Border Security Realities and the Courage to Influence

On December 19, 2024, Chris Harris, Brad Beck, Marshall Dawson, Greg Morrissey, Ross Clough, Dave Walden, Carol VanLandingham, and Carol Baker joined the show. Retired Border Patrol agent discusses deportation realities, criminal alien removal priorities, national security threats at military bases, Tren de Aragua gang in Aurora, and sanctuary city enforcement challenges Co-founder of Liberty Toastmasters explains how the courage to influence requires fortitude to take action and discusses the Overton window concept for.

The Courage to Influence Through Communication

Start listening at 28:45 – Hour 1

Brad Beck, co-founder of Liberty Toastmasters, opens the table topics segment by explaining how the courage to influence requires the fortitude to take action and impact others, even when facing discomfort or challenges. Beck references the Overton window concept, developed by Joe Overton at the Mackinac Center in the 1990s, as a framework for understanding the range of possibilities in public policy discourse. He emphasizes that cultural change precedes political change, and that it takes just one person standing up for their beliefs to inspire others to follow.

“When one person has a voice, it sets the tone for others to stand up and say, yeah, I agree with that.”

Brad Beck, Co-founder of Liberty Toastmasters

Campaigns as Last Mile Marketers

Start listening at 33:19 – Hour 1

Marshall Dawson, a former congressional candidate, argues that everyone can exert influence in their daily lives, whether in their jobs, families, or communities. Drawing from an interview with Kamala Harris’s digital director Rob Flaherty, Dawson explains that campaigns function as “last mile marketers” operating in a terrain set by culture. He challenges listeners to consider whether political parties are helping to influence culture or working against candidates, particularly as Colorado Republican elections approach.

“Winston Churchill said that politics are almost as exciting as war and quite as dangerous. In war, you can only be killed once, but in politics, many times.”

Marshall Dawson, Former Congressional Candidate

Small Business Under Assault

Start listening at 40:48 – Hour 1

Ross Clough of Liberty Toastmasters Denver focuses on areas of injustice as a way to influence others. He highlights the ongoing assault on small businesses, tracing it from COVID lockdowns that shuttered small operations while allowing big box stores to remain open to the current Corporate Transparency Act requiring burdensome federal reporting. Clough notes that 38.9% of Colorado small businesses closed during the pandemic, calling these policies counterproductive and punitive to entrepreneurs.

“It’s good to look for areas of injustice because that can get almost everybody interested in your topic.”

Ross Clough, Liberty Toastmasters Denver

Values of Character in Action

Start listening at 46:46 – Hour 1

Dave Walden emphasizes that courage represents a value of character that influences others when displayed honorably and virtuously. He argues that if a picture is worth a thousand words, an example is worth ten thousand, as dramatic demonstrations of virtue leave lasting impressions. Walden calls for political leadership to display courage by standing firm on fiscal responsibility, even if it means shutting down the government to stop irresponsible spending.

“If a picture is worth a thousand words, as it is often said, an example is worth ten thousand.”

Dave Walden, Liberty Toastmasters

The Law of Influence

Start listening at 51:55 – Hour 1

Carol VanLandingham shares insights from the book The Go-Giver, explaining that influence does not come from what you take but from what you give. She references the law of influence, which states that your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first. VanLandingham challenges listeners to ask how they can courageously influence others through generosity rather than demands.

“Influence is not about what you demand. It’s about what you give.”

Carol VanLandingham, Liberty Toastmasters

Deportation Realities and National Security

Start listening at 71:34 – Hour 2

Chris Harris, a retired Border Patrol agent from the San Diego sector with over 20 years of experience, provides a sobering assessment of illegal immigration and deportation policy. Harris estimates approximately 40 million people are in the country illegally, far exceeding the outdated 11 million figure cited by DHS. He explains that while mass deportation of all illegal immigrants is physically impossible due to resource constraints, the incoming administration will prioritize removing criminal aliens and national security threats.

Harris shares firsthand experiences with foreign nationals attempting to access military bases, including an incident involving Chinese nationals at Naval Air Station North Island that he and an NCIS agent immediately identified as intelligence gathering. He describes the Tren de Aragua gang’s violent activities in Aurora, Colorado, including a torture incident that resulted in 14 arrests. Harris criticizes Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s statements about actively resisting ICE enforcement, warning that such actions could result in criminal prosecution.

“Whether you don’t like Trump or not, don’t let your hatred stop you from pulling up your big boy pants and using your critical thinking skills.”

Chris Harris, Retired Border Patrol Agent

Collateral Arrests and Sanctuary Cities

Start listening at 93:01 – Hour 2

Harris explains the concept of collateral arrests, warning that sanctuary cities refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement will see more ICE operations in their neighborhoods. When jails and courts refuse to notify ICE of illegal immigrant releases, agents must conduct operations in communities where law-abiding illegal residents could be swept up alongside targeted criminals. He urges those who oppose enforcement to recognize this unintended consequence of sanctuary policies.

“If I was here illegally and I’d been here for a while and I’m obeying the laws, I would tell my people that are supposedly representing me to stop representing me because you’re not doing a good job.”

Chris Harris, Retired Border Patrol Agent