Military Vaccine Mandates and Educational Choice

On the first day of spring, Kim Monson examined two battlefronts where individual freedom meets institutional resistance: military vaccine mandates that continue to force out service members, and teachers union opposition to a classical charter school in Douglas County.

Legislative Watch

Start listening at 9:51 – Hour 1 Legislative watchdog Mike Rawluk provided updates on key Colorado bills. Senate Bill 11, the rural surveillance bill allowing camera networks on public lands, heads to Appropriations with privacy amendments but concerning provisions for third-party funding. The smart meter bill was weakened from opt-in to opt-out. House Bill 25-1212, a bipartisan AI whistleblower protection measure, was set for floor vote.

“Not being able to fund a bill and asking for third parties to come in and fund the bill, I think is just inherently a bad idea because it extends third-party influence.” Mike Rawluk

Colorado GOP Leadership Race

Start listening at 19:57 – Hour 1 Former state representative Richard Holtorf announced his seven-point plan for Colorado State GOP chair, emphasizing reconciliation, reconstruction, and reunification of a fractured party. Technical difficulties with rural cell service limited the interview, but Holtorf outlined his regional vice-chair structure approach.

Classical Education Under Attack

Start listening at 33:13 – Hour 1 Kim Gilmartin of the Liberty Schools Initiative and Ellie Reynolds, chair of the founding committee, discussed the proposed John Adams Academy classical charter school in Sterling Ranch, Douglas County. Despite charter schools being tuition-free public schools that save taxpayers building costs, the proposal faces fierce opposition.

“This is all about choice. The false narrative of if we offer this, we take away some other option for children is just not true. It’s never been true. We need to come from this from a viewpoint of abundance.” Kim Gilmartin

Reynolds reported receiving 80 messages daily, some accusing organizers of creating a “Nazi camp” for seeking classical education options. The school will apply to the Charter School Institute rather than Douglas County to avoid potential board volatility.

Military Vaccine Mandates Continue

Start listening at 72:52 – Hour 2 West Point graduate and former Army captain Pam Long, director of the Children’s Health Defense Military Chapter, revealed that despite Trump’s executive order on COVID vaccine reinstatement, service members are still being involuntarily separated for refusing flu shots.

“Service members do have rights. They are the defenders of our Constitution, and to defend our Constitution, they do not forfeit their own constitutional rights.” Pam Long

Long’s survey of 80 respondents found the accommodation process broken across all branches and components. Only two approvals occurred, one requiring private legal representation. She noted the flu vaccine has only 19-48% efficacy, below the 51% threshold for approval, yet is mandated for all personnel.

“We, technically, are purging people who have religious beliefs and people who will not follow unethical or unconstitutional or unlawful orders.” Pam Long

Long reported that the VA still requires COVID-19 vaccination for veterans to receive healthcare, despite the DoD dropping that mandate. RFK Jr. is working with defense and veterans affairs secretaries on solutions.

Local Government Overreach

Start listening at 104:38 – Hour 2 Former Army captain Yvonne Paez of Perspectives 101 promoted a public meeting about Fort Collins’ forced trash fee, where residents must pay even if they do not use the service. The third meeting of the Trash Review Group takes place at Fort Collins Downtown Library.

The episode closed with Kim reading Laura Ingalls Wilder’s reflection: “The real things haven’t changed. It’s still best to be honest and truthful, to make the most of what we have, to be happy with simple pleasures and have courage when things go wrong.”