Parental Rights, Hollywood Propaganda, and the American Cowboy Spirit

On this Wednesday broadcast from July 19, 2023, Kim Monson explores three powerful themes: a Colorado charter school’s bold stand for parental rights, the subtle infiltration of Chinese Communist propaganda into Hollywood blockbusters, and the timeless values embodied by the American cowboy. Guests Ryan Graham, Helen Raleigh, and Trent Loos bring expert perspectives on protecting children, recognizing foreign influence, and living with courage.

China Uses Hollywood to Legitimize Territorial Claims

Start listening at 33:58 – Hour 1

Helen Raleigh, senior contributor at The Federalist, exposes how the upcoming Barbie movie includes a map of the South China Sea featuring China’s controversial “nine-dash line.” This cartographic element, recognized only by China, claims over 90% of the South China Sea as Chinese territory, despite international court rulings against China’s claims. The Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia actively protest such depictions in Hollywood films as they lack resources to counter Chinese territorial aggression.

Raleigh connects this to a broader pattern of Chinese Communist Party influence in Hollywood, noting similar maps appeared in Crazy Rich Asians and the animation Abominable. Through subtle artistic choices in globally distributed films, Beijing legitimizes illegitimate territorial claims affecting fishermen and mining companies throughout Southeast Asia. Raleigh also shares her powerful experience visiting Gettysburg and reflects on the courage required to preserve American principles in divided times.

“Basically what the Chinese Communist Party is doing is through Hollywood microphone, through Hollywood artistic interpretation, it legitimizes something that’s illegitimate. And to people on the ground, to fishermen from Philippines, to mining companies in Malaysia, this is a daily struggle. They can’t even go fishing in their own water anymore.”

Helen Raleigh, Senior Contributor, The Federalist

The Cowboy Code and Living with Courage

Start listening at 74:01 – Hour 2

Trent Loos celebrates the 18th annual Day of the American Cowboy, occurring this Saturday. He traces the cowboy image to post-Civil War Texas, where young vaqueros trailed six million head of cattle along the Chisholm Trail to reunite a ravaged nation. Loos recites the Cowboy Code: live each day with courage, take pride in your work, always finish what you start, be tough but fair, keep your promises, and ride for the brand.

The conversation turns to the ATF’s 500% increase in revoking federal firearms licenses since January 2021, highlighting the case of Morehouse Enterprises in Valley City, North Dakota. Loos also raises concerns about Canadian wildfires affecting U.S. agricultural operations, with farmers in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Nebraska reporting that smoke prevents proper hay and wheat harvest. He cites sources in Alberta who claim to have found evidence of accelerants at fire origins during a season when moisture levels would not naturally support such fires.

“The most dangerous time anybody had, the most lives that were lost, were when rivers were crossed with herds of cattle. To say that you’re going to cross a river with somebody was the ultimate show of respect and confidence that your buddy was going to have your back, no matter what. It’s time we reconnect the United States. It’s time we live with courage.”

Trent Loos, Rural Commentator

Monument Academy Takes Stand on Parental Rights

Start listening at 18:24 – Hour 1

Ryan Graham, president of Monument Academy, details the charter school’s unanimous resolution protecting student privacy and parental rights. Following a town hall attended by over 200 parents in person and 100 online, the board passed a formal resolution standing against Senate Bill 08-200 and House Bill 21-1108. The resolution ensures parents are informed and involved in any student gender-related decisions, requiring both parents or legal guardians to affirm such decisions.

Graham emphasizes the school’s commitment to protecting the bodily privacy of students while operating within legal boundaries as a publicly funded charter school. The resolution explicitly states the school will not promote gender confusion or encourage transitioning, addressing parental concerns about ideological influences in education. Monument Academy’s action may serve as a model for other schools seeking to balance legal compliance with parental rights protections.

“The board ensures that MA will never promote gender confusion or gender dysphoria in the students that we have been entrusted to serve, nor will MA promote, encourage, or motivate the transitioning of students that are gender confused, whether intentionally or unintentionally.”

Ryan Graham, President, Monument Academy