Carbon Dioxide Is Not Killing the Earth and Other Fallacious Narratives

On March 18, 2024, Tom Nelson, Laurel Imer, Susan Kochevar, and John Carson joined the show. Nelson discussed his new documentary Climate the Movie, arguing that the climate crisis narrative is false and CO2 increases benefit life on Earth Imer discussed her campaign for Republican National Committee woman, emphasizing grassroots engagement, ending purity tests, and attracting younger voters Kochevar exposed the cronyism in California’s minimum wage.

Debunking the Climate Crisis Narrative

Start listening at 30:59 – Hour 1

Tom Nelson dismantles the climate crisis narrative with the precision of a veteran researcher. Having studied climate science since 2007, Nelson traces his awakening to an ivory-billed woodpecker controversy that exposed scientific fraud. That experience led him to examine climate claims with similar skepticism, finding them equally baseless.

Nelson’s new documentary, Climate the Movie, premiered in London and the Netherlands before its Washington D.C. screening. The 80-minute film, produced by Martin Durkin, presents the skeptic case that warming is beneficial and CO2 is not a climate control knob. Nelson describes the climate agenda as “a war on working class people” that enriches activists and electric vehicle companies while achieving nothing measurable for the weather.

From European farmer protests to Biden’s electric vehicle push, Nelson argues market forces should determine energy choices. He reports European audiences are pushing back against policies that would shut down fertile farmland in the name of preventing bad weather.

“None of it is going to make any difference. We can do anything, we can spend $50 trillion dollars, change our lifestyles, and none of that is going to make any measurable difference to the weather or climate in 2050. The whole thing is, I like to call it a scam.”

Tom Nelson, Host of the Tom Nelson Podcast

Building Republican Unity Through Grassroots Engagement

Start listening at 16:57 – Hour 1

Laurel Imer brings a decade of grassroots activism to her campaign for Republican National Committee woman. The fourth-generation Colorado native served as Jefferson County chair for Donald Trump in 2016 and was a presidential elector that same year.

Imer identifies three factions within the Republican Party and calls for ending purity tests that divide conservatives. She observes that elected officials sometimes shift from grassroots to establishment thinking once in office, losing connection with their base. Her prescription focuses on policy over personality and building the Republican brand with younger voters.

The candidate emphasizes education about Colorado’s caucus and assembly process, noting that even 10 percent participation from the state’s 907,000 registered Republicans would overwhelm current meeting spaces.

“If we don’t engage Generation Z and some of these young millennials and explain to them our platform of freedom and prosperity, liberty, if we don’t do that and build our brand, where are we going to be in 25 to 30 years, Kim?”

Laurel Imer, Candidate for Colorado RNC Woman

Exposing Minimum Wage Cronyism

Start listening at 68:59 – Hour 2

Entrepreneur Susan Kochevar exposes the cronyism behind California’s new fast food minimum wage law. The $20 hourly mandate exempts chains that bake bread on-site, a carve-out that benefits Panera Bread franchisee Greg Flynn, a major donor to Governor Gavin Newsom.

Kochevar calculates that even a 30-cent hourly increase costs employers an additional $448 per employee weekly when factoring in payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, and Colorado’s family leave tax. She dismisses Representative Barbara Lee’s proposal for a $50 federal minimum wage as economically illiterate, noting Lee’s business experience came from running a nonprofit.

The 88 Drive-In Theater owner defends profit as essential to economic progress, arguing that government regulation and cronyism distort markets far more than capitalism. She points to COVID-era medical mandates as evidence that regulation does not guarantee safety.

“It’s a complete carve-out. It’s cronyism is what it is. They’re just paying off their friends. These are the kinds of things that should never be in legislation, ever. Government should not be able to hand out favors, and that’s what happens.”

Susan Kochevar, Owner of the 88 Drive-In Theater

Protecting Douglas County’s Future

Start listening at 100:22 – Hour 2

John Carson brings decades of legal and policy experience to his campaign for Douglas County Commissioner. As former president of the Douglas County School Board, he eliminated the teachers union contract and expanded charter school enrollment from 6 to 26 percent.

Carson identifies property taxes as the county’s biggest challenge, pledging to work locally since the state legislature offers no relief. He opposes outside water projects that would drain taxpayer money, advocating instead for local water districts that already have long-term plans in place.

On public safety, Carson warns that Denver’s migrant influx and homelessness will test Douglas County’s law enforcement. He emphasizes that county commissioners and local sheriffs have more direct impact on residents’ lives than federal officials.

“County commissioner, your local sheriff, your local officials are going to have the most impact on your life. There’s three county commissioners in Douglas, and we need to make sure they’re all solid, qualified citizens.”

John Carson, Candidate for Douglas County Commissioner