical Response of Connecticut says the employee was fired because of complaints about her work. But the company defends its policy prohibiting workers from depicting the company in any way on the Internet. An administrative law judge is expected to hear the case in January. Where do you stand on this one. We also took alot of comments on the apathy and political activism.

Sirota Wednesday 11-10 Hour1

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 08:53:26 -0500

We led off with Steve Almond who talked about the Rally to Restore Sanity. He says it was it was glorified apathy not true political activism. We then talked about a local story on privacy. Parking meters are the next stop for government photo surveillance. Boulder is planning to start a photo parking enforcement system in which parking officers use a vehicle-mounted camera to record license plates. The Daily Camera newspaper reports the tag numbers will go into a computer system to pick out vehicles that have been parked too long, an update on the old chalking system. The Boulder County chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has taken issue with the surveillance. The ACLU says the photo enforcement is invasive and could be used for investigations unrelated to parking rules. The images will be kept for two years. The city insists the parking photos are similar to video radar and red-light cameras. Does this concern you. We took calls on this issue and on Steve Almond's argument.

Sirota Tuesday 11-9-10 Hour 3

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 11:45:39 -0500

We led off with Karl Frisch and the Media Misinformation Report from Media Matters. We then talked food trends with Food Network's Giada De Laurentiis. Lastly KHOW's Craig Silverman on the show for reaction to the Eagle County DA hit and run case.

Sirota Tuesday 11-9-10 Hour 2

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:08:17 -0500

Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert our special guest to talk about why Morgan Stanley wealth manager Martin Erzinger will not face felony charges for a hit-and-run accident. Erzinger, who manages more than 1 billion in assets for Morgan Stanley in Denver, is being accused only of a misdemeanor for allegedly driving his Mercedes into a cyclist and then fleeing the scene, Colorado's Vail Daily reports. The victim, Dr. Steven Milo, whom Erzinger allegedly hit in July, suffered spinal cord injuries, bleeding from his brain and, according to his lawyer Harold Haddon, will have lifetime pain. Hurlbert says the Vail Daily misreported the facts on the charge and that felony charges were filed. This is a must listen to interview and response from the audience.

Sirota Tuesday 11-9-10 Hour 1

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:25:19 -0500

The concept of a public school district offering vouchers for private or religious schools is sparking an outpouring of emotion in Douglas County, long considered among the most innovative school districts in Colorado. In the past, the district has stood up for charter and online schools and supported the controversial teacher-evaluation reform passed this year in the legislature. Now the district may take on vouchers. Next week, the board will contemplate a proposal by a community task force looking at ways to expand school-choice options. One of the task force's ideas would allow students to use public-school money to help pay for private- school tuition. Good or bad idea.

Sirota Monday 11-8-10 Hour 3

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:14:56 -0500

David led off this hour on his take on Keith Olbermann and his suspension. David was amazed and kind of sad that tens of thousands were quick to sign a petition to keep him on the air. Meanwhile President Obama waffling on the expiration of the Bush era tax cuts. Why wouldn't the same number of people sign a petition for this. What does this say about our society.

Sirota Monday 11-8-10 Hour 2

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 10:07:21 -0500

We discussed gas drilling regulations and had a debate on hydraulic fracturing. Our special guests are Kathleen Sgamma and Pete Maysmith. Kathleen is the Director of Government Affairs at the Western Energy Alliance. Pete Maysmith is the Executive Director of Colorado Conservation Voters. We then took calls on the fracking debate.

Sirota Monday 11-8-10 Hour 1

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:15:20 -0500

Colorado District Attorney Mark Hurlbert has dropped felony charges against Martin Joel Erzinger, a Morgan Stanley Smith Barney wealth manager who controls 1 billion in investments, because financial rules would require Erzinger to notify his clients that he was charged with a felony, and this would have "serious job implications" for the financier. Erzinger is facing charges for allegedly rear-ending cyclist Dr. Steven Milo, and then leaving the scene of the crime. Milo, a liver transplant surgeon, has spinal and brain injuries, disfiguring scars, and will likely be in pain for the rest of his life. Erzinger fled the scene and called in car damage shortly after. Is this a double standard and do you think all of us would have the same treatment. At 7:35 Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi on to talk about his new book Griftopia. He is at the Tattered Cover in Lodo tomorrow night starting at 7:30 pm.

Sirota Friday 11-5-10 Hour 3

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:30:35 -0400

We continued taking calls on any topic we hit on. At 9:40 we were joined by Dr. Barbara Almond to talk about her new book The Monster Within: The Hidden Side of Motherhood.

Sirota Friday 11-5-10 Hour 2

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:10:23 -0400

Unemployed worker, Kelly Wiedemer, has applied to over 600 jobs since she was laid off two years ago. After moving back in with her mother, Kelly struggles to find money for basics such as food and toilet paper. FRESC just released a new report which brings to light the widespread income and racial disparity in the Metro region and shows why people like Kelly are having a hard time getting by. It's based on new Census data for 2009, released in September, that is the first look at the so-called Great Recession of 2008-2009. Read the report here Our special guest is Policy Program Associate at FRESC Rachael Running. We then went back to open phones on any issue we talked about this morning. We mostly hit on students and free speech. At 8:40 David was joined by Maria Schneider who is the woman behind Joan Teasdale at The Onion. We will discuss her new book The Onion Presents A Book of Jean's Own!: All New Wit, Wisdom, and Wackiness from The Onion's Beloved Humor Columnist.

Sirota Friday 11-5-10 Hour 1

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 09:03:13 -0400

A shirt with a message has landed a high-schooler in hot water. She believes her fight has just begun. The four words on Kate Cohn's shirt are meant to say a lot. Against a blue background the shirt reads Marriage is so Gay. The Falcon High School senior took the Marriage is so Gay message to school this week to show support, she said, for making same-sex marriage legal. Her principal didn't approve. According to District 49 spokesperson Stephanie Meredith the school's principal acted within the parameters of the school dress code, which gives an administrator room to decide when a line has been crossed.What rights do kids have in a school. Should political messages be allowed in k through 12.

Sirota Thursday 11-4-10 Hour 3

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:32:49 -0400

Denver Post reporter Christopher Osher joins David to talk about his piece on Denver Police denying a slowdown. Denver police deny they are staging a work slowdown in response to a stricter discipline system, though city statistics show officers are spending considerably less time initiating investigations than their bosses expect. Police should initiate an investigation that brings them in contact with another person once every three hours of discretionary time, the department's performance goals state. In September, in the wake of discipline controversies, the rate of investigations initiated by officers plunged to once every six hours. We then went into open phones on any subject we talked about today.

Sirota Thursday 11-4-10 Hour 2

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 10:05:47 -0400

We continued conversation from last hour on smoking bans as well as talked about noise pollution and low altitude flyovers. What is your take on noise pollution. Should we restrict low altitude training flyovers. We then talked talked about E-15. Supporters and critics of expanded ethanol use both found fault with the Environmental Protection Agency's decision Wednesday to allow for a higher ethanol blend in gasoline for vehicles as old as model year 2007, while punting for now on allowing it for older vehicles. Ethanol backers said the decision to allow use of E-15, consisting of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, in newer vehicles is a good initial step. Some supporters, however, fear the decision not to include older vehicles yet could do more harm than good by potentially splitting the vehicle marketplace for the higher fuel blend. Our special guests are Tim Jackson president of the Colorado Auto Dealers Association and Kate McMahon who serves as the Biofuels Campaign Coordinator for Friends of Earth.

Sirota Thursday 11-4-10 Hour 1

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 09:04:38 -0400

David led off with a little more election news and about the blame game for the Democrats loss' on Tuesday. At 7:20 Seed Magazine reporter Dave Munger joined us to talk about his piece on whether or not smoking bans actually work.

Sirota Wednesday 11-3-10 Hour 3

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:09:51 -0400

Continued analysis of the election with Fox 31's Eli Stokols and Executive Director of Progressive States Network Joel Barkin. Ed Perlmutter also called in at the end of the show.

Sirota Wednesday 11-3-10 Hour 2

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 10:20:39 -0400

We had more analysis of last night's results with 850 KOA's Michael Brown and SAFER's Mason Tvert

Sirota Wednesday 11-3-10 Hour 1

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 09:03:10 -0400

Sirota led off with his analysis of last night's election results. We then turned it to the callers for their opinion. Why did Colorado have a little different results from really the rest of the nation. What are the implications of the results nationally and locally.

Sirota Tuesday 11-2-10 Hour 3

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:19:25 -0400

We led off the hourrwith Media Matters' Eric Boehlert. We then went back into open phones on election day.

Sirota Tuesday 11-2-10 Hour 2

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:01:28 -0400

We contiinued with open phones on election day comments. Cherry Creek News Publisher Guerin Lee Green also joined us in studio to talk about all the important races here in CO.

Sirota Tuesday 11-2-10 Hour 1

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:58:03 -0400

David opened up the phones and we took any and all calls on the election. We talked about young voters, the problems with Democrats and whether or not you are worried about a big loss this year.

Sirota Monday 11-1-10 Hour 3

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 11:07:48 -0400

Ari Berman our very special in studio guest. He will be at the Tattered Cover in Lodo for a discussion and booksigning of his new book Herding Donkeys: The Fight to Rebuild the Democratic Party and Reshape American Politics. He will be joined by David Sirota and Progress Now's Michael Huttner. Herding Donkeys combines fresh reportage with a rich and colorful cast of characters. It captures the untold stories of the people and places that reshaped the electoral map, painting a vivid portrait of a shifting country while dissecting the possibility and peril of a new era in American politics. Ari Berman is a contributing writer for The Nation magazine and an Investigative Journalism Fellow at The Nation Institute. He has written extensively about American politics, foreign policy and the intersection of money and politics. His stories have also appeared in the New York Times, Editor & Publisher and The Guardian, and he is a frequent guest and political commentator on MSNBC, C-Span and NPR.

Sirota Monday 11-1-10 Hour 2

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:13:31 -0400

We led off with Ed Perlmutter who is on the campaign trail. We then did some news and took a couple calls on the Stewart speech before being joined by Gene Stone to talk about his new book The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick. He is at the Tattered Cover on Colfax Wednesday night at 7:30 pm.

Sirota Monday 11-1-10 Hour 1

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:08:03 -0400

David led off talking about the John Stewart rally and about the election tomorrow. Will there be a blame game if dems lose big. David gave his thoughts on this and how fingers will be pointed in both parties. We played clips of John Stewart from the rally and why are some liberals upset at him.

Sirota Friday 10-29-10 Hour 3

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:39:36 -0400

Boone from Bristol Brewing Company in studio all hour for a taste test and to talk about GABF and new releases. We also talked to John Median about his book Brain Rules for Baby and to Joan Williams about her book Reshaping the Work Family Debate. We also mixed in a few calls.

Sirota Friday 10-29-10 Hour 2

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:14:22 -0400

We continued conversation from the last hour on Ken Buck, Tom Tancredo and abortion ads. At 8:30 Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt our special guests to talk about their book No More Dirty Looks: The Truth about Your Beauty Products--and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetics. It's a wake-up call for all women who think that what you put on your body is not going to hurt you.

Sirota Friday 10-29-10 Hour 1

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 08:58:55 -0400

We opened up talking about Ken Buck saying go after assets if you can't pay your health care premiums. We also talked about Tom Tancredo infusing race by misquoting President Obama. We also talked about whether or not it should be okay for graphic abortion ads to be on TV. We also opened up Fight Club Friday and took nominations for schmuck of the week.

Sirota Thursday 10-28-10 Hour 3

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 11:52:41 -0400

Ashley Merryman our special in studio guest this hour to discuss and take calls on her and Po Bronson's Book Nurture Shock: New Thinking About Children. The central premise is that many of modern society's most popular strategies for raising children are in fact backfiring because key points in the science of child development and behavior have been overlooked. Two errant assumptions are responsible for current distorted child-rearing habits, dysfunctional school programs and wrongheaded social policies: first, things work in children the same way they work in adults and, second, positive traits necessarily oppose and ward off negative behavior. Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman's New York Magazine articles on the science of parenting won the magazine journalism award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a Clarion Award. Their articles for Time Magazine have won the award for outstanding journalism from the Council on Contemporary Families. Merryman's journalism has appeared in The Washington Post and The National Catholic Reporter and she runs a church-based tutoring program for inner-city children. Metropolitan State College is putting on a couple events today with Po and Ashley at the Tivoli Turnhalle on 9th Street and Auraria which is directly across from the Pepsi Center. The first at 1pm is a discussion of the book and at 4 pm they have a panel discussion on How can we use new science in Child Development at home and in the classroom? In addition to Po and Ashley, panelists will be Deborah Leong from Metro State's Tools of the Mind program and James Mejia from the Denver Preschool Program. The Center for Urban Education at Metro is co-sponsoring. Both events are free and open to the public. For More Information call 303-556- 2595

Sirota Thursday 10-28-10 Hour 2

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:48:52 -0400

Our special guest is Director and Producer of the award winning documentary Split Estate. Imagine discovering that you don't own the mineral rights under your land, and that an energy company plans to drill for natural gas two hundred feet from your front door. Imagine having little recourse, other than accepting an unregulated industry in your backyard. Split Estate maps a tragedy in the making, as citizens in the path of a new drilling boom in the Rocky Mountain West struggle against the erosion of their civil liberties, their communities and their health. We then talked with Stan Garnett about his race for AG before going to open phones for the remainder of the hour.

Sirota Thursday 10-28-10 Hour 1

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:03:17 -0400

If the dems lose in next weeks election who will you blame. David received an email saying that if they lose by a small margin he is to blame. Do you blame the repubs, the media, the base or even the democratic candidates.

Sirota Wednesday 10-27-10 Hour 3

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:43:40 -0400

We led off with Alan Cooperman associate director for research at the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life to talk about their U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey. Atheists and agnostics, Jews and Mormons are among the highest-scoring groups on a new survey of religious knowledge, outperforming evangelical Protestants, mainline Protestants and Catholics on questions about the core teachings, history and leading figures of major world religions. On average, Americans correctly answer 16 of the 32 religious knowledge questions on the survey. Atheists and agnostics average 20.9 correct answers. At 9:20 David went back and forth with AFL CIO head in Colorado Mike Cerbo on Michael Bennet. At 9:40 Business Reporter from the Fort Collins Coloradoan David Young updates us on a story out of Windsor, Colorado. The international wind turbine company Vestas Wind Systems is using potentially harmful chemicals in its blades factory here that have injured several workers and in some cases led to employees losing their jobs, according to government records and former employees. A two-month investigation by the Coloradoan shows that a handful of employees working at the Vestas facility have been injured by an epoxy resin used in the blade manufacturing process.

Sirota Wednesday 10-27-10 Hour 2

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:21:03 -0400

Nathan Kelly our special guest to talk about a study he and Peter Erns conducted that shows income inequality makes the poor more conservative, more likely to support smaller government and actually to perpetuate income inequality. The study is called Inequality and the Dynamics of Public Opinion: The Self-Reinforcing Link Between Economic Inequality and Mass Preferences. We then took theories on why this might be true.

Sirota Wednesday 10-27-10 Hour 1

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 08:58:57 -0400

David opened talking about the ridiculousness of this election. Although he does not want Ken Buck to win, he will not cry if Bennet loses. We also talked about whether it is the Democratic base that is to blame for the enthusiasm gap or if it's the politicians who are at fault for not following through.

Sirota Tuesday 10-26-10 Hour 3

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:13:40 -0400

Rob Franek, Senior Vice President and Publisher of The Princeton Review our special guest to talk about his books The Best 373 Colleges, 2011 Edition and Paying for College Without Going Broke, 2011. He will present a talk entitled How to Choose the College That's Right for You, and How to Pay for It tonight at the Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch starting at 7:00 pm. At 9:30 President of Brand Consulting, Young & Rubicam Company John Gerzema our special guest to talk about his and Michael D'Antonio's new book Spend Shift: How the Post-Crisis Values Revolution is Changing the Way We Buy, Sell, and Live.

Sirota Tuesday 10-26-10 Hour 2

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:12:38 -0400

Congresswoman Diana DeGette and Dr. Mike Fallon in the AM 760 Dojo for our CD 1 debate.

Sirota Tuesday 10-26-10 Hour 1

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 09:04:47 -0400

David opened up talking about the elections and state of politics. What do you think is sowing the most disappointment in the government. We also talked about the privacy issues with Google Street View. At 7:30 Keith O'Brien our guest to talk about the quiet disappearance of final exams in colleges.

Sirota Monday 10-25-10 Hour 3

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:24:34 -0400

We led off with Tim Wise who talked about Bikini Liberalism and the Juan Williams situation. We then went to open phones for the rest of the show

Sirota Monday 10-25-10 Hour 2

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:06:38 -0400

We led off with activism director at FAIR Peter Hart to talk about PBS and how they lack diversity in their broadcasts. They have a new report out at www.fair.org. We then talked to Denver Post energy reporter Mark Jaffe about his stories on Xcel cost cutting measures and about your electric bills being affected by problems in the coal industry.

Sirota Monday 10-25-10 Hour 1

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:00:58 -0400

David opened the week talking about the latest in Colorado political and election news. We then brought up the Tom Tancredo ripping of Mayor Hickenlooper over using the term backwards thinking when talking about Matthew Shepard. Is Tom saying that killing gay people is forward thinking. We also talked about technology and a story about how LCD and Plasma TVs are noyt built to last. We tied it in with buying warranties. Do you trust technologies in electronics and do you buy warranties.

Sirota Friday 10-22-10 Hour 3

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:08:56 -0400

Director of Sales and Marketing Henry Wood joined us in studio as we tasted some of their beers and talked about their brewery and canning versus bottling. We also went to open phones for the remainder of the hour.

Sirota Friday 10-22-10 Hour 2

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:30:35 -0400

We opened up the hour with The Onion's A.V. Club lead writer Nathan Rabin about his book My Year of Flops: The A.V. Club Presents One Man's Journey Deep Into the Heart of Cinematic Failure. We then went back to phones on the firing of Juan Williams.

Sirota Friday 10-22-10 Hour 1

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:04:33 -0400

David led off talking about the Juan Williams story and how Fox News is now throwing more money at him. David asked simply should journalists ever be fired for their personal stated opinions. We then talked to Jay Marvin about the elections and other news. Next up was historian Thaddeus Russell to talk about his Alternet piece 11 Freedoms that Drunks, Slackers, Prostitutes and Pirates Pioneered and the Founding Fathers Opposed and about his book A Renegade History of the United States.

Sirota Thursday 10-21-10 Hour 3

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:56:37 -0400

We led off with Secretary of State Bernie Buescher who talked about his re election bid against Scott Gessler. We the were joined by Umax Mortgage's Stacey Dowling to hit on how refinancing problems are plaguing Coloradans. We closed out with open phones.

Sirota Thursday 10-21-10 Hour 2

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 10:18:39 -0400

Mary Elizabeth Williams our special guest to talk about her Salon piece When Is It Wrong to Call Something Gay. It is about the flap over a new Vince Vaughn film that raises questions about who should be allowed to use the word and when. Is it okay to use the term gay as an epithet and what other words are can be construed as hurtful but used as epithets.

Sirota Thursday 10-21-10 Hour 1

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 09:14:06 -0400

We led off with Congressman Ed Perlmutter who updated us with his race for re election with Ryan Frazier. David then talked a little bit about a passenger's bill of rights when it comes to air travel. Profits are soaring as costs for consumers rise too. At 7:35 Michael Perino our special guest to talk about his book The Hellhound on Wall Street: How Ferdinand Pecora's Investigation of the Great Crash Forever Changed American Finance.

Sirota Wednesday 10-20-10 Hour 3

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 11:37:20 -0400

David is joined by acclaimed historian Walter Borneman to discuss his new book Rival Rails: The Race to Build America's Greatest Transcontinental Railroad. This book is an account of the battle to build America's transcontinental rail lines. From backroom deals in Washington, D.C., to armed robberies of trains in the wild deserts, from glorified cattle cars to streamliners and Super Chiefs, all the great incidents and innovations of a mighty American era are re-created with unprecedented power in Rival Rails. We then were joined by Shabaka Waqlimi and Derrick Jamison. They were on death penalty and were exonorated just hours before their capital punishment was meted out. They are in Colorado talking about why Colorado should get rid of the death penalty. For the schedule visit www.coadp.org

Sirota Wednesday 10-20-10 Hour 2

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 10:20:04 -0400

We continued conversation from last hour surrounding Fox News analyst Juan Williams saying he gets nervouse when he sees a Muslim on a plane.

Sirota Wednesday 10-20-10 Hour 1

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 09:02:53 -0400

Fox News analyst Juan Williams, an African American who has written books on civil rights, said on the Bill O'Reilly show that he gets worried and nervous when he sees a Muslim on a plane. What do you make of this and more importantly let;s be honest. Is there any group of people that make you nervous when you see them. At 7:25 our guest was Dr. Perry Renshaw who was the lead author on a study that shows people suicidal feelings are higher among people with mental problems at higher altitudes.

Sirota Tuesday 10-19-10 Hour 3

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:30:26 -0400

We led off with our media misinformation report with Media Matters' Eric Boehlert. We then went to open phones on any issue David brought up this morning.

Sirota Tuesday 10-19-10 Hour 2

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 10:11:33 -0400

Gene Logsdon our special guest to discuss his new book Holy Shit: Managing Manure to Save Mankind. With a combination of deep knowledge, longtime farming experience, and great humor, Gene Logsdon tells us everything we don't know about human and animal wastes, and what to do about it. As the author writes, Sooner or later we have to live in the same world as our colons. Not to mention the wastes of all the animals we raise for food. Gene is a cultural and economic critic, and farmer. We then talked about social issues and religion. What issues do you apply your religious beliefs to.

Sirota Tuesday 10-19-10 Hour 1

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 09:05:15 -0400

Boulder County formally asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to review the county's lower-court losses in its land-use dispute with Rocky Mountain Christian Church, arguing that the case has implications for local governments nationwide. In a petition filed by mail Friday, the county questioned the constitutionality of the way the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, a 10-year-old federal law, has been applied in this case. After Rocky Mountain Christian Church sued over Boulder County's 2006 denial of most of the church's development application, a U.S. District Court trial jury returned a November 2008 verdict that the county violated RLUIPA by not letting the church expand its campus at 95th Street and Niwot Road. Boulder County appealed that to the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, but a three-judge panel ruled against the county earlier this year. In Friday's U.S. Supreme Court filing, Boulder County said that under RLUIPA, local governments may be required to approve applications from religious institutions that do not meet local government standards, even when the standards are constitutional. Where do you stand. Should they get special exemptions.

Sirota Monday 10-18-10 Hour 3

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:24:30 -0400

David talks to Dr. Jim Zogby about his latest release Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us and Why It Matters. Then, David continues to take phone calls about Buck, the governor's race, and other local news.

Sirota Monday 10-18-10 Hour 2

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:12:29 -0400

Polls show Tancredo in a dead heat with Hickenlooper. Why is Hick in trouble? David suggests that Hick is not offering enough of a contrast, acting Republican light. In the same vein, one quarter of Obama voters will vote Republican in the mid terms.

Sirota Monday 10-18-10 Hour 1

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:01:16 -0400

David talks about Ken Buck's statements on Meet the Press. He said being gay is a choice and then drew a comparison to alcoholism. Also, David talks with Kevin Kelly about his book What Technology Wants.

Sirota Friday 10-15-10 Hour 3

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:17:44 -0400

David is joined by Chris Lehmann to chat about his new book Rich People Things. Then, comedian Lizz Winstead is our guest. She's Co-creator and Head Writer of Comedy Central's The Daily Show and a founding member of Air America radio. She brings her biting political comedy to Denver, tonight at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret starting at 7:00 pm amd 9:15 pm. Finally, David talks to Mason Tavert about how the three gubernatorial candidates rate on pot reform.

Sirota Friday 10-15-10 Hour 2

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:10:43 -0400

David talks about a proposal by someone from Bush's admin that pushes indefinite incarceration for accused terrorists. Also, what is your worst horror story about waiting for a technician to come work on your house or car. David talks about the amount of time we spend waiting. Also, Governor Bill Ritter joins us to talk local issues and the mid term elections.

Sirota Friday 10-15-10 Hour 1

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:02:06 -0400

David talks about his ongoing feud with talk show host Mike Rosen and actually apologizes for some personal comments he made earlier in the week. However, he stands by his criticism of Rosen's comments about crashing a plane into an Islamic Center. David talks about not being silent in the face of bigotry and hatred.

Sirota Thursday 10-14-10 Hour 3

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:01:24 -0400

We start the hour by talking to writer, director, comedian Adam McKay. Then, David continues to talk about all previous topics, as well as a story about a Colorado middle school who won't let kids wear rosaries on the outside of their clothing because of gangs. What happens when a school is torn between religious freedom and public safety?

Sirota Thursday 10-14-10 Hour 2

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:54:27 -0400

David continues to talk about Ken Buck and invites callers to comment on other news stories as well. Obama flip flops on don't ask don't tell and insurance companies jack up rates on sick kids.

Sirota Thursday 10-14-10 Hour 1

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:43:40 -0400

Ken Buck refused to prosecute a rape even though the victim brought him a confession. Instead he told the media it was a case of buyer's remorse. Now that this has been exposed, Buck's campaign is blaming the Dems for exploiting a victim. David talks about Buck's hypocrisy and abhorrent treatment of this woman. Also, we talk to John Thompson and John Hollway about their book Killing Time: An 18 Year Odyssey from Death Row to Freedom, which is about Thompson's wrongful conviction by the New Orlean's DA.

Sirota Wednesday 10-13-10 Hour 3

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:34:27 -0400

David talks to Jennifer Ackerman about her book Ah-Choo! The Uncommon Life of the Coomon Cold. He also continues to talk about and take calls on the previous hour's topics, as well as Ken Buck blowing a rape case, and why we're so transfixed by the rescue of the Chiliean miners.

Sirota Wednesday 10-13-10 Hour 2

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:26:28 -0400

David continues to talk about Michael Bennett, the labor unions and the employee free choice act. Also, a new video game that lets players act as Taliban and kill Americans is drawing some protest. Should retailers sell this game? Should you buy it? Finally, Dr. Devra Davis joins David to discuss her book Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family.

Sirota Wednesday 10-13-10 Hour 1

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:17:09 -0400

David talks about labor leadership giving Bennett a pass for coming out against the employee free choice act. Does this betray their union members?

Sirota Tuesday 10-12-10 Hour 3

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:04:47 -0400

David welcomes Eric Boehlert from Media Matters to talk about Right Wing rhetoric. Then, open lines on Bennet, Buck, and Rosen being named worst person in the world last night.

Sirota Tuesday 10-12-10 Hour 2

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:56:14 -0400

David talks with Author Steven Johnson about his book, Where Good Ideas Come From. Also, more on Buck and Bennet after their debate. Buck turned down a rape case blaming the victim? and Bennet's stance on the Employee Free Choice Act. Sirota takes your calls.

Sirota Tuesday 10-12-10 Hour 1

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:46:59 -0400

Olbermann named Rosen the worst person in the world last night. What did you think of the Buck/Bennet debate? All this and more this hour with Sirota taking your calls.

Sirota Monday 10-11-10 Hour 3

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:39:35 -0400

More on Columbus day and Sirota talks with Katherine Leiner about her new book, Growing Roots. David also talks with Stephanie Coontz about her article on Mad Men and feminism.

Sirota Monday 10-11-10 Hour 2

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:05:00 -0400

Columbus day and what we should really be celebrating about Columbus coming to the America's. Sirota takes your calls.

Sirota Monday 10-11-10 Hour 1

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 08:56:45 -0400

Eric Cantor goes on national t.v. and says people need to take responsibility for themselves and we shouldn't have to freeze foreclosures. David Sirota takes your calls.

Sirota Friday 10-8-10 Hour 3

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:09:35 -0400

We led off playing audio of Rosen's big lie. We then talked to Small Planet E Vehicles Tom Wislon about the state laws and rules on electric bikes on bikepaths. We then went back to open phones for the rest of teh hour.

Sirota Friday 10-8-10 Hour 2

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:04:44 -0400

David had open phones this hour. Schmuck of the Week nominations and Fight Club Friday underway. He also talked about whether or not we already are a Socialist country.

Sirota Friday 10-8-10 Hour 1

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:21:02 -0400

Dave led off talking about the woman who attacked the Loveland Art Museum exhibit that what some believe showed Jesus practicing homosexuality. At 7:20 Laura Hobgood-Oster cam on to talk about her book The Friends We Keep: Unleashing Christianity's Compassion for Animals. At 7:35 AG candidate and Boulder County DA Stan Garnett joined the show to talk about the case of a serial killer and the John SUthers connection.

Sirota Thursday 10-7-10 Hour 3

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:18:11 -0400

This hour we had Matt Taibbi from Rolling Stone and Andy Ehrnman from Ska Brewing. We talked about the Tea Party and Barack Obama. Andy provided samples of some of their tasty brews. www.skabrewing.com

Sirota Thursday 10-7-10 Hour 2

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 10:09:07 -0400

We led off with Roger Hodge who talked about his new book The Mendacity of Hope: Barack Obama and the Betrayal of American Liberalism. We then played audio of John Hickenlooper on education funding then took reaction to that and to the debate from last night.

Sirota Thursday 10-7-10 Hour 1

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 09:01:02 -0400

David led off with thoughts on last nights debate with Peter Boyles and Mike Rosen. We played some clips. At 7:20 our guest was reporter Mike Elk who wrote a piece for Prospect called Why Are Progressives Fighting Student-Loan Reform. We then went to phones on the debate.

Sirota Wednesday 10-6-10 Hour 3

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:02:19 -0400

We had two guests this hour. Truthdig's Peter Scheer on why Video Games are good for your brain. We also talked with Dr. Steven Vogt about life on another planet a possibility after a new discovery.

Sirota Wednesday 10-6-10 Hour 2

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 10:05:32 -0400

David led off talking about an argument he got into with AFSCME President Gerald McEntee about his endorsement of Rahm Emanual for Mayor of Chicago. David thinks it's absurd. Gerald called David's home and cursed him but won't come on the radio. We also talked about foreclosures and about GPS units on cars without attaining a warrant.

Sirota Wednesday 10-6-10 Hour 1

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:53:48 -0400

David opened up talking about his debate tonight with Mike Rosen and Peter Boyles. He also talked about how down he is because of the hate mail he has been receiving for not being a shill for the Democratic Party. We also played audio of he new American Crossroads ad against Michael Bennet.

Sirota Tuesday 10-5-10 Hour 3

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:52:36 -0400

Our first guest was Media Matters' Karl Frisch to give us this weeks media misinformation report. We then talked with Pastor Dan Schultz about his new book Changing the Script. He is at the Tattered Cover on Colfax tomorrow night. We neded with open phones on any issue we discussed.

Sirota Tuesday 10-5-10 Hour 2

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:08:33 -0400

We led off with The Nation sports correspondent and author Dave Ziren. He talked about the crazy idea of Linda McMahon, Vince McMahon's wife, winning a senate race in Connecticut. He also hit on LeBron James upset about race and his decision to go to Miami. At 8:25 Salon's National Correspondent Mark Benjamin on his piece about the killing of civilians in Afghanistan. There is new info on a situation where at least three civilians were killed. There was a warning buy an Army specialist but the US Army has taken no action. We closed out the hour talking about the rate increase in Colorado tuition.

Sirota Tuesday 10-5-10 Hour 1

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 09:23:11 -0400

David threw out several news items as well as talked about Mayor John Hickenlooper's run for Governor. What is he running on. Do you think he has an actual platform. What do you think will happen in this year's Governor race.

Sirota Monday 10-4-10 Hour 3

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 11:30:33 -0400

Jeff Sharlet our special guest to talk about his new book C Street: The Fundamentalist Threat to American Democracy. Linked to three congressional sex scandals-and an ongoing Justice Department investigation-C Street has become a symbol for a new convergence of piety and corruption in American politics. While The Family focused on history, Sharlet's explosive new book brings the story into the present and beyond with shocking new documents, interviews, and reporting from around the globe to explain why, after the collapse of the old Christian Right, C Street is more dangerous than ever. Sharlet is a contributing editor for Harper's and Rolling Stone and is the co-creator of two online journals, Killing the Buddha, a literary magazine about religion, and The Revealer, a review of religion and media published by the New York University Center for Religion and Media. He has authored Killing the Buddha: A Heretic's Bible, The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power and Believer, Beware: First-Person Dispatches from the Margins of Faith. We then talked with Platte River Home Solutions to close out the show.

Sirota Monday 10-4-10 Hour 2

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:12:16 -0400

A new study states that raising the excise taxes on alcohol would reduce the rates of problems associated with drinking. In Colorado, such a tax increase would need to be approved by Colorado voters, and no such plan is in the works. But the study, which was published in Friday's online edition of the American Journal of Public Health, states that public policies that increase the price of alcoholic beverages would not only reduce drinking, but also significantly reduce most of the negative and costly outcomes associated with alcohol. Lead author of the study and professor of health outcomes and policy at the University of Florida College of Medicine Alexander C. Wagennar is our special guest. We opened up for discussion whether or not we should raise our alcohol tax. We also took comments from last hours topics.

Sirota Monday 10-4-10 Hour 1

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 09:01:10 -0400

Sirota opened the week with news that matters. Smut, if not outright pornography is what Loveland City Councilman Daryle Klassen calls one piece of artwork in a new local exhibit titled The Legend of Bud Shark and His Indelible Ink, a collection of lithographs from Lyons master printer Bud Shark. The specific work of Klassen's ire is a 12-panel lithograph by Stanford University professor Enrique Chagoya dubbed The Misadventures of the Romantic Cannibals. The comic-book-like piece depicts Jesus Christ receiving oral sex from a man Do you think the Loveland Museum should censor this? We also talked about Larimer County using budget measures as a reason for handing out more tickets and setting revenue goals. How lame is this.

Sirota Friday 10-1-10 Hour 3

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:13:50 -0400

Comedian and actor Richard Lewis live in studio for the first half hour. He has shows tonight and tomorrow at the Comedy Works Landmark Theater. He stayed all hour and discussed comedy and the issues. Matter of fact, he declared jimself a D.

Sirota Friday 10-1-10 Hour 2

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 10:06:11 -0400

We led off this hour with Rebecca Jordan-Young to talk about her awesome new book BrainStorm: The Flaws in the Science of Sex Differences. At 8:25 we hit this story. Americans vastly underestimate the degree of wealth inequality in America, and we believe that the distribution should be far more equitable than it actually is, according to a new study. The Report Building a Better America: One Wealth Quintile At A Time by Dan Ariely of Duke University and Michael I. Norton of Harvard Business School, shows that across ideological, economic and gender groups, Americans thought the richest 20 percent of our society controlled about 59 percent of the wealth, while the real number is closer to 84 percent. Our special guest is co author of the report Dr. Michael Norton.

Sirota Friday 10-1-10 Hour 1

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:28:08 -0400

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday that most Americans have grown too detached from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and see military service as something for other people to do. In a speech Wednesday at Duke University, Gates said this disconnect has imposed a heavy burden on a small segment of society and wildly driven up the costs of maintaining an all-volunteer force.Because fewer Americans see military service as their duty, troops today face repeated combat tours and long separations from family. The 2.4 million people serving in the armed forces today represent less than 1 percent of the country's total population. Do you agree. Should we be asking why more people are not joining.

Sirota Thursday 9-30-10 Hour 3

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:10:53 -0400

Pastor John Hagee, head of Christians United for Israel, was scheduled to come to Denver on November 23 as featured speaker for the annual Men's Dinner of the Allied Jewish Federation. But, risking ties with Larry Mizel, the wealthy benefactor who invited the pastor, a rising number of donors and board members demanded the group cancel his speech. And, after much internal strife, the pastor's critics last Wednesday night. Federation, as it's known, is the largest Jewish charity in the state. Mizel, chairman of MDC Holdings, founded and underwrites an annual men's event that has grown since the late 1990s from 70 to 1,200 guests. It's one of the group's biggest moneymakers. Mizel pushed for an appearance by Hagee. Some leaders blasted the decision to give a forum to the firebrand who has offended gays and lesbians, Catholics and Jews. David is joined by Denver Post columnist Susan Greene and Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Colorado and Jewish peace activist Dr. Ira Chernus. We then opened phones for any topic we hit this morning.

Sirota Thursday 9-30-10 Hour 2

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:08:41 -0400

Douglas Rushkoff our special guest to talk about his latest book Program or Be Programmed: Ten Commandments for a Digital Age. In this book, Rushkoff picks up where Marshall McLuhan left off, helping readers come to recognize programming as the new literacy of the digital age and as a template through which to see beyond social conventions and power structures that have vexed us for centuries. We spent two segments with Douglas before opening it up for discsussion about boundaries you set with yourself and technology.

Sirota Thursday 9-30-10 Hour 1

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:01:00 -0400

David opened up talking a little about Bush tax cuts and about Obama preserving the cuts for those above 200,000 a year. We talked about bracketed tax rates and what it really means. Do you think its okay to restore Clinton era tax rates on income above 200 thousand dollars. At 7:20 our guest was James Dempsey vice president of the Center for Democracy and Technology. Federal law enforcement and national security officials are preparing to seek sweeping new regulations for the Internet, arguing that their ability to wiretap criminal and terrorism suspects is going dark as people increasingly communicate online instead of by telephone. At 7:35 National Center for Atmospheric Research oceanographer Carl Drews joined us to talk about whether winds could have parted the Red Sea

Sirota Wesnesday 9-29-10 Hour 3

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:35:32 -0400

David talks to Christie Barnes, author of The Paranoid Parents Guide: Worry Less, Parent Better and Raise a Resilient Child. She arms parents with facts to help them relax and enjoy parenthood. At the end of the hour, David talks to Senator Russ Feingold about his important race for senate as well as trade and the economy. David also continues talking to callers about the circus, economic inequality and proposition 102.

Sirota Wesnesday 9-29-10 Hour 2

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:06:56 -0400

David talks about Proposition 102, with Elena Fairley, from the Bell Policy Center. She wrote a piece saying 102 would tilt the scales of justice against low income defendants awaiting trial. David also continues to talk about the circus, as well as our state's woeful economic statistics and rising poverty rates.

Sirota Wesnesday 9-29-10 Hour 1

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:32:49 -0400

The Ringling Brothers Circus is coming to town. David talks about his discomfort with the exploitation of animals in the circus environment. And continuing our coverage of progressive candidates around the country, David talks to Eric Schneiderman, Democrat running for New York State Attorney General. This is an important race because the winner will be in charge of regulating Wall Street.

Sirota Tuesday 9-28-10 Hour 3

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 14:08:11 -0400

First, we get our weekly media misinformation report with Senior Fellow at Media Matters for America, Eric Boehlert. Then, David takes phone calls about The Ugly 3, taxes, jail time for the fire bug, Biden's big mouth and more.

Sirota Tuesday 9-28-10 Hour 2

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:49:50 -0400

David hosts a debate over Ammendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 with Dan Hopkins, from Coloradans for Responsible Reform and Greg Golyinsky, from the Colorado Union of Taxpayers.

Sirota Tuesday 9-28-10 Hour 1

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:35:48 -0400

David leads off with some news items. Biden tells people to stop whining, which David argues is not a good political strategy. Larimer county to file charges against Joel Letterman for the Resevoir Road fire. Should he face jail time? And are Colorado's severance taxes too low? David also talks with guest, John Flerlage, Democratic candidate for Congressional District 6, about his race against Mike Coffman.

Sirota Monday 9-27-10 Hour 3

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:07:19 -0400

Colorado has the largest ethnic achievement gap in the nation, as there are far more whites than Hispanics earning college degrees, a problem that a higher education reform group wants colleges and universities to tackle.The educational attainment rate of whites who have an associate's degree or higher compared to the next largest ethnic group, in Colorado's case, Hispanics differs more in Colorado than in any other state. Colorado has a 39 percentage-point gap, compared to the national average of 19.3. Hispanics are the fastest growing demographic in the state, but only 6 percent have an associate's degree and 8 percent have a bachelor's degree, according to a draft of Colorado's Strategic Plan for Higher Education. The panel commissioned by Gov. Bill Ritter to reform higher education in the state is concerned with the poor ranking and is working with colleges across the state to improve it. What is causing this and how do we improve it.

Sirota Monday 9-27-10 Hour 2

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:12:17 -0400

Independent Party Gubernatorial candidates Jason Clark and Paul Fiorino as well as Libertarian candidate Jaimes Brown in studio for a debate.

Sirota Monday 9-27-10 Hour 1

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:59:41 -0400

David led off with a few news items. At 7:20 we were joined by Alliance for American Manufacturing executive director Scott Paul. With the House Ways and Means Committee poised to consider legislation deterring China from manipulating its currency, AAM is urging the Committee to swiftly pass comprehensive legislation. As a recent national economic poll found, the American people strongly support action to hold China accountable for unfair trade practices. 83 percent of likely voters favor imposing tariffs on products from China unless it stops cheating. At 7:40 our special guest was Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reporter Mike Wiggins came on to talk about cuts in Mesa county and Grand Junction. It's starting to look like Colorado Springs up there.

Sirota Friday 9-24-10 Hour 3

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:46:30 -0400

Journalist, food critic and bestselling author Mark Bittman our special guest to kick off the hour. His books include How to Cook Everything and Food Matters which takes a look at the links among eating too much meat, obesity, global warming, and other nasty features of modern life. His latest book is The Food Matters Cookbook: 500 Recipes for Conscious Eating. We then were joined by co creator, director and writer Jody Hill. This Sunday is the kick off of Season 2 of Eastbound and Down. We then took open phones for the rest of the hour.

Sirota Friday 9-24-10 Hour 2

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:11:45 -0400

Aurora City Councilman and Republican candidate for Congressional District 7 Ryan Frazier our special guest to talk about the issues and his race against Ed Perlmutter and Buck Bailey. Jay Marvin then joined the show to talk about Ed Perlmutter and other issues.

Sirota Friday 9-24-10 Hour 1

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:02:36 -0400

Attorney General candidate Stan Garnett said that the ongoing federal prosecution in Denver of medical marijuana grower Christopher Bartkowicz highlights his belief that currently, this complex issue is best dealt with primarily through land-use regulation, rather than the criminal courts. This prosecution, which threatens Mr. Bartkowicz with decades in prison for an activity he believed to be sanctioned under Colorado law as it was currently written, is unjust and unnecessary. When should state law and federal law triumph. Which kinds of federal laws should trump state laws and vice versa. At 7:20 Boulder DA and AG candidate Stan Garnett called and commented on this and about why he decided not to file charges in the Fourmile Fire that was started by a firefighter.

Sirota Thursday 9-23-10 Hour 3

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:11:19 -0400

We led off with Libertarian candidate for congressional district 7 Buck Bailey. We then threw out some news. At 9:35 our guest was senior research analyst at the Cleantech Group Emma Ritch. Only time will tell if electronic book readers are to become a new standard in the future. But the Cleantech Group takes an in-depth look at the environmental impact of the devices in its recent lifecycle analysis. The new study The Environmental Impact of Amazon's Kindle finds that e-readers could have a major impact on improving the sustainability and environmental impact on the publishing industry, one of the world's most polluting sectors.

Sirota Thursday 9-23-10 Hour 2

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 10:14:48 -0400

New provisions in the Affordable Care Act phase in today on the 6 month anniversary on the signing of the bill. Our special guests to talk about these changes are Colorado Consumer Health Initiative executive director Dede de Percin and Discovery Outsourcing co founder Sandra Osborn Hill.

Sirota Thursday 9-23-10 Hour 1

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 08:59:47 -0400

A state employee's penchant for sending out tweets to his 1,032 followers has prompted his bosses to tell his co-workers to take it easy for the time being on social networking websites. It's also prompted the local head of the Humane Society of the United States to call the employee's actions appalling. Scot Dutcher is the chief of the Colorado Department of Agriculture Animal Protection Bureau. Basically, he oversees more than 100 commissioned agents across the state charged with looking into animal neglect and cruelty cases. Online and on Twitter he's also known as Skinnyhorse. Over the last year and a half Skinnyhorse has helped author 4,698 tweets. Many of them are apolitical, but some are not. Before the site was changed in the last week, he called himself an unapologetic American who is anti-animal rights. In one tweet he urged his followers to take our country back and in another he sarcastically called on people to eat more polar bears. In another he mentioned that success over animal rights is the best revenge. There is an online petition for him to resign. Would you sign it. Should he go. Should he be fired. Also this hour we talked to Edge of Sports columnist and sports writer Dave Zirin about Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley's suicide.

Sirota Wednesday 9-22-10 Hour 3

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:28:19 -0400

David led off with Professor Noah Hall who teaches law at Wayne State University and the University of Michigan. He has testified before Congress regarding bottled water and has represented environmental groups in Michigan in litigation against Nestle. He says the only thing that has matched the explosion of bottled water consumption is the backlash against it. He says the problem lies more with the United States Food and Drug Administration than it does with any one company. Hall says the FDA's rules allowing bottled water companies to name the source of the water, and to include the words spring water on labels, puts pressure on Nestle and other companies to find, acquire and bottle spring water. At 9:20 our guest was Pete Maysmith from the Colorado Conservation Voters. Today they are releasing a bi-partisan, statewide poll today that shows where the public is on the plan to shift away from coal fired plants here in the metro region. Nearly 80 percent of voters prefer electricity generated by natural gas and renewable resources instead of coal and are willing to pay for it. At 9:45 Denver Post business reporter David Migoya our guest to talk about Colorado colleges cashing in big on credit cards.

Sirota Wednesday 9-22-10 Hour 2

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:22:39 -0400

Newt Gingrich says that it's time to take federal action to prevent Sharia Law from infiltrating courtrooms in the US. Do you think this is an actual threat. Haven't Christians been doing the same thing they are bitching about.

Sirota Wednesday 9-22-10 Hour 1

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 09:13:44 -0400

David led off talking a little wrap up on yesterday's show on the enthusiasm gap. He also talked about Don't Ask Don't Tell. At 7:30 Congressman Ed Perlmutter was our special guest.

Sirota Tuesday 9-21-10 Hour 3

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 11:12:02 -0400

We led off with Media Matters' Karl Frisch who gave us the lowdown of the chaos in the right wing media the last few days. We talked about Newt Gingrich being worried about Sharia Law. We then were joined by author Ashley Merryman who co authored the fantastic book Nurture Shock: New Thinking About Children.

Sirota Tuesday 9-21-10 Hour 2

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 10:31:27 -0400

We continued talking about the enthusiasm gap on President Obama. We also talked about agism and people over 50 having trouble finding employment. We also talked a little about Ken Buck on Don't Ask Don't Tell. He wants a homogeneous army.

Sirota Tuesday 9-21-10 Hour 1

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:00:47 -0400

David led off with a whirlwind of news from the last 24 hours. David then talked about the enthusiasm gap for President Barack Obama and his administration. One one side are Democratic partisans who insist the gap exists because some progressive activists and media voices, the so-called Professional Left, have been too critical of the Obama administration and too insistent that President Obama fulfill or at least actually try to fulfill his basic campaign promises. On the other side are those progressive activists and media voices who say progressive voters are demoralized because the Obama administration hasn't fulfilled or even tried to fulfill it's most basic campaign promises. Where do you think it comes from if you believe there is a general disappointment with the administration. We also talked about this with former Senator Gary Hart who has a book signing tonight at the Boulder Bookstore and tomorrow at the Tattered Cover for his new memoir The Thunder and the Sunshine: Four Seasons in a Burnished Life.

Sirota Monday 9-20-10 Hour 3

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:22:24 -0400

Author David Callahan our guest to discuss his new book Fortunes of Change: The Rise of the Liberal Rich and the Remaking of America. Callahan found an upper class increasingly filled with super-educated professionals and entrepreneurs who work in knowledge industries and live in the bluest parts of America. This cosmopolitan elite takes for granted such key liberal ideas as multiculturalism and active government, and have ever less in common with an extremist GOP based in small-town America and dominated by Tea Party activists and the likes of Sarah Palin. David Callahan is the founder of Demos and currently a Senior Fellow. We also talked about New Gingrich calling for a ban of the use of sharia law in the US. Speaking to the Values Voters Summit Saturday, Gingrich told an enthusiastic audience that the US should have a law preventing judges from using traditional Muslim law, known as Sharia, when adjudicating cases. He also suggested the law allow for judges, including apparently Supreme Court judges, to be unseated if they attempt to use Muslim law. Is this insane or what.

Sirota Monday 9-20-10 Hour 2

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:25:13 -0400

Tom Laskawy our special guest to talk about The Corn Refiners Association who applied to the federal government for permission to use a new name for high-fructose corn syrup on food labels. They want to be able to label as corn sugar. Tom is a writer and a media & technology consultant who thinks that wrecking the planet is a bad idea. Tom twitters and blogs at Grist and at Beyond Green about food policy, alternative energy, climate science and politics as well as the multiple and various effects of living on a warming planet. David then asked if this is okay in your eyes and what should they call it. At 8:40 SAFER's Mason Tvert joined us to talk about the alcohol industry backing anti marijuana legislation in California.

Sirota Monday 9-20-10 Hour 1

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 09:11:52 -0400

Sirota led off playing audio of Ken Buck on the Fair Tax. He was caught saying he was never for it and liked income tax is better. But yet a year agi he said the fair tax is a better idea. What do you think of this flip flop. Also Mike Huckabee says covering insurance for preexisting conditions is like buying property insurance. Does he make a point or is this just ridiculous.

Sirota Friday 9-17-10 9am

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:18:05 -0400

David speaks with Lauren Weisberger, author of "The Devil Wears Prada". Weisberger has a reading and book signing for her new novel "Last Night at Chateau Marmont" at the Tattered Cover on Colfax next Tuesday September 21st starting at 7:30 pm. Also, we speak with James McWilliams author of "Just Food: Where Locovores Get It Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly". McWilliams urges concerned consumers to move beyond the false dichotomies that have come to characterize the debate-global vs. local, abundant vs. deficient, organic vs. conventional-and imagine a middle ground within the existing system, even if it runs the risk of "selling the sustainable soul."

Sirota Friday 9-17-10 8am

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:14:36 -0400

David speaks with Mark Silverstein, Colorado ACLU Legal Director about police brutaliy in Denver. Also, David speaks with David Plouffe our special guest as his bestselling author of "The Audacity to Win: How Obama Won and How We Can Beat the Party of Limbaugh, Beck, and Palin".

Sirota Friday 9-17-10 7am

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 09:03:18 -0400

David's special guest is Hal Herzog author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It's So Hard to Think Straight About Animals. How rational are we in our relationship with animals? A puppy, after all, is "a family member in Kansas, a pariah in Kenya, and lunch in Korea". An animal behaviorist turned one of the world's foremost authorities on human-animal relations, Herzog shows us, in this readable study, how whimsical our attitudes can be. Why do we like some animals but not others? Hal Herzog has been investigating the complex psychology of our interactions with other species for more than two decades. He is particularly interested in how people negotiate real-world ethical dilemmas, and he has studied animal activists, cockfighters, animal researchers, and circus animal trainers. An award-winning teacher and researcher, he has written more than 100 articles and book chapters.

Sirota Thursday 9-16-10 9am

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:02:53 -0400

Cheeky Monk anyone? David talks with James and Tina Pachorek of the Cheeky Monk Belgian beer cafe. Also Robert Sheer of truthdig.com discussing the great american stick up, how Reagan Republicans and Clinton Democrats enriched Wall Street while mugging main street.

Sirota Thursday 9-16-10 8am

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:43:28 -0400

Sirota talks to author Michael Blanding about his new book The Coke Machine, this is dirty stuff we think you will enjoy. Also Salon magazines Mark Benjamin discussing employment discrimination against Muslim Americans.

Sirota Thursday 9-16-10 7am

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 10:56:02 -0400

Sirota talks to Matt Taibbi of Rolling Stone Magazine about his contraversial piece concerning Bronco quarterback Tim Tebow, he also goes after Colorado Springs. Also, doubling the price of speeding tickets for revenue and marijuana establishments around places of worship.

Sirota Wednesday 9-15-10 Hour 3

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 12:06:22 -0400

Paul Katzeff and Michael Speer are our special guests to talk about retirement planning and about 401K savings. Paul is the author of the new book Getting Started in Rebuilding your 401K Account: A Comprehensive Guide to a Strong Retirement Portfolio. He also wrote Getting Started in 401 K Investing and Getting Started in Internet Investing. Michael is the Executive Vice President at Presidential Brokerage. www.presidentialbrokerage.com

Sirota Wednesday 9-15-10 Hour 2

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:16:09 -0400

We led off the hour with James Le Fanu who wrote a piece for Prospect Magazine called Science's Dead End. Never has so much money been poured into scientific research yet the results add up to surprisingly little. Have we finally come to the end of what science can tell us. At 8:35 we talked to Andy Stahl, Director of Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics. Lost in the images of aircraft dropping giant red plumes of retardant on a Colorado wildfire this week is the fact that the practice may not be legal under federal environmental laws. A federal judge in July declared that the government's current plan for dropping retardant on fires is illegal, and he gave the U.S. Forest Service until the end of next year to find a more environmentally friendly alternative. The aerial assaults have become a permanent fixture of television and media coverage of wildfires in recent years as planes and helicopters drop big loads of red chemicals over blazes. But environmentalists say the efforts are essentially public relations stunts that can send millions of gallons of hazardous chemicals into waterways while doing little to contain fires.

Sirota Wednesday 9-15-10 Hour 1

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:14:57 -0400

David led off with analysis from last night's primaries. He then talked about the metric system becoming a possibility in the US. He also gave some analysis on the Clintons and whether they were Republican light. Rachel Maddow called Bill the best Republican president we ever had. We also talked to author Jennifer Jordan about her book Last Man on the Mountain.

Sirota Tuesday 9-14-10 Hour 3

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 11:33:47 -0400

We pick this up a couple minutes into our media misinformation report with Media Matters for America's Eric Boehlert. We talked a lot about Glenn Beck and New Gingrich. We then went into open phones and David tossed out several news items.

Sirota Tuesday 9-14-10 Hour 2

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 10:15:45 -0400

Dave Ziren in studio to talk about his new book Bad Sports: How Owners Are Ruining the Games We Love. He will be at the Mercury Cafe with David on Wednesday September 15th starting at 7:00. He will discuss and sign his new book. www.edgeofsports.com

Sirota Tuesday 9-14-10 Hour 1

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:00:03 -0400

The Reservoir Road fire, which has now burned more than 900 acres in Larimer County, started when two residents were burning a slash pile and it got out of control, fire officials said Monday.The home where the fire began was not burned, said Loveland Fire and Rescue Division Chief Merlin Green. Investigators spoke with several witnesses in determining the cause. The two residents, whose names and address were not released, did not have a permit for the fire and have been cooperating with investigators. Should the books be these two. Also: President Obama will deliver his second annual Back to School speech to school kids Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.It will be broadcast on-line and in many schools across the country. But, the speech will not be aired in any Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Like last year, the district says teachers will review the speech to evaluate its value as an instructional tool for classes teaching related standards. What is this all about and why are they opting out of airing Obama speeches.

Sirota Monday 9-13 Hour 3

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:59:20 -0400

David starts out this hour by talking to Craig Knippenberg, about ADHD Awareness Week and the personal and socio-political issues surrounding this condition. Bill Sumner, creator of The Inevitable You, stops by the studio to talk about his Firewalk event going on September 17th. Then David opens the phone lines to talk about all of the previous issues of the day.

Sirota Monday 9-13 Hour 2

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:39:42 -0400

David talks with Danny Katz, State Director at CoPIRG about last month's egg recall and the U.S. Senate failing to pass needed protections.Then, Boulder County District Attorney and Attorney General candidate Stan Garnett is our special guest to talk about his Consumer Protection Plan. Finally, Will Bunch drops in to talk about his new book, The Backlash: Right-Wing Radicals, High-Def Hucksters, and Paranoid Politics in the Age of Obama.

Sirota Monday 9-13 Hour 1

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:48:15 -0400

David talks about what really happens when we uphold the Bush tax cuts, even if they are targeted at the middle class. Also, Michael Bennett comes out against Obama's proposed infrastructure spending while supporting new corporate tax cuts. Then, a record 169 homes have already been destroyed in the ongoing Fourmile Canyon Fire. Is building further into the forest a good idea and how can we better pay for the resources used to save these houses from wildfire? Should we have more restrictive zoning? Environmental and energy reporter for the Colorado Independent David O. Williams weighs in on environmental factors that may be contributing to wildfires.

Sirota Friday 9-10 Hour 3

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:11:54 -0400

The Food and Drug Administration is poised to approve the first genetically modified animal for human consumption, a highly anticipated decision that is stirring controversy and could mark a turning point in the way American food is produced. FDA scientists gave a boost last week to the Massachusetts company that wants federal approval to market a genetically engineered salmon, declaring that the altered salmon is safe to eat and does not pose a threat to the environment. Our special guest is executive director of Food and Water Watch Wenonah Hauter. We then went to open phones for the remainder of the show.

Sirota Friday 9-10 Hour 2

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 10:13:48 -0400

We led off with Jonathan Lerner on How Urban Planning Can Improve Public Health. We then took about calls on war, the media and about the Koran burning

Sirota Friday 9-10 Hour 1

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:50:37 -0400

David led off with Four Mile Fire analysis. Boulder officials say this may be exacerbated by global warming. You think that is true or is it insensitive to even ask. At 7:20 Eliza Byard, executive director of the National Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network joined the show. As kids head back to school, conservative Christian media ministry Focus on the Family perceives a bully on the playground: national gay-advocacy groups. School officials allow these outside groups to introduce policies, curriculum and library books under the guise of diversity, safety or bullying-prevention initiatives, said Focus on the Family education expert Candi Cushman. Public schools increasingly convey that homosexuality is normal and should be accepted, Cushman said, while opposing viewpoints by conservative Christians are portrayed as bigotry. At 7:35 we talked to author Larry Rohter about his new book Brazil on the Rise: The Story of a Country Transformed. David also talked about Pastor Terry Jones this hour.

Sirota Thursday 9-9-10 Hour 3

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:16:24 -0400

We continued talking calls on Burn The Koran Day and Pastor Terry Jones. At 9:30 comedian Bill Burr joined the show. He has upcoming gigs at Comedy Works this weekend.

Sirota Thursday 9-9-10 Hour 2

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:42:05 -0400

Nothing but listener reaction on Pastor Terry Jones' Burn the Koran Day event this weekend. Although we may disagree with his views should he or is this covered under free speech. Or is it incitement.

Sirota Thursday 9-9-10 Hour 1

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:09:14 -0400

Greg Stone in for Sirota today. We talked about Burn-A-Koran day and Pastor Terry Jones from the Dove Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida. We played audio of Terry Jones. At 7:15 we talked with Fox 31's Shaul Turner about the 4 Mile Canyon Fire. At 7:20 attorney Rob Corry joined the show to talk about burning the Koran or any book for that matter. Should people be in arms about the burning of the Koran. At 7:35 Colorado Muslim Council Director Taj Ashaheed joined teh show to give his take on the pastor and about Islam in general.

Sirota Wednesday 9-8-10 Hour 3

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:12:21 -0400

David spent a lot of this hour talking about a proposal to make it a law for children to wear helmets on Colorado's ski slopes. Where do you stand. We also talked with Former Colorado Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald about Colorado elections, redistricting and much more. She now heads America Votes.

Sirota Wednesday 9-8-10 Hour 2

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:25:24 -0400

Founder of the Denver Education Advocacy Network and writer for the Huffington Post Christopher Scott and Denver School board member Jeannie Kaplan are our special guests to talk about DPS issues. DPS is saying they are adding new teachers, but does that prove their finances are OK. We also got a review of what went down at the DPS board meeting Tuesday night. At 8:35 David was joined by Attorney General John Suthers who would like to see Colorado's antitrust law changed to allow his office to challenge mergers that may harm Colorado's citizens and markets. We also hit several other issues including payday lending.

Sirota Wednesday 9-8-10 Hour 1

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:51:03 -0400

David led off with some news and questions about the coverage of the so called end to the Iraq War. At 7:20 Fox 31's Eli Stokols joined the show to talk about a lawsuit trying to force Tom Tancredo out of the Gubernatorial race. Did Tom change parties in time is the question. At 7:35 New York Times science reporter Donald G. McNeil Jr. joined the show to talk about the Bed Bug epidemic. He delves into why they seem to be increasing in sheer numbers.

Sirota Tuesday 9-7-10 Hour 3

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:12:45 -0400

We led off the hour with Senior Fellow at Media Matters Karl Frisch. We talked about right-wing coverage of Obama on jobs and stimulus as well as some ridiculous Fox news coverage on Labor Day.Also David brought up Governor Bill Ritter says state will rely on taxes from medical marijuana. Bad or good. We also took calls on schools offering contraception and about Obama and stimulus and tax breaks.

Sirota Tuesday 9-7-10 Hour 2

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:06:16 -0400

There's something beyond plain old ignorance that motivates Americans to believe President Obama is a Muslim, according to a first-of-its-kind study of smear campaigns led by a Michigan State University psychologist. The research by Spee Kosloff and colleagues suggests people are most likely to accept such falsehoods, both consciously and unconsciously, when subtle clues remind them of ways in which Obama is different from them, whether because of race, social class or other ideological differences. These judgments, Kosloff argues, are illogical. He also suggests they are fueled by an irresponsible media culture that allows political pundits and talking heads to perpetuate the lies. Spee Kosloff is our special guest. David then brought up the story about Bruce Randolph High School will offer free contraception for kids. Is this something we want to be getting into. Good program or bad program.

Sirota Tuesday 9-7-10 Hour 1

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:11:23 -0400

President Barack Obama will call on Congress to pass new tax breaks that would allow businesses to write off 100 percent of their new capital investments through 2011, the latest in a series of proposals the White House is rolling out in hopes of showing action on the economy ahead of the November elections. Amid an uptick in unemployment to 9.6 percent, and polls showing that the November election could be dismal for Democrats, Obama has promised to propose new steps to stimulate the economy. In addition to the business investment tax breaks, he will also call for a 50 billion infrastructure investment and a permanent expansion of research and development tax credits for companies. What is your take on this. Is this the right way to create new jobs.

Sirota Monday 9-6-10 9am

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:17:59 -0400

David finishes up labor, unemployment, stimulus and union discussion.....and baby names.

Sirota Monday 9-6-10 8am

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:04:57 -0400

David discusses the decline in union memberships.

Sirota Monday 9-6-10 7am

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:36:08 -0400

David discusses labor laws and stimulus packages on this our day off?

Sirota Friday 9-3-10 Hour 3

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:12:09 -0400

We took calls on schmucks of the week and we also heard from Cosmo in Eugene. At 9:20 David is joined by Paul Anderson director of Indie Architecture Paul Anderson to talk about an art show at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver called Energy Effects: Art and Artifacts From the Landscape of Glorious Excess.

Sirota Friday 9-3-10 Hour 2

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:28:51 -0400

We continued taking calls on the Maes situation. We also played audio of Ken Buck from the campaign trail. He says we need to return schools to the way they were in the 50's. Does that mean he is calling for segregation.

Sirota Friday 9-3-10 Hour 1

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:59:34 -0400

Despite mounting pressure from the GOP establishment and Tea Party groups to get out of the governor's race, Republican Dan Maes continued to dig in his heels Thursday, saying he wasn't going anywhere. Embroiled in two months of controversies ranging from paying a record 17,500 fine for campaign-finance violations to alleging that the Denver bicycle-sharing program could threaten our personal freedoms and result in U.S. cities becoming a tool for a United Nations agenda, Maes has shifted the blame for his missteps onto the media, his opponents and the GOP establishment. But a Denver Post story this week reporting that Maes embellished details about his law enforcement background combined with today's deadline for certification of the general election ballot prompted a string of defections. Soon after the story was published, Hank Brown, a former U.S. senator and former University of Colorado president, withdrew his endorsement, setting off a domino effect not only among prominent Republicans, but Maes' core, grassroots base. At 7:20 Fox 31's Eli Stokols joined the show to discuss the Maes situation. We then opened up Fight Club Friday and began taking calls.

Sirota Thursday 9-2-10 Hour 3

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:33:15 -0400

David talked to Denver Post transportation reporter Jeff Leib about a reversible lane on i70. We then opened up the phones on anything we talked about this morning.

Sirota Thursday 9-2-10 Hour 2

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:42:25 -0400

David talks with author Nick Rosen about his book Off the Grid: Inside the Movement for More Space, Less Government, and True Independence in Modern America. Also....A Republican Communist?

Sirota Thursday 9-2-10 Hour 1

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:12:19 -0400

Sirota from the heart. Also discussing why Dems are so far behind in the polls.

Sirota Wednesday 9-1-10 Hour 2

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:20:11 -0400

Steve Almond joined the show to talk about what is and what is not appropriate for kids in sports. He claims some forms of football practice is child abuse. He also talked about the death of a 13 year old at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a pre race going over 100 miles an hour. What are the moral hazards of your kid playing sports. Are some sports condoning physical violence for kids.

Sirota Wednesday 9-1-10 Hour 1

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:56:55 -0400

David led off with his analysis of President Obama's speech on Iraq last night. He says Operation Iraqi Freedom is over. Do you now think we are just an occupational force. Are we there for peace making now. at 7:20 Michael Mandelbaum was our guest to talk about his book The Frugal Superpower: America's Global Leadership in a Cash-Strapped Era. Mandelbaum argues that the era marked by an expansive American foreign policy is coming to an end. During the seven decades from the U.S. entry into World War II in 1941 to the present, economic constraints rarely limited what the United States did in the world. Now that will change. The country's soaring deficits, fueled by the huge costs of the financial crash and of its entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare will compel a more modest American international presence. After 7:30 we took calls on the what seems to be endless state of war.

Sirota Tuesday 8-31-10 Hour 3

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:07:14 -0400

We led off with our media misinformation report from Media Matters for America. Karl Frish our guest today. We broke down the Beck weekend at DC and much more. At 9:35 Author Michael Weinreb on to talk about his book Bigger Than the Game: Bo, Boz, The Punky QB and How the 80's Created the Modern Athlete.

Sirota Tuesday 8-31-10 Hour 2

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:17:13 -0400

David is joined by executive director of the Colorado Progressive Coalition Carlos Valverde to talk about the controversy over proposed new rules from Attorney General John Suthers governing the payday lending industry. Suthers accepted north of 10,000 dollars from various donors tied to the payday lending industry at the same time his office was drafting new rules governing payday lending, rules mandated by the passage in the legislature this year of House Bill 1351, a long-sought reform bill of this predatory industry. David then played Time Warp Tuesday before opening the phones for comment on anything we have talked about this morning. Hick, taxes, Suthers and Iraq war were all up for debate.

Sirota Tuesday 8-31-10 Hour 1

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:56:38 -0400

President Obama set to announce that major combat operations in Iraq are over. Do you believe it. Sirota says he does not. He laid out his reasoning. We also hit on John Hickenlooper and his no new taxes stance.

Sirota Monday 8-30-10 Hour 3

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:16:26 -0400

Author Jane Brox joins David to discuss her new book Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light. In Brilliant, Jane Brox traces the fascinating history of human light from the stone lamps of the Pleistocene to the LEDs embedded in fabrics of the future-and reveals that the story of light is also the story of our evolving selves. We then wee joined by comedian, author and actor Jay Mohr who has upcoming shows all weekend at the Comedy Works Landmark Theater in the DTC. We then went back to open lines on any issue we have discussed this morning.

Sirota Monday 8-30-10 Hour 2

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:15:46 -0400

David is joined by Dr. John H. Jackson, President and CEO of the Schott Foundation for Public Education. Their new report Yes We Can: The 2010 Schott 50 State Report on Black Males in Public Education reveals that the overall 2007 and 2008 graduation rate for Black males in the U.S. was only 47 percent. The report shows that out of 50 states, half have graduation rates for Black male students below the national average. We continued with news followed by State Senator Michael Johnston on Colorado losing out on the Race to the Top.

Sirota Monday 8-30-10 Hour 1

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:48:01 -0400

Sirota back from vacation. He led with his thought on the Glenn Beck event over the weekend. We talked about civil rights movements and asked whether or not Beck's and folks like his, march on DC is justified. Also, schools that are trying to crack down on bullying, are they secretly advocating the gay agenda. This is a story breaking nationally and locally.

Sirota Friday 8-27-10 Hour 3

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:02:32 -0400

Geoff Berg in today. Due to transmitter issues we are missing hours 1 and 2. We talked about the Glenn Beck march on DC this weekend. We played audio of Beck and of Martin Luther King Jr. We talked about real civil rights and what Beck considers civil rights.

Sirota Thursday 8-26-10 Hour 3

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:29:04 -0400

We started the hour off with more calls on the Colorado Senate race dilemma. At 9:20 Clarke Cooper from the Log Cabin Republicans cam on to talk about Ken Mehlman coming out of the closet. We then went back to phones.

Sirota Thursday 8-26-10 Hour 2

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:21:41 -0400

We threw out a poll this hour. Who are you going to vote for this November. Ken Buck or Michael Bennet.

Sirota Thursday 8-26-10 Hour 1

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:04:02 -0400

Geoff Berg in for Sirota today. He led off talking about the Florida Governor primary won by Rick Scott. Rick Scott's narrow victory over Attorney General Bill McCollum, the preferred candidate of the Republican establishment, in the Florida gubernatorial primary could cost the GOP a key governorship in a race that could have implications for years to come. The deep-pocketed Scott, who spent nearly 40 million in the nasty and bruising campaign, was the CEO of the Columbia HCA hospital chain, which was fined 1.7 billion for Medicare fraud not long after he left. He has a long history of screwing people over on health care. We then talked to America Blog's Jacki Schechner for further analysis. She is the former National Communications Director for Health Care for America Now and Internet reporter for CNN. www.jackischechner.com

Sirota Wednesday 8-25-10 Hour 3

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:09:38 -0400

We carried over conversation from last hour on Fox News' guilt by association and about the ground zero mosque.

Sirota Wednesday 8-25-10 Hour 2

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:14:36 -0400

Mosque co-owner Fox News, Jon Stewart claims. It's the same co-owner of Fox News who's behind the Ground Zero Mosque funding, according to Stewart. It was unveiled on The Daily Show. The same man behind the Kingdom Foundation is also one of the biggest shareholders in News Corp., Fox News' parent company. Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, the main benefactor behind The Kingdom Foundation, owns a 2.3 billion stake in News Corp. In turn, News Corp. purchased a 70 million stake in a Saudi media company owned by Al-Waleed in February 2010. Stewart's point is that, by logical extension of the guilt-by-association game, Americans who oppose construction of Cordoba House should stop watching Fox News. Is Fox News evil or stupid. Does Fox News still have credibility after you hear this.

Sirota Wednesday 8-25-10 Hour 1

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:00:58 -0400

Geoff Berg in for David today. Colorado, like most states, is in the middle of a budget shortfall. 60 million to be exact. What better way to make up that deficit than with the state's money from the program for medical marijuana. Gov. Bill Ritter, once an opponent of medical marijuana is all for it now. At least the revenue it generates. Geoff talked about the overall War on Drugs and said how ridiculous it is. What is your take on MMJ and decriminalization of all drugs.

Sirota Tuesday 8-24-10 Hour 3

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:26:25 -0400

We continued taking calls on any subject Geoff hit on today. At 9:20 Geoff was joined by Director of the Northern Colorado Tea Party Lana Fore Warkocz and Lesley Hollywood the Publisher of The Constitutionalist Today. They talked about Tom Tancredo and campaign finance reform.

Sirota Tuesday 8-24-10 Hour 2

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:07:12 -0400

We talked about the Ron Perea resignation this hour. Less than three months after taking control of Denver's police, sheriff and fire departments, Manager of Safety Ron Perea resigned Monday amid growing uproar over how he disciplined officers.Perea brushed aside concerns earlier this month from other city officials who feared he was too lenient in refusing to fire three officers involved in two separate police abuse cases - including a highly publicized case in which video shows police beating a man in Lower Downtown. But his decisions in those cases started to unravel in the past seven days. After a meeting Monday afternoon between Perea and Mayor John Hickenlooper, Perea returned to his office at the downtown police headquarters and told confidants that he had resigned. We also took calls on the stem cell research debate.

Sirota Tuesday 8-24-10 Hour 1

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:59:41 -0400

Geoff played political movie clips and took guesses on what the movie is. We then talked about this story. A federal judge temporarily blocked the Obama administration Monday from using federal dollars to fund expanded human embryonic stem cell research, saying the research involves the destruction of embryos. The ruling comes after the National Institutes of Health last year issued new guidelines permitting federal funding for research on certain stem cell lines that had already been created. What is your take on this. He also rapped with his mom and brother.

Sirota Monday 8-23-10 Hour 3

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:41:17 -0400

We continued taking calls on anti-Islam rhetoric and about the non Ground Zero Non Mosque.

Sirota Monday 8-23-10 Hour 2

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:07:26 -0400

Geoff talked about the Republican fury over the supposed Ground Zero Mosque. We played audio clips and talked about the rhetoric and hate based conversation by the GOP. Does the GOP argument against the mosque and Muslims in general make any sense.

Sirota Monday 8-23-10 Hour 1

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:54:57 -0400

Geoff Berg in for David today. He led off talking about the bizarre weekend Julian Assange the wikileaks founder. He was charged with rape over the weekend. Then it was pulled off hours later. Is this a Pentagon character assassination case. What do you think they found out in those few hours to drop charges. Does this seem fishy.

Sirota Friday 8-20-10 Hour 3

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:26:42 -0400

We led off the hour with LA Times business reporter Tiffany Hsu to talk about the renter's guide to ecofriendly living. We then went to open phones for the rest of the show.

Sirota Friday 8-20-10 Hour 2

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:06:12 -0400

We led off the hour with Tom Wilson owner of Small Planet E Vehicles. He is the sponsor of low impact week day 5. They loaned David a electric bike this week. We then continued taking calls on our state's biggest challenges, DPD beating, Mayor Hickenlooper and much more.

Sirota Friday 8-20-10 Hour 1

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:52:02 -0400

David led off talking about Low Impact Week. What has been hard for you to do this week as far as lessening your impact. What things will you continue to do. David also asked what is the biggest challenge facing our state. We played a new Hickenlooper ad saying we need to cut government spending. People responded to this as well as the DPD dilemma.

Sirota Thursday 8-19-10 Hour 3

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:31:05 -0400

We had open phones this hour. We talked about getting rid of summer vacation for kids and school, DUI checkpoints outside bars, the supposed end of the Iraq War and much more.

Sirota Thursday 8-19-10 Hour 2

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:22:14 -0400

We led off with Heather Rogers who talked about her film and book Gone Tomorrow: The Hidden Life of Garbage. We then has Brett and Andy from Buy My Tronics on to talk about ewaste and how you can turn your old electronics into cash. At 8:35 David Von Drehle joined us to talk about his Time cover piece The Case Against Summer.

Sirota Thursday 8-19-10 Hour 1

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:57:08 -0400

David led off talking a little about Low Impact Week Day Four: No Trash. He then talked about police beatings in Denver and about how Mayor Hickenlooper is turning to the feds for investigation. Do you think that's a cop out. Is he passing the buck. Also at 7:20 we talked to David Schanzer about his new op-ed on how anti-Islamic rhetoric is damaging our counterterrorism efforts. Schanzer is the co-author of a Duke UNC study on how mosques can contribute to counterterrorism which was referenced in the New York Times on anti-mosque protests on August 8.

Sirota Wednesday 8-18-10 Hour 3

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:26:57 -0400

Senior Resource Specialist at the Natural Resources Defense Council Darby Hoover is our special guest. She gave us tips about paper use reduction. specializes in issues related to the paper industry, solid waste management, and recycling, and works with corporations to promote environmental paper product procurement. At 9:35 Kenneth King joined the show to talk about his book Germs Gone Wild: How the Unchecked Development of Domestic Biodefense Threatens America. We also mixed in a few calls.

Sirota Wednesday 8-18-10 Hour 2

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:07:45 -0400

Political Reporter for the Colorado Independent Scot Kersgaard joins the show to discuss the Nestle Water Deal. The Nestle corporation plan to tap the Arkansas River Basin in Chaffee County for its Arrowhead Springs mineral water product will make the company hefty profits. Unsurprisingly, the deal has already generated significant cash for a small group of locals involved in the controversial enterprise. We then went into phone calls and talked about Colorado GOP support for the Arizone Immigration Bill and about Google Maps finding tax cheats.

Sirota Wednesday 8-18-10 Hour 1

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:39 -0400

David opened up talking about the possibility of using google maps to find tax cheats. You think its okay. At 7:20 No Impact Man Colin Beaven joined the show to talk more about Low Impact Week. At 7:30 Colorado Pols' Jason Bane joined the show to talk about the Colorado GOP wanting to adopt the Arizona Immigration Bill.

Sirota Tuesday 8-17-10 Hour 3

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:36:29 -0400

In studio all hour is Colonel Andrew Bacevich, a professor of history and international relations at Boston University. He is the author of The Limits of Power and The New American Militarism, and his writing has appeared in Foreign Affairs, The Atlantic Monthly, The Nation, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal. He will discuss his new book Washington Rules: America's Path to Permanent War which is a critical examination of the Washington consensus on national security and why it must change. He will be at the Tattered Cover in Lodo tonight for a book signing and discussion starting at 7:30 PM.

Sirota Tuesday 8-17-10 Hour 2

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:12:58 -0400

We led off with Boulder DA and opponent to John Suthers for Attorney General Stan Garnett. Suthers has accepted thousands of dollars in campaign contributions for his re-election bid from numerous payday lending companies at the same time his office is considering new regulations of the industry. Suthers gave his take. We also talked with Auma Gosh from the Metro Denver Farmers Market to talk about how you can get local grown food products. And our guest to close out the hour was locovore expert Jennifer Maiser.

Sirota Tuesday 8-17-10 Hour 1

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:13:40 -0400

Low Impact Week Day Two: Eating One Locally Grown Meal a Day. David led off with a news item about PETA. At 7:20 Wall Street Journal reporter Timothy Martin joined the show to discuss a new nutritional-scoring system being tested at grocery stores and looks at why retailers are getting into the business of offering nutritional advice. His article The New Nutritionist: Your Grocer looks at what grocery stores are doing nationwide, some are hiring dietitians to offer advice to shoppers, and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the country's biggest food retailer, plans to announce launch a nutrition program. At 7:35 Michael Johnson from Mile High Organics joined us to talk about his local grown food delivery business.

Sirota Monday 8-16-10 Hour 3

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:15:51 -0400

We continued conversation from last hour. Weighing his words carefully on a fiery political issue, President Barack Obama said Saturday that Muslims have the right to build a mosque near New York's Ground Zero, but he did not say whether he believes it is a good idea to do so.Obama commented during a trip to Florida, where he expanded on a Friday night White House speech asserting that Muslims have the same right to freedom of religion as everyone else in America.The president's statements thrust him squarely into a debate that he had skirted for weeks and could put Democrats on the spot three months before midterm elections where they already were nervous about holding control of the House and maybe even the Senate. Until Friday, the White House had asserted that it did not want to get involved in local decision-making.

Sirota Monday 8-16-10 Hour 2

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:19:55 -0400

We led off the hour with Guerin Lee Green from Cherry Creek News. He updated the DPS deal and how they are defending their decision. We then played audio of President Obama on the mosque situation. He seems to waffle and days he does not know if it is a good idea to build the mosque near Ground Zero in NYC. We took calls on the mosque, DPS and Xcel.

Sirota Monday 8-16-10 Hour 1

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:59:09 -0400

Xcel Energy is proposing to spend 1.3 billion to convert coal-fired power plants to natural gas and close a plant to comply with a new Colorado law aimed at cutting pollution from power plants. Xcel Energy, Colorado's largest electric utility, said the plan released Friday will help meet statewide goals of reducing emissions of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and mercury. The company said it will also save 225 million compared to installing pollution-control equipment. Gov. Bill Ritter campaigned for the law encouraging the use of natural gas to cut pollution and Xcel Energy supported it. The Minneapolis-based utility said switching to natural gas is expected to raise customers' bills on average by 1 percent annually. State regulators will consider the company's proposal. Where do you stand on this one.

Best of Sirota Aug 9-13

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:05:26 -0400

Some of David's best interviews this week included author David Finkel on The Good Soldiers, Rolling Stone's Michael Hastings on his coverage of the war and about his piece on General McChrystal, Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi on rate swaps and the DPS Bennet deal, Washington Post education reporter Jay Mathews on SATs hurting blacks and the grandaddy this week is the Harold Ford Jr. interview about his book More Davids Than Goliaths. David gives Mr. Ford a pieve of his mind.

Sirota Friday 8-13-10 Hour 3

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:07:48 -0400

David led off speaking with Christopher Parker about his latest piece about the Tea Party and how their ideas are at variance with conservative thought. He examines Tea Party supporters and civil liberties, as well as attitudes toward equality. It shows that tea-party supporters are hypocrites despite their small government rhetoric and that they're fine with rolling back civil liberties. Parker is an associate professor, and Stuart A. Scheingold Professor of Social Justice and Political Science in the Department of Political Science at the University of Washington. We mixed in news and calls before being joined by Steve Schoo from Independent Power Systems our Title sponsor for Low Impact Week.

Sirota Friday 8-13-10 Hour 2

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:15:33 -0400

We led off the hour with Andrew Romanoff. He broke down what the future holds for him and why he endorsed Michael Bennet at the unity party yesterday. We also got further in depth on whether or not the United States should officially apologize for dropping atomic bombs on Japan.

Sirota Friday 8-13-10 Hour 1

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 09:14:54 -0400

David opened up talking about the importance of primaries and asked if you think it would be good for Barack Obama to face a challenge in 2012. At 7:20 our special guest is Thomas Bruscino to talk about his new book A Nation Forged in War: How World War II Taught Americans to Get Along. We then went back to open phones as Dave opened up Fight Club Friday.

Sirota Grills Harold Ford Jr

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:08:02 -0400

David and Harold Ford Jr don't agree on much! You gotta hear this interview.

Sirota Thursday 8-12-10 Hour 3

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:07:45 -0400

Duke Professors David Schanzer and Ebrahim Moosa are our special guests to talk about a two-year study they conducted on American Muslims and terrorism concluded that contemporary mosques are actually a deterrent to the spread of militant Islam and terrorism. The study was conducted by professors with Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy and the University of North Carolina. It disclosed that many mosque leaders had put significant effort into countering extremism by building youth programs, sponsoring antiviolence forums and scrutinizing teachers and texts. At 9:40 David grilled Harold Ford Jr. He has a new book out called More David's Thank Goliaths: A Political Education. Harold Ford Jr. has long distinguished himself as a charismatic, results-oriented politician with fresh ideas. His career began at age 26 after he won his father's Congressional seat, serving his Tennessee district for ten years. He stepped into the national spotlight with his electric keynote at the 2000 Democratic National Convention, and in 2006 his reputation was further shaped during the closest Senate race in Tennessee's history, which he lost. Ford feels passionately that our country's best days are ahead, and in More Davids Than Goliaths, he presents his mission statement for America. Harold is a political analyst for MSNBC, a professor of public policy at Vanderbilt University, a vice chairman of Merrill Lynch, and chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council.

Sirota Thursday 8-12-10 Hour 2

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:50:46 -0400

We continued taking calls about whether or not SATs and some other testing in schools are biased towards whites and actually hurt blacks. At 8:40 comedian Adam Carolla joined the show. He has upcoming gigs next week at the Comedy Works downtown. Somehow most the talk was about the Patriot Act

Sirota Thursday 8-12-10 Hour 1

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:13:44 -0400

David led off closing out his thoughts on the Tuesday primaries. At 7:20 Washington Post Education Reporter and columnist Jay Mathews is our special guest to talk about new evidence that shows SATs hurt African-Americans. In specific the reading comprehensive side do you think the SATs are unfair towards blacks.

Sirota Wednesday 8-11-10 Hour 3

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:20:47 -0400

Author Thomas Geoghegan is our special guest to talk about his new book Were You Born on the Wrong Planet: How the European Model Can Help You Get a Life. There's been a lot of throwing around of the term socialism by critics of President Barack Obama, who has been maligned as a European socialist by conservatives even though his administration's agenda isn't close to that of a European social democracy. But if you really think about it, perhaps we would be happier in cozy Germany or France, where there is a socialist-type government to catch us, than in the wide-open, free-fall United States. Geoghegan is a labor lawyer and author based in Chicago. He has represented the United Mine Workers, Teamsters for a Democratic Union, and currently works at Despres, Schwartz and Geoghegan Ltd.

Sirota Wednesday 8-11-10 Hour 2

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:11:43 -0400

We continued conversation on the Tuesday primary results. Our special guest to lead off the hour was 850 KOA's Michael Brown. We then took several calls on thoughts on now what.

Sirota Wednesday 8-11-10 Hour 1

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:05:04 -0400

David led off talking about the results from the Tuesday primaries. Bennet edges Romanoff, Buck beats Norton. Maes takes the GOP side for the governors race. What do you make of all this.

Sirota Tuesday 8-10-10 Hour 3

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:25:58 -0400

Media Matters' Karl Frisch led off the hour with our media misinformation report. We then squeezed in a few calls on the primary before being joined by author Sonia Shah. We talked about her latest book The Fever: How Malaria Has Ruled Mankind for the Last 500,000 Years.

Sirota Tuesday 8-10-10 Hour 2

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:06:49 -0400

Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi our special guest to talk about his coverage of Wall Street and municipal governments getting into bed together. This has to do with interest rate swaps. He also hit on the DPS Michael Bennet deal. We then talked with ANdrew Romanoff and mixed in a few calls.

Sirota Tuesday 8-10-10 Hour 1

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:54:58 -0400

David led off with national news items and banter on the Colorado Primary. We took calls on this primary day and people told us who they support and why.

Sirota Monday 8-9-10 Hour 3

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:15:36 -0400

We led off the hour talking about the Bennet and Boasberg deal with State Representative Mark Ferrandino who wants a bipartisan investigation into the makings of this deal. We also talked with Cherry Creek News publisher Guering Lee Green who says that there is no evidence that DPS has profited from this deal at all. At 9:30 Denver Post staff writer Steve Raabe joins the show to talk about his piece Colorado Oil Drilling Aimed to Bring Business to Small Towns.

Sirota Monday 8-9-10 Hour 2

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:17:03 -0400

Pulitzer Prize winning author David Finkel to talk about his new book The Good Soldiers. The book takes place in a watershed moment of the Iraq war, when George W. Bush announced the surge. Among those called to carry it out were the young, optimistic army infantry soldiers of the 2-16, nicknamed the Rangers. About to head to a vicious area of Baghdad, they decided the difference would be them. David Finkel shadowed these good soldiers as they fought a war considered by some un-winnable and paid the price. At 8:20 we talked to economist Dean Baker to talk about the risk associated with this deal Michael Bennet and Tom Boasberg made. At 8:35 Fox 31's Eli Stokols came on to talk about all the major races in Colorado.

Sirota Monday 8-9-10 Hour 1

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:01:08 -0400

We continued coverage of the botched Michael Bennet and Tom Boasberg DPS deal that ended up costing the district millions of dollars while lining Wall Street investors' pockets who ended up financing Bennet's campaign. This hour we talked about this with Colorado House Majority Leader Paul Weissmann and Bennet's challenger Andrew Romanoff. At 7:20 our special guest is Michael Hastings who wrote the profile of General Stanley McChrystal in Rolling Stone. He recently has been denied permission to embed with a military unit in Afghanistan. He is the author of I Lost My Love in Baghdad: A Modern War Story and a regular contributor to GQ. Previously, he was the Baghdad correspondent for Newsweek magazine. His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, Slate, Salon, Foreign Policy, the L.A. Times, and other publications.

Best of Sirota August 2-6

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:16:05 -0400

Our best interviews this week included Elliot Tiber on Taking Woodstock, former Congressman Jim Leach on civility in political debate, author Joshua Lyon on his memoir Pill Head and a great back and forth between David, DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg, DPS Board Member Jeannie Kaplan and Cherry Creek News' Guerin Lee Green on the explosive news about Senator Bennet and Boasberg and how they orchestrated a complex financial deal that rewarded his future Wall Street campaign contributors.

Sirota Friday 8-6-10 Hour 3

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:12:30 -0400

We led off this hour with Dr. Joseph Campbell to talk about his book Getting It Wrong: Ten of the Greatest Misreported Stories in American Journalism. We then talked with ACLU Colorado director Mark Silversteion. Boulder County is being sued over restrictions on inmates sending letters to friends and relatives, a policy that's similar to one adopted this month by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado filed a class-action lawsuit Tuesday against Boulder County challenging the legality of its inmate mail policy, claiming the policy violated inmates' free speech rights. Implemented in March, Boulder County's policy only allows inmates to mail postcards, unless the correspondence involves legal matters or documents. We then ended with Andrew Romanoff and our Mile High Music Festival.

Sirota Friday 8-6-10 Hour 2

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:13:49 -0400

Denver Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kelly Brough and Bell Policy Center Director of Policy and Research Rich Jones are our special in studio guests for a roundtable discussion on jobs and the economy on the front range. www.denverchamber.org http://www.bellpolicy.org

Sirota Friday 8-6-10 Hour 1

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:11:13 -0400

In a massive and well-researched story, the New York Times last night dealt the potential death-blow to Sen. Michael Bennet's already-struggling campaign for reelection. Just four days before the end of Colorado Democratic primary voting, the story by Pulitzer Prize-winner Gretchen Morgenson details how in 2005 Bennet left his job as a corporate raider for right-wing billionaire Philip Anschutz, later became head of Denver Public Schools and in that position orchestrated a deal with JP Morgan, a deal that destroyed the Denver Public Schools' balance sheet and made JP Morgan, Citigroup and Bank of America millions. DPS Board Member Jeannie Kaplan was quoted in the story and is our special guest. She supported the 2008 deal but now regrets it because of its costs and complexity. We were also joined by Tom Boasberg Superintendent of DPS and Cherry Creek News Editor Guerin Lee Green. We also mixed in an interview with Free Press' Josh Silver on the Verizon Google deal.

Sirota Thursday 8-5-10 Hour 3

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:11:56 -0400

Former Congressman and current Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities Jim Leach is our special guest. He is the featured speaker at the Denver Forum luncheon today at the Oxford Hotel beginning at noon. At the luncheon he will be taking on the timely subject of Civility in a Fractured Society. At 9:40 Award-winning journalist Mitch Tobin was our special guest. Tonight at the Tattered Cover in Lodo at 7:30 he will offer a PowerPoint presentation and sign his new book Endangered: Biodiversity on the Brink. Since 1973, the Endangered Species Act has served as our nation's legislative ark for imperiled wildlife. But our toughest and most controversial environmental law has only recovered a handful of the more than 1,300 species under its protection. In Endangered, Mitch Tobin uses firsthand accounts to show why so many species are at risk of extinction.

Sirota Thursday 8-5-10 Hour 2

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:13:18 -0400

We continued talking about the implications of the wikileaks memo, the pentagon, reporting and whether or not the leakers should be prosecuted and perhaps executed. A federal judge's ruling Wednesday striking down California's ban on same-sex marriage is a historic and possibly pivotal legal victory for gay rights advocates, but the decision also poses a formidable threat to President Barack Obama's strategy of relegating divisive social issues to the back burner. As gay and lesbian activists celebrate what they hope is the leading edge of a wave of momentous court rulings and legislative successes, they remain uneasy with Obama's nuanced position on gay marriage. During the 2008 campaign, Obama took what many on both sides of the gay marriage debate viewed as a straddle. He publicly announced his opposition to same-sex marriage, but he also said that he opposed the California ballot measure seeking to ban it, Prop. 8- the same ban Walker ruled unconstitutional Wednesday. What do you make of this.

Sirota Thursday 8-5-10 Hour 1

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 09:11:48 -0400

David led off with local and national news. At 7:20 Author Joshua Lyon our special guest to talk about his memoir Pill Head: The Secret Life of a Painkiller Addict. In Pill Head, the first book to bring together the journalist's eye and the addict's mind, Lyon explores both his own addiction and the cultural phenomena that made pill-popping so popular, especially among the twenty-somethings of Generation Rx. We also began discussion on whether or not the person or people involved in the wikileaks memo should be executed as Congressman Mike Rogers suggests.

Sirota Wednesday 8-4-10 Hour 3

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:07:14 -0400

We spent the first half hour with Umax Mortgage's Stacey Dowling to talk about the Colorado housing market. We then talked to Dab Baum, author of the Harper's Magazine August cover story called Happiness is a Worn Gun.

Sirota Wednesday 8-4-10 Hour 2

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:12:05 -0400

For most people, donating blood is as simple as rolling up a sleeve. But not for gay men. Since 1983, the Food and Drug Administration has barred them from donating. The F.D.A. has re-examined the ban over the years, but maintains that the restriction is necessary to keep the blood supply safe and untainted by H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS. Critics say the ban is scientifically and medically unjustified and that it unfairly singles out gay men. Where do you stand on this. We also talked about banning baggy pants. At 8:40 Congressman Ed Perlmutter joined the show to talk about the issues. He answered his war funding vote as well.

Sirota Wednesday 8-4-10 Hour 1

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:58:17 -0400

David led off talking about President Barack Obama's latest push to back Senator Michael Bennet in his race to hold his Senate seat. Also Michael Bennet takes 75 thousand dollars from the DSCC and more from corporate PACs and now is criticizing Romanoff for maybe, possibly taking non-PAC DSCC cash in the future. At 7:20 Andrew Romanoff joined to discuss the latest news in that race. At 7:35 author Rob Sheffield was our guest to talk about his new book Talking to Girls About Duran Duran: One Young Man's Quest for True Love and a Cooler Haircut.

Sirota Tuesday 8-3-10 Hour 3

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:10:31 -0400

We led off with our media misinformation report from Eric Boehlert of Media Matters for America. At 9:25 Colorado Independent energy reporter David O. Williams joined us to talk about his latest piece on Colorado conservation groups pushing Congress for tougher drilling regulations. We therew out more news items and had our Mile High Music Festival giveaway.

Sirota Tuesday 8-3-10 Hour 2

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 10:09:45 -0400

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers and Democratic challenger Stan Garnett, who is also the 20th Judicial District Attorney, will square off for a debate all hour. We will discuss the issues and they will answer listener questions.

Sirota Tuesday 8-3-10 Hour 1

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:15:37 -0400

David led off with local and national news that matters. At 7:20 the National Wildlife Federation's Tim Warman came on to talk about their new report Assault on America: A Decade of Petroleum Company Disaster, Pollution and Profit. Major oil spills are really only a small part of the real story. From 2000 to 2010, the oil and gas industry accounted for hundreds of deaths, explosions, fires, seeps, and spills as well as habitat and wildlife destruction in the United States. These disasters demonstrate a pattern of feeding the addiction to oil leaving in their wake sacrifice zones that affect communities, local economies, and our landscapes. David brought up the story about animal cruelty for a man that stole a dog and then dragged it to death. He got 3 years. Is that enough.

Sirota Monday 8-2-10 Hour 3

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 11:15:08 -0400

We continued our discussion on jobs and the economy.

Sirota Monday 8-2-10 Hour 2

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:07:01 -0400

Elliot Tiber is our special guest as we approach the 41st Anniversary of Woodstock. Tiber is the famous author of Taking Woodstock: A True Story of a Riot, A Concert and A Life and Palm Trees on The Hudson: A True Story of the Mob, Judy Garland & Interior Decorating which is his soon-to-be-released prequel. He discussed his life and involvement in that epic festival of peace, love, and music. At 7:30 Andrew Romanoff called in and talked about the Denver Post 9 News Poll that shows he closed a 17 point gap on Michael Bennet. He also talked about our job topic.

Sirota Monday 8-2-10 Hour 1

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 09:10:49 -0400

David led off talking about a new poll that shows Coloradans number one priority is jobs. A whopping 58 percent of Coloradans say jobs and the economy are the most important issues facing the country, an increase of 3 percentage points from six weeks ago. What are we not doing to right our economy. At 7:20 we had on Colorado Auto Dealers Association President Tim Jackson who had response after Mayor John Hickenlooper said he wanted to wean people off of driving their cars.

Best of Sirota July 26-30

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:08:49 -0400

This weeks best interviews included Paul Greenberg on his book Four Fish: The Future of the Last Wild Food, Van Jones on climate change, energy and Shirley Sherrod, Pete Altman on potential water shortages in Colorado, and finally CU Professor Michael Radelet on disparity in death penalty cases due to race.

Sirota Friday 7-30-10 Hour 3

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:14:00 -0400

David is joined by special guest Tom Feiling to talk about his book Cocaine Nation: How the White Trade Took Over the World. Feiling traces the growth of the cocaine industry worldwide, from Latin American coca fields to America's inner cities. Feiling argues that the so-called war on drugs has been an abject failure and that it's time to take decriminalization seriously. At 9:20 we brought in Kevin Reed and Scott Croushere from Rock Bottom Brewery.

Sirota Friday 7-30-10 Hour 2

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:13:05 -0400

Governor Bill Ritter led off the hour talking about kids and health care and budget deficit. He also weighed in on fans and first amendment rights at ballparks. At 8:35 our special guest is Cherry Creek News publisher Guerin Lee Green. He wrote a piece basically comparing Senator Michael Bennet to Bud Fox from the movie Wall Street.

Sirota Friday 7-30-10 Hour 1

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:54:54 -0400

The odds of a death sentence for those suspected of killing white people are about three times higher than those accused of killing blacks, according to a new study from a University of Colorado professor who combed through death sentences in North Carolina over a 28-year period. The study, which will be published in the North Carolina Law Review next year, was conducted by Michael Radelet, a sociology professor at CU's Boulder campus, and Glenn Pierce, a research scientist in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University in Boston. Our guest is Michael Radelet, one of the nation's leading experts on the death penalty. We also brought up the story about the guy who was kicked out of a Cleveland Indians home game for wearing a Lebron James Miami Heat jersey.

Sirota Thursday 7-29-10 Hour 3

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:09:02 -0400

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper suggested weaning people off of cars to reduce carbon emissions and to be a more green city. Do you think this is practical. We also talked about a motorcyclist who was pulled over and had a gun drawn on him by an off duty policeman in an unmarked car. The motorcyclist was videotaping with a helmet cam. The cop looks pretty out of control. Not only did the cyclist get a moving violation but could face jail time for videotaping the police. What do you think of this.

Sirota Thursday 7-29-10 Hour 2

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:13:37 -0400

Our special guest is Anya Kamenetz author of DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs, and the Coming Transformation of Higher Education. The Obama administration released a proposal that would tighten for-profit colleges' access to federal student aid, threatening growth in the industry that received 26.5 billion in U.S. funds last year. The proposed rules by the U.S. Department of Education would link U.S. student aid eligibility at Apollo Group Inc., ITT Educational Services Inc., Career Education Corp. and other education companies to former students' salaries and debt repayment rates. The rules may cut off access to federal student grants and loans at about 5 percent of all for- profit education programs. We took calls and comments all hour long on higher education.

Sirota Thursday 7-29-10 Hour 1

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:55:03 -0400

Democratic Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff in studio answering listener questions.

Sirota Wednesday 7-28-10 Hour 3

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:07:11 -0400

Our special guest is the Executive Director of the documentary Countdown to Zero Matt Brown. Countdown to Zero traces the history of the atomic bomb from its origins to the present state of global affairs: nine nations possessing nuclear weapons capabilities with others racing to join them, with the world held in a delicate balance that could be shattered by an act of terrorism, failed diplomacy, or a simple accident. The film will be premiering in Denver this Friday at the Landmark Mayan Theater. We then opened up the phones for anything we talked about this morning. We also talked about Governor Ritter possibly bringing in a new finger printing technology that would help immigration enforcement. Good idea or bad?

Sirota Wednesday 7-28-10 Hour 2

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:27:00 -0400

Race scholar Tim Wise is our special guest about the racism in the new push the end to affirmative action. We will be referring to a Wall Street Journal piece by Senator Jim Webb called Diversity and The Myth of White Privilege. Is there such thing as white privilege. We conversed with the audience on this as well.

Sirota Wednesday 7-28-10 Hour 1

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:24:44 -0400

David led off with more news about fracking and water supplies in Colorado. At 7:20 our special guest was Pete Altman who serves as the Natural Resources Defense Council's Climate Campaign Director. They and Tetra Tech have a report that shows which Colorado counties are in high risk of water shortages due to climate change. We then asked why if you look at Colorado and water supply and drought, why are these places made up of mostly consewrvatives.

Sirota Tuesday 7-27-10 Hour 3

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:21:04 -0400

We led off with Media Matters' Karl Frisch to give us our weekly media misinformation report. We talked about Shirley Sherrod, Fox News and black viewership and much much more. We then threw out several news items and tyook calls on fracking and regulations, Tom Tancredo and about spouses who sleep in different beds.

Sirota Tuesday 7-27-10 Hour 2

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:14:47 -0400

Van Jones is our very special guest. He recently wrote a piece for the New York Times called Shirley Sherrod and Me. We also talked about clean energy, the environment and the BP spill. Van Jones is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress focusing on green-collar jobs and how cities are implementing job-creating climate solutions. Van Jones is a globally recognized, award-winning pioneer in human rights and the clean energy economy. He is a co-founder of three successful nonprofit organizations: the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Color of Change, and Green For All. He is also the best-selling author of the definitive book on green jobs, The Green Collar Economy. Jones served as the green jobs advisor in the Obama White House in 2009 and is currently a senior policy advisor at Green For All. In July 2009 he became embroiled in a controversy over his past political activities, including a public comment disparaging congressional Republicans, his name appearing on a petition for 911Truth.org, and allegations of association with a Marxist group during the 1990s. Highlighting these issues, conservatives launched an aggressive campaign against him. Jones resigned from the position in early September 2009. We then talked about whether we as Coloradans shoudl be able to have disclosure of what chemicals are involved in fracking.

Sirota Tuesday 7-27-10 Hour 1

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:56:26 -0400

Fireworks among the Republican Party here in Colorado with Tom Tancredo's announcement yesterday that he will run as a third-party candidate for Governor. He and GOP state chair Dick Wadhams went back and forth yesterday. We asked if you think what is going on in the GOP is disturbing, or amusing. What do you make of this in party bickering. At 7:35 Andrew Romanoff called in to talk about why he sold his house to fund his senatorial campaign. We also asked whether or not it is unusual for spouses to sleep in different beds and even different rooms. A new study shows the number of Americans that do not sleep with their spouse is on the rise.

Sirota Monday 7-26-10 Hour 3

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:24:36 -0400

We led off with news that Tom Tancredo will run as a Third Party Candidate for Governor of Colorado. What do you think this means for the conservative movement. At 9:30 Denver Post columnist Susan Greene joins the show to talk about her column on the death of homeless pastor Marvin Booker at Denver jail. The city continues denying access to videotape that could show whether sheriff's deputies used excessive force that may have led to his death.

Sirota Monday 7-26-10 Hour 2

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:07:20 -0400

Paul Greenberg is our special guest to talk about his new book Four Fish: The Future of the Last Wild Food. Greenberg investigates how four fish, salmon, sea bass, cod and tuna,came to dominate the seafood market, and examines how the wild fish industry has changed in the past three decades as the business of fishing became more industrialized. David then brought up a story about kids, food and advertising. Should the FTC regulate what kinds of foods are advertised to kids.

Sirota Monday 7-26-10 Hour 1

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:26:28 -0400

David led off wit some news items before being joined by author Steve Almond to talk about why you cannot trust most book reviews. At 7:35 we were joined by Colorado Education Association President Beverly Ingle. Congress is expected to turn its attention next week to the Education Jobs Fund, a 10 billion emergency aid package that would stave off thousands of educator layoffs around the country, and in Colorado, the bill would save 2,423 jobs and provide an estimated 157 million to the state's education funding. If not passed, the situation will be dire for our economy and education system with as many as 157,000 educators nationwide expected to not return to the classroom in the Fall.

Best of Sirota July 19-26

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:12:01 -0400

David's best interviews this week included Jere Van Dyk on being a Taliban captive, Jonathan Weiner on the possibility of eternal life, Lauren Sandler on only children and National Taxpayer Union VP Pete Sepp and Carol Hedges of the Colorado Fiscal Policy Center debate the expiration of Referendum C in Colorado.

Sirota Friday 7-23-10 Hour 3

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:11:44 -0400

We led with Denver Post TV and entertainment columnist Joanne Ostrow to break down Mad Men and the opening of Season Four this weekend. We then went back to calls on anything we talked about the first two hours.

Sirota Friday 7-23-10 Hour 2

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:21:44 -0400

Bill Press is our special in studio guest all hour. He discussed his new book Toxic Talk: How the Radical Right Has Poisoned America's Airwaves. The book takes a blast at the right-wing media machine and how it subverts the principles of democratic representation. He also discussed local and national news items we talked about in hour one. We also took calls and votes for schmucks of the week.

Sirota Friday 7-23-10 Hour 1

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:53:28 -0400

We led off with a ton of Colorado news. We asked first what is your take on Tom Tancredo's ultimatum asking for Scott McInnis and Dan Maes to drop out of the race or he will run as a third party candidate. We also talked about Barack Obama making robocalls asking for support of Michael Bennet. Also hit on this story. Earlier this month, the Obama administration detailed a plan asking states to phase out laws that make HIV transmission a crime. In Colorado, the move would affect at least three laws related to sex crimes and prostitution. Attorney General John Suthers, however, disagreed with the White House plan, saying that even though prosecuting attorneys may rarely use the laws to level criminal charges, the laws may well have a deterrent effect and should not be stricken from the books. Agree or disagree with Suthers.

Sirota Thursday 7-22-10 Hour 3

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:08:33 -0400

We continued taking calls about Democrats wanting to extend the Bush tax cuts for the rich. We also talked about a opinion piece in the New York Times about white oppression. Do you think low-income whites are being oppressed.

Sirota Thursday 7-22-10 Hour 2

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:23:27 -0400

We led off the hour with Gebe Martinez from the Center for American Progress to update us on the Utah Deportation List. We then went back to calls on the democrats thinking about not letting the Bush Era tax cuts for folks who make over one quarter of a million dollars a year. Do you back the dems on this or is this insane. We also played audio of Ken Buck saying vote for him because he does not wear high heels.

Sirota Thursday 7-22-10 Hour 1

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:03:21 -0400

We led off with a discussion about taxes. Democrats are considering a plan to delay tax hikes on the wealthy for two years because the economic recovery is slow and they fear getting crushed in November's election. It could mean a big reprieve for families earning 250,000 dollars and above annually. President George W. Bush's tax cuts will expire at the end of the year unless Congress acts to delay their sunset. Some Democrats are now arguing forcefully that a delay is a win-win plan that would help the federal budget without hurting the economy. This only affects 1 to 2 percent of the population. What do you think of this. At 7:30 The temporary suspension of the Tax Payer Bill of Rights just ended here in Colorado. We host a debate between the two sides on TABOR. Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute Senior Policy Analyst Carol Hedges and Pete Sepp, the National Taxpayers Union Executive Vice President will give both sides.

Sirota Wednesday 7-21-10 Hour 3

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:11:25 -0400

David led with a brief take on the Shirley Sherrod situation. We then discussed education. Millennials, the most educated generation in America's history, are starting to question the value of a college education. A COUNTRY Financial survey released Tuesday found that only 64 percent of 18 to 29-year-olds think college is a good financial investment, a steep decline of 13 points from last year. The rising costs of tuition and the tough job market are inevitably casting those seeds of doubt among this traditionally optimistic and pro-education group. With student loans looming over their heads, many Millennials wish they could turn back the clock and re-do their college education. What's your take on this.

Sirota Wednesday 7-21-10 Hour 2

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:13:47 -0400

Neil Landau is our special in studio guest. He will be at the Tattered Cover on Colfax this Thursday July 22nd for a screenwriting class and book signing for his new book 101 Things I Learned in Film School. Landau's credits include writing for and producing for Universal Pictures, Disney, Columbia Pictures, and 20th Century Fox. He's worked on such diverse projects asMelrose Place, Doogie Howser M.D., MTV's Undressed, and Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead. He currently serves as a faculty advisor in the MFA Writing Program at Goddard College and teaches at the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television. We talked about his career, television today and also took calls and questions from listeners.

Sirota Wednesday 7-21-10 Hour 1

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:19:58 -0400

David led with news and playing audio of the attack ads between Romanoff and Bennet. At 7:20 our special guest was Eric Jay Dolin to discuss his new book Fur, Fortune, and Empire: The Epic History of the Fur Trade in America. At 7:35 joined by attorney Dick Atkins who is also the host for the National Geographic Channel series Locked Up Abroad.

Sirota Tuesday 7-20-10 Hour 3

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:08:36 -0400

We led off the hour with our media misinformation report from Eric Boehlert of Media Matters for America. At 9:20 Author Jonathan Weiner is our guest to talk about his new book Long For This World: The Strange Science of Immortality. We closed the show with more news.

Sirota Tuesday 7-20-10 Hour 2

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:50:32 -0400

Lauren Sandler is our special guest to discuss her cover story for Time Magazine The Only Child Myth. We then talked all hour about whether or not having an only child is cruel or is it just a personal decision.

Sirota Tuesday 7-20-10 Hour 1

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:59:45 -0400

David opened up talking a little about the state senate race. He also threw out some important political stories. In the event of a fire, you want the best protection for your family. But is requiring a fire sprinkler system in your home going too far. The City of Fort Collins is considering the idea. All new homes in Fort Collins would be required to be built with in-home fire sprinkler systems. Sarah Bennett, president of the Fort Collins Board of Realtors, has come out against the requirement. With new housing prices already through the roof and an economy still sputtering, Bennett said this cost could alienate otherwise qualified buyers. That additional 4,000 dollar expense for the average-size home will definitely affect affordability for the home buyer said Bennett. Is it a good idea to make all homes retrofitted for fire suppression.

Sirota Monday 7-19-10 Hour 3

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:16:38 -0400

We had two authors on this hour. Paul Bloom on his book How Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like and Jere Van Dyk on Captive: My Time as a Prisoner of the Taliban.

Sirota Monday 7-19-10 Hour 2

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:42:14 -0400

Instead of surprise roundups of illegal aliens at factories and farms across the country, the Obama administration has begun silent raids in which federal agents are auditing companies' records and pointing out who should be fired, The New York Times reports. While previous snap raids have resulted in the immediate deportation of thousands of illegal workers, the new raids usually end up with employees getting fired, but often not having to leave the country. They also have a wider reach, looking at all of a firm's employees, not just the ones who happen to be on duty when federal agents turn up. Do you like this policy.

David Sirota Monday 7-19-10 Hour 1

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:51:46 -0400

Andrew Romanoff challenges Bennet's change of vote for CARD Act. Critics say the mundane C-Span video shows Washington politics at its most cynical. Colorado's Democratic senators, Michael Bennet and Mark Udall, linger in the well of the Senate for a vote on a consumer-friendly 15 percent cap on credit card interest, proposed by Sen. Bernie Sanders as an amendment to a larger measure known as the CARD Act. Both Colorado senators at first vote no on the doomed idea. The 2009 proposal could never get enough votes. Before the final vote, though, Bennet and Udall switched and joined 31 other senators in voting yes. A spokesman for Bennet's Democratic primary challenger, Andrew Romanoff, says it appears Bennet changed his vote after it was clear the cap proposal would die, so he could tell constituents he voted yes for consumer protection. Do you think Bennet and Udall were trying to deceive the public here. At 7:35 Andrew Romanoff joined our show to discuss. We also talked about the possibility of Tom Tancredo being the new GOP pick for governor. Would you move out of the state if Tancredo was elected governor.

Sirota Friday 7-16-10 Hour 3

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:25:31 -0400

Recently, the President's Cancer Panel reported that the true burden of environmentally induced cancers has been grossly underestimated and named cell phones and other wireless technologies as significant concerns that demand further research and precaution. The international Interphone study has raised additional concerns. Dr. Kerry Crofton is a health educator and the author of Wireless Radiation Rescue: Safeguarding Your Family from the Risks of Electro-Pollution. She collaborated with the world's most respected scientists, physicians, and environmental health experts, and compiled data from the latest research studies. We then went back to calls on whether or not you have or ever will wish death upon anyone. Turk says that Dick Cheney is schmuck of the week for surviving yet another hear surgey. Is that wrong of Turk.

Best of Sirota July 12-16

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:13:48 -0400

Our best interviews this week included comedienne Heather McDonald, author Greg Grandin on Fordlandia, Garret Keizer on noise and Peter Gleick on the problem with bottled water

Sirota Friday 7-16-10 Hour

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:19:27 -0400

We carried over conversation from hour one. At 8:35 we were joined by John Denvir to talk about his book Freeing Speech: The Constitutional War Over National Security. Denvir argues that the First Amendment's goal is to protect the entire structure of democratic debate, even including activities ancillary to the dissemination of speech itself. Assessing the right of political association, the use of public streets and parks for political demonstrations, the press' ability to comment on public issues, and presidential speech on national security, Denvir examines why this democratic model of free speech is essential at all times, but especially during the War on Terror.

Sirota Friday 7-16-10 Hour 1

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:10:10 -0400

When Washington state passed a tax on soda and other sugary beverages in April, it seemed like momentum was building nationally for a new kind of tax. Washington's law, which imposes a tax of 2 cents for every 12 ounces of soda, came on the heels of similar actions in Maine and Colorado. Politically, the soda tax seemed to pack a perfect one-two punch. It raised revenue in a year when states like Washington were facing enormous budget deficits. And it offered a response to the growing problem of obesity, especially among children. Now, the beverage industry has momentum flowing in the opposite direction. Its lobbyists quashed every other state effort to pass a soda tax this year, including bills in Mississippi, New Mexico and New York state. What is your take on the soda tax. We also played audio of a new Scott McInnis ad on jobs and taxes. We got into a talk generally about taxes as well.

Sirota Thursday 7-15-10 Hour 3

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:05:37 -0400

Peter Gleick joins the show to discuss his book Bottled & Sold: The Story Behind Our Obsession with Bottled Water. Tap water is safe almost everywhere in the U.S. so why does someone buy a bottle of water every second of every day and where do the thousands of plastic bottles discarded daily end up. We then went back to open phones for the rest of the hour. We also played an ad by a GOP group that is asking to Kill the Ground Zero Mosque. David says this is one of the most racist filled ads he has ever seen.

Sirota Thursday 7-15-10 Hour 2

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:07:20 -0400

David had open phones this hour on anything we talked about hour one. We talked about whether or not the McInnis story hurts republicans throughout the state. We also talked about what drives our deficit and solutions.

Sirota Thursday 7-15-10 Hour 1

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:03:34 -0400

David led off with an update on the Scott McInnis plagiarizing story. At 7:20 Author Stan Cox joins the show to talk about his new book Losing Our Cool: Uncomfortable Truths About Our Air-Conditioned World and Finding Ways to Get Through the Summer. We then talked more about Scott McInnis and about deficit reduction. We have a graph on Dave's personality page to go with this. Most of our deficit comes from Bush tax cuts and war. We took comments on this as well.

Sirota Wednesday 7-14-10 Hour 3

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:28:45 -0400

Garret Keizer joins David to talk about his new book The Unwanted Sound of Everything We Want: A Book About Noise. Keizer explores the unforeseen side effects of our inventive natures. We usually use the word noise as a pejorative, a term denoting unwanted sound: somebody's loud music, a blaring car alarm, the din from a nearby airport. But, as Keizer points out, noise is often a product of human achievement, invention, or ambition. In broad terms, you can't have civilization without noise. We then brought up the bicyclist versus driver issue in Colorado. Who has the right of way.

Sirota Wednesday 7-14-10 Hour 2

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:28:55 -0400

We continued to talk about Scott McInnis and plagiarism. Should he be held back from running from Governor because of these new allegations. What about folks like Joe Biden and others who have been accused of plagiarizing.

Sirota Wednesday 7-14-10 Hour 1

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:02:19 -0400

We led off with reaction to Scott McInnis blaming a research assistant for his plagiarism charge. We played audio of his excuse and we asked whether or not he should be back out or be eliminated from the Governor's race. Sirota says that this goes on for politicians all the time. Staffers write most of their work. Also what about folks like Mike Rosen and Dan Caplis who called for Ward Churchill to be fired for plagiarism but are now silent. At 7:20 our special guest is Daniel Simons, co author of the book The Invisible Gorilla: And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us. Reading this book will make you less sure of yourself-and that's a good thing. In The Invisible Gorilla, Simons and Christopher Chabris use a wide assortment of stories and counterintuitive scientific findings to reveal an important truth. Our minds don't work the way we think they do. We think we see ourselves and the world as they really are, but we're actually missing a whole lot.

Sirota Tuesday 7-13-10 Hour 3

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:33:20 -0400

We led off with Eric Boehlert from Media Matters. He gave us the misinformation report of the week which included some more Glenn Beck hate and about Tom Tancredo and Ken Buck. We also talked to High Counrty News' Rachel Waldholz about her piece Health Studies Gas Up: Colorado launches one of the nation's first health assessments of gas-drilling impacts. Battlement Concerned Citizens, a small but vocal coalition of retirees, have pushed Garfield County to fund a health assessment before approving Antero Resources drilling proposal. It will be one of the first times that regulators will be asked to consider a detailed health assessment when permitting gas drilling. We also mixed in calls for some daddy advice for Sirota.

Sirota Tuesday 7-13-10 Hour 2

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:12:29 -0400

We led off this hour with contributing editor for Wired magazine Brendan Koerner to talk about his piece called Secret of AA: After 75 Years. We Don't Know How It Works. We then updated the Scott McInnis plagiarizing story. At 8:35 Greg Grandin is our special guest to talk about his book Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford's Forgotten Jungle City. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History, as well as for the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award, Fordlandia was picked by the New York Times, New Yorker, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune and NPR for their best of lists, and Amazon.com named it the best history book of 2009.

Sirota Tuesday 7-13-10 Hour 1

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:09:25 -0400

David led off with an exciting announcement. He and Emily are having a baby boy. He took some parental advice as well as talked about this story. The housing bust that began among the working class in remote subdivisions and quickly progressed to the suburban middle class is striking the upper class in privileged enclaves like this one in Silicon Valley. Whether it is their residence, a second home or a house bought as an investment, the rich have stopped paying the mortgage at a rate that greatly exceeds the rest of the population. More than one in seven homeowners with loans in excess of a million dollars are seriously delinquent, according to data compiled for The New York Times by the real estate analytics firm CoreLogic. By contrast, homeowners with less lavish housing are much more likely to keep writing checks to their lender. About one in 12 mortgages below the million-dollar mark is delinquent. Though it is hard to prove, the CoreLogic data suggest that many of the well-to-do are purposely dumping their financially draining properties, just as they would any sour investment. Is there a moral obligation to stay in your home and keep paying your mortgage when you are under water.

Sirota Monday 7-12-10 Hour 3

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:26:45 -0400

Our special guests this hour included former CIA Officer Ray McGovern on Afghanistan and Petraeus as Heather McDonald on her upcoming Comedy Works shows and her new memoir You'll Never Blue Ball in This Town Again: One Woman's Painfully Funny Quest to Give It Up.

Sirota Monday 7-12-10 Hour 2

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:15:25 -0400

In a push to implement a publicly financed election system and curb moneyed interests in politics, a pair of good government groups is launching a television ad campaign with a noteworthy price tag. Common Cause and Public Campaign, two organizations known for exposing the murkier influences on legislative and electoral processes, are staking 8 million to try and burnish Congress with the willpower to pass the Fair Elections Now Act. And they're willing to spend as much as 15 million on their campaign season gambit. Our special guest is David Donnelly, the campaign manager for the Campaign for Fair Elections. At 8:30 sportswriter Dave Ziren joined us to talk about Lebron James and the economic mess Cleveland is left with.

Sirota Monday 7-12-10 Hour 1

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:51:52 -0400

Sirota's back. He led off talking about his Monday Morning Blues. At 7:20 our special guests are brothers Laird Monahan and Robin Monahan. Their final straw to a mountain of growing despair over current political trends arrived on January 21st, 2010 when the Supreme Court turned Corporations into people. Angst over the court's decision in the controversial Citizens United v Federal Elections Commission, which now grants Corporations protection as individuals under the Bill of Rights and allows them to spend as much money as they desire to sway our political process, triggered in Laird and Robin a personal need to Do Something. They enlisted the aid of Move to Amend, a consortium of over 50 organizations promoting a Constitutional amendment to abolish corporate personhood. Then they decided to walk across America and bring attention to their cause all along the way. They are currently in Colorado. www.movetoamend.org

Sirota Friday 7-9-10 Hour 3

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:11:29 -0400

John Turk fills in for David Sirota. Immigration, unemployment, Russian spies and public marijuana smoking at music festivals. John covers it all.

Sirota Friday 7-9-10 Hour 2

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:26:34 -0400

John Turk fills in for David Sirota. John continues his discussion on public marijuana smoking and it's impact on kids. Also, are major corporations the enemy?

Sirota Friday 7-9-10 Hour 1

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:44:23 -0400

John Turk fills in for David Sirota. John talks about taking his kids to summer music festivals, is it healthy for them to be exposed to the drug culture that surrounds these festivals? Also, we take your votes for Shmuck of the Week.

Sirota Thursday 7-8-10 Hour 3

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:32:51 -0400

We continued breaking down the GOP's senseless war on the unemployed and poor.

Sirota Thursday 7-8-10 Hour 2

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:29:00 -0400

We continued conversation about the war on the poor and unemployed by the GOP. At 8:20 Westword's Michael Roberts joined us to talk about the controversial Michael Steele visit to Colorado. We then went back to discussion on the unemployed.

Sirota Thursday 7-8-10 Hour 1

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:48:12 -0400

Author Steve Almond in for Sirota again today. He led off talking about unemployment. We went through what some republican leaders are saying about the unemployed. Have you ever been unemployed. Why do a lot of unemployed still vote Republican.

Sirota Wednesday 7-7-10 Hour 3

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:29:17 -0400

Steve Almond in for David Sirota today. We led off this hour with singer songwriter Dan Bern to talk about why there really are not any GOP rock stars. We then went to conversation on this and about a the media and a BP sponsored fireworks show in Durango.

Sirota Wednesday 7-7-10 Hour 2

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:12:17 -0400

Steve Almond guest hosts. We carried over conversation from last hour on a boycott on the right-wing hate machine. Should we simply ignore their rhetoric or is it better to relay what the Republican media machine is saying.

Sirota Wednesday 7-7-10 Hour 1

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 08:43:25 -0400

Author of Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life Steve Almond in for David Sirota today. At 7:20 we talked to The Nation's Sports Writer and host of Edge of Sports Radio Dave Ziren. We talked about World Cup Soccer. We talked about the negatives it has on the developing country hosting the cup. We also talked about popularity in America. Also, is it time to declare a boycott on the Republican noise machine. Steve thinks so. He laid out his arguments. Are we giving credence to these characters when we regurgitate their crazy rhetoric.

Sirota Tuesday 7-6-10

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:33:21 -0400

Geoff Berg finds pro prop 61 add.....for your enjoyment.

Sirota Tuesday 7-6-10 9am

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:19:53 -0400

Campaign finance reform....Geoff takes your thoughts and comments.

Sirota Tuesday 7-6-10 8am

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:10:09 -0400

Geoff speaks with CU law proffesor Scott Moss concerning the methods for ammending the constitution. Geoff also takes calls on campaign refinance.

Sirota Tuesday 7-6-10 7am

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:35:27 -0400

Geoff sitting in for Sirota speaks with John Paul Harris of the Boulder Human Rights Commision concerning immigration and takes your calls.

Sirota Monday 7-5-10 9am

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:43:00 -0400

Due to the flakyness of young adults....Geoff opens up the lines and welcomes all calls and questions.

Sirota Monday 7-5-10 8am

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:36:29 -0400

Geoff talks with Hal Bidlack of the El Paso Democratic party concernig the trouble in Colorado Springs. Also CU law professor Scott Moss and gun control advocate Judy Biederman discuss the gun ban on CU campus.

Sirota Monday 7-5-10 7am

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:25:41 -0400

Geoff Berg sitting in for David talks with Ari Rabin-Havt of media matters concerning the attacks on Obama from right wing radio and television host's.

Sirota Friday 7-2-10 9am

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:45:32 -0400

Geoff continues taking calls on big lies, schmuck of the week, patriotism, and what's coming out of Hollywood this summer with guest Paul Wittenberg. Also, Geoff premiers the Teabagger Declaration of Independance.

Sirota Friday 7-2-10 8am

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:39:28 -0400

In honor of the Tim Masters case, Geoff asks people to call in with the biggest lie they ever told. Also, your schmuck of the week.

Sirota Friday 7-2-10 7am

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:21:12 -0400

Geoff talks about patriotism and rebukes the conservative claim that progressives are anti American. Richard Smith, from Vote Vets (votevets.org) talks about supporting progressive veterans running for office.

Sirota Thursday 7-1-10 9am

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:23:12 -0400

Geoff opens up the lines tackling all issues....bring it!

Sirota Thursday 7-1-10 8am

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:53:56 -0400

Geoff speaks with Jared Polis and takes your calls on a variety of topics.

Sirota Thursday 7-1-10 7am

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:09:22 -0400

Geoff Berg sits in for David: Geoff speaks with Democratic Attorney General candidate and Boulder county DA Stan Garnett.

Sirota Wednesday 6-30-10 Hour 3

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:08:37 -0400

David opened up playing audio of John Boehner saying he wants to raise the Social Security age to 70. What do you think. Also, more calls on guns and god, Andrew Romanoff and much more.

Sirota Wednesday 6-30-10 Hour 2

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:39:52 -0400

We led off talking with Andrew Romanoff about Bill Clinton's endorsement. Andrew also answered instant messages from listeners. At 8:30 ACLU of Colorado Legal Director Mark Silverstein was our special guest. The ACLU is challenging a Boulder ordinance that penalizes homeless people for sleeping outside under the cover of blankets, even when the city's homeless shelter is full. We also played audio of Senator Grassley asking Kagan if bearing guns is a god given right. We also played audio of Marco Rubio saying give tax cuts to the rich permanently.

Sirota Wednesday 6-30-10

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:56:55 -0400

Former President Bill Clinton endorses Andrew Romanoff in his primary against Senator Michael Bennet. Will this move the numbers. What do you make of this endorsement.

Sirota Tuesday 6-29-10 Hour 3

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:11:28 -0400

We led off with Eric Boehlert from Media Matters for America. We talked about Kagan coverage and about the Rolling Stone and Lara Logan situation. We then took calls on whatever we hit on this morning. Lastly, Jay Marvin joined us to talk about a possible travel ban lift to Cuba.

Sirota Tuesday 6-29-10 Hour 2

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:14:52 -0400

We led off with Time Warp Tuesday. We then talked about 60 Minutes' Lara Logan going after Rolling Stone and Michael Hastings fro publishing General Stanley McChrystal story. Dave laid out why this is so wrong. We also continued talking about a gun rights.

Sirota Tuesday 6-29-10 Hour 1

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:35:25 -0400

David led off talking about conceal to carry and guns. At 720 we were joined by sports writer and talk show host Dave Ziren to talk about the World Cup and why Americans can be happy about Ghana winning. He also talked about why we should cheer for Argentina. We then went back to

Sirota Monday 6-28-10 Hour 3

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:02:51 -0400

1. David talks with Bob Moore, editor of the Ft. Collin"s Coloradan, about the highly contested 4th district Congressional race. Betsy Markey and Cory Gardner are both under fire for their associations with the energy lobby. 2. Author David Kirkpatrick joins the show to discuss his new book The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company That is Connecting the World. He specializes in the computer and technology industries, as well as in the impact of the Internet on business and society. http://www.facebook.com/thefacebookeffect

Sirota Monday 6-28-10 Hour 2

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:56:12 -0400

1. David talks about the religious use of marijuana.2. Guest Andrew Romanoff, http://www.andrewromanoff.com/, talks about closing the tax loophole for large corporations. He"s critical of Bennett and Udall for their vote against getting rid of oil and gas tax breaks.

Sirota Monday 6-28-10 Hour 1

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:45:32 -0400

David talks about a proposal to raise the estate tax rates of billionaires and multi-millionaires. He invites listeners to consider the idealogical and practical arguments associated with this.

Best of Sirota June 21-25

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:34:21 -0400

Our best interviews this week included Naomi Klein on the gulf spill, Jeery Lembcke on Hanoi Jane, Kathryn Schulz on Being Wrong and Professpr Marc Bekoff on The Animal Manifesto

Sirota Friday 6-25-10 Hour 3

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:12:58 -0400

We continued taking calls on schmucks of the week. We also continued tasting Beau Jo's Pizza with Pam, John and Chip. Chris Katechis also in studio from Oskar Blues to talk about Burning Can festival.

Sirota Friday 6-25-10 Hour 2

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:08:10 -0400

Beau Hodai is our special guest to talk about his In These Times piece called Corporate Con Game. It's about how the private prison industry helped shape Arizona's anti-immigrant law. He also had a follow up story called Ties That Bind: Arizona Politicians and the Private Prison Industry. We then were joined by New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortez Vasquez. She is in Denver for the National Association of Latino Elected Officials conference. We then were joined by Pam Friedentag, John Grapel and Stan Bair of Beau Jo's Pizza for a taste test.

Sirota Friday 6-25-10 Hour 1

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:05:45 -0400

David opened up Fight Club Friday and started taking votes for schmuck of the week. We also talked about cruel and unusual punishment in light of this week's death by firing squad in Utah story.

Sirota Thursday 6-24-10 Hour 3

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:08:43 -0400

David continued taking calls on Orrin Hatch's proposal to drug test the unemployed. Also, imagine paying a fine for getting in a car accident. That's what the Denver Fire Department and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper are proposing as a way to help balance the city's budget. The so-called crash tax or accident response fee would apply to non-residents who cause accidents on highways within the boundaries of the city and county of Denver. The fee would essentially average about 300 to 400 dollars for fire response. Some say it would raise revenue, others say it's a double-tax that would scare visitors away. What do you think.

Sirota Thursday 6-24-10 Hour 2

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:08:59 -0400

We continued taking calls on potentially drug testing the unemployed.

Sirota Thursday 6-24-10 Hour 1

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:03:32 -0400

David led off with his thoughts on President Obama relinquishing General Stanley McChrystal of his duties. We played a clip of Obama saying one of the core tenants of our democracy is that our military serves it's people. We then talked with author and Marc Bekoff about his new book The Animal Manifesto: Six Reasons for Expanding Our Compassion Footprint. We then talked about drug testing for the unemployed. You think that is a good or bad idea. Republicans are trying to push this through.

Sirota Wednesday 6-23-10 Hour 3

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:12:50 -0400

We had a couple authors on this hour. First up was Jerry Lembcke, author of Hanoi Jane: War, Sex and Fantasies of Betrayal. We also talked to Kathryn Shulz author of Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error.

Sirota Wednesday 6-23-10 Hour 2

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:07:52 -0400

We led off with author and host of the acclaimed national PBS series The Great Outdoors James Tabor was our special guest to talk about his new book Blind Descent: The Quest to Discover the Deepest Place on Earth. We then went back to conversation on Mayor John Hickenlooper who is flip flopping on industry regs for oil and gas.

Sirota Wednesday 6-23-10 Hour 1

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 09:01:21 -0400

Dave led off talking about the McChrystal controversy. What do you think the president should and will do. We also broke a story about Mayor John Hickenlooper being a big oil lover by weakening gas and oil industry regulations. He and Scott McInnis seeing eye to eye on this is what's the scary thing. Mayor Hickenlooper flip flopping on whether or not this is hurting jobs as well. He now says rules are responsible for job loss.

Sirota Tuesday 6-22-10 Hour 3

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:44:54 -0400

We led off with our media misinformation report from Karl Frisch of Media Matters for America. We then took a few calls on General McChrystal before being joined by James Mehia who announced over the weekend he would run for Mayor of Denver. He is currently executive director at the Denver Preschool Program.

Sirota Tuesday 6-22-10 Hour 2

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:34:41 -0400

Our special in-studio guest is Jeffrey Kaye. He is a freelance journalist and special correspondent for the PBS NewsHour, for whom he has reported since 1984. His work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post. Tonight at 7:30 pm at the Tattered Cover on Colfax Kaye will discuss and sign his new book Moving Millions: How Coyote Capitalism Fuels Global Immigration. Drawing on his travels to places including Mexico, the U.K., the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, Poland, and Senegal, this book, offering a healthy alternative to the obsession with migrants' legal status, exposes the dark side of globalization and the complicity of businesses and governments to benefit from the migration of millions of workers. We then did Time Warp Tuesday and took calls on General McChrystal.

Sirota Tuesday 6-22-10 Hour 1

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:08:21 -0400

David led off with his analysis of General Stanley McChrystal who has been recalled for some disparaging remarks made in a Rolling Stone interview. There are dismissive remarks made about the president and vice president. Should he be fired. Also we talked with author and activist Naomi Klein who published a piece for the Guardian about her reporting from the gulf. It's called Gulf Oil Spill: A Hole in the World.

Sirota Monday 6-21-10 Hour 3

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:23:16 -0400

Katie Drummond is our special guest to discuss her recent piece in Wired Magazine about the so-called discovery of a motherlode of minerals in Afghanistan. We also talked about war funding and whether or not we should intensify the battle in Afghanistan. We also took calls on the pres playing golf and why conservatives hate soccer and the World Cup.

Sirota Monday 6-21-10 Hour 2

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:12:32 -0400

We continued taking observations about the World Cup and soccer. Do you love it or hate it. Why do conservatives mostly seem to all hate it. Also should the president be playing golf while the White House criticizes BP CEO Tony Hayward for attending a yacht race.

Sirota Monday 6-21-10 Hour 1

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:09:39 -0400

David opened up breaking down the weekend news and then we were joined by The Nation's sportswriter Dave Ziren to talk about why the far right hates the World Cup. We then had a discussion on the World Cup. Why do you hate or or why do you love it. Do most conservatives hate soccer.

Sirota Friday 6-18-10 Hour 3

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:25:48 -0400

John Turk gives callers twenty seconds to unload whatever is on their minds.

Sirota Friday 6-18-10 Hour 2

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:19:46 -0400

John Turk continues to talk about the BP hearing and also keeps Schmuck of the Week going.

Sirota Friday 6-18-10 Hour 1

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:09:09 -0400

John Turk hosting today, talks about the BP congressional hearing yesterday. Tony Hayword stonewalls, Senator Barton apologizes to BP, and Joe Biden kicks some butt. Callers weigh in and nominate their Schmuck of the Week.

Sirota Thursday 6-17-10 Hour 3

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:23:04 -0400

John Turk continues talking about the oil spill, but also introduces a story about Ft. Lewis College looking into serving beer and wine on campus. Also, Fred Schneider from the B-52's is in studio to talk about this weekend's PrideFest in downtown Denver.

Sirota Thursday 6-17-10 Hour 2

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:15:51 -0400

John Turk continues to talk about comments made by Governor Barber and BP Chairman Carl Henrik concerning the Gulf clean up. Mayor Tony Kennon of Orange Beach, AL weighs in on the show about the devistation in his state.

Sirota Thursday 6-17-10 Hour 1

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:04:44 -0400

John Turk fills in today, and talks about a quote from Carl Henrik, Chairman of BP talking about all the "small people" in the Gulf Region. Is this offensive? Also, Mississippi Governor Haley Barber is worried about BP losing profits. What are his motivations? We also replay an interview Sirota did with marine biologist and activist Riki Ott about the cover up in the Gulf.

Sirota Wednesday 6-16-10 Hour 3

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:09:10 -0400

A leader in the green building movement, David Johnston is our special guest to talk about his new book Toward a Zero Energy Home: A Complete Guide to Energy Self-Sufficiency at Home. He took questions from listeners as well. At 9:35 Dr. Riki Ott was our very special guest live from Orange Beach Alabama to talk about BP hiding evidence and censoring the media. This is an extremely eye-opening interview.

Sirota Wednesday 6-16-10 Hour 2

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:13:28 -0400

We continued taking reaction from President Obama's speech on the oil disaster. We also talked about if offshore drilling is not permitted anymore, would that open up more drilling ventures in Colorado. Is that a good or bad thing.

Sirota Wednesday 6-16-10 Hour 1

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:03:33 -0400

David led off with analysis of President Obama's speech last night on the oil disaster in the gulf. We played audio clips and took some response. At 7:30 Congresswoman Diana DeGette joined the show to talk about the spill as she and other members of congress are questioning BP officials this week.

Sirota Tuesday 6-15-10 Hour 3

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:10:53 -0400

Due to technical difficulties we are missing first couple minutes of the hour. We pick it up in the middle of our media misinformation report with Eric Boehlert from Media Matters for America. We then talked with National Wildlife Federation CEO and President Larry Schweiger about other energy matters that may pose potential risks like the BP disaster.

Sirota Tuesday 6-15-10 Hour 2

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:14:26 -0400

We continued talking the issues with Congressman Ed Perlmutter. We then did Time Warp Tuesday before talking about the possibility that for the first time in 60 years Colorado may not have an African American in the state senate, house or congress. We also talked about Democratic Congressman Etheridge of South Carolina getting physical with some conservative activists.

Sirota Tuesday 6-15-10 Hour 1

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:58:10 -0400

David opened up talking about his horrible experience looking for a home. He then talked about news surrounding the supposed discovery of a vast deposit of valuable minerals in Afghanistan. Could the Pentagon be selling old information and are they trying to ramp up support of war. Do you think Americans are more likely to support a war if it's for minerals. We then talked with The Nation's DC Editor Christopher Hayes about his latest piece called BP: Beyond Punishment. Congressman Ed Perlmutter then closed out the hour with us talking about the BP spill and Wall Street Reform.

Sirota Monday 6-14-10 Hour 3

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:09:59 -0400

Our special guest is Danny Katz state director at the Colorado Public Interest Research Group CoPIRG. There are some big problems with the school lunch program that need to be fixed before kids return to school in the fall. Standards are so low that 13 million pounds of chicken that would otherwise be served as dog food was sold to schools instead! This chicken is four times more likely to carry salmonella than the poultry you would buy in the supermarket. Worse yet, food tracking systems are so bad that recalled food cannot be traced to the schools that bought it. Last year 450,000 pounds of recalled, salmonella-tainted ground beef from Beef Packers, Inc. was served in school lunches. This is unacceptable. CoPIRG is launching our Safe Foods, Healthy Kids campaign to ensure that school lunch food meets science-based quality standards and that all food can be tracked back to its source. www.copirg.org We then took calls on anythinig we have discussed this morning.

Sirota Monday 6-14-10 Hour 2

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:20:02 -0400

The United States has discovered nearly 1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, far beyond any previously known reserves and enough to fundamentally alter the Afghan economy and perhaps the Afghan war itself, according to senior American government officials. The previously unknown deposits, including huge veins of iron, copper, cobalt, gold and critical industrial metals like lithium, are so big and include so many minerals that are essential to modern industry that Afghanistan could eventually be transformed into one of the most important mining centers in the world, the United States officials believe. An internal Pentagon memo, for example, states that Afghanistan could become the Saudi Arabia of lithium, a key raw material in the manufacture of batteries for laptops and BlackBerrys. The vast scale of Afghanistan's mineral wealth was discovered by a small team of Pentagon officials and American geologists. Some say this shows that we are continuing our occupation because this finding. What do you think. We also talked about a raft guide who jumped into Clear Creek and attempted to save a 13 year old girl. Should he have been arrested.

Sirota Friday 6-14-10 Hour 1

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:13:01 -0400

Addressing the clerical abuse scandal from the heart of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict begged forgiveness Friday from victims and promised to do everything possible to protect children at a Mass celebrated by 15,000 priests from around the world. Although symbolic, Benedict's pledge failed to satisfy victims groups who said promises were useless without a clear-cut action plan to root out pedophile priests, expose the bishops who protected them and change the Vatican policies and culture that allowed abuse to continue. Benedict implied the devil was behind the timing of the scandal, saying the Year of the Priest was supposed to have been a year in celebration of the priesthood and encouragement for new vocations. Is this good enough for Catholics and do you believe him. We also talked about breaking news of a 1 trillion dollar mineral deposit the Pentagon found in Afghanistan. Does this say anything about why we continue to occupy Afghanistan.

Best of Sirota June 7-11

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:20:53 -0400

David's best interviews this week included author Nicholas Carr on what the internet is doing to your brain. We also talked to the Center for American Progress' Michael Lind to talk about the myths of the Greek financial meltdown. We also had on Center for Digital Democracy's Jeff Chester to talk about alcohol advertising being aimed at children. We also had on Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist David Cay Johnston to talk about the Undertaxed Freedom Day.

Sirota Friday 6-11-10 Hour 3

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:17:01 -0400

We had John Common and Blinding Flashes of Light in Studio for the whole hour. They have a CD release party at the Fox Theatre in Boulder tomorrow night. David will be MCing the event. We also mixed in votes on schmuck of the week.

Sirota Friday 6-11-10 Hour 2

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:51:12 -0400

David talked about sacrifice in these tough times. Are you willing to give up certain things in order for energy conservation. What kind of steps must we take. We also talked to Governor Bill Ritter about his last legislative session.

Sirota Friday 6-11-10 Hour 1

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:54:56 -0400

In a vote that advocates of abortion rights sought beforehand to keep quiet, the Senate Armed Services Committee passed a provision on May 27 to allow privately financed abortions at military hospitals and bases. Current law bans abortions in most cases at military facilities, even if women pay themselves, meaning they must go outside to private hospitals and clinics, an impossibility for many of the estimated 100,000 American servicewomen in foreign countries, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. What's your take on this one. We also talked to Pulitzer Proize winning investigative reporter David Cay Johnston to talk about Undertaxed Freedom Day. We then took votes for schmuck of the week and opened up Fight Club Friday.

Sirota Thursday 6-10-10 Hour 3

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:13:35 -0400

An HIV positive Denver man has been preliminarily charged with second-degree Assault with a Deadly Weapon by the Denver district attorney's office for allegedly spitting on another man during a dispute. A spokesperson for the DA's office said staffers are currently examining the case to determine whether the charge is appropriate. According to the police report, Jason Arb, a technician with the Rocky Mountain Offender Monitoring System, arrived at the home of Mathew O'Kelly to install a monitoring system at O'Kelly's home for a drunk driving offense. During the visit, O'Kelly objected to the price of the system and told Arb to leave the house. Arb said he would have to report the information to O'Kelly's probation officer. The two argued and O'Kelly reportedly spit in Arb's face. Later, upon speaking with O'Kelly's parole officer, Arb learned O'Kelly was HIV positive, at which point he filed a formal complaint. Can spit be considered a deadly weapon.

Sirota Thursday 6-10-10 Hour 2

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:07:22 -0400

If alcohol companies were only touting their products on company websites, the fact that the industry is flimsily self-regulated might not be much cause for alarm. The trouble is, according to a new report released last week from the Center for Digital Democracy and Berkeley Media Studies Group, they're also saturating kid-popular websites like YouTube and Facebook with branded games, contests and viral videos, and tapping into people's cell phones with apps and text messages. And research shows the marketing works. Executive Director at the Center for Digital Democracy Jeff Chester is our guest to talk about the report. We then talked with Andrew Romanoff about his new energy policy he will be rolling out today in light of the BP disaster.

Sirota Thursday 6-10-10 Hour 1

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:02:23 -0400

Sirota back today and he led with some primary analysis from Tuesdays results. Is it labor's responsibility to back the Democratic Party regardless of what the legislators are doing to maintain a Democratic Congress. What about environmental groups or pro choice groups.

Sirota Wednesday 6-9-10 Hour 3

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:58:02 -0400

John Turk gives callers 20 seconds to express themselves.

Sirota Wednesday 6-9-10 Hour 2

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:49:58 -0400

John Turk talks about the Gulf oil spill and how BP should be appropriately punished.

Sirota Wednesday 6-9-10 Hour 1

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:45:10 -0400

John Turk talks about last night's primary elections. Has corporate influence won out and how much faith do you have in our government?

Sirota Tuesday 6-8-10 Hour 3

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:01:09 -0400

We led off with our Media Matters Misinformation Report with Ari Rabin-Havt. We then did news of the weird before taking open phones for the rest of the show.

Sirota Tuesday 6-8-10 Hour 2

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:16:38 -0400

Michael Linden from the Center for American Progress is our special guest to talk about the financial mess in Greece. Conservatives are saying if you don't elect Republicans the same thing will happen here. Michael broke down the facts.We then went back to phones on citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.

Sirota Tuesday 6-8-10 Hour 1

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 08:59:39 -0400

Sirota opened up talking about a move among leading republican candidates to try to push for a statute that strips citizenship from the children of undocumented immigrants. This would basically repeal the 14th Amendment. David thinks it i disgusting. What about you.

Sirota Monday 6-7-10 Hour 3

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:11:25 -0400

Nicholas Carr is our special guest to talk about his latest book The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains. Carr writes on the social, economic, and business implications of technology. He is the author of the 2008 Wall Street Journal bestseller The Big Switch: Rewiring the World, from Edison to Google. He has been writing his blog, Rough Type, since 2005. He is a member of the Encyclopaedia Britannica's editorial board of advisors and is on the steering board of the World Economic Forum's cloud computing project.

Sirota Monday 6-7-10 Hour 2

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:08:30 -0400

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claim Denver officials revoked their initial permit to place a Crippled Chicken statue along the 16th Street Mall. The 65-inch fiberglass statue, which was designed by New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss, depicts a battered, bloody chicken limping on crutches and bears the inscription McCruelty: I'm hatin' it.PETA wanted to erect the statue in June and keep it in place for the duration of the summer. At this time, McDonalds has declined to comment on the campaign.PETA's said their attorney has since sent a letter to the Denver mayor stating any attempts to override the permitting authority would violate the animals right group free-speech and equal-protection rights. Where do you stand on theis one. Is this a politicized billboard and is it any different from any other billboard in the public.

Sirota Monday 6-7-10 Hour 1

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:59:04 -0400

We talked about surveillance video in Denver. High-tech video cameras installed throughout the city captured images from about 300 crimes in the past 18 months and helped Denver police make about 80 arrests, authorities say. Recent federal grants will allow police to put up cameras at areas viewed as potential terrorism targets, including Cherry Creek mall. In all, police plan to add 33 video cameras this summer to the arsenal of 80. Some of the existing cameras may be moved to other locations after a review of the system. The system worries civil-liberties groups. Do you think we should increase the use of these or is it an invasion of our privacy.

Best of Sirota June 1-4

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:08:25 -0400

Our best interviews this week included Carl Hoffman on his book Lunatic Express where he traveled the world's most dangerous modes of transportation. We also had on Temple Grandin to talk about her life, the new HBO film about her and about the ethical treatment of animals. Andrew Romanoff also joined us to talk about the campaign and about the job offer that came to him from the White House. Lastly Christy Harvey joined us to talk about under-the-radar news stories about the BP Disaster.

Sirota Friday 6-4-10 Hour 3

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:14:54 -0400

We led off with our weekly visit with Christy Harvey from the Center for American Progress and Mic Check Radio. We talked about a few stories that have flown under the radar about the BP disaster. We also hit on the US Embassy being built in Baghdad. Seems like a money pit. We then updated the Andrew Romanoff White House scandal.

Sirota Friday 6-4-10 Hour 2

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 10:09:20 -0400

We continued taking calls on shared sacrifices. At 8:40 David was joined by Ira Chernus Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Colorado to talk about the Jewish Peace Movement in light of the the escalating tensions in the Middle East. They will have a presence at the Boulder Jewish Festival this Sunday June 6 from 11 to 5 at the Courthouse Lawn on Pearl Street.

Sirota Friday 6-4-10 Hour 1

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:52:57 -0400

David opened up talking about sacrifice during wartime. We played a clip of FDR calling for sacrifice by all Americans after the Pearl Harbor attack. We asked what, if any sacrifices we will need to give in light of the BP disaster. Why don't we see calls for shared sacrifice.

Sirota Thursday 6-3-10 Hour 3

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:17:22 -0400

Colin Beaven is our special guest to talk about his book No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet, and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process. Beavan writes and administers the provocative environmental blog NoImpactMan.Com, which has become a meeting point for discussion of environmental issues from a deep green perspective. Beavan was named one of MSN's Ten Most Influential Men of 2007 and was named an Eco-Illuminator in Elle Magazine's 2008 Green Awards. His blog NoImpactMan.com was named one of the world's top 15 environmental websites by Time Magazine. He is director of the No Impact Project, a visiting scholar at NYU, an advisor to the University's Sustainability Task Force, and sits on the board of directors of New York City's Transportation Alternatives and on the advisory council of Just Food.

Sirota Thursday 6-3-10 Hour 2

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:06:34 -0400

David led this hour with a BP Gulf Coats update. The Obama administration still handing out drilling permits in the gulf and closer to shore. Today's college students are 40 percent less empathetic and social networking sites may be partly to blame, a new study suggests. The University of Michigan study cites Facebook and MySpace as major forces in the rise of narcissism and the ability to ignore others pain. The study found college students have become less empathetic since 2000. Why is the younger generation less empathetic and selfish.

Sirota Thursday 6-3-10 Hour 1

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:09:09 -0400

Former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff applied for a job with the U.S. Agency for International Development between the November 2008 presidential election and President Barack Obama's January 2009 inauguration, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said this morning. After the new administration took office, he followed up by phone with White House personnel, Gibbs said in a statement as the White House tried to contain a growing controversy about jobdiscussions the administration had in an effort to keep Romanoff out of a Senate primary with appointed incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet. We talked to Andrew Romanoff and Fort Collins Coloradoan editor Bob Moore about this story.

Sirota Wednesday 6-2-10 Hour 3

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:19:06 -0400

David is joined by Bruce Lourie to discuss the book he co-authored Slow Death By Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things which reveals how the living of daily life creates a toxic soup inside each of us. Studies have shown that significant levels of toxic substances can leach out of commonplace items in our homes and workplaces. How do these toxins make their way inside us and what impact do they have on our health. And more importantly, what can we do about them. Lourie is an influential leader and thinker in Canada's environment sector. His 20 year career is built on creating collaborative solutions to challenges facing non-profits, government and the private sector. Bruce is President of Ivey Foundation, a private charitable foundation focusing on environmental policy change. Bruce stuck around all hour and answered your questions.

Sirota Wednesday 6-2-10 Hour 2

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:19:17 -0400

Our very special guest is Dr. Temple Grandin. She is the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world. Now her fascinating life, with all its challenges and successes has been brought to the screen. HBO has produced the full-length film Temple Grandin, which premiered in February on HBO. Dr. Grandin didn't talk until she was three and a half years old, communicating her frustration instead by screaming, peeping, and humming. In 1950, she was diagnosed with autism and her parents were told she should be institutionalized. She told her story in her debut book Emergence: Labeled Autistic, a book which stunned the world because, until its publication, most professionals and parents assumed that an autism diagnosis was virtually a death sentence to achievement or productivity in life. Dr. Grandin presently works as a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She also speaks around the world on both autism and cattle handling. We then talked about the handling of animals before we eat them. We also continued taking calls on whether or not health insurance companies should be forced to provide free birth control for women.

Sirota Wednesday 6-2-10 Hour 1

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:09:42 -0400

As health reform regulations begin to take shape, Planned Parenthood has begun a quiet campaign to ensure that birth control is counted among the free preventive services that health insurers must cover under the Affordable Care Act. Beginning Sept. 23, six months after the reform law passed, many health insurance plans will be required to provide free preventive services coverage, with no co-pays or out-of-pocket costs. During the reform debate, Sen. Barbara Mikulski added an amendment that specified guaranteed additional preventive care and screenings specific to women's health would also receive coverage. What remains to be determined is what will make the preventive services list. For women's health specifically, the Health Resources and Services Administration has been tasked with drawing up comprehensive guidelines on services to be included. Should health insurance companies be forced to provide free birth control for women.

Sirota Tuesday 6-1-10 Hour 3

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:25:46 -0400

We led off with Karl Frisch to give us our Media Misinformation Report from Media Matters for America. We then announced our listener questions for the Brown and Sirota Throwdown. We took a few calls on Israel before being joined by comedians Louie Anderson and Kyle Cease to talk about their Stand-Up Bootcamp at Comedy Works this weekend.

Sirota Tuesday 6-1-10 Hour 2

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:21:14 -0400

We wrapped up Time Warp Tuesday before talking a little about Israel's deadly commando raid on ships taking humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip over the weekend. At 8:30 our special guest was author Carl Hoffman, a journalist whose book The Lunatic Express: Discovering the World Via Its Most Dangerous Buses, Boats, Trains and Planes. documents the five months he spent circumnavigating the globe by the most perilous forms of transportation available. He planned a worldwide trip that would extend 159 days and take him through Colombia, Kenya, India, Mongolia, Afghanistan and, worst of all, Los Angeles. He kept one rule for the journey: get around only by the most uncomfortable, unreliable, disease-ridden and disaster-prone means.

Sirota Tuesday 6-1-10 Hour 1

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:56:01 -0400

Xcel Energy's two-tiered rate plan aimed at encouraging customers to cut electricity use during the summer begins Today. Customers will be charged the lower rate of 0.098 per kilowatt hour for the first 500-kilowatt hours and 0.14 per kilowatt hour for use above 500 kilowatt hours, under the plan that will remain in place through September. Xcel Energy estimates an average residential customer using about 632 kilowatt hours per month will pay roughly 75 dollars, a 2.5 percent increase. The utility says the summer rate is designed to encourage conservation when energy costs are highest. What do you think of market incentives to decrease energy consumption. Also a federal judge says that a Gitmo detainee must be set free. He has been imprisoned without charges for 8 years. What does this say about our war against terror and the trampling of civil rights.

Best of Sirota May 24-28

Fri, 28 May 2010 12:26:04 -0400

Our best interviews this week included: University of Colorado sociology professor Tim Wadsworth on immigration and crime statistics. Center For American Progress' Igor Volsky on the Oil Disaster in the Gulf. Ocean Conservationist David Helvarg on the damage the oil spill is doing to the gulf. J.B. Smoove on his career and comedy

Sirota Friday 5-28-10 Hour 3

Fri, 28 May 2010 11:13:00 -0400

We led off with Christy Harvey from Mic Check Radio. She gave us under the radar news from the week. We then were joined by The Gubna, Chris Katechis, live in studio from Oskar Blues. We talked about the Burning Can Festival they are putting on on June 26th. Also talked about Cans and Curds.

Sirota Friday 5-28-10 Hour 2

Fri, 28 May 2010 10:09:36 -0400

We carried over conversation from last hour on Obama's presser and about calling to action.

Sirota Friday 5-28-10 Hour 1

Fri, 28 May 2010 09:15:58 -0400

We opened up playing audio of President Barack Obama's press conference on the oil spill in the gulf. David says he was disappointed that there was no major call to action from the president that we as Americans need to change the paradigm on energy and environmental issues. What should the call to action be. Is this Obama's Katrina. That is what some conservatives are saying.

Sirota Thursday 5-27-10 Hour 3

Thu, 27 May 2010 11:18:21 -0400

We led off with Ocean Conservationist and author David Helvarg is our special guest to talk about damage being done in the Gulf of Mexico with the BP oil rig disaster. He is a journalist and founder and president of the environmental group Blue Frontier. He produced an inspiring story about the pressing need for marine conservation in his new book, Saved by the Sea: A Love Story with Fish, which highlights the worst industrial abuses perpetrated on the 71 percent of our planet covered by water. David has a book signing event tonight at 7:30 at the Tattered Cover on Colfax. W then had comedian J.B. Smoove in studio. He has weekend shows at the Comedy Works in Larimer Square.

Sirota Thursday 5-27-10 Hour 2

Thu, 27 May 2010 10:11:13 -0400

President Barack Obama plans to deploy National Guard troops and seek 500 million more in funding for security measures on the U.S.- Mexico border as he tries to jump-start work on overhauling immigration laws. The president is authorizing deployment of as many as 1,200 National Guard personnel for assignment to the southwest border to assist with surveillance and intelligence gathering to counter cross-border drug and weapons trafficking, as well as illegal immigration, according to an administration official. What do you think about this. We also continued taking calls on Mesa County petition asking to keep climate change out of school curriculum.

Sirota Thursday 5-27-10 Hour 1

Thu, 27 May 2010 09:24:39 -0400

An organization called Balanced Education for Everyone has gathered hundreds of signatures in support of a movement to ban the teaching of global warming in classrooms in Mesa County. The signatures were presented at District 51's school board meeting Tuesday night by 40 people who dismissed global warming as junk science. The petition is aimed at preventing teachers from imparting their personal, political views in the classroom, Rose Pugliese, author of the petition, told the Grand Junction Sentinel. Pugliese, who is described by the Denver Post as an activist in Tea Party and conservative Republican groups, insists that there is no evidence to support global warming. Supporters of the petition say that, if global warming continues to be taught, the other side of the global warming issue should be presented as well. Is it political to teach climate change science in schools.

Sirota Wednesday 5-26-10 Hour 3

Wed, 26 May 2010 11:20:55 -0400

Democratic and Republican lawmakers are questioning the decision to move ahead on a vote to repeal the military's don't ask, don't tell policy, saying Congress and the administration should wait until the Pentagon completes its internal review this fall. A small group of congressional Democratsand the White House struck a compromise Monday to accelerate a vote on the issue, though the Pentagon's review is not due until December. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who gave a tepid endorsement of the new plan on Tuesday, supports the repeal but has urged Congress to hold off until the review is complete. We discussed the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy.

Sirota Wednesday 5-26-10 Hour 2

Wed, 26 May 2010 10:13:20 -0400

We led off with David Lavery to talk about the LOST finale and it's meaning. Lavery is the author of Lost's Buried Treasures. We then talked with ProPublica's Abrahm Lustgarten about his reporting on BP. He reports that the Environmental Protection Agency is considering whether to bar BP from receiving government contracts, a move that would cost the company billions in revenue and could end its drilling in federally controlled oil fields. We also continued taking calls about Don't Ask Don't Tell.

Sirota Wednesday 5-26-10 Hour 1

Wed, 26 May 2010 08:53:34 -0400

We kicked off talking about what seems to be our constant state of war. Republicans are proposing a bug cut in social programs to pay. How should we be paying for our wars. At 7:30 we were joined by Think Progress' Igor Volsky to talk about the latest news in Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy

Sirota Tuesday 5-25-10 Hour 3

Tue, 25 May 2010 11:11:57 -0400

We led off with Senior Fellow at Media Matters for America Eric Boehlert. He gave the media misinformation report. We then went to open phones on any topic we hit on this morning.

Sirota Tuesday 5-25-10 Hour 2

Tue, 25 May 2010 10:10:01 -0400

Our special guest is University of Colorado sociology professor Tim Wadsworth. He says long-held views linking immigration to increased crime are not supported by his research. Wadsworth told 7NEWS that he was surprised by his analysis of criminal statistics and demographic data which suggests just the opposite, that a rise in immigration may explain a drop in violent crime. Wadsworth said the data he used is readily available on the Internet, criminal statistics from the FBI and demographic information from the U.S. Census. We then did our Time Warp Tuesday Contest before taking calls on Professor Wadsworth's report on immigration and crime. We also talked about Barack Obama doing an interview with TNT's Marv Albert about Basketball. Should the president be doing stuff like this when we are in a national crisis.

Sirota Tuesday 5-24-10 Hour 1

Tue, 25 May 2010 09:01:57 -0400

David led off with a brief rundown of news that matters. We were then joined all hour by Tim Wise to talk about his book Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity. We had an in depth view of racism in Amererica today.

Sirota Monday 5-24-10 Hour 3

Mon, 24 May 2010 11:16:12 -0400

Guardian feature writer and political reporter Oliver Burkeman is our special guest to talk about the UK elections after all the dust has settled. We then took calls and comments on what appears to be a cozy relationship between big oil and government.We also discussed the meaning of the TV series LOST.

Sirota Monday 5-24-10 Hour 2

Mon, 24 May 2010 10:35:17 -0400

We continue taking calls on the problems with the administration and BP and offshore drilling in general. At 8:35 Executive Director Melanie Sloan at Citizens for Responsibility in Washington joined us to talk about FOIA requests they and Greenpeace sent siking for videos of the oil spill and why maybe they might be covering up something.

Sirota Monday 5-24-10 Hour 1

Mon, 24 May 2010 08:54:48 -0400

David opened up wondering what in the heck happened in the series finale of LOST. We asked for your conclusions on the television series phenom. We also talked about the weekend news on the oil spill. Since the spill more permits have been handed out for similar work like on the Deepwater Horizon Rig. Why are they approving more drilling and do you have much faith in the government about them actually doing the right thing when it comes to offshore drilling. Srah Palin also says Obama Administration is too close to big oil. Do you agree. We then talked to Ian Bremmer about his new book The End of the Free Market: Who Wins the War Between States and Corporations.

Best of Sirota May 17-21

Fri, 21 May 2010 12:11:02 -0400

Our best interviews this week included:Henry Rollins on politics and his music, Moby on vegetarianism, Pam Grier on her life and Comedian Darrell Hammond on his career

Sirota Friday 5-21-10 Hour 3

Fri, 21 May 2010 11:52:59 -0400

We led off with Christy Harvey for under the radar news of the week. Next up was comedian Darrell Hammond live in studio for two segments. We closed with Boone from Bristol Brewing to talk about their new Pilsner and about Craft Beer Week.

Sirota Friday 5-21-10 Hour 2

Fri, 21 May 2010 11:06:38 -0400

We had a couple of authors on this hour. First was Boyd Morrison who wrote his debut novel The Ark. It is a riveting thriller that will lead readers through pulse-pounding action and intriguing biblical history in search of one of the world"s most fascinating mysteries, the finding of Noah"s Ark. At 8:40 Award-winning author, filmmaker and adventurer Jon Waterman warns of environmental crisis as he chronicles his spectacular 1,450-mile journey down the Colorado River from its source to the Pacific Ocean in his new book Running Dry: A Journey From Source To Sea Down The Colorado River. We also interspersed some calls on Rand Paul and civil rights.

Sirota Friday 5-21-10 Hour 1

Fri, 21 May 2010 09:12:18 -0400

David led off by talking about his Heckuva Job Kenny Petition to have Ken Salazar resign or be removed as head of the Interior Department. We then played some audio of Rand Paul talking about civil rights. He basically says he has questions about a certain title dealing with private institutions and discrimination. We also took schmuck of the week votes and opened up Fight Club Friday.

Sirota Thursday 5-20-10 Hour 3

Thu, 20 May 2010 11:10:38 -0400

We led off with uor good friend and The Nation sports reporter Dave Ziren. He gave us reason why Laker fans should be rooting for the Suns and not the Lakers. We then were joined by Matthew Moseley to talk about his new book Dear Dr. Thompson: Felony Murder, Hunter S. Thompson and the Last Gonzo Campaign.

Sirota Thursday 5-20-10 Hour 2

Thu, 20 May 2010 10:09:10 -0400

New York Times bestselling author of Escape Carolyn Jessop is our special in-studio guest to talk about her follow-up book Triumph: Life After the Cult-A Survivor's Lessons She has a book signing and discussion at the Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch tonight starting at 7:30 PM. This new memoir is a moving and inspirational tale of Jessop's life after she heroically fled the cult she'd been raised in, her hard-won new identity and happiness, and her determination to win justice for the crimes committed against her family. Her memoir Escape, led us through her escape from the extremist Mormon sect the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We were then joined by comedian Jim Breuer who has shows at the Denver Improv Club through Saturday.

Sirota Thursday 5-20-10 Hour 1

Thu, 20 May 2010 08:53:07 -0400

David led off with news you can use. We talked about the blundering BP CEO saying that the damage by the oil spill will be moderate to mild. No kidding. We also played audio of his quote. Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera made Keith Olbermann's list or worst people in the world and we played that audio. We then talked about Miranda rights.

Sirota Wednesday 5-19-10 Hour 3

Wed, 19 May 2010 11:11:34 -0400

We led off with Andrew Romanoff talking about the Tuesday Primary results as well as his thoughts on the issues in the news. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill placing limitations on claims in personal injury cases Tuesday and sent the legislation on to the Senate floor. The tort reform proposal caps punitive damages at 350,000 thousand dollars, puts limits on compensation for private attorneys in such cases and makes seat belt usage admissible evidence. The proposed legislation drew numerous amendment attempts from committee members and is expected to draw considerable debate on the Senate floor. The 2010 General Assembly session is expected to end June 3. If there is any cap set for this oil spill, would you be upset. Do we need caps to protect these companies.

Sirota Wednesday 5-19-10 Hour 2

Wed, 19 May 2010 10:29:38 -0400

We led off with a couple calls leftover from last hour on the wealth gap between whites and blacks and about the Tuesday primaries. At 8:20 our guest was Harvard professor and researcher Dr. Marc Weisskopf to talk about a new study that shows ADHD can be linked to the eating of pesticides. At 8:35 Baltimore Sun columnist and author Tom Schaller joined us to talk about whether or not America is trending towards socialism like many on the right are saying.

Sirota Wednesday 5-19-10 Hour 1

Wed, 19 May 2010 09:30:40 -0400

David led off talking about Tuesday's Primary results. At 7:20 we were joined by Dr, Thomas Shapiro from Brandeis University. He conducted a report on the wealth gap between whites and blacks. A typical white family is now five times richer than its African-American counterpart of the same class. We then got back into the Primary results from yesterday as well as took calls on the wealth gap and where it comes from.

Sirota Tuesday 5-18-10 Hour 3

Tue, 18 May 2010 11:23:25 -0400

We led off with very special guest Moby. He has a new book out called Gristle: From Factory Farms to Food Safety, Thinking Twice About the Meat We Eat. His meat manifesto is described as being targeted towards the growing number of people, from omnivores to vegans, who are thinking twice about the consequences of our industrial factory-farming system of raising animals for food. He also talked about politics and about his music. At 9:25 Senior Fellow at Media Matters for America Karl Frisch joined us to give the Media Misinformation Report. We talked about Glenn Beck, Kagan coverage and much more.

Sirota Tuesday 5-18-10 Hour 2

Tue, 18 May 2010 10:13:32 -0400

We led the hour off with Time Warp Tuesday. David then brought up a story on cell phone use and your health. The Food and Drug Administration says that available scientific evidence, including World Health Organization findings just released, shows no increased health risk due to cell phone use.FDA also cites a separate National Cancer Institute program finding that, despite the dramatic increase in cell phone use, occurrences of brain cancer did not increase between 1987 and 2005.They id say that we need more research though. What should we do about regulations and safety to your health on cell phones. Should the government mandate less radiation from your phones. Do they need a label that they are dangerous.

Sirota Tuesday 5-18-10 Hour 1

Tue, 18 May 2010 08:59:36 -0400

David led off with news you can use. We laid out the stories both national and local we should be paying attention to today. We then did news of the weird. At 7:45 Pam Grier was our very special guest. She has a book signing and discussion tonight at the LoDo Tattered Cover on her new memoir Foxy: My Life in Three Acts.

Sirota Monday 5-17-10 Hour 3

Mon, 17 May 2010 11:13:58 -0400

We carried over conversation from the first two hours as well as talked about a breaking Supreme Court decision. The Supreme Court ruled today that federal officials can indefinitely hold inmates considered sexually dangerous after their prison terms are complete. The high court reversed a lower court decision that said Congress overstepped its authority in allowing indefinite detentions of considered sexually dangerous. Do you agree with this ruling. At 9:30 our very special guest was Henry Rollins who has a spoken word show tomorrow night at the Boulder Theater. This was a awesome interview. We then closed with Michael Brown who David will be debating on Wednesday June 2nd.

Sirota Monday 5-17-10 Hour 2

Mon, 17 May 2010 10:11:39 -0400

We continued conversation from last hour on Mayor Lionel Rivera in Colorado Springs saying some folks want a homeless life. We also talked about charging people a fee for climbing our state's 14,000 foot peaks. We also talked a little bit about constant war and are we a nation that will be at war, forever.

Sirota Monday 5-17-10 Hour 1

Mon, 17 May 2010 09:08:56 -0400

David led off playing a clip of Glenn Greenwald debating Greg Craig about Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan. Should we simply trust the pick or should we be demanding more questions. We then talked about Susan Greene's column in The Denver Post where the Mayor of Colorado Springs says some people really want a homeless life. This in context of the city council lobbying against federal aid to their city with the Jobs Bill. Do you buy this. We also asked if we should charge folks who climb 14ers in Colorado a fee.

Best of Sirota May 10-14

Fri, 14 May 2010 12:17:08 -0400

This week's best interviews included:Author David Masciotra on Bruce Springsteen's politics and messagesSportswriter Dave Ziren on why we should be protesting the Arizona DiamondbacksAnd Comedian Tom Green in studio rapping on ll kinds of issues including the oil spill and the wars in the middle east.

Sirota Friday 5-14-10 Hour 3

Fri, 14 May 2010 12:03:10 -0400

We led off with under the radar news with Mic Check Radio's Christy Harvey. We then were joined by comedian, actor and talk show host Tom Green. He sat with us for 45 minutes.

Sirota Friday 5-14-10 Hour 2

Fri, 14 May 2010 10:09:37 -0400

For the first half hour David talked about his new column on drone strikes and took votes for schmucks of the week. Any topic okay for the first half hour. At 8:35 we were joined by Professor and researcher at the University of Washington Christopher Parker to talk about his national study of conservatives and how he discovered intense racial resentment among teabaggers.

Sirota Friday 5-14-10 Hour 1

Fri, 14 May 2010 09:04:23 -0400

Dave opened up Fight Club Friday. You got a bone to pick with him for anything he's said this week, now is your chance. We also started taking nominations for schmuck of the week. We also discussed a story out of Colorado Springs. City officials nationwide are urging their representatives in Congress to support federal legislation that backers say would save and create up to one million jobs.Colorado Springs city leaders won't be among them. A City Council majority is opposed to the Local Jobs for America Act, saying it would create new deficit spending and leave the city in a lurch when the money runs out.We"re having to suck it up. The federal government should, too, said Mayor Lionel Rivera, who asked council members Monday whether he should sign a letter asking Congressman Doug Lamborn and others to support the legislation. Is this a principled stance or deficit suicide.

Sirota Thursday 5-13-10 Hour 3

Thu, 13 May 2010 11:15:50 -0400

David opened up talking a little bit about Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. We then had open phones for the rest of the hour talking about any issue we've discussed this morning.

Sirota Thursday 5-13-10 Hour 2

Thu, 13 May 2010 10:16:50 -0400

Director and co-founder of Sensible Colorado Brian Vicente joins David to talk about House Bill 1284. The legislation requires dispensaries to be licensed and monitored throughout the state but also gives local communities the ability to ban them. It was approved 46-19 in the House on Tuesday and has now been sent to Governor Ritter. We then talked about Delta losing a passengers dog and Delta offered an apology and a 200 dollar credit with the airline. David says he would never check his dog. What about you. Also The Supreme Court seemed to split sharply Monday on whether a law school can deny recognition to a Christian student group that won't let gays join, a case that could determine whether nondiscrimination policies trump the rights of private organizations to determine who can belong and who can't. In arguments tinged with questions of religious, racial and sexual discrimination, the court heard from the Christian Legal Society, which wants recognition from the University of California's Hastings College of the Law as an official campus organization with school financing and benefits. The San Francisco school turned them down, saying no recognized campus groups may exclude people due to religious belief or sexual orientation. The Christian group requires that voting members sign a statement of faith. The group also regards unrepentant participation in or advocacy of a sexually immoral lifestyle as being inconsistent with the statement of faith. Where do you stand in this argument.

Sirota Thursday 5-13-10 Hour 1

Thu, 13 May 2010 09:04:47 -0400

David led off talking about a poll on who supports the Arizona Immigration Bill. At 7:20 we were joined by Nation sportwriter and host of Edge of Sports Radio Show Dave Ziren. He gave us details on how Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick is still supporting SB 1070. At 7:40 Andrew Romanoff joined us to discuss and analyze Senator Michael Bennet's voting record on Wall Street Reform and about what is wrong with D.C. in general.

Sirota Wednesday 5-12 Hour 3

Wed, 12 May 2010 11:10:08 -0400

We led off with author David Masciotra is our special guest to talk about his book Working On a Dream: The Progressive Political Vision of Bruce Springsteen. Masciotra has written for Z Magazine, the Catholic Worker, the Humanist, PopMatters, and the Herald News in Joliet, Illinois where he was a weekly political columnist. At 9:35 our guest was executive director at the Center for Biological Diversity. Even as the BP drilling explosion which killed eleven people continues to gush hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil per day into the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. Department of Interior"s Minerals Management Service has continued to exempt dangerous new drilling operations from environmental review. Twenty-seven new offshore drilling projects have been approved since April 20, 2010. Twenty-six under the same environmental review exemption used to approve the disastrous BP drilling that is fouling the Gulf and its wildlife.

Sirota Wednesday 5-12-10 Hour 2

Wed, 12 May 2010 10:31:20 -0400

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a bill targeting a school district's ethnic studies program, hours after a report by United Nations human rights experts condemned the measure. State schools chief Tom Horne, who has pushed the bill for years, said he believes the Tucson school district's Mexican-American studies program teaches Latino students that they are oppressed by white people. Public schools should not be encouraging students to resent a particular race, he said. It's just like the old South, and it's long past time that we prohibited it, Horne said. Do you agree and what in the heck is going on in Arizona. Is it realistic to wipe out ethnic studies in schools.

Sirota Wednesday 5-12-10 Hour 1

Wed, 12 May 2010 09:03:52 -0400

A greater percentage of offshore drilling and development plans has been approved without comprehensive environmental reviews in the Obama administration than in the Bush administration, a Denver Post review of federal data shows. Since January 2009, more than 80 percent of the 670 Gulf of Mexico plans submitted by industry received so-called categorical exclusions from the Minerals Management Service, according to agency records. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Tuesday announced plans to split MMS, which is responsible for leasing for parcels, permitting drilling, inspecting rigs and collecting royalties, into two. A new independent agency will oversee safety and environmental inspections and enforcement. Leasing, environmental reviews and permitting, including the use of categorical exclusions, and royalty collection would, however, be left with MMS.Are you surprised to hear that under the leadership of Ken Salazar, the Interior Department is issuing blanket environmental exemptions. Is it time for him to resign.

Dave Sirota 5-11-10 9am

Tue, 11 May 2010 11:18:07 -0400

5-11-10 3rd hour David talks with Eric Boehlert from Media Matters concerning Elena Kagan's nomination and the right wing media's reaction to it. David also cleans up the rest of the news that matters to you.

Dave Sirota 5-11-10 8am

Tue, 11 May 2010 10:16:11 -0400

Dave discusses Elena Kagan's comments that Supreme Court justices should not have to answer direct questions concerning their views on issues which is a complete turn around from her previous statement that they should be made to. We also continued to talk about drone attacks.

Dave Sirota 5-11-10 7am

Tue, 11 May 2010 09:07:57 -0400

In hour 1 of the big Tuesday show Dave talks to Matt Taibbi of Rolling Stone magazine concerning the Wall Street reform bill. David also discusses Elena Kagan's urging of late term abortion restrictions to Bill Clinton and how it will effect the courts.

Sirota 5-10-10 9am

Mon, 10 May 2010 11:14:50 -0400

Sirota hour 3 Dave talks with author Alexander Zaitchik about hi ne book Common Nonsense: Glenn Beck and the Triumph of Ignorance. We also speak with Glenn Greenwald concerning the Elana Kagan nomination and clean up all the news important to you.

Sirota 5-10-10 8am

Mon, 10 May 2010 10:27:43 -0400

Drone attacks in Middle East. Are they making life less safe for Americans. Also we discuss the NY Times article concerning Colorado Dems bleak outlook in the west.

Dave Sirota 5-10-10 7am

Mon, 10 May 2010 08:36:21 -0400

Monday morning Dave speaks with Tom Rosh a teacher in the Cherry Creek School district concerning SB191, we also talk to CU Law Professor Paul Campos concerning the appointment of Elena Kagan to the supreme court.

Sirota Friday 5-7-10 Hour 3

Fri, 07 May 2010 11:17:03 -0400

We are joined by Christy Harvey from the Center for American Progress to discuss some news items that flew under the radar this week. She is Director of Strategic Communications at the Center and serves as the editor of Mic Check, a daily preparation service for radio producers and talk show hosts which provides a progressive take on news, politics and the world of entertainment. Christy is also the co-founder and formerly served as co-editor of CAP's daily newsletter, The Progress Report.

Sirota Friday 5-7-10 Hour 2

Fri, 07 May 2010 11:09:59 -0400

Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson is our special guest. He will be a featured speaker at SAFER's 5th Anniversary Celebration at the Grand Hyatt Denver this Saturday May 8th from 5-8 PM. Since leaving office, Johnson has advocated libertarian ideals of limited government and non-interventionism. He is the subject of media speculation as a possible candidate for President of the United States in the 2012 election. In 1999, Johnson became the highest-ranking elected official in the United States to advocate the legalization of Marijuana. Saying the War on Drugs was an expensive bust, he advocated the decriminalization of drug use and the concentration on harm reduction measures for all other illegal drugs. He suggests that drug abuse be treated as a health issue and not as a criminal issue. Johnson does not advocate recreational drug use and strongly supports a don't do drugs policy. Also, author Nicole LaPorte is our special guest to discuss her book The Men Who Would Be King: An Almost Epic Tale of Moguls, Movies, and a Company Called Dreamworks. Based on more than 200 interviews, Nicole LaPorte has gotten the story that Hollywood hasn't: what happened at DreamWorks. Nicole LaPorte is a West Coast reporter for The Daily Beast. A former film reporter for Variety, she has also written for The New Yorker, the Los Angeles Times Magazine, The New York Times, The New York Observer, and W.

Sirota Friday 5-7-10 Hour 1

Fri, 07 May 2010 09:08:06 -0400

David takes your calls with Fight Club Friday and Schmuck of the Week.

Sirota Thursday 5-6-10 Hour 3

Thu, 06 May 2010 11:04:59 -0400

Crystal Guess is our special guest to talk about the Women's Marijuana Movement to be launched today in Denver. Mothers, Grandmothers, young professionals, college women, patients, caregivers and others join together to convey the message that marijuana prohibition is making our society less safe. The Women's Marijuana Movement will advocate for the legal and regulated availability of marijuana as a safer alternative to alcohol. This is a message advanced by the organization helping to coordinate this project, SAFER.

Sirota Thursday 5-6-10 Hour 2

Thu, 06 May 2010 10:39:11 -0400

State Democratic Majority Party leader Paul Weissman is our special guest. He led the charge for more corporate accountability but found even he could not counter the influence of big business lobbyists at the capitol, and his call for basic, once-a-decade reporting on tax breaks was killed, largely along party lines. House Bill 1429 would have required the finance committees of the house of representatives and the to jointly conduct meetings on an annual basis to review specified state tax benefits and determine whether they should be continued, repealed, or modified. Despite his pleas for corporate accountability, the bill lost. Big Business had been aggressively lobbying against the Accountability Bill.

Sirota Thursday 5-6-10 Hour 1

Thu, 06 May 2010 10:13:01 -0400

David discusses Eminent Domain, and when it's OK to exercise it.

Sirota Wednesday 5-5-10 Hour 3

Wed, 05 May 2010 11:25:07 -0400

We led off talking with entertainment mogul Jerry Weintraub. He has a memoir out called You'll Know I'm Dead When I Stop Talking. David then opened up the lines to talk about anything we have hit on today. Topics included tasering and terrorism.

Sirota Wednesday 5-5-10 Hour 2

Wed, 05 May 2010 10:08:02 -0400

We had a couple authors in this hour. First was Anders Halverson who wrote An Entirely Synthetic Fish: How Rainbow Trout Beguiled America and Overran the World. Next we had Mike Tennant who co authored The Age of Persuasion: How Marketing Ate Our Culture.

Sirota Wednesday 5-5-10 Hour 1

Wed, 05 May 2010 09:23:19 -0400

As soon as the Obama administration announced that it had Umar Farouq Abdulmutallab in custody and was questioning him about his failed Christmas Day bombing, conservatives began complaining about the fact that authorities had read him his Miranda rights. This morning on Fox News, Sen. Joe Lieberman suggested that Congress should perhaps create a process to strip American citizens who choose to become affiliated with foreign terrorists of their citizenship and, therefore, their Miranda rights. It"s unclear how this would be accomplished, however, since such a process would also presumably involve some sort of due process. What is your take on this one.

Sirota and Michael Brown

Tue, 04 May 2010 12:12:48 -0400

Former FEMA Director Michael Brown on Monday said the Obama Administration wanted this oil spill on Neil Cavuto's Show. We had him on this morning to defend his comments.

Sirota Tuesday 5-4-10 Hour 3

Tue, 04 May 2010 11:17:10 -0400

We led off with our media misinformation report with Karl Frisch from media Matters for America. Today we talked about what the right wing media is saying about the oil spill. At 920 Michael Brown joined us to explain his comments which, in summary, say that the Obama Administration wanted this spill. To close out the show we were joined by filmmaker Carmen Garica to talk about The Coca Cola Case.

Sirota Tuesday 5-4-10 Hour 2

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:17:23 -0400

We led off with Dr. Dave Hnida to talk about his new book Paradise General: Riding the Surge at a Combat Hospital in Iraq. He has a book signing and discussion tomorrow night at 7:30 at the Lodo Tattered Cover. We then discussed culpability of the Obama Administration and even Ken Salazar, head of the Interior Department. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials last fall warned the Department of Interior, which regulates offshore oil drilling, that it was dramatically underestimating the frequency of offshore oil spills and was dangerously understating the risk and impacts a major spill would have on coastal residents. NOAA is the nation's lead ocean resource agency, and the warnings came in its response to a draft of the Obama Administration's offshore oil drilling plans. The comments were published in October by the whistle-blowing group, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. But NOAA's views were largely brushed aside as Obama went ahead and announced on March 31 that he would open vast swaths of American coastal waters to offshore drilling. What do you make of this?

Sirota Tuesday 5-4-10 Hour 1

Tue, 04 May 2010 09:00:51 -0400

We opened up playing audio of Heckuva Job Michael Brown, the former head of Homeland Security, saying that the Obama Administration was hoping for an oil spill and didn't respond quickly enough. How irresponsible is this kind of talk. At 7:20 we were joined by Center for American Progress climate researcher Brad Johnson who is in Mobile, Alabama. He gave us a ground report from the gulf coast.

Sirota Monday 5-3-10 Hour 3

Tue, 04 May 2010 08:07:36 -0400

This hour we discussed who you think is at fault or to blame for th egulf coast oil spill.

Sirota Monday 5-3-10 Hour 2

Mon, 03 May 2010 10:08:29 -0400

We led off with special guest Gretchen Peters to talk about here book Seeds of Terror: How Drugs, Thugs and Crime Are Shaping the Afghan Wars. At 8:35 PC Mag executive editor Dan Costa joined us to talk about 8 ways to protect your privacy if you use Facebook.

Sirota Monday 5-3-10 our 1

Mon, 03 May 2010 09:01:56 -0400

David led off talking about the car bomb scare in Times Square over the weekend. DHS and police now have video and the lead suspect is a white man who appears to be in his 40's. David laid out several news items showing that we are under attack by middle aged white males. He says we need to profile white males. Do we see a pattern here. Scott McInnis called for threat profiling and here you go Scott and Jan Brewer. If we racially profile Latinos in Arizona, why can't we racially profile middle aged white males. Obviously David is saying this tongue in cheek.

Best of Sirota April 26-30

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:11:39 -0400

Our best interviews this week included:Wired Magazine's Jason Paur to talk about a special Air Force secret space planGuardian political writer Oliver Burkeman on the UK elections and how comparisons have been drawn to our 2008 electionsWired reporter Ryan Singel on the feds asking Google to turn over user info9 News political correspondent Adam Shrager on Colorado politics and his new bookAuthor of Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things Randy Frost

Sirota Friday 4-30-10 Hour 3

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:22:44 -0400

We were full of guests this hour. We led off with Christy Harvey who talked about the Arizona Immigration Bill and about Scott McInnis. We then were joined byu CEO and President of the Humane Society Wayne Pacelle. He ran through some of the ballot initiatives they are proposing and have pushed through. We then had on Randy Frost to talk about a book he co authored named Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things.

Sirota Friday 4-30-10 Hour 2

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:07:02 -0400

Nothing but phone calls this hour. We took nominations for schmucks of the week and Fight Club Friday was underway. If you have a problem with anyhing David has said or done his week, here is your chance.

Sirota Friday 4-30-10 Hour 1

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:56:25 -0400

Sirota opened up talking more about crazy Scott McInnis comments. Here's a quote. But I think the word profiling, we all use profiling. I mean, not using it right now is simply a diversion to our safety. And our safety has got to come first...for example, these hijackers, we knew that they were all in a certain age group. We knew that they were all male. We knew that they were all Arab. We knew that they were of the Islamic faith. When you put all of those factors together, you are darn right you better pull those people aside and start asking some questions. At 7:35 comedian Moshe Kasher joined us in studio to talk about his weekend shows at the Comedy Works downtown and about his life.

Sirota Thursday 4-29-10 Hour 3

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 11:12:57 -0400

David led off with T. A. Hunt. Executive Director of the Colorado Center on Law and Policy. The Senate is about to vote on financial reform. Millions of people around the country will be showing their support for financial reform legislation which protects Main Street over Wall Street. Today at 1:00 PM you can rally to bring Main Street to Wall Street at the Wells Fargo on 17th and Lincoln. At 9:20 we talked to Liane Morrison the executive director at Great Education Colorado. Public education supporters will gather at the Capitol on today at 1:30 PM to ask the Senate Education Committee to pass Senate Concurrent Resolution 002, known as the DECIDE referendum. Last week, the House Education Committee passed DECIDE on an 8-4 vote. The resolution was first proposed by Great Futures Colorado in the face of crippling cuts to education. If passed by two-thirds of the House and Senate and approved by voters in November 2010, DECIDE would give the legislature the authority to raise revenues in order to prevent and reverse cuts to education, preschool through higher education, and for other education priorities including accountable education reform, class size reduction, technology, safe schools, and affordable, quality post-secondary opportunities. We then went back to discussion on Scott McInnis backing racial profiling.

Sirota Thursday 4-29-10 Hour 2

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 10:34:31 -0400

We led off with friend of the show Steve Almond. We talked about what is going on with Arizona and immigration an about our love and hate for our basements. David then played audio from Rachel Maddow's show on MSNBC talking about Scott McInnis and his want to mimic teh Arizona law if he becomes Governor of Colorado. We then took calls on the McInnis situation.

Sirota Thursday 4-29-10 Hour 1

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 09:13:07 -0400

David opened up talking about Scott McInnis' push for the Arizona racial profiling bill and we also played audio from a 2001 speech when he was a congressman pitching Threat Profiling. At 7:20 9 News' Adam Schrager jumped in studio to talk about his book The Blueprint: How the Democrats Won in Colorado and Why Republicans Everywhere Should Care. He has a book singing tonight at the Lodo Tattered Cover at 7:30 PM. Next author and historian Geoffrey Wawro joined David to talk about his latest release Quicksand: America's Pursuit of Power in the Middle East.

Sirota Wednesday 4-28-10 Hour 3

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:23:41 -0400

We led off with Pulitze Prize Winner Timothy Egan. He wrote a column fo rthe New York Times about Nike's potential problem with women as they decided to stand by Tiger Woods and Ben Roethlisberger. Tim also commented on the craziness going on in Arizona with immigration reform. We then took calls on this topic.

Sirota Wednesday 4-28-10 Hour 2

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:14:28 -0400

We led off the hour with Denver Post columnist Tina Griego to talk about the very controversial teacher tenure bill. She laid the arguments for and against the bill. We also asked if parolees should be allowed to vote.

Sirota Wednesday 4-28-10 Hour 1

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:26:01 -0400

David opened up with a couple of news stories before being joined by David Cobb, 2004 Green Party presidential candidate, to discuss the Move to Amend the Citizens United case. We then talked about being a good samaritan and laws surrounding it. Two Sprint employees were fired for chasing down shoplifting suspect at Cherry Creek Mall. They were not at the store they worked and came to the aid of a security guard asking for help. Meanwhile a homeless man was stabbed after trying to stop a mugging in New York City. He was then left for dead on the street as several passersby ignored and did not offer help.

Sirota Tuesday 4-27-10 Hour 3

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:14:31 -0400

We led off with our media misinformation report from Karl Frisch of Media Matters. We then talked with Janet Poppendieck author of Free For All: Fixing School Food In America. At 9:35 Wired Magazine's Ryan Singel joined us to talk about Google getting federal request for user info.

Sirota Tuesday 4-27-10 Hour 2

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:25:45 -0400

Henry Louis Gates Jr published an argument for the payment of reparations to African Americans. What is your take on paying slave reparations.

Sirota Tuesday 4-27-10 Hour 1

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 09:01:34 -0400

We led off with Guardian political correspondent Oliver Burkeman to talk about the UK elections. Their election is drawing some parallels to our elections in 2008. Nick Clegg is a 3rd Party candidate that is getting a lot of attention. We then were joined by President of the Cherry Creek Education Association Jody Dosher to talk about Senate Bill 191. She will give us teh union stance on this important education legislation. We then did Time Warp Tuesday.

Sirota Monday 4-26-10 Hour 3

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:30:07 -0400

We led off with Wired Magazine's Jason Paur about an article he wrote on a Air Force secret space mission that was launched last Thursday. We then took some calls as well as were briefed about the 17th annual Furry Scurry put on by the Denver Dumb Friends League. Michelle Ray was our special guest.

Sirota Monday 4-26-10 Hour 2

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:12:09 -0400

Sprotwriter and talk show host Dave Ziren our special guest to talk about the Broncos drafting Tim Tebow, Ben Roethlisberger's suspension and a boycott of the Arizona Diamondbacks. We then were joined by Bob Moore of teh Fort Collins Coloradoan about them warning folks about speed traps. Police in Ft. Collins are not so happy.

Sirota Monday 4-26-10 Hour 1

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 08:54:39 -0400

School zones and cellphones don't mix, and a new bill could deny highway dollars to states permitting drivers to chat and drive near schools. U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey, a Fort Collins Democrat, recently introduced Erica's Law, which would make states pass legislation banning cellphone use near schools or risk losing federal highway tax dollars.The bill is named for 9-year-old Erica Forney, who died in November 2008 after she was hit by a car as she rode her bike home from school. She was not hit in a school zone, but the driver later said she had been distracted by her cellphone. Would you support this bill? We also talked about funding for repairs to the state capital dome.

Sirota Friday 4-23-10 Hour 3

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:06:22 -0400

We led off with Mic Check Radio's Christy Harvey on and we hit on WellPoimt health insurance being alerted and then trying to drop women who were diagnosed with breast cancer. She also talked about Don't Ask Don't Tell. We then took a few phone calls before being joined by Bill McKibbon to talk about his new book Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet.

Sirota Friday 4-23-10 Hour 2

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:27:56 -0400

Nothing but phones calls and news item updates this hour. Any topic was game here.

Best of Sirota April 19-23

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:08:14 -0400

Our best interviews this week includedSteve Hely on The Ridiculous Race, How I Became a Famous Novelist and The David Letterman ShowTom Shaller on Tea Party PollBarry Lynn on Cornered: The New Monopoly Capitalism and the Economics of Destruction And David Aaronovitch on Voodoo Histories: the role of Conspiracy Theory in Modern History

Sirota Friday 4-23-10 Hour 1

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:01:28 -0400

David opened up Fight Club Friday.If you have a bone to pick with David for anything he;s said, now is your chance. He also gave his take on Tim Tebow being drafted in the first round by the Denver Broncos. He also played audio of Congressman Brian Bilbray saying he can identify illiegal immigrants by the clothes they wear. At 7:20 we talked with Dr. Stuart Grassian about his documentary Solitary Confinement. It really is about our Supermax prison in Florence. He explains that solitary confinement is a harsh and non rehabilitating measure. At 7:40 Westword's Joel Warner joined the show to talk about the case of a man serving 70 years in Colorado for a murder that somebody else admitted to. He was sentenced when he was 16 years old.

Sirota Thursday 4-22-10 Hour 3

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:09:06 -0400

David spent the first hour talking about what you think is the biggest conspiracy that shapes our lives. We also talked about illegalizing homelessness in Boulder and taxing casinos for education gaps. We then talked with Karen Auge from the Denver Post to talk about access to healthy foods in lower income areas in Colorado.

Sirota Thursday 4-22-10 Hour 2

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:09:55 -0400

We talked to two authors this hour. First was Barry Lynn on Cornered The New Monopoly Capitalism and the Economics of Destruction. We then talked with David Aaronovitch about Voodoo Histories: The Role of Conspiracy Theory in Modern History.

Sirota Thursday 4-22-10 Hour 1

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:09:00 -0400

David opened up the show talking about Wall Street and about the money that President Obama has taken from them. It actually dwarfs what the Bush administration took from Enron. We then talked with Rolling Stone's AMtt Taibbi about his advice as we enter the NFL draft. He has bargains for all the NFL GMs. We also talked more items in sports like Ben Roethlisberger and also got his take on the latest news in Wall Street.

Sirota Wednesday 4-21-10 Hour 3

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:12:29 -0400

Amanda Marcotte is our special guest to talk about her piece in The American Prospect called Rise of the Female Nerds. We then did News of the Weird before being joined by Mother Jones editor Dave Gilson to talk about his piece on what is really in your iPhone.

Sirota Wednesday 4-21-10 Hour 2

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:11:03 -0400

On to talk about the tea party poll and data that came out last week is Thomas Schaller. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is also a weekly political columnist for the Baltimore Sun, the author of Whistling Past Dixie, How Democrats Can Win Without the South. He is also a regular contributor to FiveThirtyEight.com. We then took a few calls on the Arizona bill before we talked with very special guest Tom Mauser about gun control issues. His son was killed at Columbine on April 20 1999.

Sirota Wednesday 4-21-10 Hour 1

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:02:42 -0400

An Arizona bill that would impose some of the toughest immigration laws in the country is generating a storm of controversy nationwide as it tracks toward the governor's desk. The Arizona Senate voted Monday to approve the final version of the bill, which was voted up on a party-line vote by the state House last Tuesday. If it's signed by Gov. Jan Brewer, it would give police in the state broad new powers to arrest and charge people suspected of being in the country illegally. The bill contains several provisions. Among them, it would create a new state misdemeanor crime for failing to carry alien registration documents, allow officers to arrest immigrants unable to show documents proving their legal residence, allow people to sue if they feel a government agency has adopted a policy that hinders immigration enforcement, prohibit people from blocking traffic when they seek or offer day labor services on street corners and make it illegal for people to knowingly transport illegal immigrants. Is this bill racist at it's core.

Sirota Tuesday 4-20-10 Hour 3

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:16:28 -0400

We led off the hour with our media misinformation report from Media Matters' Eric Boehlert. We then went back to conversation on paying kids for good grades.

Sirota Tuesday 4-20-10 Hour 2

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:17:35 -0400

Steve Hely is our very special guest to talk about his career and his books How I Became A Famous Novelist and the Ridiculous Race. Hely graduated from Harvard and soon went to work as a writer for The Late Show with David Letterman and was subsequently nominated for an Emmy award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Comedy Show for his work on that show. Following his time on Late Night, Hely worked as a writer and associate producer for Last Call with Carson Daly, as a writer for American Dad, and currently writes for 30 Rock. We then discussed this story on bribing kids in school. Schools have been experimenting haphazardly with cash incentives for over a decade. Recently, a Harvard economist decided to put the question to the test. Roland Fryer launched a year long program to pay students for a variety of desired behaviors in school, and got startling results.The program ran in four cities, with students being grouped into either control groups or experimental groups. Students in New York were paid for good test scores. Students in Chicago earned money for their grades. In Washington, kids collected cash for attendance, grades, tests and behavior. In Dallas, very young students were paid for reading books. Only the Dallas students did dramatically better on year-end standardized tests. But they did much better. Compared to their unpaid peers, they scored as if they"d been in school for several extra months. Certain demographics of the Washington students also got a big boost to their year end test scores. Is this a program you would be interested in. Should we be bribing our kids to do better in school.

Sirota Tuesday 4-20-10 Hour 1

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:02:55 -0400

Senator Michael Bennet has a new television ad where his young children talk about their dad cleaning up Washington. Is it okay to use children in a political ad to deliver a message. Would you use your kids in a political ad. We also played audio of a George Pataki ad that MSNBC is rejecting. Should television networks be in the business in rejecting ads based on their content.

Sirota Monday 4-19-10 Hour 3

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:08:55 -0400

Raj Patel was our special guest to talk about how Ronald McDonald is a menace to your children and their health. We then talked with Pro Publica's Abrahm Lustgarten about gas drilling and pollution of water.

Sirota Monday 4-19-10 Hour 2

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:05:58 -0400

Starbucks, best known for its coffee, is gaining kudos from gun rights activists and drawing ire from gun control advocates for allowing firearms in its shops. On Sunday, about 20 protesters gathered outside the Starbucks at East 6th Avenue and Grant Street to urge a ban on guns inside the coffee shops. Starbucks' policy to follow the local law, allowing guns where it is legal outside, is not new, but in recent months, gun rights activists have raised attention by gathering for meetings at Starbucks across the country with their guns. Do you think Starbucks is right in allowing open carry of weapons into their coffee shops or does it make you less willing to go to Starbucks. Also state lawmakers are looking into Insta Checks being permanent in Colorado. Should somebody who is accused of a crime be allowed not to just keep their guns but be allowed to buy anew guns. This new law would prevent that. Where do you stand.

Sirota Monday 4-19-10 Hour 1

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:14:24 -0400

David led off with news items and played audio of former President Bill Clinton saying he got bad advice on derivatives when he was in office. He apologized and this wasn't the first time he has apologized for things that went wrong during his presidency. What do you make of his apologies. At 7:35 we talked with Steve Zansberg the cooperating attorney for the ACLU lawsuit against the Denver Police Department, asserting that it violated Colorado"s open records laws when it refused to disclose any documents from the file of its investigation of two African American citizens" complaints of racial profiling arising from a traffic stop on February 13, 2009.

Best of Sirota April 12-16

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:48:03 -0400

This weeks best interviews includedMacleans Nicholas Kohler on Angry AmericaSportswriter Dave Ziren on discrepancy of punishment for black to white professional athletes. Josh Stieberthe former soldier of Bravo Company 2-16 which was shown in the video recently released by Wikileaks of U.S. soldiers killing civilians including a Reuters photographer and someone attempting to rescue the wounded. And Elizabeth Warren who is a possible nominee for Steven's Supreme Court seat.

Sirota Friday 4-16-10 Hour 3

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 11:11:58 -0400

We led off with Mic Check Radio's Christy Harvey and talked about the teabaggers. We then went to open phones and took votes for schmuck of the week.

Sirota Friday 4-16-10 Hour 2

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:45:59 -0400

Author of Wrecking Crew and Whats the Matter with Kansas Thomas Frank in studio for the rest of teh show. We also had a two segment interview with Elizabeth Warren who is on the short list for nominees to take Stevens place on the Supreme Court.

Sirota Friday 4-16-10 Hour 1

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:49:45 -0400

We opened up Fight Club Friday and started taking nominations for schmuck of the week. We also talked about this story. A bill to allow needle exchange programs for illegal drug users cleared a Senate committee today amid complaints from Republicans the legislation would subsidize junkies and condone shooting up. Under current laws governing drug paraphernalia, local health authorities can collect dirty syringes but can't pass out clean ones to drug users. Senate Bill 189, sponsored by Sen. Pat Steadman of Denver, would create an exception to allow local health authorities to operate needle exchange programs without fear of prosecution. Do you support this measure.

Sirota Thursday 4-15-10 Hour 3

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:37:18 -0400

Josh Stieber is our very special guest. He is a former soldier of Bravo Company 2-16 which was shown in the video recently released by Wikileaks of U.S. soldiers killing civilians including a Reuters photographer and someone attempting to rescue the wounded. He claims this is how things usually ended up and this is a reality of war. We then went to open phones on taxes, tebaggers and the reality of war.

Sirota Thursday 4-15-10 Hour 2

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:08:40 -0400

We led off talking with author Jeff Shesol. He just released Supreme Power Franklin Roosevelt vs the Supreme Court. When the Court"s conservative majority knocked down the pillars of the New Deal, one after another, democracy itself stood on trial. If Roosevelt was going to have any hope of changing America, he would have to find a way to overcome the Court. In 1937, he struck back with an audacious plan to pack the Court with liberals. The ensuing fight was a partisan firestorm. He also related it to what he thinks Obama will do with the open spot. We then took more calls on the Tea Party movement and whether or not you think it's just dog whistle politics and that they are mostly racists.

Sirota Thursday 4-15-10 Hour 1

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 08:53:35 -0400

David led talking about tax day and the teabaggers. Have you heard enough to determine that the tea party is a racist, old hat, far right wing, Reaganist group. Or do they have merit. At 720 CoPIRG director Danny Katz joined the show to talk about the transparency of Colorado's Government spending compared to other states. They also are releasing a report today that breaks down how much money corporations avoid paying in taxes and what it costs the state of Colorado as well as the average taxpayer. We then went to to toe with a couple of teabaggers towards the end of the hour.

Sirota Wednesday 4-14-10 Hour 3

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:11:52 -0400

Transportation reporter for Pro Publica Michael Grabell is our special guest to talk about his piece on how the government lets corporations hide their expenditures on private jets.

Sirota Wednesday 4-14-10 Hour 2

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 10:21:24 -0400

Denver Post staff writer Steve Rabbe is our guest to talk about Vail Resort Inc.'s evolution from simply a ski area operator to a corporate conglomerate has chilled its relationship with some local business owners who say the company is squeezing out competition. We were then joined by The Nation's sports writer Dave Ziren to talk about Tiger Woods and Ben Roethlisberger. Is there racial disparity in punishing professional athletes. Is there structural racism in the sports world.

Sirota Wednesday 4-14-10 Hour 1

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:08:47 -0400

We hit a few topics this hour. Is the Lt. Col from Greeley who is refusing service to Afghanistan a hero like many conservatives are saying. Why does Colorado lead the nation in childhood poverty rates and should we more heavily tax the super rich.

Sirota Tuesday 4-13-10 Hour 3

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 11:13:50 -0400

We led with Karl Frisch from Media Matters for America. We broke down news coverage of taxes and about where the debate will head in the midterms this year. We then took calls on any topic we touched on this morning. Angry America, school employee rights, taxes and much more were on the floor this hour.

Sirota Tuesday 4-13-10 Hour 2

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:15:26 -0400

Maclean's Magazine senior reporter Nicholas Kohler is our special guest to talk about his article called America Is Angry. Kohler went to Alabama and Tennessee to report on the increasingly angry American discord.From crazed militias to grassroots revolt and a capital at war, Kohler says the country is tearing itself apart. We then took listener reaction to Mr. Kohler's arguments.

Sirota Tuesday 4-13-10 Hour 1

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:53:12 -0400

A proposal requiring all Colorado school districts to notify parents within 24 hours if a school employee has been arrested or charged with a serious crime is drawing fire from education groups. A hearing to discuss the new parental notification requirement will be held at the State Board of Education meeting Wednesday. Board chairman Bob Schaffer is drafting the proposal in response to recent disclosures that officials at the Poudre School District in Fort Collins did not tell parents about the felony arrests of two former employees. However, both the Colorado Education Association and the Colorado Association of School Boards are attacking the idea. They say the state board lacks the legal authority to pass such a rule, which they say is unfair to employees and school districts. Where do you stand on this issue. What about innocence until found guilty. At 7:20 our special guest was Boulder County DA Stan Garnett who is running for Attorney General against John Suthers. We also did our Time Warp Tuesday Contest and threw out some more relevant news items.

Sirota Monday 4-12-10 Hour 3

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:44:03 -0400

We spent the first half hour with David Robb. He authored the book Operation Hollywood: How the Pentagon Shapes and Censors the Movie. We then discussed whether or not you think the Pentagon does influence our movie making.

Sirota Monday 4-12-10 Hour 2

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:13:19 -0400

We had two guest this hour to discuss the calling for assassination of US citizen Anwar al-Awlaki. First was Salon's Glenn Greenwald who knows the legal ins and outs of this case. We also had director of the Colorado Muslim Council Taj Ashaheed who knew him while he was in Colorado. Do you support the Obama Administration's call for assassination.

Sirota Monday 4-12-10 Hour 1

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 09:02:24 -0400

Nine Massachusetts teenagers have been charged in the unrelenting bullying of a 15 year old girl who killed herself in January, prosecutors said today. Two of them were charged with statutory rape. Phoebe Prince, a recent Irish immigrant, hanged herself Jan. 14 after nearly three months of routine torment by students at South Hadley High School, via text message, and through the social networking site, Facebook. Prince, a freshman, was reportedly harassed by older girls who resented her dating an older football player. Her death shook the town of South Hadley and prompted the Massachusetts legislature to pass a law introducing an anti-bullying curriculum in the state's public schools. Is this the right thing to do to try and criminalize bullying and what do you define as bullying. Also should people who were adopted have a right to know who their natural parents are or do the parents have the right to keep their identity hidden.

Best of Sirota April 5-9

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:43:00 -0400

Our best interviews this week includedFreelance journalist Christopher Ketcham on The Curse of BignessDr. Jonathan Zinman on whether or not ski resorts fabricate snow reportsDenver Post business reporter David Migoya on fighting the fine print in your medical billsMacleans reporter Katie Engelhart on how by not eating meat one day a week can save the planetMason Tvert on the college fight to have marijuana penalties more in line with alcohol penalties.

Sirota Friday 4-9-10 Hour 3

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:05:08 -0400

We carried over conversation about Tiger Woods and the Qatar Diplomat who tried smoking on a plane that was grounded at Denver International Airport. We also took votes for schmucks of the week. Steve Almond also in studio this hour talked about his book Rock and Roll Will save Your Life.

Sirota Friday 4-9-10 Hour 2

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 10:35:03 -0400

We continued taking calls on Tiger Woods, took votes for schmucks of the week and just about any other topic we have mentioned this week. We also played audio of Steve Almond's debate with Mike Rosen on the Fairness Doctrine. Classic stuff.

Sirota Friday 4-9-10 Hour 1

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 08:56:46 -0400

Author Steve Almond our special guest for the entire show. He has a new book out called Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life. We opened playing the Tiger Woods Nike ad where they have sound from his deceased father Earl talking about to Tiger presumably addressing the sex scandal that derailed the golfer's career for five months. Is this ad appropriate and do you think Tiger Woods is a corporate cyborg. Also do you think coverage of the Qatari diplomat terrorist scare at DIA is being overblown. Would we have had the same media frenzy if he was a white guy.

Sirota Thursday 4-8-10 Hour 3

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:51:03 -0400

David is joined by Anna Lappe to discuss her new book Diet for a Hot Planet: The Climate Crisis at the End of Your Fork and What You Can Do About. She argues that what we eat can make an difference and she deftly explains the links between our global food system and climate change and offers ideas and inspiration for making sustainable food choices. She also took comments and questions from our listeners. We then went into open phones and had another little pot debate before closing the show down.

Sirota Thursday 4-8-10 Hour 2

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:08:38 -0400

Students at more than 80 colleges and universities across 34 states held rallies on their campuses this week to recognize April as National Alcohol Awareness Month. At the rallies, students called on their respective schools to stop driving them to drink and urged them to allow marijuana as a safer recreational alternative to alcohol. In particular, the students argued that laws and policies on and around most college campuses punish students more harshly for marijuana use than for alcohol use, steering them toward drinking and away from using a far less harmful substance instead. Our special guest at 805 was Mason Tvert executive director at Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation.

Sirota Thursday 4-8-10 Hour 1

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:11:52 -0400

David led off with a rant about income taxes and rich versus poor. At 720 we were joined by Dr. Nick Trout to talk about his book Love is the Best Medicine: What Two Dogs Taught One Veterinarian About Hope, Humility, and Everyday Miracles. He has a book signing event tonight at the Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch starting at 730. We then went back to phones and hashed out the tax debate.

Sirota Wednesday 4-7-10 Hour 3

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:07:50 -0400

Maclean's reporter Katie Engelhart joins the show to talk about her and Nicholas Kohler's piece called Save the Planet: Stop Eating Meat. She told us how going meatless once a week can save our planet. We then powered through some phone calls before being joined by Denver Post business reporter David Migoya to talk about how to fight the fine print on your medical bills.

Sirota Wednesday 4-7-10 Hour 2

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:10:42 -0400

We carried over conversation from last hour on unpaid internships. Also, The White House won't deny reports claiming that it authorized the killing of an American citizen who is purportedly involved in planning al Qaeda attacks and is said to be hiding out in Yemen. The New York Times and the Washington Post reported late Tuesday that Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki was added to the CIA's list of alleged terrorists the US has targeted to kill. American forces have killed myriad suspected terror suspects using armed drone planes in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Yemen. CBS News' Mark Knoller noted that the White House had issued no denial of the report by Wednesday morning. al-Awlaki was born in New Mexico and served for years as an imam in the United States. He has not been charged with a crime, but was linked by US officials to linked to Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the psychiatrist alleged to have killed 13 at and Army base in Fort Hood and Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the so-called Christmas day bomber who attempted to detonate a jetliner en route to Detroit. Assassination without trial. Is this okay in your eyes.

Sirota Wednesday 4-7-10 Hour 1

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:05:37 -0400

With job openings scarce for young people, the number of unpaid internships has climbed in recent years, leading federal and state regulators to worry that more employers are illegally using such internships for free labor. Convinced that many unpaid internships violate minimum wage laws, officials in Oregon, California and other states have begun investigations and fined employers. Many regulators say that violations are widespread, but that it is unusually hard to mount a major enforcement effort because interns are often afraid to file complaints. Many fear they will become known as troublemakers in their chosen field, endangering their chances with a potential future employer. Do unpaid internships exploit free labor and does this privilege the kids who can afford to take unpaid internships. Does it favor the wealthy. Should unpaid internships be illegal.

Sirota Tuesday 4-6-10 Hour 3

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:07:19 -0400

We led with our buddy Eric Boehlert from Media Matters for America. We talked about media coverage of jobs and about the difference between public sector and government jobs. We also had on president of the Association of Flight Attendants Ken Kyle to talk about today's picket line at DIA. KBCO's Brett Saunders closed the show out with us.

Sirota Tuesday 4-6-10 Hour 2

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 10:16:36 -0400

David is joined by Ed Halter to talk about his book From Sun Tzu to Xbox: War and Video Games. Stretching from 3000 BC to today, this book investigates how military cultures and the evolution of games have been closely linked, from video gaming"s ancestors like chess and go, to the popularization of the 19th century Kriegspiel, to the development of computers for use during World War II and the invention of video games by Defense Department-funded scientists. We talked about desensitization to war through video games and much more. We then took calls on the released video from an Apache Helicopter in Iraq from July 2007 that shows innocent civilians being mowed down by rapid fire.

Sirota Tuesday 4-6-10 Hour 1

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 09:03:57 -0400

Classified U.S. military video showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters that killed a dozen people in Baghdad, including two Reuters news staff, was released on Monday by a group that promotes leaking to fight government and corporate corruption. The group, WikiLeaks, told a news conference in Washington that it acquired encrypted video of the July 12, 2007, attack from military whistleblowers and had been able to view and investigate it after breaking the encryption code. A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the video and audio were authentic. The video is very disturbing. Dave gave his take on this and then we were joined by CNBC's Maria Bartiromo to talk about her new book The 10 Laws of Enduring Success. We closed out the hour with Time Warp Tuesday.

Sirota Monday 4-5-10 Hour 3

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:24:41 -0400

Our special guest is freelance journalist Christopher Ketcham to talk about his article in Orion Magazine called The Curse of Bigness which is about human scale in government and business and social groups, the kind of human scale that corporatist America is doing everything to eradicate. David then updated some local news stories before taking calls on the Greeley soldier who says he will not report to Afghanistan until Obama produces a birth certificate.

Sirota Monday 4-5-10 Hour 2

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:16:04 -0400

Dartmouth economics professor Jonathan Zinman is our special guest to talk about whether or not ski resorts are lying to the public about snow totals. We then took a couple calls on the birthers and President Obama before being joined by Alliance for American Manufacturing executive director Scott Paul to talk about job losses to China.

Sirota Monday 4-5-10 Hour 1

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:08:12 -0400

A Greeley native and U.S. Army official has vowed to disobey orders to deploy to Afghanistan until President Barack Obama produces proof he was born in the United States. Lt. Col. Terry Lakin, who was born in Greeleyl, is asking Obama on an Internet video posted this week to furnish a birth certificate. It says: For the first time in all my years of service to our great nation, and at great peril to my career and future, I am choosing to disobey what I believe are illegal orders, including an order to deploy to Afghanistan for my second tour of duty there. He later adds, President Obama, I ask you to respect and uphold the Constitution. Be transparent, and show your honesty and integrity. Release your original signed birth certificate, if you have one, thus proving your birth on American soil, and thus assure the American people you are lawfully eligible to hold the office of the presidency and serve as commander in chief of the armed forces. When is it okay to disobey your superior? Do you support his move?

Best of Sirota March 29 - April 2

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:07:56 -0400

Our best interviews from this week included:Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi on whether or not the Catholic Church is a criminal enterprise. Singer Songwriter Tom Russell on his latest CD Blood and Candle Smoke and much moreDr. Louann Brizendine on The Male BrainAcademy Award Winner Louie Psihoyos on his documentary The Cove

Sirota Friday 4-2-10 Hour 3

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:20:09 -0400

We led off with Mic Check Radio's Christy Harvey. She talked about Duke Basketball and some stories that flew under the radar this week. We then took a few schmuck of the week votes before being joined by Louie Psihoyos. He is the director of the Academy Award Winning Documentary The Cove.

Sirota Friday 4-2-10 Hour 2

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 10:11:18 -0400

At 8:00 out special guest was organizer of the Colorado Cannabis Convention and founder of KUSH Magazine and DailyBuds.com Michael Lerner. He gave us details on this weekend's Colorado Cannabis Convention at the convention center downtown. He also talked about the possibility of across-the-board marijuana legalization. We then were joined by Dr. Louann Brizendine to talk about her new book The Male Brain.

Sirota Friday 4-2-10 Hour 1

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 08:56:03 -0400

David led off talking about his new column on why we hate Duke Basketball or is it rather that we hate privilege? We also opened up Fight Club Friday took nominations for Fight Club Friday

Sirota Thursday 4-1-10 Hour 3

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:13:15 -0400

David updated health care reform at the top of the hour and then took a few more calls on his dog dilemna before talking with NY Times bestselling mystery author Harlen Coben about his new book Caught.

Sirota Thursday 4-1-10 Hour 2

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 10:28:50 -0400

We spent this hour taking advice on what David should do about his HOA sending him a letter telling him a neighbor complained about his dog being a nuisance running around without a leash. Is Denver an anti dog city and what should Dave do to calm the problem.

Sirota Thursday 4-1-10- Hour 1

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 10:09:22 -0400

David led off talking about his problem with his HOA and a complaint letter they sent about his dog Monty running around free or without a leash. He feels his neighbor should have confronted him first and that Denver is a anti-dog city. What do you think? We also had a couple guests this hour. Westword's Joel Warner on Dan Tang sentencing and about a possible tip off in the investigation. We also had Time Magazine editor Richard Stengel on to talk about his new book Mandela's Way.

Sirota Wednesday 3-31-10 Hour 3

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:14:36 -0400

We spent the first half of this hour with singer songwriter Tom Russell to talk about his new CD Blood and Candle Smoke. He also talked about living in Texas, getting together with Robert Hunter of teh Grateful Dead, the drug war, David Letterman and much more. We then were joined by author Robert Perkinson to talk about his latest book Texas Tough: The Rise of America's Prison Empire.

Sirota Wednesday 3-31-10 Hour 2

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:09:06 -0400

We carried over conversation from last hour on whether or not the Catholic Church and America, because of their tax exempt status, is harboring terrorists. Is the Catholic Church a criminal enterprise like our guest Matt Taibbi suggested in the 7:00 hour.

Sirota Wednesday 3-31-10 Hour 1

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:53:56 -0400

Our special guest is Rolling Stone political writer Matt Taibbi to talk about his piece on TrueSlant.com called The Catholic Church is a Criminal Enterprise. He argues that by supporting the embroiled priests, the Catholic Church is actually harboring terrorists. Here is one excerpt. That"s all the church is. They"re a giant for-profit company using predatory salesmanship to sell what they themselves know is a defective, outmoded, basically unnecessary product. They"ll use any means necessary to keep their market share and if they have to lie and cheat and deflect and point fingers to keep the racket going, they"ll do it, just like any other sleazeball company.

Sirota Tuesday 3-30-10 Hour 3

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:15:46 -0400

We led off with our media misinformation report with Karl Frisch from Media Matters for America. We then did News of the Weird before being joined by Dr. Larry Rosen, author of the forthcoming book Rewired: Understanding the iGeneration and the Way They Learn. Look around at today"s youth and you can see how technology has changed their lives. They lie on their beds and study while listening to mp3 players, texting and chatting online with friends, and reading and posting Facebook messages. How does the new, charged-up, multitasking generation respond to traditional textbooks and lectures? Are we effectively reaching today"s technologically advanced youth? Rewired is the first book to help educators and parents teach to this new generation"s radically different learning styles and needs.

Sirota Tuesday 3-30-10 Hour 2

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:54:14 -0400

Advertising Age reporter Natalie Zmuda joins the show to talk about her and Emily Bryson York's piece on major brands moving to eliminate high-fructose corn syrup in their products and go back to sugar. We then debated with the audience whether or nor we should be worrying about all sweeteners and what you think of high-fructose corn syrup.

Sirota Tuesday 3-30-10 Hour 1

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:07:41 -0400

Denver officials are examining whether banks facing the prospect of losing city deposits might do more to help homeowners facing foreclosure.City Councilmen Michael Hancock and Paul Lopez are reviewing foreclosure data to determine which banks have high foreclosure rates and whether those lenders might help homeowners. At stake are 2.4 billion in annual city deposits and 1.7 billion in pension investments.A similar measure in Los Angeles takes effect next month. It would rate banks' level of cooperation in efforts to keep homeowners in their homes. Those with a low rating could get shut out when it comes to where Los Angeles keeps its 30 billion in savings and pension balances. Should the city council move forward? Is this measure trying to strong arm the banks? We also dod Time Warp Tuesday and talked about tuition hikes at CU.

Sirota Monday 3-29-10 Hour 3

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:36:14 -0400

We opened up with our good buddy Dave Ziren to talk about a way to compensate college athletes. He also talked about Education Secretary Arnie Duncan and athletes and why everybody hates Duke. Dave is The Nation's sports writer and author of Welcome to the Terrordome and A People's History of Sports in the United States. www.edgeofsports.com

Sirota Monday 3-29-10 Hour 2

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:32:06 -0400

The Senate voted against a proposal requiring seat belts on school buses. Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, offered up the amendment to House Bill 1232, which would clarify the definition of school vehicles. Shaffer's amendment would have required all buses purchased after June 30 to have three-point shoulder and lap belts for all passengers. Several lawmakers in both parties say the proposal would be too costly and school buses are already safe. They say, with reinforced, padded, high back seats, kids are safe on school buses. Where do you land on this one? Also, a bill supporters hope will preserve affordable housing, especially in pricey ski-resort towns, has stoked the ire of developers and landlords, who equate it to New York-style rent control. Proponents, which include cities, counties, local affordable housing authorities and advocates for the poor, say the legislation is needed because of a 2000 Colorado Supreme Court case. In the case, the court ruled that a Telluride ordinance requiring developers to build affordable housing violated Colorado's law banning rent controls. Do you think cities and counties should have the power to compel developers, for zoning purposes, to include affordable housing?

Sirota Monday 3-29-10 Hour 1

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:27:47 -0400

Denver officials have a goal of 10 new off leash dog parks. Denver lags behind other cities with numbers of dog parks per dog owners. The Denver Post paints a story that shows there is a battle between dog owners and people who do not have dogs. Is this a heated issue? Should the install more city more leash free parks? At 7:20 our special guest is Dr. Barbara J. King to talk about her new book Being With Animals: Why We Are Obsessed with the Furry, Scaly, Feathered Creatures Who Populate Our World. We then took calls on leash free dog parks.

Best of Sirota March 22-26

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:12:17 -0400

David's best interviews this week included:FireDogLake founder Jane Hamsher on the Public Option and Health CareHarper's Kevin Baker on the Vanishing Libera;Congressman Alan Grayson on Health Care ReformIdiot America author Charles Pierce on the idiocracy of the health care debate

Sirota Friday 3-26-10 Hour 3

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:29:30 -0400

We led off with under the radar news items with Mic Check Radio's Christy Harvey. We then talked with a union member who works at Pepsi Center. They are having labor dispute and a rally today at Pepsi Center at 4:30. Oskar Blues' Chris Katechis also joined us in studio this hour as we sampled their new Imperial IPA The Gubna. www.osckarblues.com

Sirota Friday 3-26-10 Hour 2

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:24:16 -0400

Our special in studio guest is Stephen J. Cannell. In his thirty-five-year career, Emmy Award-winning writer Stephen Cannell has created over forty TV series, including The Rockford Files, Silk Stalkings, The A-Team, 21 Jump Street, Hunter, The Greatest American Hero, Renegade, Wiseguy, and The Commish. He is a New York Times bestselling author, and has an event tonight at 7:30 PM at the Tattered Cover on Colfax for his new novel The Pallbearers. He spent the whole hour with us.

Sirota Friday 3-26-10 Hour 1

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:59:54 -0400

David opened up with more health care news. No - Senator Bennet did not introduce the public option on Thursday. We opened up Fight Club Friday too. Got a bone to pick with David? Well, now is your time. Any subject cool this hour.

Sirota Thursday 3-25-10 Hour 3

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:34:54 -0400

We led off with Charles Pierce to talk about the idiocy surrounding the health acre debate. He is the author of Idiot America. We then took open phones on any issue we hit on this morning.

Sirota Thursday 3-25-10 Hour 2

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:09:32 -0400

There's good news: For the first time in years, the state's Civil Rights Commission finally has bothered to do a key part of its job. And there's bad news: The picture on discrimination in Colorado is grim. Discrimination is on the rise in Colorado, not just in the number of complaints but also in the number of cases being substantiated. Claims with the state rose 14 percent from fiscal years 2007-08 to 2008-09. Of the 887 lodged in 2008-09, 8.2 percent ended in so-called probable cause findings by Civil Rights Division investigators. That compares with 4.6 percent or fewer findings issued in comparable states or by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. What are you experiencing out there? Is discrimination on the rise and why? At 8:48 Colorado House Majority Whip Christine Scanlan joined us to talk about efforts being made to deal with the pine beetle infestation in Colorado.

Sirota Thursday 3-25-10 Hour 1

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:07:34 -0400

David opened up the show talking about the last 24 hours in local and national health care reform news. Senate Republicans succeeded early Thursday morning in finding two flaws in the House-passed health care reconciliation package...the upshot is that Republicans will succeed in at least slightly altering the legislation, which means that the House is once again required to vote on it. The ruling might give Democrats another option, the public one.Democratic leadership no longer has to worry that additional amendments would send it back to the House, since it must return to the lower chamber regardless. The Senate is now free to put to the test that much-debated question of whether 50 votes exist for a public option. Democrats could also elect to expand Medicare or Medicaid, now that they only need 50 votes in the Senate and the approval of the House. David also talked about a counter-protest at the petition delivery yesterday. Progress Now and SEIU showed up saying pass it without amendments. These folks were pushing the option before and now protest people asking for it. If they don't add Public Option today does it mean their interests are in protecting the insurance industries?

Sirota Wednesday 3-24-10 Hour 3

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:10:56 -0400

We spent the first half hour talking with Congressman Alan Grayson about his push to Medicare You Can Buy Into Act and about the health care reform battle in general. We then talked with Denver Post columnist Susan Greene about the rising of bias and discrimination in Colorado. Then we did news of the weird and took calls to close out the show.

Sirota Wednesday 3-24-10 Hour 2

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:13:43 -0400

David led off this hour with another rant on health care reform and the state of the current bill. Why no public option? Where are you at on this? Also we talked about whether or not its okay during a recession to increase tax audits. Have you been ensnared? Is it a good idea?

Sirota Wednesday 3-24-10 Hour 1

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:54:46 -0400

David opened up talking about how he was asked and will deliever the petition to Michael Bennet's office asking for him to follow through on his promise and introduce an amendment creating a public insurance option to compete with private insurance companies. Then our topic centered on employers making employees lobby for them. The feverish legislative agenda to balance the state budget in recent weeks has flushed out more desperate political strategies by private businesses to protect their turf. From the soda industry to payday lenders, employers have mobilized their workers in the biggest turnout in years to try to lobby lawmakers against reversing tax credits and other measures. Workers have written opposition letters, burned up the phone lines and shown up in force at the Capitol. Some employees, however, feel such requests are out of line, saying their employers took advantage of their authority, blurring the boundaries between workplace issues and personal politics. The legality of such tactics is murky. Experts say Colorado employers, unlike in several other states such as California and North Carolina, enjoy wide latitude to nudge their workers into the political arena whether they like it or not. Should your employer be allowed to force you to lobby for them?

Sirota Tuesday 3-23-10 Hour 3

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:13:28 -0400

We led off with Media Matters for America Misinformation Report and Eric Boehlert. We hit on media coverage of the health care reform debate. We then hit more phones on credit checking by employers. Why can't we credit check our employers?

Sirota Tuesday 3-23-10 Hour 2

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:40:57 -0400

We took some more calls on whether or not it should be legal for employers to run a credit check on potential employees. We also did Time Warp Tuesday.

Sirota Tuesday 3-23-10 Hour 1

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:05:23 -0400

David opened ths how talking about pressure being put on Senator Michael Bennet to force a Public Option when the bill hits the senate. David also talked about some dishonest discourse coming from the Senators office. David then brought up the stopry about employers doing credit checks on potential employees. Do you think this should be illegal? At 7:30 Harper's Magazine contributing editor Kevin Baker joined us to talk about his April cover story called The Vanishing Liberal.

Sirota Monday 3-22-10 Hour 3

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:40:48 -0400

DEA Special Agent in charge of the Denver Field Division Jeff Sweetin is our special guest to discuss raids on medical marijuana providers. He has been accused of being a rogue agent by state legislators and the Colorado Springs Gazette. He spent most the hour with us. Safer's Mason Tvert closed it out.

Sirota Monday 3-22-10 Hour 2

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:22:57 -0400

Truthdig columnist Chris Hedges kicked off the hour talking about the lackluster health care bill and about the state of the Democratic Party. We then took a couple calls before being joined by state director of the Marijuana Policy Project Steve Fox. He primed us for our interview with rogue DEA agent Jeff Sweetin.

Sirota Monday 3-22-10 Hour 1

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:07:32 -0400

We led with analysis of the health care bill with FireDogLake founder and publisher Jane Hamsher. She talked about how Congresswoman Diana Degette might have dropped the ball on the pro choice fight. At 7:35 Andrew Romanoff joined the show to talk about the bill and how we could possibly save the public option.

Sirota Friday 3-19-10 Hour 3

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:41:51 -0400

We continued taking caller comments on any topics as well as drank brews and rapped with Cherry Creek News Publisher Guerin Lee Green.

Sirota Friday 3-19-10 Hour 2

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:10:16 -0400

Our guest to kick off the show was Green Party US Senate candidate Bob Kinsey. He gave his platform and talked about his campaign. We then mixed in phone calls for Fight Club Friday. Cherry Creek News publisher Guerin Lee Green came into the studio and commented on the issues at hand.

Sirota Friday 3-19-10 Hour 1

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:08:42 -0400

We opened the AM 760 Dojo and kicked off Fight Club Friday. If you have a bone to pick with David, now is your time. David again gave his displeasure about the bill. He has taken a lot of heat this week on his stance and is having a gut check on his career. Any topic cool this hour.

Sirota Thursday 3-18-10 Hour 3

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:03:06 -0400

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Ted Conover joins David. He has a book signing and discussion tomorrow night at the Colfax Tattered Cover beginning at 7:30 about his latest release The Routes of Man: How Roads Are Changing the World and the Way We Live Today. We then went right back to phones on health care and a bill that is being proposed in Colorado that would give incentives and cuts to health insurance cost if you are healthy or participate in wellness programs.

Sirota Thursday 3-18-10 Hour 2

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:49:42 -0400

Charlotte Dennett is our special guest to talk about her new book The People v. Bush: One Lawyer's Campaign to Bring the President to Justice and the Nationwide Grassroots Movement She's Encountered Along the Way. In The People v. Bush, Dennett recounts her seminal effort to prosecute the former president, introduces readers to a world where the actions of a few can indeed empower the many, and reports on the current state of the movement to hold Bush accountable for high crimes and misdemeanors. We then went back to phones on incentivizing health and wellness programs.

Sirota Thursday 3-18-10 Hour 1

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:44:26 -0400

David opened up talking about the national health care debate. He then brought up this news item. State lawmakers are poised to debate a bipartisan measure this week that supporters say will create incentives to stay healthy and opponents say will create yet another tier of winners and losers in the country"s much-debated health-care system. House Bill 1160 expands current law to allow small-group and individual health-care markets to offer wellness incentive programs in exchange for a discount on insurance premiums that larger group markets, self-funded and government plans are already allowed to offer. Under the measure, an additional discount could also be allowed for individuals who actually participate in a wellness program. Wellness programs can include things such as smoking-cessation classes, gym memberships or nutrition programs that are voluntary for the insured. Do you support this measure?

Sirota Wednesday 3-17-10 Hour 3

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:11:46 -0400

Mary Ellen Johnson joins David to talk about prosecutors charging kids as adults as well as a bebate going on tomorrow night called Should Colorado Prosecutors Retain the Power to Charge Juveniles as Adults. The debate starts at 5 PM at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Mary Elllen is Executive Director of teh Pendulum Foundation. Their mission is to physically, emotionally and spiritually free all of our young men and women whose childhoods have been lost, and who have been thrown away in Colorado"s prison system. Next Congressman Jared Polis came on to discuss health care reform and how he might vote. We then took calls on health care to close out the show as Dennis Kucinich really disappointed David this morning.

Sirota Wednesday 3-17-10 Hour 2

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:23:16 -0400

We spent the first half hour continuing our discussion on education and how we do and or should evaluate our teachers. State Rep. Mike Merrifield even called in to give his opinion. At 8:30 our special guest was Rich Benjamin to talk about the census. Rich is author of the book Whitopia.

Sirota Wednesday 3-17-10 Hour 1

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:09:28 -0400

David led off the show talking about results of last nights caucuses. Andrew Romanoff beats Michael Bennet and Ken Buck almost tied with Jane Norton. Then David talked about education in Colorado. Colorado is chasing a 4 million dollar grant. We need to show how we evaluate bad and good teachers in order to get the grant. Meanwhile 30 percent of teachers say they work with someone who should be fired. What makes a good teacher and how do you evaluate systemically what makes a good teacher? Then at 7:35 our special guest is Anthony Brandt. He is the editor of the Adventure Classics series published by National Geographic Society Press, and the books editor at National Geographic Adventure magazine. Brandt will discuss and sign his new book The Man Who Ate His Boots: The Tragic History of the Search for the Northwest Passage tomorrow night at the Tattered Cover on Colfax beginning at 7:30 PM.

David Sirota 3-16-10 9am

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:22:05 -0400

In the final hour of caucus day David discusses health care with the callers and interviews Salman Ahmad author of Rock & Roll Jihad. A doctor by training Salman became the first Muslim rock star idolized by millions including Mick Jagger and Deepak Chopra.

David Sirota 3-16-10 8am

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:30:59 -0400

Democratic caucus day continues with comments from senate majority leader Ken Gordon, listner opinions and yes that's right it's Time Warp Tuesday with a little bit of the ole Irish luck for a theme.

DAVID SIROTA 3-16-10 7AM

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:54:36 -0400

In the first hour of the big show David gets the Democratic caucus party started with interviews from both senetorial candidates Andrew Romanoff and Michael Bennet.

Sirota Monday 3-15-10 Hour 3

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:25:11 -0400

1. David talks to Professor Mark Squillace about House Bill 1188 dealing with water rights that would effectively brand floaters, private boaters and anglers as criminal trespassers. 2. He also talks about proposed legislation to cap the interest rate on pay day loans.

Sirota Monday 3-15-10 Hour 2

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:15:21 -0400

1. David is joined by Michael Allen, author of the new book "Until the Last Man Comes Home POWs, MIAs, and the Unending Vietnam War". American POWs inspired an outpouring of concern that slowly eroded support for the war. Allen reveals how wartime loss transformed U.S. politics and the way we still think about war. 2. We continue to talk about the healthcare bill.

Sirota Monday 3-15-10 Hour 1

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:47:14 -0400

Top Democrats are calling anyone who doesn't support their healthcare bill unamerican. David doesn't support the bill or that political tactic, and he explains why the current bill doesn't reform the health insurance industry but will only make them more powerful.

Best of Sirota March 8-12

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:30:46 -0500

Best Interviews this week included:Fort Collins Coloradoan Editor Bob Moore on Betsy Markey and health care reformMSNBC's Dylan Ratigan on so-called Wall Street and Health Care reformState Representative Jack Pommer on the Amazon tax meleeAnnali Rufus on why eating vegetarian dishes prepared to look like meat is like having sex with a blow up doll. Salon's Glenn Greenwald on how we define terrorism

Sirota Friday 3-12-10 Hour 3

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:11:11 -0500

We kept Dan Haley from the Denver Post in studio while we chatted with Mic Check Radio's Christy Harvey. Christy talked about terrorism, Glenn Beck and prayers for Harry Reid's family who were in a serious accident. David and Dan then took as many calls on whatever topic you deemed fit.

Sirota Friday 3-12-10 Hour 2

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:36:57 -0500

We began Fight Club Friday so if you got a beef with David over anything he has said or done...now is the time. We also took calls on what defines a terrorist. We played audio of Jane Norton saying Social Security is a Ponzi scheme and audio of Glenn Beck on rock and roll music and progressivism. At 8:40 Denver Post editorial page editor

Sirota Friday 3-12-10 Hour 1

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:01:03 -0500

David opened up askign what defines a terrorist. We had Salon's Glenn Greenwald on at 7:20 to take a stab at why we have not defined what a terrorist is. We played audio of Jane Norton talking about legal issues and terrorism. He responded then our audience responded.

Sirota Thursday 3-11-10 Hour 3

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:35:30 -0500

Local recording artist John Common is our special in studio guest. John and his backing band Blinding Flashes of Light have their debut CD out called Beautiful Empty. In 2009 Westword nominated him as Best Pop Artist and was named one of Denver Music Scenes Top 10 Songwriters. They also have a gig this Saturday night at the Walnut Room at 3131 Walnut St. in Downtown. We played some cuts off the cd and he also played one live for us! johncommon.com

Sirota Thursday 3-11-10 Hour 2

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:06:38 -0500

Hundreds of anti-tax activists gathered outside the state Capitol on Wednesday to protest government spending and taxation. But many of the protesters seemed more interested in complaining about the growth of the federal government and President Obama than they did state issues.Signs held aloft by people in the crowd of 300 or so ranged from Stop Obamacare, give us jobs to No Hope in Socialism. Then on the Peter Boyles Show this mornnig David heard him say that the only things you can do is create jobs by cutting taxes and cutting government services. He follows by saying that's Flat 101. What do you think of this premise? David says this is just typical talking points by the Tea Party that have no basis of fact.

Sirota Thursday 3-11-10 Hour 1

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:03:13 -0500

David led off by talking about Republican Senate candidate Jane Norton. We played and ad she is running about terrorists and how we interrogate them and try them. She claims they should not have a right to legal counsel. How authoritarian a view is this? Who is entitled to basic legal rights?

Sirota Wednesday 3-10-10 Hour 3

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:22:50 -0500

Martin Rosen is our special guest to talk about about a new book he co authored with Dr. Abbie Leibowitz. The Healthcare Survival Guide is a 72-page book that provides little-known secrets about affordable healthcare insurance and medical services, as well as other cost-saving tips. This go-to source is a must have for those struggling to find free or low-cost healthcare services. Download the book free at www.healthcaresurvivalguide.comWe tehn updated health care news and then talked with author and blogger Anneli Rufus about her Alternet piece called Why Eating Meat-Shaped Vegetarian Food Is Like Having Sex with a Blow-up Doll.

Sirota Wednesday 3-10-10 Hour 2

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:09:53 -0500

We spent the first 40 minutes of this hour with Dr. Bernard von Bothmer to discuss his new book Framing the Sixties: The Use and Abuse of a Decade from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush. In the book he shows how presidents and other prominent figures have shaped public memory of the turbulent 1960s. Bernard von Bothmer teaches American history at the University of San Francisco and at Dominican University of California. www.framingthesixties.com We then took a few calls on the 60's and how they are framed.

Sirota Wednesday 3-10-10 Hour 1

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:50:00 -0500

David led off updating news about teh Amazon cut off with Colorado affiliates. At 7:20 State Representative Jack Pommer came on to discuss the Amazon issue. He was called anti business by state republicans for his stance. We then took questions and comments on whether or not Amazon is in the right.

Sirota Tuesday 3-9-10 Hour 3

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:10:54 -0500

We pick this up a couple of minutes into our Media Misinformation Report from Eric Boehlert of Media Matters. We were talking about Glenn Beck on fear based politics. We also hit on the falsehoods in Karl Rove's new book. David then updated a story where Sarah Palin has admitted going to Canada for health care. We then were joined by MSNBC's Dylan Ratigan. We talked about health care, Barack Obama

Sirota Tuesday 3-9-10 Hour 2

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:12:28 -0500

Amazon.com told many of its Colorado online business affiliates Monday that it would sever its business relationship with them, a move that could slice into the revenues of thousands of Web retailers. The company blamed state lawmakers for enacting a law requiring it to notify those who purchase Amazon merchandise through a local website that they owe state sales taxes. Lawmakers in turn criticized Amazon's move as a hostage-taking gambit to force reversal of the measure. The affiliates, ranging from online booksellers to individual bloggers who advertise Amazon on their websites to receive a commission in return, were both angry and confused by the move. And some say they were not notified. Where do you come down on this one? Sirota is none too pleased.

Sirota Tuesday 3-9-10 Hour 1

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:59:15 -0500

David led off by talking about the Amazon and Colorado retailers issue. At 7:20 Fort Collins Coloradoan editor Bob Moore came on the show to talk about Betsy Markey and her race for re-lection in congress. At 7:35 State Senator Chris Romer joined the show to talk about a bipartisan letter he and others sent to AG Eric Holder and President Barack Obama asking that the Drug Enforcement Administration, which made some high-profile raids on medical marijuana enterprises, most notably the home grow of Highlands Ranch's Chris Bartkowicz, give it a rest while the lawmakers try to find what's described as that rational middle ground.

Sirota Monday 3-8-10 Hour 3

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:09:06 -0500

Umax Mortgage's Stacey Dowling in studio taking questions on todays housing market, getting a good loan and any other real estate questions. Call her at 720-222-0689.

Sirota Monday 3-8-10 Hour 2

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:21:05 -0500

Our special guest is Jeff Peckman, director of the Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission ballot initiative. Last Thursday night he launched a new campaign to educate voters about his proposal. Peckman collected signatures to have the measure placed on Denver's Aug. 10 ballot. If it passes, the City of Denver will be required to create a seven-member commission tasked with collecting evidence that extraterrestrials and UFOs have been visiting Earth. We then went back to phones on on the Catholic Church school banning of a student who has gay parents. We also hit on the stop light cameras and their purpose.

Sirota Monday 3-8-10 Hour 1

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:59:54 -0500

Colorado cities are launching a major expansion of red-light ticketing cameras, despite sometimes conflicting evidence the revenue-producing surveillance reduces traffic accidents or cuts violations.Dozens of additional cameras will begin monitoring new intersections in Denver, Aurora and Colorado Springs in coming months, while smaller Front Range municipalities also embrace monitoring as a potentially lucrative enforcement option.Motorists also will see tickets for rolling right-turn violations. Across the country, red-light-camera enforcement continues to be a flashpoint for controversy. Questions about Big Brother-style surveillance, alternative engineering solutions like longer yellow lights, and increased rear-end collisions have been joined, in tough economic times, by rising suspicion that it's really all about the money. What is your take on these cameras? We also asked about the policy of the Archdiocese of Denver denied a child from enrolling in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School for kindergarten next year because the student's parents are lesbians. There was a protest yesterday. Should a school be allowed to suspend a child due to the actions of their parents? Do you think there are some kids in the school who have divorced or separated parents? Is this really about gay bashing?

Sirota and Hartmann Tattered Cover

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:58:33 -0500

Here is the audio from Friday March 5th's Tattered Civer event featuring David Sirota and Thom Hartmann on whether ir not it's time to leave the Democratic Party.

Best of Sirota March 1-5

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:59:34 -0500

Our best interviews this week included:Anchorman creator Adam McKay on his and Will Ferrell's new projectsProfessor Anthony Thompson on Colorado Prison Sentence ReformThe Nation's sportswriter and talk show host Dave Ziren on whether or not Colorado should try and get the 2022 Winter Olympics.Author Joel Kotkin to talk about the next 100 million that will be added to the US population in the next 40 yearsAuthor Shankar Vedantam on the Hidden Brain and imulses that could lead to racism.

Sirota Friday 3-5-10 Hour 3

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:06:56 -0500

We opened up the hour with the awesome Christy Harvey from Mic Check Radio to talk about under-the-radar news stories from this week. We then were joined by Colorado Sales Manager form Bristol Brewing Company David Boone. We sampled beers and talked about what makes their brewery different than others in Colorado. Also mixed in calls on schmucks of the week.

Sirota Friday 3-5-10 Hour 2

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:10:40 -0500

Fight Club Friday opens up. Got a bone to pick with David, then get in here and take him on. We also took votes for schmucks of the week and talked about right-wing vitriol and hate.

Sirota Friday 3-5-10 Hour 1

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:52:28 -0500

David opened up talking about the Pentagon shooter from Thursday who went on an anti government rant before unloading. He also talked about a scary right wing group in Texas. An evangelical Christian hate group called Repent Amarillo is reportedly terrorizing the town of Amarillo, Texas. Repent fashions itself as a sort of militia and targets a wide range of community members they deem offensive to their theology: gays, liberal Christians, Muslims, environmentalists, breast cancer events that do not highlight abortion, Halloween, spring break events, and pornography shops. On its website, Repent has posted a Warfare Map of its enemies in town. Are these more signs of a larger national security threat?

Sirota Thursday 3-4-10 Hour 3

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:30:05 -0500

Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak joined the show to talk about caucuses. She was quoted in The Hill saying that the caucus is unimportant. She was misquoted and clears up her statement and talks about the caucuses. We then went back to phones on he bikini billboard.

Sirota Thursday 3-4-10 Hour 2

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:07:56 -0500

Our special guest is Shankar Vedantam who authored the book The Hidden Brain: How Our Unconscious Minds Elect Presidents, Control Markets, Wage Wars and Save Our Lives. In the book Vedantam illustrates the way he believes our unconscious can betray us and reveal biases we wouldn't even acknowledge to ourselves. It also talks about the impulses that may lead to racism or racist behavior. We then talked about the Perky Cups billboard in Aurora that was taken down yesterday. It is a banner for a bikini barista coffee shop that shows a girl in a swimsuit. Apparently it offended some motorists. What's your take on this one? We were then joined by Senator Michael Bennet to talk about financial reform. He

Sirota Thursday 3-4-10 Hour 1

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:59:41 -0500

David led off talking about the Great White Hate Machine. The Southern Poverty Law Center released some new info on how right wing extremist patriot groups are rising at an extremely rapid rate. The RNC also trying to capitalize on fear by sending out crazy letters stoking fear about potential socialism. Do you think this represents a security threat to our country? At 7:20 executive director at the Colorado Muslim Council Taj Ashaheed came on to talk about a controversial speech going on by a self described former Jihadist in Boulder. He also talked about the anti Muslim sentiment in our state.

Sirota Wednesday 3-3-10 Hour 3

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:26:23 -0500

We spent the first 20 minutes taking calls on whether or not we should try and host the Olympics. David was then joined by Independent political strategist Bill Hillsman. He has worked with Paul Wellstone, Ross Perot and Jesse ventura.

Sirota Wednesday 3-3-10 Hour 2

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:22:23 -0500

Our special guest was Dave Zirin to respond to talk about comparisons of Tiger Woods to Mohammed Ali. We also discussed whether or not Colorado should try and host the 2022 Winter Olympics. Zirin is the first sports correspondent and now sports editor for the Nation Magazine. He is the author of Welcome to the Terrordome and A People's History of Sports in the United States. He is also the host of XM satellite's popular weekly show, Edge of Sports Radio. We then took calls on whether or not you would welcome the Olympics

Sirota Wednesday 3-3-10 Hour 1

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:04:06 -0500

David opened up talking about the health care debate. President Obama to endorse 4 major Republican parts to the Health Care Bill. Why does the president continue to empower the republicans on this debate? David also gave his thoughts on the Jim Bunning controversy. At 7:20 Visionary social thinker and author Joel Kotkin was our special guest to discuss his new book The Next Hundred Million: America in 2050. We asked the audience what the tensions will be after we add another 100 million people to our population?

Sirota Tuesday 3-2-10 Hour 3

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:10:05 -0500

We led off with Karl Frisch from Media Mattes for America for our media misinformation report. We played audio of some racist remarks made by right wing talkers on Monday. We also played audio of folks making fun of the uninsured. We then did News of the Weird before being joined by David Niewert to talk about Glenn Beck and the Eliminationists.

Sirota Tuesday 3-2-10 Hour 2

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:14:35 -0500

Our special guest is professor Anthony Thompson to talk about Colorado's recent criminal justice reform. Thompson is Professor of Clinical Law at New York University School of Law. Formerly a public defender in California,Thompson is an expert in search and seizure practices, community prosecution programs and treatment of ex-offenders. He regularly consults with policymakers on the implementation of criminal justice policy. He is also author of the 2009 book Releasing Prisoners, Redeeming Communities: Reentry, Race, and Politics. David then took calls on prison sentence reform and also asked whether kids should be required to wear helmets when riding bicycles, skateboards, scooters etc? A new bill is moving through the legislature that would make it so for kids under 18 years old.

Sirota Tuesday 3-2-10 Hour 1

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:06:26 -0500

David led off by talking about the two marijuana stories in the local news. Both involve kids hurt in homes where medical marijuana was being grown. This led news last night and this morning. Why did this lead the news? Is this fear mongering? Is this really any different than if the infant overdosed on Tylenol? At 7:20 Our special guest was writer, director and comedia Adam McKay who created Anchorman, co-produced Eastbound and Down and is workign on another movie with Will Farrell. Check out the website www.funnyordie.com

Sirota Monday 3-1-10 Hour 3

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:11:43 -0500

Justine Sharrock is our special guest to talk about her piece in Mother Jones called Oath Keepers and the Age of Treason. This is about a new group of conservatives that are recruiting soldiers to resist the Obama administration. Although they claim to be Constitution protectors, they have some real scary beliefs. We then did News of the Weird before being joined by Susannah Gora to talk about her book You Couldn't Ignore Me If You Tried: The Brat Pack, John Hughes, And Their Impact on a Generation.

Sirota Monday 3-1-10 Hour 2

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:19:18 -0500

Backed by a coalition of citizens" rights groups, Democratic lawmakers Rep. Karen Middleton of Aurora and Sen. Pat Steadman of Denver introduced a bill that would require police to inform citizens of their right to refuse voluntary searches. The groups backing House Bill 1201 believe it would limit traffic stops and searches that stem from discrimination. Rep Karen Middleton from HD 42 is our special guest. We then went back to phones on any of the local topics we hit on this morning.

Sirota Monday 3-1-10 Hour 1

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:08:44 -0500

David opened up the show talking about PERA retirees who are filing a lawsuit against the state for breach of contract after their benefits were cut. Is it moral to cut the benefits of existing state retirees? Also, Hundreds of thousands of skiers and snowboarders could see congested down mountain commutes eased next winter with legislation meant to nudge transportation officials toward a new to Colorado technology. Movable concrete barriers would divide a section of westbound Interstate 70 on weekend afternoons, temporarily rededicating the inside lane to eastbound traffic along one of the roadway's most snarled segments. The lawmakers pushing the plan estimate that the extra eastbound lane could halve drive times over the affected stretch, though others worry about the safety and feasibility of using the system on steep, wintry roads. One of the sponsors State Senator Chris Romer joins the show to discuss. We also took calls on this proposal.

Best of Sirota Feb 22-26

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:12:02 -0500

David's Best Interviews this week include:Author James Bradley on his new book The Imperial Cruise and on Taft and FDR. Washington Post's senior Pentagon correspondent Thomas Ricks on General Petraeus and IraqRepublican Colorado Springs State Representative Mark Waller on lesser time for drug crimes. Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi on Wall Street Con Jobs.

Sirota Friday 2-26-10 Hour 3

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:07:19 -0500

We opened the hour with Mic Check Radio's Christy Harvey. She gave us some stories that flew under the radar this week. We then took votes for your schmuck of the week.

Sirota Friday 2-26-10 Hour 2

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:24:17 -0500

Due to technical difficulties we are missing the first few minutes of David and Dave in Denver's fight. Dave was saying Sirota is more concerned with his paycheck than he is in upholding his ideals. Honestly it was technical difficulties and nothing more. We also took calls on guns in school, rogue police, the drug war and much more.

Sirota Friday 2-26-10 Hour 1

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:01:47 -0500

David led off playing audio of republicans at yesterday's health care summit. Mitch McConnel and Lamar Alexander showing how they are doing nothing to actually pass reform and are throwing out false information. At 7:20 Rep. Sue Schafer came on to talk about the bill moving through the state legislature that would get rid of gender discrimination in health insurance premiums for women. At 7:30 Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi joined the show and talked about his piece Wall Street's Bailout Hustle.

Sirota Thursday 2-25-10 Hour 3

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:17:54 -0500

We just took calls on any topic we hit on this morning. It was a hodge podge. We talked about wild animals in captivity, welath versus middle class, lesser time for drug crimes and much more.

Sirota Thursday 2-25-10 Hour 2

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:26:11 -0500

We led the hour with Dr. Jeff Zax a professor of economics at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He talked about what constitutes the middle class and wealthy. The 250,000 income cutoff has become a near-mythical figure in American politics, setting up a heated and sometimes highly personal debate. We then talked to Representative Mark Waller, a republican from Colorado Springs. He introduced a bill that would create a distinction in the law between dealing and using and raise the threshold for possession to four grams for most drugs. Drug users could end up spending less time behind bars to free up more money for treatment under an overhaul of the state's drug laws being pushed by bipartisan group of lawmakers as well as prosecutors and public defenders.

Sirota Thursday 2-25-10 Hour 1

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:56:25 -0500

David led off the show with his take on the Killer Whale mauling and killing of his trainer at Sea World. David says this whale should not be put down. We then played audio of Congressman Anthony Weiner going off on Republicans sabotaging health care reform. At 7:20 we were joined by David Lavery to talk about the first month of the last season of ABC's Lost. Lavery is author of Lost's Buried Treasures: The Unofficial Guide to Everything Lost Fans Need to Know. We then took calls on the Killer Whale mauil

Sirota Wednesday 2-24-10 Hour 3

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:29:39 -0500

Steven Hill is our special in studio guest to talk about his new book Europe's Promise: Why the European Way is the Best Hope in an Insecure Age. This book was ten years in the making, and it is the story about how post-World War II Europe has transformed itself into a model of how a modern society can develop itself, take care of its people, foster "peace and prosperity partnerships" with its neighbors, and do all this in an environmentally sustainable way. Hill is Director of the Political Reform Program at the New America Foundation. His previous books include 10 Steps to Repair American Democracy, Fixing Elections: The Failure of America's Winner Take All Politics and Whose Vote Counts. Check out his document The 10 Myths of Europe www.newamerica.net

Sirota Wednesday 2-24-10 Hour 2

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:12:03 -0500

Our special guest is The Washington Post's senior Pentagon correspondent Thomas Ricks. Tonight at 7:30 at the Tattered Cover on Colfax he will discuss and sign the new paperback edition of his bestselling book The Gamble: General David Petraeus and the American Military Adventure in Iraq, He also talked about his New York Times Op Ed piece on how goals are not being achieved in Iraq. We then went back to our discussion on the Jeffco school shooting. Why are these kind of attacks so commonplace in the US? What is the issue that needs to be dissected? Is it the me first society causing this?

Sirota Wednesday 2-24-10 Hour 1

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:02:44 -0500

The scene unfolded Tuesday afternoon with shocking familiarity. A shooting outside a Jefferson County school, wounded students, heroic teachers and frantic parents.When it was over, a man with a history of mental problems was in jail, accused of opening fire with a hunting rifle. Ttwo eighth-graders were hospitalized, one in critical condition. The bizarre burst of gunfire that erupted just after 3 p.m. at Deer Creek Middle School ended when David Benke, a 57-year-old math teacher, rushed the shooter, wrestled him to the ground and held on as others helped him subdue the man. Jefferson County authorities identified the alleged gunman was Bruco Strong Eagle Eastwood, 32. He was held on two counts of attempted murder, said Jacki Kelley, spokeswoman for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. His father, Bruco War Eagle Eastwood, said his son heard voices and struggled financially. He also has an arrest record dating back to 1996, including three incidents in which he was accused of threatening someone with a weapon. Deer Creek and nearby Stony Creek Elementary School will be closed today. It is the second shooting at Deer Creek. Iin 1982, a teen shot and killed a student outside the school. Deer Creek is located just a few miles from Columbine High, the scene of the deadliest public school shooting in American history. What should we make of this? Is it a mental health issue? Is it a school safety issue? Why is the pace of these kind of attacks heating up? What is it about our society that makes this more prevalent than other societies?

Sirota Tuesday 2-23-10 Hour 3

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:11:04 -0500

We opened the hour with Eric Boehlert from Media Matters for America. We talked about the lunacy and madness of Glenn Beck and about his CPAC speech. We then took a disturbing call from our resident British conservative Cliff in Denver who totally agrees with Glenn Beck on Progressivism being a Cancer that needs to be eradicated. At 9:30 Max Watman joined the show to talk about his book Chasing the White Dog: An Amateur Outlaw's Adventures in Moonshine. He has a book signing event at the Colfax Tattered Cover Friday night at 7:30.

Sirota Tuesday 2-23-10 Hour 2

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:12:48 -0500

We spent the first half of this hour with Pulitzer Prize winning author and investigative journalist David Cay Johnston. He has some new IRS data which shows that tax rates for the top 400 earners are falling as income soars. We discussed tax structure and what actually constitutes rich, middle class and poor.

Sirota Tuesday 2-23-10 Hour 1

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:59:17 -0500

David led off by playing some audio og Glenn Beck saying that progressivism and Progressives are a Cancer that needs to be eradicated. Dave asked whether we are moving full fledged into proto-fascism. Is this frightening speech? What should be done if anything?

Sirota Monday 2-22-10 Hour 3

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:22:06 -0500

We opened the hour with Denver Post business reporter David Migoya who wrote a piece last week examining what happens to your digital identity after you die. David then talked a little about Mr. Glenn Beck. He said progressivism is the Cancer of America and that progress. Do you think even for Beck, does this really step into the truly unacceptable?

Sirota Monday 2-22-10 Hour 2

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:10:47 -0500

Our guest is Rep. Mark Ferrandino. Mark, Sen. Chris Romer, and a coalition of consumers of predatory loans and consumer advocates will unveil legislation today to rein in the abuses of the payday loan industry and to protect Colorado consumers from out-of-control interest rates.They are trying to cap the APR at 36 percent. We then updated health care reform before being joined by The Nation's Dave Ziren to talk about the Tiger Woods press conference.

Sirota Monday 2-22-10 Hour 1

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:35:00 -0500

David talked about the definition of rich and how it varies from place to place. We also talked about tax rates with different incomes. Do you think making 250 thousand or more makes you rich or middle class? At 7:20 we were joined by author of Flags of Our Fathers James Bradley to discuss his new book The Imperial Cruise. Tomorrow marks the 65th anniversary of the Iwo Jima flagraising. We then went back to phones to talk about what constitutes being rich.

Best of Sirota Feb 15-19

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:52:54 -0500

David's best interviews his week included The Nation's Dave Ziren on the OlympicsColorado Ethic Watch's Luis Toro on Citizens United affects Colorado. Author Greg Campbell on the Largest Diamond Heist in HistorySAFER's Mason Tvery on controversy on the Denver Marijuana Review Policy BoardDouglas Rushkoff on the Digital Age and are we multi tasking ourselves to death.

Sirota Friday 2-19-10 Hour 3

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:12:23 -0500

We carried the Tiger Woods press conference and we laid that in our podcast here in case you want to listen again. We then went back to Fight Club Friday and took nominations for Schmuck of the Week.

Sirota Friday 2-19-10 Hour 2

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:10:20 -0500

We spent the first half hour opening up Fight Club Friday. Got a tiff with Dave, bring it into the AM 760 Dojo. We also carried over calls and comments on the Austin IRS building attack. At 8:35 Steve Turner from Asher Brewing Company joined us in studio to sample some of their beers and to tell us what sets them apart from the rest of Colorado breweries. They make only organic beer.

Sirota Friday 2-19-10 Hour 1

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:58:30 -0500

David led off by talking about the man who flew his plane into the IRS building in Austin yesterday. He left an anti tax rant behind sayinig he was sick of government bailouts and corporate greed. Does this confirm the fact that right wing anti government and anti tax rhetoric gone off the cliff? Has the right created a situation where we need to worry about domestic acts of terrorism carried out by extreme right ideology? At 7:20 our special guest was Frontline correspondent Douglas Rushkoff to talk about their new piece called Digital Nation. Are we multi tasking ourselves to death? We then went back to our topic on the Austin suicide bomber.

Sirota Thursday 2-18-10 Hour 3

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:27:48 -0500

We opened the hour with Revernd Jim Wallis to talk about his new book Rediscovering Values: On Wall Street, Main Street, and Your Street. We then did News of the Weird beofre being joined by author Greg Campbell who has a new book called Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History. He is the author of the book that preceded the Oscar nominated film Blood Diamonds.

Sirota Thursday 2-18-10 Hour 2

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:12:52 -0500

> Executive Director at Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation Mason Tvery our special guest. He and SAFER are calling on Mayor John Hickenlooper to replace an anti-marijuana crusading police officer he appointed to the Denver Marijuana Policy Review Panel after a controversial letter written by the officer was unearthed. In the letter Ernie Martinez says, those who want to legalize drugs weaken our collective struggle against this scourge of our society and like a cancer, proponents for legalization eat away at society's resolve and moral fiber. Martinez also serves as president of the Colorado Drug Investigators Association (CDIA), an organization lobbying to keep marijuana as illegal as possible. We then took calls on the marijuana war and on whether or not you think Obama should be in town getting involved in the Bennet campaign and stumping for the appointed senator? We also hit on TSA swabbing you when you fly.

Sirota Thursday 2-18-10 Hour 1

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:57:34 -0500

David led off by talking about President Obama's visit to Colorado in support of Senator Michael Bennet. We also played a new Jane Norton ad attacking President Obama. At 7:20 we were joined by Andrew Romanoff in rebuttal to Senator Michael Bennet's interview from yesterday. We then asked if the pres is right or wrong to come into Colorado and stump for a particular candidate? Who you backing and why?

Sirota Wednesday 2-17-10 Hour 3

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:24:35 -0500

We opened the hour with Dr. David Dosa to talk about his book Making Rounds With Oscar. He works at a nursing home where a cat actual visits patients just before they die. At 9:20 Senator Michael Bennet joined the show to talk about all the issues and to respond to earlier guest Joe Trippi. At 9:35 Westword 's Alan Prendergast joined David to talk about a huge verdict against health insurance here in Colorado. Let's hope this sends a message to health insurance companies.

Sirota Wednesday 2-17-10 Hour 2

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:28:16 -0500

The Nation's Sebastian Jones is our guest to talk about his piece called The Lobbying-Media Complex which talks about the covert corporate influence peddling on cable news. Jones, a former Nation intern, is a freelance writer based in New York City. He stuck around for a couple segments. We then did News of the Weird to round out the hour

Sirota Wednesday 2-17-10 Hour 1

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:11:26 -0500

David led off with an update in the Highlands Ranch DEA raid and how the person involved is now facing 40 years in prison. Dave also talked about Senator Michael Bennet who is saying reconciliation to pass the public option in the health care bill. At 7:20 State Representative Jack Pommer joined the show to talk about the tax debate in the state as he made news yesterday by saying business does not care about Colorado. At 7:45 Andrew Romanoff campaign strategist Joe Trippi joined the show.

Sirota Tuesday 2-16-10 Hour 3

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:08:16 -0500

We spent the first half hour with a couple guests . Karl Frisch with our media misinformation report and Colorado Ethics Watch director Luis Toro on how Citizens United will affect Colorado.

Sirota Tuesday 2-16-10 Hour 2

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:11:36 -0500

We led off the hour talking the good and mostly bad about the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver with The Nation's sports writer and host of Edge of Sports radio show Dave Ziren. Next we talked about this Boulder Daily Camera article. A new report shows that while college students have been shown to fail when it comes to understanding core civics, they become more liberal on controversial social issues during their pursuit of higher education. The Intercollegiate Studies Institute, a conservative think tank, will officially release the report Wednesday that shows people with college degrees are more likely to support gay marriage and abortion and less likely to think that the Bible is the word of God. The report, called The shaping of the American mind, says colleges nationwide fail to adequately teach civic knowledge, an argument based on results of the institute's past surveys, but they do influence students when it comes to polarizing social topics. The authors conclude that if students had a better grasp of civic knowledge, they'd be more likely to embrace free enterprise and the notion that anyone can succeed with hard work and perseverance. What is your take on this study?

Sirota Tuesday 2-16-10 Hour 1

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:58:28 -0500

We talked about the state federal power struggle on medical marijuana. David talked about the Reefer Madness going on out there. Turk received a letter from the Highlands Ranch Community Association basicall asking you to tell on your neighbor if you suspect them to have a medical marijuana operation at their homes. They ask this even though they say this MAY NOT BE improper land use. David also brought up stories on loss of privacy including eye scans and video cameras in bathrooms. When you put this all together, are we losing our privacy rights? Or is David just being paranoid?

Sirota Monday 2-15-10 Hour 3

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:12:22 -0500

The Colorado Springs city council voted 8-1 last week to approve an anti-camping ordinance that would essentially outlaw tent cities where hundreds of homeless people have been staying. Our guest, Councilman Tom Gallagher cast the single no vote. His reasons why he voted no include being homeless in Colorado Springs in the 1980's.

Sirota Monday 2-15-10 Hour 2

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:32:56 -0500

We continued conversation from last hour on the Highlands Ranch citizen who had a medical marijuana operation at his house near an elementary school. His house was raided by the DEA even though the president said do not raid them. Now what?

Sirota Monday 2-15-10 Hour 1

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:30:25 -0500

Federal drug-enforcement agents Friday raided the home of a Highlands Ranch man who a day earlier bragged in a 9News report about the large and profitable medical-marijuana-growing operation in his basement. Along with the raid, Jeffrey Sweetin, the Drug Enforcement Administration's special agent in charge of the Denver office, sent a message to anyone involved in Colorado's increasingly profitable medical-marijuana industry. It's still a violation of federal law, Sweetin said. It's not medicine. We're still going to continue to investigate and arrest people. Agents at the scene Friday evening said the marijuana grower, Chris Bartkowicz, had been taken into custody. On Thursday night, 9News promoted a story about Bartkowicz's operation, and on Friday morning, Bartkowicz was featured in a 9News story posted to its website and published in The Denver Post. The story was to air on television Friday night. He told the station he serves as a caregiver to a number of medical-marijuana patients and hoped to turn a profit this year in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. That story, coupled with the proximity of Bartkowicz's home to Sand Creek Elementary School, a block away, drew the attention of DEA agents. A memo in October from Deputy U.S. Attorney General David Ogden said federal agents should not target people in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana. The memo led many in Colorado's medical-marijuana community to believe that federal agents would no longer raid medical-marijuana dispensaries or growers. But Sweetin said the memo does nothing to change federal law, which makes marijuana illegal, and instead mostly addresses treatment of medical-marijuana patients and small-scale growers. How would you like to see this story end? What should the president do?

Sirota Friday 2-12-10 Hour 3

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:21:17 -0500

Eli Stokols, from Fox 31, joins David in studio for the hour. Christy Harvey, from The Center For American Progress, calls in to talk about Sarah Palin. And Mason Tavert, from Colorado SAFER, stops by to comment on the hypocrisy of Stapleton trying to squash dispensary business while praising liquor sales.

Sirota Friday 2-12-10 Hour 2

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:16:20 -0500

David continues to talk about Hickenlooper flip flopping on global warming. And we continue with Fight Club and Schmuck of the Week. Also, a new familial DNA database, iris scans, and other privacy concerns.

Sirota Friday 2-12-10 Hour 1

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:05:53 -0500

It's Fight Club Friday and Schmuck of the Week time. Also, David goes after Hickenlooper for talking out both sides of his mouth about climate change. Is he trying to appeal to big energy now that he's a gubernatorial candidate?

Best of Sirota Feb 8-12

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:08:36 -0500

This week's best interviews includedThe Nation's Dave Ziren on the politics of the SuperbowlAuthor Denny Dressman on how Eddie Robinson was the Martin Luther King of footballAuthor Sasha Abramsky on whether or not Baravk Obama is running away from his raceJeanne McEvoy President of the Colorado Licensed Beverage Association on full strength beer in grocery and convenient stores

Sirota Thursday 2-11-10 Hour 3

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:29:50 -0500

Man is this a great hour. David and Colorado Springs city councilman Sean Paige go head to head.

Sirota Thursday 2-11-10 Hour 2

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:17:31 -0500

Sergeant Nic Gray is our special guest. He is a Iraq War veteran who suffers from PTSD, anxiety and depression. Westword's Joel Warner wrote a piece about Nic which is their cover story from last week. He stayed most of the hour and took calls from listeners.

Sirota Thursday 2-11-10 Hour 1

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:51:19 -0500

David led off talking about Wall Street and Washington D.C. President Barack Obama again showing that he is siding with CEO's of banks and with big business. At 7:20 we were joined by State Senator Linda Newell to talk about a couple bills she is rolling right now. David then chatted a little bit about Andrew Romanoff and Michael Bennet on labor. We took calls on all these subjects to close the hour.

Sirota Wednesday 2-10-10 Hour 3

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:21:03 -0500

Lawmakers took their first shot late Monday at settling the long standing dispute over rafts passing private property when they passed out of committee a bill to give commercial outfitters the right to float on rivers without the fear of being sued by landowners for trespassing. In hours of testimony, a state House committee heard from concerned riverfront property owners, lawyers seeking to make the law clear and rafting advocates touting the economic benefits of their industry to mountain communities. A bipartisan 7-3 vote sent the bill to the full House. Where do you stand on this issue?

Sirota Wednesday 2-10-10 Hour 2

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:12:48 -0500

Our special guest is Mark Wesibrot who wrote a great piece for Common Dreams called Why Washington Cares About Countries Like Haiti and Honduras. Weisbrot is co director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington. Barack Obama held meeting at White House yesterday and held a presser calling for bipartisanship. Can he really move the republicans to help him or is he trying to pressure the wrong people?

Sirota Wednesday 2-10-10 Hour 1

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:03:16 -0500

David led off with a rant on his tiff with Colorado Springs city councilman Sean Paige/ Our guest in the next segment was Jeanne McEvoy, president of the Colorado Licensed Beverage Association. She got us up to speed on a couple bills running through the legislature that would put full strength beer om the shelves of grocery stores and convenient stores. These could have a negative effect on the ma and pa liquor stores and our micro breweries. Jeanne gave her argument why she is against these bills. Where do you stand?

Sirota Tuesday 2-9-10 Hour 3

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:17:37 -0500

Due to technical difficulties we are missing the first few minutes of the podcast. We led off with Eric Boehlert from Media Matters for America. We then were joined by author of Inside Obama's Brain Sasha Abramsky to talk about the presidency of Barack Obama in relation to Black History Month. A New York Times article says he is running away from his race. Sasha also commented on this.

Sirota Tuesday 2-9-10 Hour 2

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:11:33 -0500

We led off the hour with Colorado Pols' Jason Bane to talk about Q4 fundraising numbers. What does it mean for the key Colorado races this year? At 8:30 Denver Post business columnist Al Lewis joined the show to talk about Toyota recalls.

Sirota Tuesday 2-9-10 Hour 1

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:55:35 -0500

David talked about two items this hour. David and Colorado Springs city councilman Sean Paige are in a bit of a tiff about David's column on political decisions made in the city. Paige says David hates Colorado Springs. David says no he just doesn't like what elected officials have done to the city. Also in a recent column David argues that older movies and TV shows become outdated because our technology changes so rapidly. Not that great movies don't remain great movies. Especially movies that use computers and phones seem really ancient to kids today. David got a lot of hate mail for this column. Why? Do you have examples of how technology is outdating our classics.

Sirota Monday 2-8-10 Hour 3

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:09:09 -0500

we opened the hour with our buddy Dave Ziren. He is The Nation's sportswriter and we summed up the politicization of the Superbowl. How about the China bashing ad? How about the Tebow ad? David spent the last portion of the show discussing this issue. The state capital's dome is endangered. We don't have money to renovate the dome. So they are going to raise cash by putting corporate emblems on the dome if they donate during construction. So it will only be on during construction. What do you think?

Sirota Monday 2-8-10 Hour 2

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:38:37 -0500

David spent the first half hour talking with local psychic medium Rebecca Rosen. She has a book signing event tonight ta the Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch at 7:30. She is becoming a big star nationally too. She did a reading on David. At 8:35 Denny Dressman joined us to talk about his book Eddie Robinson: He Was the Martin Luther King of Football. Denny has a book signing event Tuesday night at 7:30 at the Tattered Cover on Colfax.

Sirota Monday 2-8-10 Hour 1

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:04:40 -0500

David opened up talking about his observations on the Superbowl. What did you love and what did you hate about the Superbowl? He also brought up a personal issue where a buddy of his has been giving him a real hard time about going after local democrats like Mark Udall and Mayor Hickenlooper. There was a friend break up. Have you had similar situations where you break up with a friend over politics?

Best of Sirota Feb 1-5

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:43:27 -0500

This week's best interviews includedState Senator Chris Romer on Streetcars on ColfaxChris Ketcham on how your cell phone may be dangerous to your healthGayle Haggard on why she stayed with TedMayor Hickenlooper on the issues Comedian and star of Weeds Kevin Nealon

Sirota Friday 2-5-10 Hour 3

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:12:32 -0500

We led of with Mic Check Radio's Christy Harvey with some news that flew under the radar this week. David then took calls and briefly interacted with his father who was in studio sipping beers.

Sirota Friday 2-5-10 Hour 2

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:13:23 -0500

We led off the hour with Chris Suellentrop who wrote a great piece in Wired about how video games are raising a new generation of athletes, especially in football players. We then were joined by Director of Sustainability for Aspen Skiing Company Auden Schendler. According to a recently published report by the National Wildlife Federation on the effects of global warming, Colorado"s ski industry has reason to worry. The report titled "Odd-Ball Winter Weather: Global Warming"s Wake-Up Call for the Northern United States," outlines oddball winter events across the country and states that those oddities in weather events will continue if global warming pollution continues unabated. For ski resorts in Colorado, the report predicts that winter weather will continue to become milder and shorter with snowfall inconsistencies. In fact, the report states that the extent of snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere has decreased by approximately three to nine percent since 1978, with especially rapid declines in the western U.S. We ended the hour with a 20 minute segment

Sirota Friday 2-5-10 Hour 1

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:18:57 -0500

Due to technical difficulties we are missing first few minutes of the podcast. David led off by playing a clip from yesterday's interview with Mayor Hickenlooper on what he calls a mental recession. We talked about taxes and cutting programs. Are we taking an axe and not a scalpel to our state budget? Do you really believe this is what he calls a mental recession?

Sirota Thursday 2-4-10 Hour 3

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:01:57 -0500

We spent first hour taking calls on any subject we hit this morning as well as throwing out a couple news items. At 9:30 Mayor John Hickenlooper joined David in studio and answered questions on a bevy of issues.

Sirota Thursday 2-4-10 Hour 2

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:07:48 -0500

We spent the first half hour debating the Fair Tax issue with a couple of guests. Director of Citizens for Tax Justice Bob McIntyre and Ken Hoagland the National Director at Fairtax.org. CTJ is a nonpartisan research and advocacy group that fights for tax fairness-at the federal, state and local levels. The Fair Tax Act is nonpartisan legislation. It abolishes all federal personal and corporate income taxes, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, and self-employment taxes and replaces them with one simple, visible, federal retail sales tax administered primarily by existing state sales tax authorities. To close out the hour we had special guest Gayle Haggard. She of course is Ted Haggard's wife and she wrote a new book called Why I Stayed.

Sirota Thursday 2-4-10 Hour 1

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:09:21 -0500

Smorgasbord of topics this hour. What should we do with Rahm Emanuel after he used the term f'in retards when referring to some Olympic committees. Is the term acceptable or unacceptable? We also talked about a ban of the LED billboards and light pollution. Do you care about the bright billboards? Also the underwear bomber is giving up crucial information without torture. Does this show we can fight terrorism and uphold the constitution? We also hit on mascots and American Indians. Should we be eliminating mascot names that can be considered derogatory to American Indians?

Sirota Wednesday 2-3-10 Hour 3

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:07:47 -0500

We spent the first half hour taking cals on the middle class, Michael Bennet and streetcars on Colfax. We then were joined by Chris Ketcham who wrote a piece for GQ called Danger: Your Cell Phone May Be Dangerous To Your Health.

Sirota Wednesday 2-3-10 Hour 2

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:12:25 -0500

We spent the first hour taking calls on a possible streetcar running up and down Colfax. At 8:30 we were joined by Denver City Councilman Doug Linkhart to talk about a possible new jail.

Sirota Wednesday 2-3-10 Hour 1

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:00:31 -0500

David led off talking about Lost and about the meaning of middle class. We then were joined by State Representative Max Tyler to talk about Fusion Voting. Next up was State Senator Chris Romer who talked about raising money for a streetcar on Colfax.

Sirota Tuesday 2-2-10 Hour 3

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:12:23 -0500

To kick off the last season of Lost, David Lavery, co-author of Lost's Buried Treasures: The Unofficial Guide to Everything Lost Fans Need to Know 3E, jumped on the show. Lavery and Lynette Porter cover all the questions before they're asked, from discussions of famous novels that appear on the island to popular culture references to filming locations to choosing the right music for each scene. They provide a thorough and remarkable look into the new predicaments that await Lost viewers this season. Next, our special guest is the policy director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Kelly Shanahan. On Thursday the House Health and Human Services committee with hear testimony for HB10-1008: Ensuring Equal Treatment for Men and Women in the Individual Health Insurance Market. This bill will prohibit gender rating, the individual insurance market practice of charging same aged women and men different premiums for identical health coverage. Because of this discriminatory practice women pay up to 59 percent more than same aged men for identical health insurance. www.cohealthinitiative.org

Sirota Tuesday 2-2-10 Hour 2

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:07:57 -0500

David is joined by special guest and Bloomberg News London Bureau Chief Mark Gilbert. He will talk about his forthcoming book Complicit: How Greed and Collusion Made the Credit Crisis Unstoppable. Gilbert describes bubbles growing and bubbles popping, excessive bail-outs and failures to bail out, over-leveraging capital and hoarding capital. He puts the blame squarely where it belongs. On the institutions who abandoned the most basic forms of due diligence in rating and selling exotic new derivative securities. We then were joined by Karl Frisch for our weekly media misinformation report from Media Matters.

Sirota Tuesday 2-2-10 Hour 1

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:46:12 -0500

David opened up with a rant on the TV series Lost and on Barack Obama's budget. We the were joined by State Representative Joe Rice to talk about a bill he is working on that helps protect local car dealerships. We then threw out a couple news stories before we did our Time Warp Tuesday Contest.

Sirota Monday 2-1-10 Hour 3

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:21:30 -0500

Our special guest is Dave Zirin to talk about the political ramifications of the Superbowl. Zirin is the first sports correspondent and now sports editor for the Nation Magazine. He is the author of Welcome to the Terrordome and A People's History of Sports in the United States. He is also the host of XM satellite's popular weekly show, Edge of Sports Radio. You can find his most recent article here www.edgeofsports.com We then went back to phones for anything we hit on this morning such as politics in the Superbowl and Colorado Springs' tax issue

Sirota Monday 2-1-10 Hour 2

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:10:19 -0500

We led off the hour with Pulitzer Prize winning author and Emeritus Professor at Northwestern University Garry Wills. He talked about his new book Bomb Power as well as Barack Obama on Afghanistan. Bomb Power is a groundbreaking examination of how the atomic bomb profoundly altered the nature of American democracy and has left us in a state of war alert ever since. We then were joined by Denver Post staff writer Michael Booth to talk about his piece on how Colorado Springs is having issues due to their aversion to raising taxes.

Sirota Monday 2-1-10 Hour 1

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:09:49 -0500

University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow helped film a Super Bowl ad for a conservative Christian group, Focus on the Family. The details of the ad have not been released. But reports say that he and his mother will talk about how his birth was threatened by disease while in the Philippines and how she ignored medical advice to have an abortion. The ad is estimated to cost 2.5 to 2.8 million for 30 seconds. Meanwhile a Move On ad and a gay dating service ad have been denied. Do you support Focus on the Family's right to air this ad? Should they be able to buy TV time? Or do you think CBS should ban the ad?

Best of Sirota Jan 25-29

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:32:24 -0500

Best interviews this week included Former Wyoming Republican Alan Simpson on the Supreme Court RulingAnnalee Newitz on possible racist themes in AvatarProfessor Noam Chomsky on the state of the nationAnd Bill Ritter on taxes, jobs and much more

Sirota Friday 1-29-10 Hour 3

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:31:02 -0500

We led off the hour with Christy Harvey from the Center for American Progress. We hit on stories that flew under the radar this week. Next was National Sales Director at Avery Brewing Company Ted Whitney who joined us in studio for a special Friday morning taste test. They are located at 5763 Arapahoe Ave in Boulder where they opened in 1993. www.averybrewing.com

Sirota Friday 1-29-10 Hour 2

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:26:59 -0500

Drew Bixby was our special in studio guest. He has a book signing event tonight at the Tattered Cover beginning at 7:30 for his new release Denver's Best Dive Bars: Drinking and Diving in the Mile High City. The book offers a shot's eye view of the deliciously seedy underside of bar life in the Mile High City. When he is not writing the Drunk of the Week column for Westword, Drew Bixby teaches writing for the Department of English and the Writing Center at the University of Colorado Denver. www.denversbestdivebars.comWe then were joined by Governor Bill Ritter who talked about a bevy of issues including taxes and jobs.

Sirota Friday 1-29-10 Hour 1

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:18:27 -0500

David led off by honoring Howard Zinn by playing a brief clip of him on the recent bailouts. It is a must listen. We then talked about what Colorado Springs has planned for their homeless. Homeless people in Colorado Springs are getting their one-way bus tickets paid for if they want to move to be near family or friends. The Salvation Army is providing the money for Colorado Springs police to buy the tickets when homeless people request them. The officers are also responsible for checking that the homeless have a relative or place to stay at their desired destination. City officials say the idea is not to kick the homeless out of Colorado Springs but to help them better themselves. The initiative is new and so far three people have gotten bus tickets to San Diego, Corpus, Christi, Texas, and Birmingham, Ala. Is this a compassionate and right way to deal with this problem? Is it human or is it giving them the big middle finger?

Sirota Thursday 1-28-10 Hour 3

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:26:01 -0500

Denver Post columnist Susan Greene our special guest to talk about mistaken identity arrests in Colorado. Dozens of apparent errors have been made since the city pledged to mend its ways in 2007 after settling a lawsuit for jailing a woman whose identity it had mistaken. Innocent people continued to be misidentified after Safety Manager Al LaCabe said sheriff's deputies are making every effort to ensure they are correctly identifying suspects. And problems persist long since John Hickenlooper deigned to address the issue, albeit minimally. We then took a few calls before being joined by Vote Yes For Oregon campaign director Kevin Looper. Oregon voters bucked decades of anti-tax and anti-Salem sentiment Tuesday, raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy to prevent further erosion of public schools and other state services. The double-barreled victory is the first voter-approved statewide income tax increase since the 1930s. Other states, facing similar budget woes, are watching the outcome closely because Oregon, after all, is a state that capped property taxes and locked a surplus tax rebate program into the constitution.

Sirota Thursday 1-28-10 Hour 2

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:08:41 -0500

We led off the hour gonging in Congressman Ed Perlmutter to the AM 760 Dojo. He and David disagreed on the quality of President Obama's State of the Union Speech. David then gave a brief remembrance of Howard Zinn. At the midpoint this hour Staff attorney at Earthjustice McCrystie Adams and Ft. Collins resident Gary Wockner joined the show to talk about several different water projects on the Front Range. Wockner is director of the Save the Poudre Coaltion and the state program director of Clean Water Action. They have been working with various groups who have researched and developed conservation and other alternatives to these projects that would provide the water supply for these communities without sucking the rivers dry. www.earthjustice.org www.savethepoudre.org www.cleanwateraction.org.

Sirota Thursday 1-28-10 Hour 1

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:56:44 -0500

We opened up talking about last night's State of the Union Speech. David gave his take, which was a cynical one. He thought there were some good parts but for the most part thought it was weak. We played some clips and took caller reaction. He thought it diagnosed the problems but was rather cynical and did not offer real solutions.

Sirota Wednesday 1-27-10 Hour 3

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:20:41 -0500

Ryan Grim the senior congressional correspondent for the Huffington Post joins David to talk about his reporting on Ben Bernanke. Grim is a former staff reporter with Politico.com and Washington City Paper. He won the 2007 Alt Weekly Award for best long-form news-story and is the author of the book This Is Your Country on Drugs. We then went to the phones for the remainder of the show.

Sirota Wednesday 1-27-10 Hour 2

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:11:54 -0500

New Mexico state representative Brian Egolf is our special guest. He has introduced a bill to move the state's money out of Bank of America and into banks and credit unions chartered in New Mexico. Egolf said the account, which is essentially the state's checking account, holds $1.4 billion and is managed by Bank of America. Egolf's bill directs state officials to study the feasibility of dividing up the account and distributing it between community banks and credit unions throughout the state. Egolf said moving state funds into local banks or credit unions would benefit the New Mexico economy by freeing up local credit. We then talked to Jay Marvin about a charity he is involved in. We then took more calls on a proposed sales tax on groceries statewide and on Mark Udall and Michael Bennet on deficit.

Sirota Wednesday 1-27-10 Hour 1

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:59:26 -0500

As lawmakers consider eliminating a host of tax breaks for corporations, a key business group in Colorado has floated an idea that has raised eyebrows at the Capitol. Removing the sales-tax exemption on groceries. The idea comes as lobbyists, business organizations and sometimes officials and employees with companies themselves have implored lawmakers not to eliminate tax breaks they say are critical to businesses. Gov. Bill Ritter has proposed eliminating or suspending 13 tax exemptions and credits to generate 131.8 million to help balance the 2010-11 budget, and he wants seven tax exemptions to be retired by March to generate 18 million for the current budget year, which ends in June. Representative Mark Ferrandino and Senator Moe Keller, both members of the Joint Budget Committee, said they had been approached by officials with the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry to talk about alternatives to eliminating tax breaks. Ferrandino said one idea the industry association raised was to partially eliminate or temporarily suspend the state's sales-tax exemption on food purchased for home consumption. Colorado enacted the exemption in 1979, and it costs the state more than 200 million a year. Keller, meanwhile, said an association board member approached her several weeks ago and told her she would have the backing of the business community if she supported scaling back the tax exemption for food. Both she and Ferrandino said they were repulsed by the idea.What do you think?

Sirota Tuesday 1-26-10 Hour 3

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:08:26 -0500

We led off with very special guest Noam Chomsky who talked about the deficit, the proposed budget freeze, the tea baggers and much more. www.chomsky.info We then were joined by Annalee Newitz to discuss whether or not the movie Avatat is racist. She has written some fabulous pieces on this.

Sirota Tuesday 1-26-10 Hour 2

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:12:47 -0500

In the first segment David wrapped up Time Warp Tuesday and then talked a little more about balancing the budget and the proposed budget freeze by President Barack Obama. Next we were joined by former Republican Senator from Wyoming Alan Simpson to talk about the Supreme Court decision last week and about the whole budget issue. We then were joined by Media Matters Senior Fellow Eric Boehlert for our media misinformation report. We talked about Rush Limbaugh's remarks that are being considered anti-Semitic. We also hit on oppositional media from progressives on Barack Obama.

Sirota Tuesday 1-26-10 Hour 1

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:57:58 -0500

David led off talking about Barack Obama's proposed budget freeze to close the budget gap. The spending freeze would apply to a relatively small portion of the federal budget, affecting a 477 billion pot of money available for domestic agencies whose budgets are approved by Congress each year. The Pentagon, veterans programs, foreign aid and the Homeland Security Department would be exempt from the freeze. Department of Education andHealth and Human Services will be affected. Our guest on this and how we got into this recession in the first place is Michael Lind. He is Policy Director of New America's Economic Growth Program and has been writing about this for Salon. We also talked about John Edwards and ran Time Warp Tuesday.

Best of Sirota Jan 18-22

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:09:07 -0500

This week's best interviews included The Nation's Christopher Hayes on pay raises for bank executives. Author Rich Benjamin on what should really be reflected on on Martin Luther King Jr. DayAndrew Romanoff on his decision to stay in the Senate raceThe Nation's Richard Kim on the deeper history of HaitiFormer Goldman Sachs employee turned whistleblower and author Nomi Prins on how Wall Street is covering up it's theftState Representative Dianne Primavera on a bill she is running to cut out dangerous chemicals in cosmetics.

Sirota Monday 1-25-10 Hour 3

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:10:20 -0500

We carried over conversation about toll roads and hot lanes and whether they are discriminatory? We also brought up a local story about ticketing the homeless for sleeping outside. Tent cities are getting bigger and there are more homeless people due to recession. What should cities do with the homeless?

Sirota Monday 1-25-10 Hour 2

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:07:37 -0500

SAFER executive director Mason Tvert our special guest to talk about their ban of Starbucks and about how Denver should follow Seattle's lead when giving voters what they approved. We then switched conversation to toll roads and toll lanes. The perennial shortfall in public money available for new highway lanes has state and local officials looking once again at tolling and private investment as a way to add road capacity in tough economic times. Last week, Colorado's newly formed High Performance Transportation Enterprise assessed the potential for adding managed lanes to three highly congested corridors on I 25, C470 and US 36. With managed lanes, highway operators charge tolls and retain the flexibility of varying pricing by the time of day, and offering toll exemptions or discounts for buses or cars with more than one occupant. In metro Denver, current managed lanes include the high occupancy vehicle high occupancy toll HOT lanes on I 25 and a short portion of U.S. 36, where buses and carpools travel free and single-occupant vehicles pay a toll. Should Colorado drivers be able to buy their way out of traffic? Is that discriminatory?

Sirota Monday 1-25-10 Hour 1

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:48:29 -0500

Four leading business groups Friday came out against significant portions of Gov. Bill Ritter's proposal to target tax exemptions and credits. Ritter has proposed eliminating or suspending 13 tax credits and exemptions, a move that would generate an estimated 131.8 million for the 2010-11 budget year that begins in July, which is facing at least a 1.3 billion deficit. But Ritter this week proposed fast-tracking the elimination of seven tax exemptions to generate 18 million for the current budget year ending in June. In a letter sent late Friday to the Democratic governor and legislative leaders, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, joined by two other groups, said it was gravely concerned about Ritter's plan to nix three of the credits and exemptions that represent 69.3 million in Ritter's balancing plan for 2010-11. The other groups on the letter were Colorado Concern, a group of 100 leading business executives, and the National Federation of Independent Business of Colorado. Is getting rid of a tax subsidy or loophole really a tax increase? Or is it the other way around?

Sirota Friday 1-22-10 Hour 3

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:09:13 -0500

We were joined in studio this hour by Andrew Ehrnman from Ska Brewing in Durango Colorado. They will be present at tonight's Brewfest in Denver. We sampled their beers and talked about what separates Ska from the other breweries in Colorado. We also took votes for schmuck of the week as well as talked about the worst kind of Facebook friends.

Sirota Friday 1-22-10 Hour 2

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:09:32 -0500

We led off the hour with author Henry Giroux to talk about his latest book Youth in a Suspect Society: Democracy or Disposability. This book argues that with the rise of market fundamentalism and the ensuing economic and financial crisis, youth are facing a crisis unlike that of any other generation. We then moved conversation on the SCOTUS decision on Thursday opening the door for businesses and unions to spend as much money as they want influencing elections. The high court Thursday overturned a federal law banning both businesses and labor unions from spending on such efforts as buying time for television ads supporting a candidate. It left in place a ban on them giving money directly to candidates. David brought up a Elliot Spitzer piece that says this is good from a progressive view. David layed out his argument then took opinions.

Sirota Friday 1-22-10 Hour 1

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:00:15 -0500

David led off with his take on Wall Street and President Obama's statement that he is taking a populist stance on the banks. We then were joined by Dean Baker to talk about his new book False Profits: Recovering from the Bubble Economy.We closed out the hour with a discusiion of dangerous chemicals in cosmetics. Our guest was State Representative Dianne Primavera who has a bill running in the state to get rid of these dangerous chemicals.

Sirota Thursday 1-21-10 Hour 3

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:09:55 -0500

We led off with a fascinating conversation with Salon's Glenn Greenwald. We talked about whether or not it's disloyal for progressives to push Democrats and President Obama for more? We then were joined by Nomi Prins to talk about to talk about how Wall Street is covering up it's theft.

Sirota Thursday 1-21-10 Hour 2

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:06:52 -0500

We continued conversation form last hour. Where do you draw the line when it comes to living up to your progressive ideals? Is there an arbitrary line? At 8:40 David was joined by State Director at the Colorado Public Interest Research Group Danny Katz. He will talk about the upcoming financial reform bill. We also broke news this hour as the Supreme Court has ruled that corporations may spend freely to support or oppose candidates for president and Congress, easing decades-old limits on their participation in federal campaigns.

Sirota Thursday 1-21-10 Hour 1

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:06:54 -0500

David led off with breaking news about banking and the post Massachusetts election. David is really questioning how he will vote this year. Where do we draw lines in the sand in our own lives. How much are you willing to pay to live out your progressive ideals? When it comes to voting, even if a candidate does not project your ideals, would you still vote for them?

Sirota Wednesday 1-20-10 Hour 3

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:41:47 -0500

Senior Editor at the Nation Richard Kim is our special guest to talk about the deeper history of Haiti. He has a piece up at The Nation called IMF to Haiti: Freeze Public Wages. www.thenation.comWe then went back to phones for teh rest of the hour on Massachusetts and the deeper meaning of what is going on with Democrats.

Sirota Wednesday 1-20-10 Hour 2

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:35:34 -0500

We led off talking with Andrew Romanoff about his renewed commitment to run for Michael Bennet's senate seat. www.andrewromanoff.com We then talked with David O. Williams from Colorado Confidential about his story on how Mayor John Hickenlooper is attacking oil and gas drilling regulations. We then closed out the hour with comments on the Democrats and the MA results.

Sirota Wednesday 1-20-10 Hour 1

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:13:19 -0500

Republicans are rejoicing and Democrats reeling in the wake of Scott Brown's stunning victory over Martha Coakley in a special Massachusetts Senate election that Brown insists was not simply a referendum on President Barack Obama. Still, Obama grimly faced a need to both regroup and recoup losses on Wednesday, the anniversary of his inauguration, in a White House shaken by the realization of what a difference a year made. The most likely starting place was finding a way to save the much-criticized health care overhaul he's been trying to push through Congress. In one of the country's most traditionally liberal states, Brown rode a wave of voter anger to defeat Coakley, the attorney general who had been considered a surefire winner until just days ago. Her loss signaled big political problems for Obama and the Democratic Party this fall when House, Senate and gubernatorial candidates are on the ballot nationwide. David says this is a wake up call for Democrats. What do you take from these results in Massachusetts? Also is political disagreement bleeding into your personal friendships? David says he is dropping friends like flies.

Sirota Tuesday 1-19-10 Hour 3

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:12:44 -0500

We led off talking about the media with Karl Frisch from Media Matters for America. We hit on the Haiti disaster and coverage of it. We then talked to Jim Hoffmeister, a local citizen, who with a group of concerned folks, proposed a ballot measure that would provide taxpayer dollars to finance campaigns for those running for legislature and statewide office. We then did news of the weird and closed out the show with phone calls.

Sirota Tuesday 1-19-10 Hour 2

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:11:25 -0500

President at the Independence Institute and 850 KOA talk show host Jon Caldara joisn the show to discuss his ballot initiative that would opt Colorado out of the health insurance mandates called the Colorado Right to Health Care Choice Initiative. www.joncaldara.comWe then took listener response to his interview and on the mandate. Would you support Caldara's initiative?

Sirota Tuesday 1-19-10 Hour 1

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:10:28 -0500

David led off with a rant on Haiti, the senate seat in Massachusetts, bank bailouts, health care and much more. On the MA senate race we asked if the democrats are sealing their own fate? We also asked if how Obama has defined government in his first year. David contends that it is defined as corporatism. What do you think?

Sirota Monday 1-18-10 Hour 3

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:09:17 -0500

We played audio of a speech from Martin Luther King Jr. on poverty to lead of this hour. We then continued taking calls on any topic we hit on this morning. Eddie the conservative then made David's day!

Sirota Monday 1-18-10 Hour 2

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:15:40 -0500

Rich Benjamin, author of Searching for Whitopia An Improbable Journey to the Heart of White America is our special guest. In his latest piece on Huffington Post, he says On Martin Luther King Day, politicians, businesses, and millions of citizens trip over each other to celebrate Dr. King's feel-good racial tonic. But doing so sidesteps the harder and more important topic. King"s trenchant economic beliefs. As Congress dithers over healthcare reform, and tens of millions of Americans hover on the brink of poverty, Martin Luther King"s Dream remains more pressing and relevant than at any point since his assassination. www.richbenjamin.com Does MLK Day trample what he is truly to be remembered for? Has he been Santa Clausified? We also brought up a new topic. Why do Americans all the sudden care about Haiti? Did they care 8 days ago? What does this really say about issues of poverty and Americans? Same thing with Hurricane Katrina and the Malaysian tsunami. Why do we only jump to aid in natural disasters? Where were the reporters and the concern for Haitians before the earthquake?

Sirota Monday 1-18-10 Hour 1

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:51:44 -0500

David opened up the week talking about the state of the Democratic Party. We then played some audio of Mayor John Hickenlooper from 9 News on taxes and medical marijuana.Our guest this hour was The Nation's DC Editor Christopher Hayes. We talked about salary increases for bank executives.

Best of David Sirota Jan 11-15

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:26:35 -0500

This weeks best interview includedBruce Schneier on security and profilingState Senator Chris Romer and Medical Marijuana Attorney Rob Corry on new billDenver Post's Susan Greene on lack of women for gubernatorial raceLew Maltby author of Can They Do That Retaking our Fundamental Rights in the Workplace.

Sirota Friday 1-15-10 Hour 3

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:25:59 -0500

We continued taking calls on schmucks of the week as well as medical marijuana. We were also taste testing brews and talking about Oskar Blues Brewery with Chris Katechis. They have awesome locations in Lyons and Longmont. www.oskarblues.com

Sirota Friday 1-15-10 Hour 2

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:09:04 -0500

We talked about medical marijuana with special in studio guest Mason Tvert. He is executive director of SAFER here in Colorado. We also took votes for your schmuck of the week. www.saferchoice.org

Sirota Friday 1-15-10 Hour 1

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:47:02 -0500

David led with a brief talk about Haiti and tazes before being joined by Donna Good from the Biennial of Americas Donna Good to talk about July's month long festival. www.denverbiennial.orgWe then chatted with Robert McChesney about his new book The Death and Life of American Journalism. www.robertmcchesney.com

Sirota Thursday 1-14-10 Hour 3

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:15:21 -0500

We led off with special guest George Saunders. He is an American writer of short stories and essays. Currently a professor at Syracuse University, he won the National Magazine Award for fiction in 1994, 1996, 2000, and 2004, and second prize in the O. Henry Awards in 1997. His first story collection, CivilWarLand in Bad Decline was a finalist for the 1996 PEN Hemingway Award. His story collection In Persuasion Nation was a finalist for The Story Prize in 2007. In The Braindead Megaphone, his collection of funny essays and long journalism, Saunders patrols the Mexican border, visits the Buddha Boy in Nepal, and, in the title essay, ribs America's loudmouth TV culture. www.saunderssaunderssaunders.comWe then talked about DPS and their controversial lunch menu for MLK Day. Denver Public Schools has retracted the lunch menu on Martin Luther King Day after the menu items apparently offended a number of people. The school district had planned to offer students southern style chicken with collard greens. It's a meal that some people say diminished and minimized the meaning of Martin Luther King Day, and the great civil rights leader himself. What do you think?

Sirota Thursday 1-14-10 Hour 2

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:17:05 -0500

David led off playing the most unbelievable audio from the last day. Rush Limbaugh says Obama using Haiti for political gains and religious leader says that this earthquake happened because the Haitians signed a pact with the Devil hundreds of years ago. Seriously. We also talked about a new poll showing Americans willing to trim civil liberties to be safer in the air. We also brought in the Dr. George Tiller murder case where the defense is wanting to argue that the shooting fell short of first degree murder because he was trying to save lives and that manslaughter would be a more fitting charge. The question has drawn intense attention from advocates on each side of the abortion debate. Can't terrorists make the same argument? Should he be considered a terrorist?

Sirota Thursday 1-14-10 Hour 1

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:01:34 -0500

David opened with a brief news update segment where he talked about the gubernatorial race, Haiti and a bank tax. We were then joined by Lew Maltby, author of Can They Do That?: Retaking our Fundamental Rights in the Workplace. Is it legal for your boss to fire you for what you write on your personal blog? Or for putting the wrong candidate's bumper sticker on your car? Or for having a high risk of a future disease? Shockingly, all of these are allowed and happen everyday in America. www.cantheydothatbook.comWe then took calls on the bank tax. As many as 50 financial firms with assets greater than 50 billion each would be hit by a levy President Barack Obama will propose today to help recoup taxpayer bailout money and trim the federal budget deficit, an administration official said. The levy based on bank liabilities would be imposed starting June 30 and the administration estimates it will raise 90 billion over a minimum of 10 years. David says this is a joke and does not go far enough? Is he wrong or right to push this tax? Is it too late?

Sirota Wednesday 1-13-10 Hour 3

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:18:41 -0500

We led off the hour with awesome an awesome Onion Dispatch on who the new leader of the GOP is. We then talked about Mark McGuire and his admittance to using steroids during the years he hit 70 and 65 home runs respectively. We played audio of Brian Williams and his disgust with McGuire. David asked what happened to real journalism and reporting? How did no one see this in the Summer of 1998? Does it matter to you?

Sirota Wednesday 1-13-10 Hour 2

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:08:42 -0500

Alex Tonelson joins David to talk about a recent Harper's piece he wrote on the need for a manufacturing led exit from the economic crisis called Up From Globalism. Tonelson is a Research Fellow at the U.S. Business and Industry Council and author of The Race to the Bottom, published by Westview Press. We then talked with medical marijuana advocate and attorney Rob Corry in response to claims State Senator Chris Romer said in an interview yesterday. We talked about opposition to medical marijuana and where it comes from and why. We then had an unbelievable call you really need to hear to appreciate.

Sirota Wednesday 1-13-10 Hour 1

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:59:33 -0500

David opened up with a monologue on Mayor Hickenlooper's announcement that he will run for Governor and a rant on taxes. We then were joined by Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll. We talked about the upcoming legislative session and about the state of politics in Colorado. We then talked about a potential tax battle underway in Colorado. We then talked about potential tax reform in Colorado. Is it the time for some increases?

Sirota Tuesday 1-12-10 Hour 3

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:22:27 -0500

This hour we had Media Matters Senior Fellow Eric Boehlert give us our media misinformation report. We talked about Harry Reid and Sarah Palin. We then did news of the weird before being joined by Denver Post columnist Susan Greene who wrote a piece about the lack of womens names being thrown out as we look for our next best Democratic candidate for Colorado Governor.

Sirota Tuesday 1-12-10 Hour 2

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:10:52 -0500

State Senator Chris Romer and executive director at Sensible Colorado and Brian Vicente were our special guest to hammer out the medical marijuana debate. Vicente is also a lawyer who has spent most of his time lately guiding the state's medical-marijuana community. Over the weekend, Senator Romer, a Denver Democrat who was drafting a regulatory bill that he said he hoped would strike a compromise between the pro-pot and anti-pot camps, yanked most of his proposal from consideration, scolding both sides for being intractable. Also on Monday night Denver's City Council approved a broad set of regulations for the city's booming medical-marijuana industry over the objections of dozens of cannabis advocates who say the rules clamp down too hard on their businesses. We then took calls on medical marijuana and also debated whether or not plastic bans should be banned. A group in Boulder is trying to do so.

Sirota Tuesday 1-12-10 Hour 1

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:53:41 -0500

We led off the hour with some local news and about the upcoming race for Governor. Ed Perlmutter says he likes being a Congressman and bows out of contention. Also some folks saying a primary would be bad for Democrats. David also played audio from Brewster's Millions and said why we might need to vote none of the above. We then were joined by staff attorney at Earthjustice Denver office Ted Zukoski and Climate and Energy Program Director for WildEarth Guardians Jeremy Nichols. Earthjustice And WildEarth Guradians are fighting an operation by the Mountain Coal Company in Colorado's West Elk Coal Mine over how to deal with the methane gas they're releasing in the process of pulling the coal out. This is the single largest source of greenhouse gasses in Colorado from a single source. The company has repeatedly asked for permission from the Feds to have control over the Methane and eventually got it. Now, after six months, they are telling the Feds they don't want to use the methane and just release it into the atmosphere. Our guests are staff attorney at Earthjustice Denver office Ted Zukoski and Climate and Energy Program Director for WildEarth Guardians Jeremy Nichols. www.earthjustice.org www.wildearthguardians.org

Sirota Monday 1-11-10 Hour 3

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:12:25 -0500

President and Founder of the American Small Business League Lloyd Chapman joins the show. In the two years running up to the 2008 presidential election, President Barack Obama routinely promised to enact a windfall profits tax on the oil and gas industry to fund a 1000 dollars per household energy rebate. Shortly after being elected, President Obama quietly dropped the promise from his agenda. An anonymous transition team staffer tried to justify the decision by stating, "President-elect Obama announced the policy during the campaign because oil prices were above 80 dollars per barrel. They are currently below that now and expected to stay below that." Last Monday, the price of crude oil topped 80 per barrel, reaching 81.39, according to a Bloomberg energy report. Many experts are predicting that oil could top more than 100 dollars a barrel in the first half of 2010. Looyd speculates on why Obama is not fulfilling this promise. www.asbl.comWe then talked with Melody Petersen about big pharma. has been writing about the pharmaceutical industry for more than 10 years, including as a staff reporter for the New York Times. Her investigative reporting won a Gerald Loeb award, one of the highest honors in business journalism. She is also author of the recent book, Our Daily Meds: How the Pharmaceutical Companies Transformed Themselves into Slick Marketing Machines and Hooked the Nation on Prescription Drugs. www.ourdailymedsthebook.com

Sirota Monday 1-11-10 Hour 2

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:11:39 -0500

We led off talking with Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Cejudo. He is the son of undocumented immigrants and won gold at 18 years old in 2008's Summer Games. He talked about his challenges he faced growing up and how he was able to become an American hero. www.henrycejudo.com We then talked about the Harry Reid controversy. The top Democrat in the U.S. Senate apologized on Saturday for comments he made about Barack Obama's race during the 2008 presidential bid and are quoted in a book about the campaign that is soon to be released. Reid described in private then Senator Barack Obama as light skinned and with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one. What should happen to Reid?

Sirota Monday 1-11-10 Hour 1

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:07:16 -0500

David led off the week talking about security and racial profiling. We talked about a new poll as well as played audio from top republicans making the claim that no terrorist attacks happened under George W. Bush's clock. We then talked with one of the nation's leading security experts Bruce Schenier He says profiling makes us less safe. Scheneir has written several books on security and he also writes for Wired Magazine. www.schneier.com We then asked if you agree or disagree that profiling makes us less safe?

Best of Sirota Jan 4-8

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:09:27 -0500

This week our best interviews includedRaj Patel on his book The Value of Nothing: How to Reshape Market Society and Redefine DemocracyDick Wadhams and Pat Waak on Governor Ritter announcing he will not seek reelection. Both serve as chair for their perspective parties. Edge of Sports host and The Nation's sports writer Dave Ziren on how the current BCS is nipping higher education in the butt. Wired Magazine's David Hambling on the future of taser use

Sirota Friday 1-8-10 Hour 3

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:13:01 -0500

We led off with Christy Harvey from Mic Check Radio and the Center for American Progress. She hit on stories that flew under the radar this week. We then took calls on Hickenlooper, business in government as well as threw out some other important news items.

Sirota Friday 1-8-10 Hour 2

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:10:47 -0500

We opened up the hour with special guest David Hambling who wrote a piece for Wired Magazine on taser use an its future. The use of Tasers has become increasingly controversial over the last year, following high profile cases such as the Tasering of a 10 year old girl who had refused to take a shower and video of a 72 year old great grandmother who was Tasered following a driving offense. Now a federal appeals court in San Francisco has set down new rules for when police officers are allowed to use Tasers. In particular, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Tasers can"t be used simply to force a non-violent person to bend to an officer"s will. The court"s reason was that Taser"s X26 stun gun inflicts more pain than other non lethal options. David is also the author of the book Weapons Grade - How Modern Warfare Gave Birth to Our High-Tech World. We had a small segment of phone calls before being joined by What's the Matter With Kansas author Thomas Frank to talk about his new column in the Wall Street Journal called Watch Out for GOP Populism.

Sirota Friday 1-8-10 Hour 1

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:08:40 -0500

David brought up the interview John Hickenlooper gave to the Denver Post on Thursday about his potential run for Governor. He was quoted as saying we could use more business people in government. Do you agree? What are your thoughts on Hickenlooper? Also who is your schmuck of the week?

Sirota Thursday 1-7-10 Hour 3

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:12:30 -0500

Colorado Independent reporter Katie Redding is our special guest. She's been reporting on gender discrimination in the individual health insurance market. A proposed bill that would institute a one-year moratorium on insurance mandates aims to wipe out a number of measures slated for next session, including legislation that would require Colorado insurance companies to cover maternity care and birth control. The moratorium is being proposed by the Colorado State Association of Health Underwriters, according to CSAHU lobbyist Cindy Sovine Miller. Although the health insurance industry group is still working to land Senate sponsors, Sovine Miller said she expects Ellen Roberts, a Durango Republican, and Kathleen Curry, a Western Slope Democrat turned Independent to carry the bill in the House. In fact, insider blog Colorado Pols posted that Curry had broken with her party over this very legislation, which it referred to as a very nasty bill, crafted by the insurance industry. We then went back to phones on Ken Salazar and health care and Mike Coffman.

Sirota Thursday 1-7-10 Hour 2

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:26:54 -0500

We opened up the hour with State Chair of the Democratic Party Pat Waak. She talked about what is next for state dems now that Governor Bill Ritter is not seeking reelection. We then talked about a story of Congressman Mike Coffman bragging about how well his health care plan works after he hurt himself and needed some care. He is in what David calls a single payer system. Is this hypocritical? Does he contradict his own views on health care reform? We also asked if you would support Ken Salazar for Governor?

Sirota Thursday 1-7-10 Hour 1

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:59:01 -0500

David opened up with comments on the Bill Ritter situation. We then were joined by Edge of Sports host and journalist Dave Ziren to talk about why the BCS needs to be benched and how it is hurting higher education. www.edgeofsports.com We then were joined by Congressman Ed Perlmutter to talk about what next now that Ritter is out. Ed gave a lot of praise to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. He also commented on the Move Your Money campaign.

Sirota Wednesday 1-6-10 Hour 3

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:07:33 -0500

We continued taking comments on Bill Ritter's announcement to not seek a second term as Colorado's Governor.

Sirota Wednesday 1-6-10 Hour 2

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:19:09 -0500

We opened up the hour talking about how the Colorado Republicans are seeing Bill Ritter's announcement with Chair of the Colorado Republican Party Dick Wadhams. We then took phone calls on what your thoughts are moving to the future and what this means to Democrats and who would you support? Also this hour we played audio of what kind of health care reform package Barack Obama backed during his presidential campaign.

Sirota Wednesday 1-6-10 Hour 1

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:02:08 -0500

Gov. Bill Ritter will announce today that he is withdrawing from the 2010 race for governor, numerous sources close to the governor confirmed Tuesday night. Ritter told other Democrats the job was taking a toll on his family and he could not be successful as a father and husband while running for governor, according to those briefed on the calls. Names being thrown out are John Hickenlooper, Ed Perlmutter and Andrew Romanoff. What does this mean for teh Democratic party in Colorado and who would you like to see run? Is this the beginning of a political earthquake? Senators Dodd and Dorgan also said they will not seek re election.

Sirota Tuesday 1-5-09 Hour 3

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:18:15 -0500

We led off the hour with Senior Fellow at Media Matters for America Karl Frisch. He gave us updates on Limbaugh as well as talked about his new column on New Years Resolutions for the right wing media. www.mediamatters.org We then went back to phones and took comments Mike Rosen's promo and health care.

Sirota Tuesday 1-5-09 Hour 2

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:11:42 -0500

David is joined by Raj Patel. He is the author of the new book The Value of Nothing: How to Reshape Market Society and Redefine Democracy. Raj has worked for the World Bank and WTO and been tear-gassed on four continents protesting against them. In 2008 he authored Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System. www.rajpatel.orgWe then went back to conversation from last hour on Rosen's promo and a health care mandate fight underway in Colorado.

Sirota Tuesday 1-5-09 Hour 1

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:09:22 -0500

Coloradans will likely be asked in November to blunt the impact of federal health-insurance reform with a state constitutional amendment that would attempt to undo some of what Congress is trying to pass. Jon Caldara of the Independence Institute said Tuesday that he is still working on the language for his proposal, which would then need signatures from 76,047 voters to make the ballot. But he intends to find out in the fall whether voters want to stop the federal government from dictating insurance requirements to Coloradans. Would you support this initiative and what do you think about the possibility of Congress foregoing the conference committee on health care reform? We also hit on a promo Mike Rosen is running about Michael Steele being on his show. He mentions he is a black man with a different view than Obama.

Sirota Monday 1-4-10 Hour 3

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:29:35 -0500

We continued conversation from last hour on enhanced airport security as well as plaued the audio of Brit Hume telling Tiger Woods to drop Buddhism and embrace Christianity. No Kidding.

Sirota Monday 1-4-10 Hour 2

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:06:37 -0500

We spent the first segment asking whether you would do what last hour's guest Rob Johnson and Arianna Huffington ask you to do. Move your money from those too big to fail banks to smaller community banks or credit unions? We then went through and played audio of David's top 10 most telling quotes of the last decade. David then brought up airport and national security. People traveling to the United States from or through Yemen, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and 11 other countries were subjected to extra security screening, including full body pat-downs, Monday as U.S. officials refined their response to a failed terrorist attack in Detroit on Christmas. The Transportation Security Administration outlined the new rules in a directive sent to airlines Sunday. They went into effect Monday, but initial reports from several European countries indicated that they were still scrambling to digest and implement the new rules. Is this making us safer? Is it just making us feel safer? Is this profiling? Is that okay?

Sirota Monday 1-4-10 Hour 1

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:32:38 -0500

David led off talking about his new year resolution. We then were joined by Rob Johnson, former Chief Economist of the US Senate Banking Committee, to talk about moving your money from the too big to fail banks to your local community banks. www.moveyourmoney.infoAt 730 Pulitzer Prize winner David Cay Johnston joined the show to talk about the tax structure and how it affects the middle class and top earners.

Sirota 12-31-09 Hour 3

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:05:22 -0500

We say goodbye to the last decade by taking your calls and IM about the best songs, albums, tv series and healines of the last 10 years. Happy New Years from AM 760!

Sirota 12-31-09 Hour 2

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:34:28 -0500

We continue talking about the best (and worst) albums, songs and tv series of the decade. Also, John talks about medicinal marijuana in Colorado.

Sirota 12-31-09 Hour 1

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:01:42 -0500

John Turk fills in for David Sirota. We say goodbye to 2009 and the decade. What do you think was the best best album, invention and impactful healine of the last 10 years?

Sirota 12-30-09 Hour 3

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:09:23 -0500

John continues our discussion on the war on terror. Who's to blame for last week's attempted terrorist attack?

Sirota 12-30-09 Hour 2

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:28:12 -0500

John continues our discussion on the war on terror in our country.

Sirota 12-30-09 Hour 1

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:04:55 -0500

John Turk fills in for David Sirota. Who's to blame for the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas Day? Is it fair that the right is pointing the finger at Obama?

Sirota 12-29-09 Hour 3

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:18:09 -0500

John continues our discussion on full body scans and airport security. Also, the state is planning to stop plowing rural country roads overnight, how do you feel about it?

Sirota 12-29-09 Hour 2

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:17:47 -0500

John continues our discussion on TSA screening and homeland security.

Sirota 12-29-09 Hour 1

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:56:53 -0500

John Turk fills in for David Sirota. John discusses the TSA and full body scans.

Sirota Monday 12-28-09 Hour 2

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:17:55 -0500

John continues discussing the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas day. Also, we get into racial profiling and TSA screening at the airports. And finally, we get into Charlie Sheen's arrest in Aspen last week.

Sirota Monday 12-28-09 Hour 1

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:47:34 -0500

John fills in for David. We're talking about the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas Day and racial profiling.

Sirota 12-24-09 Hour 3

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:09:14 -0500

Sirota 12-24-09 Hour 3Open line discussion concerning health care bill.

Sirota 12-24-09 Hour 2

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:22:04 -0500

Sirota 12-24-09 Hour 2Open lines discussing health care bill.

Sirota Thursday 12-24-09 Hour 1

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:12:59 -0500

Sirota 12-24-09 Hour 1David talks with Andrew Rominoff concerning health care bill and poses question...do we live up to our values during the holiday season?

Sirota Wednesday 12-23-09 Hour 3

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:08:11 -0500

We continued taking calls on health care reform for the first half hour. We then were joined by Fort Collins Coloraodoan Editor Bob Moore to talk about legal issued for the Balloon Boy family.

Sirota Wednesday 12-23-09 Hour 2

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:38:48 -0500

We continued conversation from last hour! Should Progressives support the current health care bill? Is Obama lying to us when he says he did not campaign on the public option? We have audio saying he would not sign a bill that does not include the option.

Sirota Wednesday 12-23-09 Hour 1

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:49:26 -0500

Due to technical difficulties we are missing first few minutes of the podcast. We led with talking about the health care bill. David wrote the opposing view column in the Wednesday USA Today on why the bill should not be passed. He read his thoughts and then took calls on whether we should or should not pass the current bill? We were also joined by Congresswoman Diana DeGette to talk about health care reform and her trip to Copenhagen.

Sirota Tuesday 12-22-09 Hour 3

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:11:24 -0500

We led off the hour with Media Matters Senior Fellow Eric Boehlert to talk about who won their Misinformer of the Year Award. We the did news of the weird before being joined by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley who was the sole No vote on the reconfirmation of Ben Bernanke.

Sirota Tuesday 12-22-09 Hour 2

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:28:01 -0500

We led off the hour with a great conversation with Dr. Howard Dean the former Vermont Governor and Chair of the DNC. We talked about health care reform and where he stands on the bill. We then played audio of Senator Michael Bennet telling us why he is voting for the current senate bill.

Sirota Tuesday 12-22-09 Hour 1

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:53:09 -0500

What you think the 2000's will be remembered for? And what is the most important moment in the last decade?

Sirota Monday 12-21-09 Hour 3

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:35:30 -0500

Jay Rosen was David's special guest to discuss his theory on who shapes news which he calls the Church of the Savvy. Rosen is a press critic, a writer, and a professor of journalism at New York University. He is a strong supporter of citizen journalism, encouraging the press to take a more active interest in citizenship, improving public debate, and enhancing life. He runs his own weblog called PressThink. He is also a semi-regular contributor to The Huffington Post. We then did news of the weird and took calls on health care to close out the show.

Sirota Monday 12-21-09 Hour 2

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:11:52 -0500

We continued conversation on health care reform for the first half hour before Governor Bill Ritter joined teh show to discuss the budget, the upcoming legislative session and much more.

Sirota Monday 12-21-09 Hour 1

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:55:51 -0500

David led off the week talking about all the news over the weekend regarding health care reform. We played audio of Howard Dean on Meet the Press where he kind of takes a different stance than last week on reform. We also played a CNN slip of what is going on with drug importation and how we are not getting what Obama campaigned on in 2008. We also talked about what David calls selective deficit disorder and Mark Udall. What are your opinions on what is happening in health care today and how should progressives proceed?

Best of David Sirota Interviews

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:24:43 -0500

David's Best Interviews this week included, and trust me it was hard to pair it down after a solid week of solid guests:Ned Lamont on why Joe Lieberman is gutting health care reformAir America's Jack Rice on AfghanistanFormer New York Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer on Wall StreetAnd author Chris O'Brien on drinking beer and saving the planet

Sirota Friday 12-18-09 Hour 3

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:43:02 -0500

We opened with Christy Harvey from Mic Check Radio to talk about Health Care Reform. She says pass the current bill, David says no way. This was a fun debate. We then did news of the weird before being joined by Chris O'Brien to talk about his book Fermenting Revolution How to Drink Beer and Save the World. www.beeractivist.com

Sirota Friday 12-18-09 Hour 2

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:07:14 -0500

A medical marijuana dispensary opening near a high school is creating divided opinions in Denver's Stapleton neighborhood and seems likely to have narrowly beaten new rules that could restrict dispensary operations in the city. Tonya Le, a server at the An's Lemon Grass Grille restaurant in the same commercial complex as the planned dispensary, said she doesn't understand all the fuss. The restaurant serves alcohol near the high school but follows pertinent regulations and doesn't sell to those underage, Le said. Surely, a business selling medial marijuana could also follow proper regulations, she said. David argues that in practicality, it is no different than having a pharmacy near a school. What do you think?

Sirota Friday 12-18-09 Hour 1

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:53:29 -0500

David led off talking about Senator Michael Bennet's vote to reconfirm Ben Bernanke as Chair of the Federal Reserve. We also played sudio of Senator Al Franken basicall telling Joe Lieberman to shut up yesterday on the senate floor. We then were joined by former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. We talked about the Fed, banking and the economy. This was a great 30 minute chat.

Sirota Thursday 12-17-09 Hour 3

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:28:43 -0500

We spent the first 40 minutes talking to Congressman Ed Perlmutter about attacks on him that he was instrumental in gutting Wall Street Reform. He responded to criticism from MSNBC's Dylan Ratigan. www.perlmutterforcolorado.com

Sirota Thursday 12-17-09 Hour 2

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:08:23 -0500

We led off the hour with former Chief Economist of the US Senate Banking Committee Robert Johnson. He talked about how Wall Street reform is being gutted and there are loopholes for the big banks. He also suggests that Congressman Ed Perlmutter was instrumental in making these bills lean toward favoring big banks. At 8:25 we played the audio for Ed Perlmutter's interview by Dylan Ratigan of MSNBC where he was hammered for being a pivotal player in the gutting of Wall Street reform. This is a brutal exchange between the two. Our next guest was Air America talk show host Jack Rice. He just got back from a week long broadcast in Afghanistan. www.jackrice.org

Sirota Thursday 12-17-09 Hour 1

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:02:45 -0500

Liberal Sen. Jay Rockefeller denounced Howard Dean"s call for the Senate healthcare bill to be axed as nonsense and irresponsible. Rockefeller and the White House both fired back at Dean on Wednesday for saying that liberals should kill the Senate bill. Dean, a former governor of Vermont and ex-chairman of the Democratic National Committee said liberals should kill the Senate bill and start all over because it does not include a public option or a provision to allow people as young as 55 to buy in to Medicare. Both plans were dropped by Senate Democratic leaders because of objections from centrists. Why do you think the White House is firing back? Who do you agree with?

Sirota Wednesday 12-16-09 Hour 3

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:12:33 -0500

The Nation's DC editor Christopher Hayes was our special guest to talk about the news of the day on health care, Wall Street and Afghanistan. We then did news of the weird before rounding out the show with comments on anything.

Sirota Wednesday 12-16-09 Hour 2

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:17:22 -0500

Our special guest is Scott Paul founding executive director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing to talk about jobs. Launched in April 2007, AAM is a unique partnership between the United Steelworkers union and leading U.S. manufacturers, has rapidly developed into an effective research and advocacy organization, publishing reports on the effectiveness of domestic trade laws and the consequences of China"s market-distorting practices. www.americanmanufacturing.orgWe then went back to phones on Mark Udall voting against being able to buy drugs from Canada that would save taxpayers 100 billion dollars. We also asked whether Barack Obama is helpless when it comes to health care reform? And what about Ben Bernanke for Time's Person of the Year.

Sirota Wednesday 12-16-09 Hour 1

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:59:10 -0500

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was named Person of the Year by Time magazine today for leading the"most-powerful, least-understood government force shaping our lives, Managing Editor Richard Stengel said. The bad part is that Time says we should thank Ben Bernanke as well. David laid out his reasons why he should not be named man of the year. David also threw out a couple stories to show the idiocracy we live in. One headline Senate Dems Support Big Pharma. Mark Udall is one of those dems. We then were joined by Joe Lieberman's opponent for his senate seat in 2006 Ned Lamont. He gave his reasons why Joe Lieberman is derailing health care reform. We then went back to conversation on Lieberman and whether or not you think Barack Obama is in a helpless position?

Sirota Tuesday 12-15-09 Hour 3

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:19:42 -0500

We led off with our media misinformation report from Eric Boehlert from Media Matters for America. We talked about health care coverage, the school czar homosexuality attacks and much more. We then did news of teh weird before being joined by co founder and Director of 350.org Bill McKibbon live from Copenhagen. In 1988, he wrote The End of Nature, the first book for a common audience about global warming. 350.org is an international climate campaign that organized the most widespread day of action on global warming in history. www.350.org

Sirota Tuesday 12-15-09 Hour 2

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:11:33 -0500

We carried over conversation from hour one. Should the new health care bill be scrapped if it does not include a public option or medicare buy in?

Sirota Tuesday 12-15-09 Hour 1

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:00:35 -0500

The senate democratic caucus will remove the public option and the medicare buy in from the health care bill. In an effort to build the crucial 60-vote bloc needed to safely pass the health care reform, Reid last week opted to ditch the public option in the face of strong resistance from Senator Joe Lieberman and several Democrats. We played audio of Joe Lieberman from 3 months ago talking about how he supported a Medicare buy in. Should the bill be scrapped? How upset are you with folks like Lieberman and Reid?

Sirota Monday 12-14-09 Hour 3

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:11:55 -0500

At 9:00, the International Labor Rights Forum Campaigns Director, Tim Newman, joins us to discuss the Working for Scrooge Worst Companies of 2009 for the Right to Associate list. Dave gives a national and local news update including stories about Afghanistan, Ben Bernanke and the CO energy proposal. Later, Dave continues the conversation from last hour and asks listeners what they think about drunk driving sentences.

Sirota Monday 12-14-09 Hour 2

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:12:22 -0500

The conversation from last hour continues about whether or not it is time to cut this corporate subsidies right now? Or is all spending cylindrical? Dave also asks: How could Betsy Markey and Jared Polis vote agianst cram-down legislation for banks?And are we getting played on Wall Street Reform? Listeners call in with their opinions.

Sirota Monday 12-14-09 Hour 1

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:06:53 -0500

DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WE ARE MISSING THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF THE BROADCAST. At 7:20, State Senator and State Senate President Brandon Shaffer joins us to talk about the job training bill the state legislature rolled out last week. At 7:30 Rep. Joel Judd joins us to talk about the fiscal crisis. In the face of the state"s mounting budget crisis, state Rep. Joel Judd plans to introduce two bills next month that would dissolve tax-free business "enterprise zones" and that would levy taxes on services across the state. Dave then asks if it is time to cut this corporate subsidies right now? Or is all spending cylindrical? Dave also asks: How could Betsy Markey and Jared Polis vote agianst cram-down legislation for banks?And are we getting played on Wall Street Reform?

Best of Sirota Dec 7-11

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:10:40 -0500

This week's best interviews included: Sports Writer, Dave Ziren, on why Tiger matters. Chris Hedges on why liberals are useless. And Finally, Jay Marvin with his big announcement.

Sirota Friday 12-11-09 Hour 3

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:13:18 -0500

To start off the hour, it's our weekly segment with Christy Harvey from the Center for American Progress to discuss the latest news in American Politics and economy. At 9:20, we are joined by Twisted Pine Brewing Company owner, Bob Baile. We sampled some of their beers and took questions from callers on the brewing process.Twisted Pine is located at 3201 Walnut St. in Boulder. Towards the end of the hour, Dave shares some news of the weird including stories about gritz scaldings and beating by steak.

Sirota Friday 12-11-09 Hour 2

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:06:16 -0500

At 8:00, renowned nature photographer, John Fielder joins us to discuss his new book: Ranches of Colorado which celebrates not only the scenic beauty of these rural landscapes and the western heritage that we all treasure, but also makes a statement about the Colorado that we will all enjoy in the future. He has a book signing event for his new book Saturday at the Highlands Ranch Tattered Cover from 5-6pm. He will also be at various Barnes & Nobles locations on Sat & Sunday. For these times and locations visit johnfielder.com. Later, the schmuck of the week conversation continues as listeners call in with their nominations and comment on Dave's winners: Ben Bernanke and Margaret Hamburg.

Sirota Friday 12-11-09 Hour 1

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:06:30 -0500

The show begins with Dave's schmuck of the week nomination. This week his vote goes to Ben Bernanke because as the chief banking regulator of the country he should have done a better job regulating the banks in the heat of the meltdown. He is now trying to put taxpayers on the hook as he is searching for his re-confirmation. David asks why should he be given another shot after messing up so badly? He also nominates Margaret Hamburg, the head of the Food and Drug Administration. Congress is considering passing a bill that would allow wholesalers to buy perscription drugs from other industrialized countries, but Obama's appointee, Hamburg, is claiming that this policy is not safe and would cause many problems. Dave asks listeners if they think this is a good or bad idea and has them call in to nominate their schmuck and heros of the week.

Sirota Thursday 12-10-09 Hour 3

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:09:37 -0500

We spent the first half hour going through audio of Barack Obama's acceptance speech and then taking calls on conversation from last hour on a possible mandate for insurance companies to cover all sorts of birth control. At 9:30 Jay Marvin joined David for his announcement. Jay is taking an indefinite medical leave and the morning slot is now officially Davids.

Sirota Thursday 12-10-09 Hour 2

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:17:31 -0500

Colorado Independent reporter Katie Redding is our special guest. She's been reporting on gender discrimination in the individual health insurance market. Colorado does appear to currently have a very narrow birth control mandate. If a plan has a prescription benefit, then the plan must also cover birth control pills, but there is no requirement to cover other forms of birth control. But is also still unclear how many of the plans offered by companies on the individual and small-group markets in Colorado don't offer birth control. Should we pass a mandate forcing insurance companies to cover all forms of birth control in Colorado? Is it comparing apples to oranges when saying companies cover things like Viagra or a vasectomy?

Sirota Thursday 12-10-09 Hour 1

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:24:27 -0500

David led off playing audio of President Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. David was pleased to see that the president at least acknowledged the controversy with him getting the prize while escalating a war with Afghanistan. We then had Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont on to talk about health care, Ben Bernanke and Afghanistan. At 7:40 international bestselling author Stephen Coonts is our special guest to talk about his new book The Disciple. He has a book signing event and presentation tonight at the Highlands Ranch Tattered Cover starting at 7:30. Stephen Coonts is the author of 15 New York Times bestsellers, the first of which was the classic flying tale, Flight of the Intruder. He is a former naval aviator and Vietnam combat veteran, he is a graduate of West Virginia University and the University of Colorado School of Law.

Sirota Wednesday 12-9-09 Hour 3

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:13:43 -0500

At the top of the hour Dave is joined by MSNBC's Morning Meeting host, Dylan Ratigan, to discuss the problems within the political system and American economy.After, Dave gives his news of the weird update at 9:45. Later, the discussion from the previous hour about the erosion among self- proclaimed democrats and Hedges and Taibbi's pieces continue to be discussed. Listeners continue to call in with their opinions.

Sirota Wednesday 12-9-09 Hour 2

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:07:14 -0500

We continue the discussion on Chris Hedges' recent article and which states that liberals are useless and said that if you're not willing to vote against the democratic party that betrays you over and over, you don't understand democratic politics. Listeners call in with their opinions on the article and his on-air statements. At 8:25, David is joined by special guest Matt Taibbi to discuss his current piece in Rolling Stone Obama's Big Sellout.

Sirota Wednesday 12-9-09 Hour 1

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:09:02 -0500

To begin the show, David talks about a debate going on in Copenhagen on whether we, the U.S., and other industrialized nations should have to pay to help developing countries bring down their emissions to help climate change. Listeners call in to voice their opinions and what the possible ramifications could be. At 7:20, David is joined by Chris Hedges to talk about his latest column at Truthdig called Liberals Are Useless. Hedges spent two decades as a foreign reporter covering wars in Latin America, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Hedges stated that liberals are useless and said that if you're not willing to vote against the democratic party that betrays you over and over, you don't understand democratic politics. Listeners call in with their opinions on the article and his on-air statements.

Sirota Tuesday 12-8-09 Hour 3

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:15:24 -0500

We led off the hour with our media misinformation report with Senior Fellow at Media Matters Eric Boehlert. We hit on coverage of the Copenhagen climate change summit and how conservatives are blasting climate change as climategate and environmental jihadism. At 9:25 we talked with Evan Ratliff. He is a Wired Magazine reporter who tried to vanish in today's digital age while Wired readers tried to find him. It is virtually impossible to disappear in todays digital age. We then did News of the Weird and rounded out the show with a couple calls.

Sirota Tuesday 12-8-09 Hour 2

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:10:29 -0500

Our special guest was Dave Zirin who says Tiger Woods deserves our scrutiny. Zirin is the first sports correspondent and now sports editor for the Nation Magazine. He is the author of Welcome to the Terrordome and A People's History of Sports in the United States. He is also the host of XM satellite's popular weekly show, Edge of Sports Radio. www.edgeofsports.com We then talked about whether or not Tiger or any athlete has a responsibility or culpability as a spokesman for a business or corporation?

Sirota Tuesday 12-8-09 Hour 1

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:59:01 -0500

David led the show with a few news stories. We talked about stimulus spending, health care and much more. At 7:20 State Senator Chris Romer joined the show to discuss his plans to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in Denver. He wants to create a medical marijuana licensing authority, which grants, refuses and renews licenses. Among other items in the bill, Senator Romer wants a board to decide whether patients under 21 years old, excluding military veterans, qualify for medical marijuana. Also under Romer's proposal, registered primary caregivers, like licensed chiropractors and acupuncturists, will be allowed to treat up to a quarter of their annual patients with medical marijuana without having a license. But those businesses will not be allowed to get a grower's license. What do you think of this proposal?

Sirota Monday 12-7-09 Hour 3

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:08:07 -0500

At the top of the hour local historian and author, John Hafnor, joins us to discuss his new book Strange But True America: Weird Tales from All 50 States. This book takes a look at the crazy, but overlooked facts in American history. He will be at The Tattered Cover in Lo-do tonight at 7:30. Later, Dave shares some recent strange stories in his news of the weird segment. At 9:30 author, Zachary Lazar, joins us to disucss his newest book, Evening's Empire: The Story of My Father's Murder. He will be appearing tonight at The Tattered Cover on Colfax signing and discussing his latest book.

Sirota Monday 12-7-09 Hour 2

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:09:01 -0500

The discussion from the previous hour is continued and David takes calls from listeners on their opinions on Afghanistan. He also brings up the latest discussion on health care and the public option. Listeners call in with their opinions.

Sirota Monday 12-7-09 Hour 1

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:05:51 -0500

The show begins with the latest news on Afghanistan. The newly released US Army Field Guide has said that we need 600,000 troops to run an affective counter-insurgency. David gives some possible reasons the President may have for disregarding his military advisors as well as mentioning the latest statements made by the Obama administration on this issue. Dave asks listeners: Do you feel lied to by the Obama administration about Afghanistan? Are you now concerned that we are going to see a long-term buildup in the country? David also mentions that the CIA is expanding use of drones in Pakistan.

Best of Sirota Nov 30- Dec 4

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:17:24 -0500

Our best interviews from this week included:Congressional Quarterlies' John Donnelly to talk about military suicides.Author William Scott to talk about World War 3.Local UFO chaser Chuck Zukowski on the bizarre cattle mutilations.Congresswoman Diana DeGette on Afghanistan and health care.Jeremy Skahill to talk about private contractors in Afghanistan.Free Press' Josh Silver to talk about the NBC/ COMCAST merger.

Sirota Friday 12-4-09 Hour 3

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:15:16 -0500

At 9:00 it's our weekly segment with Christy Harvey from the Center for American Progress. Christy updates us on the latest news in America including stories on Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin. At 9:20 we are joined in studio by the master brewer at the Yak and Yeti Brewpub, Chris Kennedy. He brings in some of their special brews for us to try and critique.

Sirota Friday 12-4-09 Hour 2

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:07:04 -0500

At 8:00, we are joined by the executive director and founder of the Violence Policy Center, Josh Sugarmann, to discuss how many deaths can be attributed to holders of licensed conceal to carry guns. He and Dave also discuss the issues surrounding the possibility of CSU being one of the nation's last campuses allowing students to carry concealed weapons. Later, the discussion from last hour continues and listeners call in to nominate their butt-hole and hero of the week.

Sirota Friday 12-4-09 Hour 1

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:04:41 -0500

Today David is joined by friend Mike Levy and starts this Monday morning off with a question for the listeners: Who is the biggest butt-hole of the week? His nomination went to Barack Obama and gives his reasons as to why. David also asks listeners who the hero of the week is. His choice is Jared Polis for his choice to stand up against the increase of troops in Afghanistan.

Sirota Thursday 12-3-09 Hour 3

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:16:50 -0500

At the top of the hour we are joined by Josh Silver, the executive director of Free Press. He and David speak out in response to the Comcast-NBC merger announcement this morning. Free Press and the Consumer Federation of America released a new analysis showing why the deal poses a major threat to video competition that would seriously harm the public interest. They talk more about the negative after-effects of the merger for the public. David gives a news of the weird update including stories about the president's salary, winds driving iceburgs away from New Zealand, employee calling in bomb threat to help boss catch a plane, pedicures given by nibbling fish and an elf jailed for claiming to carry dynamite at mall. At 9:40, David discusses the possibility of CSU being one of the last universities allowing concealed weapons on campus. He asks listeners to call in with their opinions on the issue.

Sirota Thursday 12-3-09 Hour 2

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:16:12 -0500

The hour begins with a continued discussion of why Americans care so much about celebrities and athletes and their behaviors? Why do we look at them as role models?

Sirota Thursday 12-3-09 Hour 1

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:08:49 -0500

At 7:05 Congressman Jared Polis is our special guest to talk about the Afghanistan surge. To continue with the conversation of the war in Afghanistan, we are joined by author and journalist, Jeremy Scahill, at 7:20 to get his take on Afghanistan and what we know about the number of private contractors there. Scahill is is the author of the bestselling book, Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army. To lighten up the mood we change the topic to discuss why Americans care so much about celebrities and athletes and their behaviors? Do we look at them as role models?